Below are two blog posts related to Easter that we loved! We encourage you to take some time out this week to share them with your family.

• Resurrection Roll Recipe
• Family Easter Devotion Outline (especially good if you will be on vacation Sunday)

Your Children’s Ministry Staff

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All this fun was our way of kicking off a new season of iPraise as well as our new and super cool summer music camp. If you weren’t able to drop by and visit with us, please take the time to check out the information about camp. We’re proud to announce that our annual children’s music week will be replaced by a Performing Arts Camp for Kids: Stagedoor Studios. This camp will offer kids a chance to take classes from professionals in the fields of acting, stagecraft, improv, sketch comedy, and dance. Additionally, our campers will play games, make crafts, sing and dance, perform on stage, and have a great time! Registration is open now, so sign up! Be a part of the original cast of Stagedoor Studios!

Throughout the year, we will contact families requesting their tangible support. Think about how your family can be the hands and feet of Jesus that lead others to a relationship with God. While a sign up list looks like a list of names and bodies to fill a spot, we know that each faith-filled believer, each creative craft hand, and each joyful footstep that serves the Body of Christ is a tangible witness to amazing love and salvation of our God.


Please prayerfully consider how you and your family will serve in these next few months:

Volunteer for Egg Hunt/Jerusalem Market (April 7, Easter Sunday on April 8, and Summer Sundays for preschoolers and Elementary children)

June VBS Registration and Info

July VBS Registration and Info

Through communion, we remember Jesus. When we drink the juice and eat the bread, they are like object lessons that tell us something about what Jesus did for us. When we drink the juice, we remember that Jesus died on the cross, His blood was spilled to take the punishment for the ways we have disobeyed God. The bread reminds us that it was His body that was broken on the cross for each of us. Every time we see juice and bread, we remember what Jesus did on the cross for us.

What Jesus left is something more special than having a “thing” that belonged to him. He has also given us ways to remember Him in object lessons, using things we can touch and see and understand daily. Have you ever thought about certain “things” we come in contact with during the day? Have you ever reflected on an attribute of the way Jesus lived His life? Have you thought of the ways God shows His love. For example a cupcake might remind us of how God’s words are sweet or how a flashlight can be an example of God’s light in the darkness.

As you go through your day, “shift” your thinking and look at objects or “things” we come in contact with as lessons and ways to remember Jesus and God’s love during this season of Lent. Encourage your children to do the same. Spend some time together sharing these items and why they remind you of Jesus or God’s love.

If time permits, you can pull items for the children and set aside a time to have an “object lesson.” You may want to incorporate this into snack time, dinner time, or other times you are together—maybe even in the car.

This is a list that may help get you started: cupcake, cookie (or some sweet treat), flashlight, paint brush, pair of pruners, sunscreen, teddy bear, vegetable peeler, watering can or other items that you may find in your home that remind you of Jesus. You can add to the list of objects above, or change them if you like, but they are suggestions to get you started.

• Place the objects where the children can see them. Then each child can choose an object, but tell them why.
• The children will explore the object – what it does, what it looks like, when it is used – and then have them create their own object lesson that will tell something about God.
• The easiest way to do this is for the children to finish this sentence about their object: This ________(object) reminds me of God, because it _____________________________________.
• Then let the kids share what they have come up with.

We hope this “object lesson” in seeing objects as reminders of God’s love will enrich your family’s daily.

What is next?

1. Have you joined a small group?
2. Have you bought and begun the ‘Called’, 21 day devotion and then been here for the series with us on Sunday’s?
3. Are you eating meal regularly with your family?
4. Are you doing daily devotions or taking time for intentional conversation with your children or those around you about your faith?
5. How are you celebrating what God has done for you today?

If you can answer these questions, you are well on your way to “shifting” your lifestyle.

God has much in store for each of us when we seek Him. Are you asking Him what He has called you to do today? Are you listening for the answer? We can’t tell you exactly what God has called you and your family to look like, but if you are seeking His will He will guide you. Look for daily “God sightings” (ways to see God in every day things) and share them with your family and friends. You are making the shift to trust God and to make a difference.

Dianne Hylton
Director of Children’s Ministries

If you are selling, have you thought about the fact that your children are watching you from the sidelines as you sort through toys and clothes, label them, and maybe become a little stressed preparing for the consignment sale? Or if you are attending the sale and purchasing clothing for your children, have you thought about the new clothes your child will have for the upcoming spring and summer season? You may be donating time and working during the sale, but have you thought about how the children perceive you volunteering your time?

“Shift” your thinking as you are preparing this week and realize that you are leading by example. You are showing your daughter and son that through the sale, you are also doing God’s work. It is a teachable moment no matter how young or old.

If you are selling, children can be incorporated into the normal prep work for the sale. As you pull items for the sale, simply ask your children to pick out one nice, slightly used outfit or a single item to be donated to a child who is in need. If you are buying new clothes for your child, have your child donate an item from their closet that is slightly used since they have just received new clothes. If you are working the sale, you can encourage your child to support the sale and donate a slightly used outfit or item, so others will be clothed this spring and summer.

“Shift” the subject as you are taking the five minutes to pick out the item or items, and have a conversation about what Jesus would have us do for others. Tell your child about the Bible verse, Matthew 25:36, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Tell the children about children around the world in India, Kenya, or those in our own backyard, The Garden and other locations you may know whose clothes, are worn, tattered, dirty, and probably do not fit. Also explain that they don’t have the means to have several outfits, and even if they did, they have nowhere to keep them or wash them. At the end of the clothing sale, many organizations and foster families come to select clothing from what is left over. The balance is usually donated to MUST.

Explain to your children that we are in the season of Lent, and during this season, we are encouraged to do acts of kindness. By your child choosing one nice, slightly used outfit or piece of clothing and donating it to other children, they have performed an act of kindness.

Tracey Reed
Mt. Bethel Parent

Lent is the season of preparation and repentance where we anticipate Good Friday and Easter. Take the opportunity to embrace teachable moments with your children. Reading the Bible together with your children will be a wonderful way to teach the story of Easter and draw closer to God this season!

“…cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

This week in Children’s worship, we continued our discussion about how Scripture tells us that all things are possible with God. Amazing things happen when we believe and act in obedience to God’s word!

Following Jesus is something that first happens in our hearts. We must follow Jesus ourselves if we want to know God personally and have those around us know the essential blessing of knowing Him too.

Read these scriptures together as a family: Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 11:28

Discuss: What happens when the Disciples ask Jesus to help them during the storm?

What is the best thing to do when something difficult (storms) happens in your life?

Is there something difficult happening in your life just now? If so, what is it?

We want to know how this worked with your family. Please send your feedback and questions to:

Kid Quest (K-2nd grade): Rory Macdonald

The POD (3-5th grade): Sherri Juliani

“When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases.” Mark 1:32-34

This week in Kid Quest, we discussed how Scripture tells us that all things are possible with God. When we act in obedience to God and trust that scripture is true, we see Him working.

Following Jesus is not just doing nice things and being a good person; following Jesus is something that first happens in our hearts.

Read this scripture together as a family: Matthew 19:16-26

Discuss: Sometimes, there are things that are too hard for us to do. What solution does the Bible give us in this passage?

As a family talk about times when you have trusted God for something and what happened when you did.

Think about the ultimate hero—what qualities does he have?

We want to know how this worked with your family. Please send your feedback and questions to:

Kid Quest (K-2nd grade): Rory Macdonald

The POD (3-5th grade): Sherri Juliani

Twenty two families joined the cast of the Live Nativity where Children’s Ministry staff welcomed, costumed, and gave them direction of where they would go once they entered the Sanctuary. One mother was dressed as an angel and led her three daughters, also dressed as angels, into the Sanctuary as Silent Night filled the space. As the littlest angel was being dressed, she looked up at her father and said, “Look daddy, I’m an angel.” I looked at her and said, I think your daddy has known that all along. One little boy decided he didn’t want to be cast as one of the animals, so he attached himself to the robe of one of the other father’s dressed as a Wise Man. The father looked at him and didn’t think twice as he placed a crown on his head and said, “Tonight you will be a prince to welcome the baby Jesus.” The Bethlehem star was a hit every time he made his walk across the pulpit area to take his place by the manger. There were countless stories of families excited about bringing the Nativity story to life and even more stories of children, for just a moment, becoming the characters they had heard and read about as they prepared for Christmas.

But one story closed the evening and has brought joy to all of our hearts. Following a couple of the sessions, I could hear a child cry, and when I turned to see who it was, I never could place where the tears were coming from. After the last cast exited the pulpit and the clean up began, I made my way to God’s Garden where we were dressing the families. Two high school students met me at the door so excited to share a story of what happened backstage at the Live Nativity. You see the tears I heard in the Sanctuary were of a little girl that cried each time the baby Jesus left the pulpit. Of the four presentations, she stayed to watch three just to get a glimpse of the baby Jesus. After the final presentation when it was time to leave, the child was heartbroken that she didn’t get to hold the baby Jesus. Her mother stopped everything, and they went on a quest to find the baby Jesus. As they made their way down to God’s Garden, the mother found the area where the cast of characters were preparing for the evening. The mother shared her story with our team, and the high school students immediately handed her the baby doll that was a swaddled prop for the night, and the child held it tightly in her grip. The high school students dressed her as an angel, and she remained for a brief moment holding the baby in her arms. Everyone was blessed by the look on her face as she gazed at the baby. And before she left, she leaned in and gave the baby Jesus a kiss on the forehead. The mother said, “You just made a little girl’s night tonight.” As the family left, everyone in the room was blessed by the heart of this little girl on a quest to find the baby Jesus backstage at the Live Nativity.

This backstage pass was a treasured reminder to focus our heart on the face of the baby Jesus, swaddled in the manger for His presence is the present of Christmas!

Merry Christmas,
Sherri Juliani
Children’s Ministry

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Each day, the kids made a circuit through dance class, choir, drama, yummy lunches and dress rehearsals. They worked hard, played hard and sang beautifully! All that hard work certainly paid off! The performance Friday night was just flawless. The amount of talent on display from our young actors and singers was really amazing.

Suzanne Tucker
Director of Children’s Music

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This past Wednesday, we had 135 kids (ages 4 through 5th grade) turn out for a chance to “try on” iPraise for a week. The kids gathered in the choir room for a brief rehearsal first, singing and dancing and playing games. There was so much energy in that room! Then, we went out to the fields where they ate popsicles, tie-dyed some super cool t-shirts and cooled off on the Slip ‘n’ Slide. It was a lot of fun!

Sunday, the kids turned out again…this time to help lead worship in the sanctuary. With a loft full of smiling faces…and wiggling bodies…it was hard not to be infected with a spirit of joy! The kids sang their hearts out and truly lived out the instruction to “Make a Joyful Noise!”

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The registrations for iPraise have been pouring in- if this week’s kick-off was any indication, we’re headed in the right direction. We’re anticipating an exciting year! If you want to be a part of this great group of kids (or know somebody who would), sign up today! We’ll be getting started on August 24 and really want you to be a part of awesome kids singing awesome songs worshiping an awesome God- that’s what iPraise is all about!

Suzanne Tucker
Director of Children’s and Youth Music

She went after her committment with gusto, trusted what was placed on her heart, and opened the eyes of her family to what God can do, and who knows the seeds that were planted near her lemonade stand on Saturday!

1 Timothy 4:12 in action! Makes me smile! Awesome!

In His Mighty Service,
Sherri Juliani
Children’s Ministries

The theme for VBS at Mt. Bethel last week was centered on missions and being the hands and feet of Christ. Over 700 kids attending VBS donated shoes, clothing, money, food, Bibles and served by making blankets for the homeless, playing bingo with the elderly, choosing a mission organization to help.

Alexis decided to serve a local ministry, “7 Bridges to Recovery” in Atlanta. Our family and several others at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy have helped with this ministry before serving meals, playing with homeless children and their mothers. The 7 Bridges to Recover is a non-profit ministry rescuing the least and the lost from the streets of Atlanta and beyond.

For her service project, Alexis said she was going to raise $50 on her own by selling lemonade. I suggested $25, but she was determined to commit to $50. However, to keep things in perspective, her mom wrote down $25 – if she made more, great, but at least we could help her achieve her goal. Alexis signed her commitment card, turned it in, and diligently began making signs. Nothing was as important as making signs and taping them on her lemonade stand. Additionally, she had to make sure people knew her “why” so she typed and made multiple copies about what she was doing to hand everyone and help create awareness for 7 Bridges to Recovery.

On Friday after VBS, Alexis went into high gear to achieve her goal to raise $25.00, coloring and finishing her signs. On the front of her lemonade stand read “DONATIONS” with a smaller sign reading, “Lemonade – Free, Brownies.” Hmmm, what a brilliant idea I thought, to simply just ask for a donation. Saturday morning, Alexis began making brownies.

Her prime location choice was the corner of a neighbor’s yard, near the entrance of our subdivision. I sat in the background as our quiet, reserved daughter jumped and cheered for over three hours at every car that came down the street. The best part was watching her tirelessly go in the hot sun without ever considering stopping as she went after her commitment pledge.

The information card Alexis made to inform others of her cause.

The first hour was supported brought in just over $25 in donations. Just before 3:00, we ran out of ice and had to stop. We counted the donations, and to our surprise, we had reached a shocking $114.45! This Mom and Dad are so proud our young daughter for her commitment and her reason ‘why” to serve beyond herself.

Terry and Nannette Kennedy

These types of stories continue to unfold. Praise and glory be to God!

Dianne Hylton
Director of Children’s Ministries

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who send me.” -Mark 9:37

Surely God was in this place and many encountered Him this week. To Him be the glory!

Angela Pinniger
Adult Volunteer

• We collected 16 bags of shoes to send to Soles for Souls.
• We collected eight barrels of food for MUST Ministry.
• We sponsored five children in Africa and gained two foster families.

It’s truly amazing what these children and students have done this week during VBS! Praise and Glory to God!

Dianne Hylton
Director of Children’s Ministry

Geoff Evans
Adult Volunteer

Dianne Hylton
Director of Children’s Ministry

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The worship services led by Kelly Brumbloe were kid-perfect and really helped the kids understand what it means to give your heart to the Lord.

Saturday night culminated with worship, music and prayer. It was then as adult leaders stood at the altar waiting to pray with the kids, the kids began to come forward and profess their faith. I thought to myself, “It’s sticking.”  Thank you, Lord, for showing the kids the way.

CHARGE retreat remains embedded on my heart as such a wonderful blessing.

I await next year ever more.

Karen C. Miller

What a great job our weePraise and iPraise singers and ringers did last Wednesday in their final concert for the year! In the midst of stormy weather, they were a spot of sunshine.

weePraise sang their hearts out. Learning the books of the New Testament was a real challenge for them…and they nailed it! Awesome!

Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade chime and bell ringers have come so far since beginning this fall. We’re so proud of them!

And iPraise: your presentation of Under God’s Sea in 3-D was so much fun! The audience donned their 3-D glasses and you took them on an undersea adventure.

Some of the scriptures and bible stories that have stayed with me the longest, are ones that I learned through song as a child in choir. I hope that the words of these songs will stick with these kids forever. Our last song, “Call on Jesus” says, “Call on Jesus and ask Him in your heart; follow in His footsteps and make a brand new start.” What a simple, but important message made all the more special because of the joyful faces and sweet voices of our wonderful iPraise children.

Check out our pictures and see all the fun we had! And then…sign up for iPraise! We’ll begin registration this summer and would love to share the joy of worship through music with every child at Mt. Bethel.

Suzanne Tucker
Director of Children’s and Youth Music

There are over 80 young people on campus tonight to come build relationships and have a safe place to land for the evening. There are over 25 adults ready to receive the children with open arms and unconditional love. After play time, each child is served a warm meal, sings in choir and joins in their class age level for games, conversation and learning.

It is amazing to see the adults giving of their time, ready to do what it takes to make an evening of sharing God’s love with the children/students. These children crave love, a loving touch and an encouraging word- someone who just cares about who they are and are willing to give them some individual time. Although all the children are active and sometimes loud, they are, for the most part, respectful and glad to be at St. Philip.

God is present on the St. Philip campus and He is moving in ways we don’t understand, but we are trying to be obedient. None of us have quite figured out what we should do on this campus with adults or families, but God has sent the children to us and we must obey by showing them unconditional love, and maybe in some small way we can make a difference one child at a time. As we gain their trust and meet their needs, we will soon be able to teach God’s love and show them that Jesus wants a personal relationship with them. For right now, we are just going to be there each week and show them how much we love them. We will welcome each smiling face each Thursday night.

I am grateful to be a part of this ministry. Jon, thanks for including me in the planning.

Praying for this ministry and how God is leading,
Dianne Hylton

After a large event like VBS, I like to take some time to just reflect on the week, and make note of the moments where I was privileged to see God’s hand at work. I just wanted to take a few minutes and share with all of you just a few moments that I will forever treasure as I share with my children and others who my God is!

A couple things that stuck in my mind and heart as I reflect on the week:

1. A little girl from the Garden sat in my lap and grabbed both of my arms and wrapped them around her as tight as she could. She needed a hug!

2. Another little girl from the Garden when she saw Pastor Seven said, “That is my daddy.” I realized that in this physical world this child may be homeless but because a man has allowed himself to be broken bread and poured out wine for Jesus, she has a home and it’s called the Garden and in that home she has a “daddy”.

