Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
We will gather for worship tomorrow as we always do, and we will set aside time to listen and pray for Israel and Palestine. In these moments where words fail to capture our sorrow and grief, I'm thankful for the community of parents that you are. I imagine that you, like me, have hugged your kids extra tight this week and felt your heart cry out in solidarity with the parents who face unimaginable realities in the ongoing conflict. I know we are raising kids of various ages and stages of development. If you are looking for a resource on how to talk about what's happening with your kids, this post might be a good place to start. (I try to steer clear of social media in times like these, but Dr. Becky usually has some helpful tools.) Thank you for being a community where lament and worship are possible so that we might be deeply formed in such a time as this. As always, we are available to pray and talk as you need. Much love to you all.
Kids Choir
Our Kids Choir is in full effect with Cynthia leading the way! Throughout the year we work with Pastor Leslie and Cynthia to create opportunities for our kids (ages 5-10) and adult choirs to sing together and for our kids to help lead the congregation in worship. We use time at the end of our Sunday mornings to rehearse and sing together, and it's a beautiful time to worship with our kids. Right now we are working on learning to both sing and sign the song "The Blessing." Our kids will be singing this in worship service on Sunday, November 5. Our own Kevin Bishop (who is an expert ASL teacher) is teaching our kids and adult choirs the sign language for the song, too. You can help your child practice at home with this song file and this lyric sheet. Here is the video of the sign language that goes along with the song. Please note that on Sunday, November 5, we will ask our kids to arrive at 9:30 AM to rehearse (and we'll have pastries for our parents!). It's going to be a beautiful time of worshiping in song and movement!
SUNDAY
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for those who are attending Sunday School before service. This week our nursery kids will explore the story of Noah and the animals on the ark.
Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. If they are coming early with parents who are in a Sunday School class, they can be dropped off upstairs at 8:50 AM. This week the kids will learn about Oaxaca and our team who will be serving there soon. Pastor Mary and Megumi are on that team, so it will be especially fun to learn how we can pray for their adventure in serving!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
Where is Oaxaca?
What is the FBCP team going to do while they are in Oaxaca?
What is one way we can pray for our team?
YOUTH
This week our youth are invited to join the all-church potluck after worship. We will resume our regular youth gathering next Sunday. Parents, stay tuned for some exciting youth offerings starting up next month!
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay