Hi Friends,
By now you should have received the sad news that Stormie and Dustin's baby died this morning in the NICU. This is an especially tender time for them, so thank you for your continued prayers and support. We will keep you posted about ways to come alongside them in the coming days and weeks and months. Know that your presence and words of love do make a difference as they walk this journey of grief.
This Sunday marks the beginning of some important additions to our ministry with kids. Parents, please read on for all the details so you know what to expect and how your kids can participate in the coming weeks. We are eager and excited for our children to be more integrated in the larger community as we worship together!
This Sunday, April 3rd, kids who are above nursery age will join their families in the sanctuary for worship. Please know that the presence of kids is a blessing, not a burden; we welcome all the ways they show up and pray that we would make space for them to do so fully. Going forward, kids will join us in service on the first Sunday of each month.
Next Sunday, April 10th, kids will be singing with the adult choir in the first part of the service as part of our Palm Sunday tradition. After singing, they will be dismissed to go to their classrooms for the first time in two years—we are so excited for them to be back in their spaces! Please help your child learn the songs by playing the "Rejoice the King is Coming" video at home or in the car. You can check out this lyric sheet to help! On Palm Sunday, we are asking kids to arrive at 9:15 AM to practice the song and get ready for the morning. Parents, we invite you to hang out with each other over coffee and pastries in our lobby prior to service. We hope it's a time to connect with other parents and enjoy some yummy breakfast treats.
Stay tuned for information about Easter Sunday!
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will open at 10:15 AM, so you can drop your child off and head to the sanctuary for worship.
Our kids five to ten years old can join us in the sanctuary for service!
As we approach Holy Week, there is still time to do some Lenten practices as a family with intention and open hearts. You might consider asking the following questions the next time you share a meal or family time together.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
If you were able to do any of the Lenten practices from your kit, how did it go?
When have you felt most connected to God in the last few weeks?
Please note that early childcare at 9:00 am will resume after Easter. In the meantime, we will open our nursery spaces for any parent who wants to play with their kids while the other parent is in early choir practice on Sunday.
YOUTH
This week we are on track for our regular youth gathering after service. We'll meet in the park for lunch and a time of discussion as we continue to look at the book of Matthew together. We'll also keep taking steps with our youth room renovation project.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday!
With love and gratitude for you,
Pastor Lindsay