Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
Our time with the youth in Big Bear last weekend was such a gift! We have such a thoughtful, fun, and talented group of youth in our church family, and we have equally amazing adults who have stepped up to grow and learn alongside them. I am so thankful for the ways that young people help us to ask better questions and lean into playfulness and joy (among other things!). Thank you to all who made such a generous effort to support us with meals, cookies, snacks, vans, and prayers—y'all made such a difference, and we felt the Spirit moving among our precious youth.
Palm Sunday | Kids and Youth Singing
We are so excited for our kids to lead us in worship on Sunday, March 24, for our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing on Sundays during our kids class each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining Pastor Leslie and the adult choir in processing with palm branches at the start of the service, we need them here at 9:30 AM that Sunday to practice and get set for the morning. We'll have some pastries and coffee for parents at that time so you can hang out together. It's going to be such a fun morning! To help your kids practice at home (and to have a family dance party), here are links to the song and lyric sheet. You could invite them to teach you the words, too!
Save the Date: Kids Camp!
We are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 24-28. We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. We have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together!
Free Parenting Webinars
Our own Grace Goodman works at the Institute for Girls Development, which hosts a variety of free webinars for parents covering various topics. Our own Allyson Self-Stoico is one featured guest in an upcoming session on teens and depression. You can check out their full list of events here. Thanks to Grace and Allyson for the work you do with families to help them flourish!
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 get to explore the story of Jonah. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage 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!). Pastor John Jay will be preaching from Genesis 39 and 40 as we continue to explore the story of Joseph. It will be a beautiful morning together as a church family, and we welcome the presence of our kids in worship.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What stood out from worship today (it could be anything you noticed and remember)?
When did you sense God's presence, help, or love this week?
Who in our church family would you like to know better?
YOUTH
We are on for our regular youth gathering this Sunday! Parents can pick up their youth in the park at 1:30pm. We are looking forward to being with our youth!
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay