Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
Happy New Year! I am in North Carolina visiting Gavin's family, and it's been a sweet time to be with our extended family and for Brody and Emma Kate to experience some cold weather, too. I will miss being with you tomorrow but know it will be a meaningful time of worship for all. First Sundays are a gift because our older kids stay in service and share in communion. As you see our kids in the pews, I invite you to introduce yourself to them and help foster intergenerational relationships which are so important for all of us. Thank you for being a church where people of all ages can be seen and known.
This Sunday is also Epiphany on the church calendar, when we remember the visit of the Magi to Jesus. If you're looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Epiphany at home, this resource has an activity that you could use or modify depending on your family. It has some variations for kids of different ages, and it provides one way to consider going into a new year with a word or phrase of intention. Happy Epiphany!
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 Epiphany, when the wise men show up. 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 worship and communion since this is the first Sunday of the month. Make sure your child picks up a fun survey to fill out during worship—Pastor Mary will have that ready in the lobby, and it's always a favorite activity for our kids (and youth!). It will be a beautiful morning together with communion, too!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What is one simple prayer practice your family might want to try this year together?
As you think back on 2023, talk as a family about where you notice God's presence or faithfulness. Take some time to review the year together and invite the Spirit to reveal anything that might encourage or inspire your family in the new year.
YOUTH
This week our youth are invited to help take down the greens after worship. This is an annual tradition where our youth and other congregants get to work and have fun together. Lunch will be provided, and we hope they will stay for this intergenerational time of fellowship. Jensen will be there as a point person for the youth in my absence. Thanks for helping!
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay