Hi, Friends!
I hope the beautiful day outside reminds you of God's presence and goodness. As we adjust to the reality of the coronavirus spreading, it's easy to become either anxious or frustrated with those who are anxious. We are blessed to be in community as a church family, which means there is another way through a circumstance such as this. We can choose to care for one another with compassion, reminding each other of the peace we have in Christ while following reasonable best practices to help keep each other healthy. Stay connected, be wise, and breathe. This is the invitation we extend to you at FBCP.
In our kid rooms, we will follow these precautions in the coming weeks:
All kids and leaders will wash their hands when they arrive at their classes as well as before their snack, and leaders will serve snacks on individual plates. We also have hand sanitizer available in all nursery and kid rooms.
We are taking a break from using play dough and play sand.
Tables, counters, and toys will be wiped down with disinfectant before and after classes (as usual).
Youth Group will continue to have individual lunches and wash hands before eating.
As an addition to our greeting options, we will offer an elbow bump to kids.
We will remind kids how to sneeze/cough into their elbow region instead of their hands
On that note, if you have kids who are home because of school closures, you might want to check out some enriching STEM activities to do at home. Lots of these activities require basic supplies around the house and make great use of the outdoors!
Nursery - Elementary
This Sunday our kids will be learning about the parable of the sower. We are excited for them to think about plants and flowers and soil and growth and beauty—and how they are connected to all of those! I pray that we all would be like good soil as we receive a teaching from God on Sunday.
Family Discussion Starters:
Which type of soil in the parable do you most relate to?
Why do you think Jesus chose seeds and growth as a way to teach about people?
What are some things you want to do in order to be like the good soil?
What might God be planting in you right now?
Prayer: Lord, help us to receive your word so that we can grow in love and become more like you.
Children's Choir
Children's Choir will continue to worship and prepare for Palm Sunday during their regular Sunday school hour. You can help your child learn the songs by playing these videos at home or in the car: "Rejoice the King is Coming" and "Cloaks and Branches." You can check out this lyric sheet for "Rejoice the King is Coming." We are so excited for them to lead us in worship this spring!
Youth
This Sunday we will have our regular time of food, fun, and conversation with our youth right after worship service. Youth who serve in our children's ministry will attend a special lunch and training which ends at 2PM. Either way, lunch is provided!
For Good Measure
Practicing Lent with Loved Ones
We have a fun booklet full of daily devotions and activities to build up love in your circles of family and friends. Make sure you get one on Sunday from the desk in the lobby. Here's to a meaningful and intentional season of Lent as we prepare our hearts for all that the cross and the resurrection hold for us!
Good or Bad — Hard to Say
I stumbled upon this Ted Talk by a parent who has learned a new way of seeing good and bad, especially when it comes to her child who was born with disabilities. It's heartwarming, funny, and a compelling invitation to be more open to the full complexity of ourselves and others when society is quick to call us good or bad, which of course are incomplete labels. If you need a little something to give you a new perspective and make you smile, give it a watch—it's a good one.
Have a blessed weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday morning!