During this Advent season, you might be juggling (as I am) children’s programs, youth service projects, volunteer gifts, staff parties, and more. The calendar is filled with many obligations and wonderful events alike, and if you blink, you might just miss the entire season! It’s happened before, maybe it happens every year. What if, instead … Continue Reading
In the hustle and bustle of church life surrounding the holidays, it seems children don’t always get the opportunity to worship at their own level. Sure, they seem to be performing something around the holidays, whether it is in the children’s choir or the Christmas pageant. However, do they really get the concept of worship? … Continue Reading
Let’s agree: this year has proven to be one heck of a topsy-turvy roller coaster of surprise, upheaval, astonishing sinfulness, and incredible disaster. We rallied resources for one disaster only to discover that there was much more needed for a different part of the country. Just when fires and hurricanes seemed to be under some … Continue Reading
It was a very tough time for me. I was planning my first church-wide intergenerational event and it looked like there were still about 5,000 details to figure out, and our registration was nearly twice what I had anticipated. The year was 2001, and my church had absolutely no idea how afraid I was! Feeling … Continue Reading
It’s time for Pentecost! Pente-what? Spend family time this week to learn about this special day in the Church Year. Remember Ascension Day? When Jesus left, He told everyone (including us) that He would be present always. Before He left earth, Jesus also said that He would send a Helper. And what a Helper! Pentecost … Continue Reading
Every year about this time, there is a very special Thursday that comes up. What is it? Why is it important? Ascension Day is the day that Jesus ascended into heaven. He told His disciples—including us—that He is preparing a place for us. He is always with us. And He is sending a Helper to … Continue Reading
What comes to mind when you think of Memorial Day? A day off work? The weekend when the pool is opened? People selling poppies in front of stores? If you polled some of the children you know, what would they say? Maybe it’s time to do some intentional teaching about this holiday and why we … Continue Reading
Welcome back! In the first part of this blog post, I gave you six ideas on traditions you can start at home or in your Sunday School to help celebrate baptismal birthdays. Are you ready for even more? Here are some more great ideas to celebrate Baptism birthdays! As you look at the pictures of … Continue Reading
Think about your own Christmas celebration this past year. What comes to mind for you? Maybe it was the delight of watching your kids or grandkids excitedly unwrapping the gifts you got them! Perhaps it was the joy you experienced attending a special Christmas concert or worshiping in church on Christmas Eve. Whatever it was, … Continue Reading
“Why do bad things happen?” It’s a common question. In fact, I’d say it’s probably the most common and difficult question each one of us human beings face each day. We all go about our business, living each day just like the last. Then BAM. There’s a tragedy or a disaster. Someone loses a job, … Continue Reading
