Gotta Love It!

The names have been left out but the story is still as wonderfully precious. A dad was taking his little girl to Children’s Worship. The only place he ever saw where children’s worship was going on was in the Youth Worship Center during Vacation Bible School.

He noticed his daughter look a little apprehensive, even a little bit afraid. There could be many reasons for that: she might not have recognized anyone or saw any of her friends just yet. But dad did notice she seemed a little scared. All the other children seemed to be having fun and one of the children already there took her by the hand and off they went. Dad returns to mom in “Big Church” and reports the daughter’s hesitation. “It was like she was scared.” Mom digested that report and then decided to go and check it out. Here is what happened. Dad, by an innocent mistake, took his daughter to the Ukrainian Worship Service. There were several children present. It looked absolutely normal. Loving children, happy faces, one little girl taking the hand of his daughter. All is well…almost.

Here is my absolute favorite part of the story. When mom returned to check on her daughter, the Ukrainian little girl was still holding the hand of the confused little girl. She held the little girl’s hand until mom came to get her and take her to the Children’s Worship.

That is it. That is the picture of church, of the family of God, of loving people like Jesus. We hold their hands until everything is made right. We welcome them because we never thought of anything else but welcoming them. They are a temporary part of our family and we are glad they are.

I have seen a lot of really great things lately. This has to be high on the list of one of my absolute favorites. This story is about love on so many levels. You gotta love it!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing. Let’s hold someone’s hand that needs a little reassurance.

Pastor Tom

THE GOSPEL PROJECT

This past Sunday Pastor Kyle told us about the strategy for helping our Children become disciples of Jesus. The Children that were “promoted” from Preschool to the first grade we presented a brand- new NIV Adventure Bible, the #1 Bible for Children. I have looked through this Bible and I really like it a lot! We gave out 8 Sunday but have Children’s Bibles available for any child that wants one. Just see one of the staff and we will make sure you get one for your child.

Pastor Kyle also told us about The Gospel Project children’s Bible Study curriculum. Listen to this. This is a Christ-Centered, chronological Bible Studies for kids. It also is available for youth and adults. Every story points back to Jesus; encourages transformation that comes as a result of the Gospel; they will study the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; hear doctrinally sound lessons; with a continuing emphasis on living a missional life. The Gospel Project will go through the entire Bible in a three-year period. You really want to have your children and grandchildren in one of these classes. By the way these classes are taught by Mark Livengood (Elder), Ronnie Cooper (Elder) Nancy Livengood and Billy Hebert (Deacon). This is as solid of a Children’s Team as you can get! Then the Children always have the option of attending Children’s Worship each week.

When you add the Awana Ministry to this mix, you have a really solid Children’s ministry. Awana is a world-wide ministry that reaches over 9 million Children every week. There are over 96,000 churches that use Awana as part of their disciple making process. It is being taught in over 140 different countries.

The goal of our Children’s Ministry is that Kids will know they belong to Jesus, believe His word and become more like Him. Amen and amen!

Thanks to all who work as a part of our process of making disciples who make disciples that change our community and world.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

This past Tuesday, August 5, was the day to pack all the school supplies that will be delivered to the brand new Johns Island Elementary School and to the James Island Elementary School. You were so generous in your giving that we were able to share the love between the two schools. Each school will receive 40 back packs filled with everything on the list the schools provided. They will also receive additional bookbags and school supplies to be given out when school starts. In addition, the teachers will be given bins full of supplies they asked for: paper towels, wipes, liquid soap, Clorox wipes, sharpies, etc. Our prayer is that both schools, the teachers, the parents and all the children will feel the love and support. We pray for each of the students to have a great year. We also put a simple plan of salvation card in each book bag. The worship center stage was wonderfully covered with a small mountain of school supplies. Thank you again for your love for our community!

LORD’S SUPPER, BIBLE PRESENTATION, COMMISSIONING

This Sunday, August 10 will be a great day to be in the House of the Lord. We have Bible presentations to the rising first graders; another missionary commissioning (Cheryl and Anne going to Romania); and the Lord’s Supper. What a day of celebration! By the way, the children will be receiving the NIV /Adventure Bible. I hope you will have an opportunity to take a look at one of these Children’s BibleS. Wow, what a wonderful gift. If you have a child that does not have a Bible, please see me and we will try to get that problem solved!

The Lord’s Supper this week will be the conclusion of our series “Spiritual Conversations: Let’s Talk About…”. I am so looking forward to this Sunday.

A SHORT TRIP AWAY

This past weekend, Janie and I took a brief trip to Havelock, North Carolina to see my brother. It was a good trip blessed with uneventful and safe travel. I was pleased to be able to spend two days with Bubba and Martha, my older brother and older sister. Thank you to our staff for covering the bases in my absence. I am blessed indeed.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Tom