ALL the children of the world!
Steve Green is one of the great early singers in the contemporary Christian music industry. As I thought about all that we would be doing for children in October and beyond, one of his songs came to mind:
Songs
sweetly sung by the cradle
Prayers whispered just before bed
And we taught them “Jesus loves you” in a simple song
And we pray they won’t forget their whole life long
Children are a treasure from the Lord
Those bright and trusting eyes
Seem to take us by surprise
And they see what others older seem to miss
May the gift of faith they hold
Grow as they grow old
May they always know God will never let them go
Children are a treasure from the Lord, and children are certainly a treasure to the Lord. Beginning in October and continuing through November and December we will have wonderful opportunities as a church to bless children and their families. Saturday morning, October 6, at 9:00 in the New Life Building is our Special Action Packing Party to finish filling 1200 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. It is a real honor that Samaritan’s Purse approached us to be one of a few churches to fill boxes to be sent to countries that desperately need a gospel witness. The following day on Sunday, October 7, from 2-3 p.m. we will participate in Life Chain to pray for the sanctity of human life. All children, including those in a mother’s womb, are a treasure from the Lord. Life Chain gives us an opportunity to join with others in our community to pray for our nation and stand for life.
That same weekend will also be a time for you to get to know the person who has been recommended to us by the children’s minister search committee to be our minister to children. Ashley Medina, along with her husband Matt and their two children, will be with us on Saturday, October 6, for a time of meet and greet at 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the New Life Building. In both morning worship services on Sunday, October 7, we will take a congregational vote for the purpose of extending the call to Ashley to be our children’s minister. Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge, church experience, and passion for children’s ministry. She comes with a unanimous recommendation from the search committee, personnel committee, deacons, and your ministerial staff.
On Wednesday night, October 31, we will turn our attention toward the children in our community by offering a trunk or treat, an outreach to many who might not ever visit our church on a Sunday morning. The trunk or treat will take the place of our regular Wednesday night activities. There are many ways that you can serve. Everyone can donate candy to the cause. We need folks willing to park their cars, decorate them if at all possible, and dispense candy. We need folks to help with parking, foot traffic flow, registration, food, and prayer. Our next gen ministry is taking the lead on this ministry event. (Thank you, Cody and team!) Stay tuned for more details. This is going to be one great night for children and families.
Also in October we will have specific prayer needs shared with us each Sunday from our Family Advocacy Ministry for the four weeks leading up to November 11 which is Orphan Sunday. Matt Bush of All Things New Orphanage in Haiti will be our guest speaker that morning. On Saturday, December 8, we will once again work together in the Gift of Love ministry for children and families in our community.
Children are a treasure from the Lord. We want to take care of the children God has brought to our church. We want to reach new children and families with the gospel and bless children in countries where there is great physical and spiritual need. We want to pray for children who are not yet born. We want to show families who might not ever think of visiting our church that we welcome them and are here to serve and help them. We want to care for orphan children and all those children who are in foster situations. We want to focus on the children and families in our community to offer them a meaningful Christmas experience.
We have an amazing opportunity the next three months to grow as a church in obedience to the Lord when it comes to blessing the next generation. Please be in prayer for Ashley Medina and her family. Please be in prayer for all that will be happening for children through FBC. Please be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving over these coming weeks.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Cade