CommunityKids

Fall Community Night

Don’t forget that we’ll have a Fall Community Night this Sunday at 4:00 on the Fort Smith Campus.  We’ll have inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo, food, and a live band.  It should be a blast.  Kids can wear their costumes if they want too.  A Community Night is for all who are interested... from single to married, young and old, church attendee or not, all campuses.

 

See you there!!!

 

Matt

The Influence meets this Sunday

Please remember that the 6th grade group we call The Influence meets after the second service on Sunday in The Venue.  We will bag food for the backpack program, eat lunch together, and talk about why God wants us to serve.  This is for 6th graders only.  Parents can pick there kid up at 2:00.

See you Sunday  - Matt

Community Kids and 56 Tonight

A reminder that Community Kids (K-4) and 56 (5th and 6th grades) will be at Crystal Palace Skating Rink tonight from 6:00 - 8:00.  We will start sign in  at 5:45.  Parents must sign a release form and also sign there children out.  The cost is $5, this includes skates, pizza and a drink.  Roller blades and games are extra.  We have Crystal Palace reserved to make it a secure place for your child.  Bring as many friends as you like.  Parents are urged to stay, especially with kids that do not know how to skate. 

Home Group childcare will still be at the church.  You can start dropping kids off at 5:40.

I hope to see you tonight.

Matt

Sunday

Parents,

As we continue our series on authority our preaching staff informed me of the direction they will be going this week as they speak.  This will be a great opportunity for parents to hear a great message on parenting and authority.  Don't miss it.

I hope to see you Sunday,

Matt

Fix what you can fix

As my wife is taking some masters classes in counseling we have been discussing the family relationship that we have with each other and our two sons.  As she has been reading about family counseling she informed me about something that we can apply not only in the relationships we have with our peers, our spouses, but as important, our children.  Are you frustrated with how things are going with your kids?  Are you at the end of the road as you know it?  Do you wish your relationship could change with your kids?  Then here is what I suggest...or really what the family counseling book suggests. Look at yourself first, see what you can change first,then watch your children follow suite.  It may not be overnight, but it's worth a shot. 

My two year old will take you to the limits inside the walls of our house.  With the suggestion of the family counseling book (the textbook) we are trying to see what we as parents can change to make his response more pleasant, therefore, easier on us.  Thankfully, when this step is put into practice, he actually does better.

Parenting is hard work.  I don't think anyone has it totally figured out.  Our responsibility is to continue to try as hard as we can, even when we want to give up.

I pray for you as a parent and we, as a church, want to do everything we can to support you.

Prayers,

Matt

Mission Project 2009

We have started sign ups for this years Mission Project.  We are expanding the project to the Van Buren Campus this year.  We have started collecting clothes and shoes (only) on both campus'.  The event will be August 12th and 13th, these will be prep days, and then the Back to School giveaway will take place on both campus' from 2-4 PM.  We will give out clothes, have haircuts, and offer hotdogs and drinks.  We will also give each participant a t-shirt.  The cost is $40 a person.  We want each kid to raise their own money.  Please email Matt with any questions. Kids in 4th-6th grades on the Fort Smith Campus can sign up by email or on the Sunday morning sign-in table.  Kids that are 4th - 9th grade on the Van Buren Campus can sign up with Mike by emailing him or on Sunday.  Want to volunteer to help on either campus....let us know.

Transformed Children and Students Transforming Their World.

Gearing Up

We are getting geared up for Champ Camp 2009.  This is for kids that are age 4 - 6th grade.  The dates are July 21st - 23rd from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.  Parents and other volunteers are needed to help.  Contact Matt if you have questions or want to volunteer.

We are asking each kid to raise and bring $28 with them.  They don't have to have that money to come but we will use the money to make medical packages  medical teams to use for aids victims in Africa.  This is a project through World Vision .

We will also be selling Champ Camp T-shirts for $10. 

Hope to see you child at Champ Camp. 

A safe and happy return

A great camp experience was had by all (I think) at this years children's camp.  Our theme was Love God, Love Others, Serve the World.  Our key scripture was 2 Corinthians 5:17-23.  Here is the group that went with us. 

Reminder to parents for preschool ministry

A couple of weeks ago, the preschoolers (The Sheep, The ark, and Kindergarten) learned that we worship God through giving. We thought this would be a good opportunity to help them learn about tithing. We have tried to emphasize that everything we have comes from God and when we give back to Him our resources can be used to help others. We give with our money, our things, and our time. Some cardboard churches were sent home with your child that you could put together and collect change. This Sunday, June 7^th, have your child bring their collections back to class. We are going to allow them to go into the worship service during the offering time and let them give their gifts to the church. For the children who have not been here the past few weeks and do not have a church to return I will have extras in the classroom so that everyone can participate. I hope this will be a continued learning experience for your child.

 

Check out the post “Preschool Tithing Project” for the complete details of this activity.

 

Stacey  

940 Weekends

Hello!

Another school year is over!  Hard to believe, I now have a child in 10th grade and one in the 9th grade. It seems like it was just last week that Lauren was putting the baby Jesus from a nativity set in the "naughty corner" (she was two and i guess she figured since she spent a lot of time there, everyone should!)  and Austin was collecting every stick he could find because not only were they great swords - you could shoot with them as well!

You all know what I'm talking about - it seems like we spend the first half of our kid's childhood wishing they were older and could do more for themselves and then the second half wishing they needed us more. Time is flying and we have to make the most of it. I saw this video a few minutes ago and it inspired me to not take for granted the time we have with our children becaue the clock is ticking - check it out.

http://www.cmconnect.org/video/video/show?id=2099194%3AVideo%3A145023

940 weekends from the time they are born until they graduate from high school.  Seems like a lot until you have one in high school.  Made me want to cry! :)

Plan a great weekend with your kids - whether its ice cream, swimming, movies, or whatever - you will be glad you did! Have a great weekend!

Julie