3. I spoke with the adult leader from the Garden and she said all they have done when they get home is sing the songs and do the hand motions. The celebration continues in a ministry built on the promise of God.

4. A little boy with Down’s Syndrome told his mother on Thursday night that “he met Jesus today, and he invited Him in”. Mom told the leader on Friday with tears in her eyes. The leader and I held each other as we laughed and cried together over this little life that met his Lord and Savior and said, “Come on in.”

5. I met a woman that just moved here from Korea and was overjoyed by the children on Sunday morning as they celebrated Jesus. She speaks very little english and doesn’t have any children of her own, but would love to share in a ministry that is contagious with excitement for Jesus.

6. I heard numerous stories of children that emptied their piggy banks and carried their coins into the sanctuary to place at the altar so a child in India could experience a week like they did and, most importantly, learn about Jesus.

7. I turned around to see one of our adult leaders with tears in her eyes, as I approached her to give her a hug she said, “Look at that, God’s altar filled with his children celebrating and worshipping him.”

8. One of our teens that has served in VBS for years stood next to me as we worshipped and celebrated with the children.  The altar was filled with children and the joy was Him alive and celebrating in the heart of every child that stepped up to the altar to sing.  We both looked at each other and said, “How amazing is this…Praise God.”

9. I saw our Senior Pastor jump in and celebrate with the children and after the first song point in the direction of where his grandson was sitting.  I was reminded that of all the things we are to teach our children and grandchildren it is our faith legacy that will guide them through this life and into eternity.

10. While I was at a church on Saturday morning facilitating a Safe Sanctuary training for their lay leaders I mentioned that if I seemed a little tired it was because we just closed a week of VBS with over 900 participants, it was amazing…but my physical body was tired.  After the class the Children’s Director approached me with tears in her eyes and said, “I wouldn’t know how to organize that many children and volunteers.”  On the way home I began to think: how in the world did we receive over 600+ children last week and organize over 300+ volunteers? It was by His grace and His blessing…how cool is that to be in the middle of his handiwork!

Privileged and blessed to be His hands and feet and filled with joy to share with you all! Just think- we are going to get the opportunity to do it all over again as we set sail on the “High Seas” with Paul and the book of Acts next month.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

GODspeed!

Sherri

We would treasure your prayers as we prepare for Camp Infusion next week at Camp Evergreen.  We will be sharing the “Evidence” of Jesus Christ with the students during a week of investigating God’s Word and celebrating the mystery revealed through Jesus Christ.

Angel Brim

Today, as I watched the children leave, I am saddened. I watched my new family of 120 children leave the room for the last time this VBS. Then, as I am reminded by my own children…I get to do it all again in July!

Thanks again for all your hard work behind the scenes- without you, our VBS would not be a success! We had a “Galactic Blast!”

Praise God!

Karen

• child proof scissors
• spiral notebooks
• 3 ring binders 1 to 1 1/2 inch
• folders with pockets and brads
• pencil pouch to fit in 3 ring binder
• ruled notebook paper
• glue sticks
• calculators
• rulers (one side metric)
• black pens
• hand sanitizer
• #2 pencils

• diapers size 3 and up
• diaper cream
• wet wipes for babies
• shampoo or baby wash
• baby powder

Rachel Rose, Katie Freeland and Taylor Pair will serve with our Middle School students
Janna Chapman and Drew Peters will assist with our High School students
Morgan Poole will be serving in Children’s Ministry
Michael Gillespie and Megan Petenbrink will be helping our in our Music Ministry
Rae Ann Boswell and Chase Miller will be the College/Young Adult Ministry interns

In addition to our Summer 2010 Intern Team here at Mt Bethel, we will be sending out our first International Intern Team! Yes, God has opened doors and hearts to equip and now send the following Young Adults and all alumni or our Summer Intern Program, to serve in the foreign mission field of Kenya, West Africa, in various locations and for varying lengths of time.

Greg Greene will be serving in Kisumu as a medical intern.
Max Francis will be serving at an HIV/AIDS orphanage called Beat the Drum in Joska.
Sarah Beth Holt will serve at Tumaini orphanage in Kinagop.
Reece Chapman will serve at several orphanages and will assist as a medical intern in Naivasha and Kisumu.

Join us as we celebrate what God is doing in and through us here at Mt Bethel with the equipping and the sending of these His disciples. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for these young adults. If you have any questions of how you can be involved contact Gaylyn Kelly.