Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
I am so grateful to our kids for leading in worship with the song of blessing last week! It is always a gift to receive intergenerational singing from our kid and adult choirs, and it was so beautiful to have the sign language with it. Special thanks to Pastor Leslie, Cynthia, and Kevin for all the work behind the scenes to prepare, and thanks also to our parents who brought kids early last week for rehearsal. Read on for more information about our kids and the upcoming Carol Service!
Thanksgiving Volunteer Opportunity
If you are looking for a different way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, consider volunteering with one of our local partners, Union Station Homeless Services, at their annual Dinner in the Park that is quickly approaching! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities to make each of their Dinner in the Park programs possible, including food sorting, preparation, cooking, packaging, and serving. If this is your first time volunteering with Union Station, you will need to attend a volunteer orientation prior to signing up for a shift on the Volunteer Portal. They are also in need of canned food items to create the perfect holiday meal for their clients and community. Canned food items they desperately need include canned corn, canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and jellied cranberry sauce. All items can be dropped off at their Adult Center (412 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA) any day of the week from 8:30am to 2:30pm. They are also in critical need of other meal ingredients and supplies for packaging and serving. Whether you shop directly from their Amazon Wishlist or Target Wishlist, your support in this area is necessary and much appreciated.
Parents' Night Out
Parents, mark your calendars for Parents' Night Out on Friday, December 1st, from 5:30-8:30 PM! Pastor Mary and I are planning a night of fun for all kids so that parents can have an evening to themselves. We will provide programming, food, and fun for kids so that you can have a few hours to use as you wish (dinner out? a nap? a movie? Christmas shopping?). Kids can come for the full time or any fraction of it. Click here to RSVP so we can plan for food and care accordingly.
Kids & Youth | Carol Service
We are so excited for our kids to help lead us in worship at our annual Candlelight Carol Service on December 10th! Our preschoolers (our oldest nursery kids) will be participating in the nativity, and I will email those parents about that separately. Our kids above nursery age will be singing two songs at this special program as well as participating in our nativity. We will be sharing some song recordings and lyrics soon so your child can begin to practice at home in addition to our regular practice on Sundays during our time with the kids. Our youth will be participating in candle lighting and the nativity as well. Could you please respond here and let us know if your child is able to attend and participate that evening?
Please mark your calendars for the dates:
December 9 — Carol Service Rehearsal for kids/youth from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
December 10 — Carol Service (kids/youth should arrive at 5:30 PM)
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 Jacob and Esau.
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 explore the theme of gratitude and why it is important that we practice thankfulness on a regular basis.
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What does the Bible show us about practicing gratitude?
What about when we are hurting or sad and it feels hard to be thankful? Should we ignore the things that are hard in order to practice gratitude?
YOUTH
We are on for our regular time of lunch and discussion this week! We'll finish at 1:30 PM as usual, and all youth can be picked up in the park on the Union Street side. Bill Douglas will be joining us for some conversation and fun, too!
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay