Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
As a staff, we have been revisiting the concept of sabbath and creating margins in our schedules. We are reading Barbara Brown Taylor's chapter on saying no in her book An Altar in the World as a way to ground a conversation around our own practices. This article on sabbath came my way this week, and I thought I would pass it along to you in case you are also in need of a reminder to rest more intentionally. As we move closer to Easter, Lent will invite us to slow down and prepare in some deliberate way for the death and resurrection of Christ. Sabbath may be just the practice to lean into during that season if your family does not have a rhythm of rest already. I am so thankful to work on a team where God's standard of rest is taken seriously and with grace. I pray that you, too, will feel the invitation to slow down and say no in a world where fast-paced endless commitments are held as the gold standard. May our children learn, too, that their worth is not tied to their productivity but to their identity as a child of God. Happy Saturday!
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 continue to explore the story of Queen Esther. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to explore the story at home.
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. Last week was such a blast brainstorming words of intention we might want to focus on in the new year—ask your child what words they chose to put on their star! We are so happy to be back with them each week.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
Think back on the week. Where did you sense God's presence or encouragement?
What do you need from God in the week ahead?
YOUTH
This week we have our regular youth gathering after worship. Lunch is included as always, and you can pick up your youth at 1:30PM at the park gate. Yay for youth!
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay