May Family Services A Week Away

We are now one week away from our Special Family Services during the Month of May. As you look at Sunday’s bulletin, you will see the upcoming schedule and get a sense of where we are heading.

As you know, we have been grappling with Matthew’s Gospel which explains to us what being a Disciple or a “Follower of Jesus,” is all about. The idea that being a Follower of Jesus is EASY is completely false. Matthew’s Gospel lays out a pretty challenging picture of what it means to Follow Jesus. Disciples shouldn’t expect the comforts and security of home, we shouldn’t expect that disciples are found only in church and we are commanded to go and make other disciples. In short, Following Jesus comes with great expectation.

One of our goals in holding these family services is to demonstrate those expectations to our children. Kids today learn very visually. Like it or not, America is no longer a “print-based” culture. Most newspapers are struggling, but the computer industry is thriving. We will use visually means to explain to our children what follow Jesus is all about. This many come through the depictions of communion, water baptism, and through an illustrated sermon which is planned for Sunday, May 2.

These visuals are geared to lay out the biblical expectations of being a Christ Follower. Communion bread and fruit speak of the love and devotion Christ showed us, that in turn should show HIM and each other. Water baptism illustrates the expectation that death leads to new life – a clean life, washed in Christ. And the illustrated sermon will speak of the Harvest of souls that is expected. The only thing missing is the labor force…and that is you, me and our kids…the followers of Jesus.

Our goal is to go beyond illustration and actually give the church opportunity to become part of Christ’s labor force. This summer we have several local missions opportunities available and we will invite ALL the body to join in the Harvest. You will be given a brochure to explain our summer mission opportunities and prayer needs, with an offering envelope included. I simply ask that you Follow Jesus by Praying, Giving and Going this summer…More on that in a few weeks.

Parents for now, we ask that you be prepared to sit with your kids in the main service for the month of May. Please give them instructions on behavior, encourage them when they do well and discipline them when they are out of line. Our Children’s Pastor is preparing a special bulletin for the kids. This will have information for them at their level and several questions that they can answer during the service. This will help them engage in worship and observe all that God is doing. After the service, the kids will be able to turn in their completed bulletin for Kidz Cash that can be redeemed the following month in their Kidz Club service.

I’ll admit that I have never been a part of a church that has done one whole month of family services. So, I don’t know exactly what will happen. I am walking by faith…but I think that’s what we are supposed to do…right?