Digging in.

Recently, I sat among our small group's moms and girls.  During the course of a discussion about mom/girl things, someone posed the question, "who do you think you could go to if you had a real problem and needed advice from a friend?"  In other words, who are the trustworthy, truth-telling, there-for-you people you know?  The girls thought for a minute and then pointed to each other as go-to friends.

To understand why I'd consider this even worth mentioning, you should know a bit about these girls.  The girls range from 7th to 9th grade.  None attend school together.  No shrinking violets among them.  Each has friends (many) outside this particular group, and participates in plenty of the usual extracurricular activities.  And yet each is connected to the other in a way that prompted the answer above.  Why?

I've known these girls and their families for some time now, a few for many years, both as a parent and in my Ministry role. So I'm watching their deepening understanding of the Gospel from a unique vantage point.  Here's what I see --

It did not happen overnight.  Understanding developed in their families and within our church community in daily, weekly, year-after-year sorts of ways.  Sunday School.  Worship.  Serving. Gathering. Milestones.  Among teachers and leaders and peers who've walked alongside with a consistency and care that fostered relationship in a trusted learning environment.  And they've shared this experience, for the most part.

It has not been conflict-free.  They are real, growing girls, for heaven's sake.  They and we have worked through conflict in a we're-not-leaving-for-something-better context.  Knowing and loving these people who have known and loved us...over time.  The girls have observed folks who keep showing up and living life together.  People who mess up, and who seek God's grace and (most of the time) the best for each other.  And they've shared this experience too.

They do not spend every minute in our church, but the are regularly present.  I observe (pretty up close) that they receive teaching, are encouraged and challenged, prayed for and held accountable...better equipped for the very full teenager lives they live outside our building.  Better friends.  Better (not perfect!) perspective on their teenager worlds, hopefully becoming more discerning in response to the mixed messages that girls receive daily.  And they've shared this experience.

I hope at this point, you are with me in learning from them a valuable lesson about a community in Christ.  Shared experience of God's grace over time, in living, learning, serving, forgiving, showing up even when people mess up, grows us in a place of trust.  It connects us to share life, young and not-so-young, in awesome, full of laughter times and in painful times where we need to know someone is there for us.  It equips us to love and serve all kinds of people for Christ's glory, and gives us freedom to risk and welcome all comers in His name. 

It doesn't happen overnight.  It doesn't happen once a quarter and on the holidays.  In my own life as a big-girl, I've seen God's faithfulness in building a community around me well before I really needed it and that has grown and equipped me for the places I live and breathe.  And I've seen it in my kids' lives.  And I'm grateful.  And I'm writing all this because I don't want you to miss it.  Dig in, and watch what God does all around you. 

in pursuit.

Recently, I sat down to talk with a friend about work, family, responsibilities that lay ahead, significant concerns about all of the above.  I was just finishing a week of VBS, which I completely love, for all kinds of reasons.  But VBS means high energy over many hours, so I was pretty well spent and planning to take some days off following.  As we talked, the friend looked me in the eye and said, "I am challenging you to courageously pursue rest." 
I don't think I said anything, but I understood what he meant. Maybe because I understand the absence of rest and how hard it is to come by.  Don't get me wrong, I take the 20 minute nap on occasion (ask my kids).  I say no to things.  I feel no compulsion to take on a task to improve my reputation.  But that is more akin to survival than actual rest, at least for me.  It doesn't stop my brain spinning possibilities, or the looking over list of responsibilities I've fallen short on. 
So, last week, I went in pursuit.  It certainly helped to be in a perfectly lovely setting, with a perfectly lovely friend to talk to and laugh with.  Abandoning a schedule is a plus.  Sleep is a real bonus.  But getting quiet...inside my own head...setting aside the lists and the spinning was the toughest, and of course, most restful.  Taking in and enjoying the rest found in God's beautiful creation was fuller and more relaxing, with more openness to His word.    I could have stayed longer, frankly, but the rehab was enough to reengage, I think.  And hopefully, I've returned more willing to find ways in my everyday world to rest in Christ.  Feel free to remind me of these words; no doubt I'll need it.  For now, I challenge you to your own courageous pursuit.  Rest.

Back to School - Sunday School!

Sunday School provides a unique learning and Gospel community-building opportunity for kids and one specific expression of the promise we all make to support families in the spiritual formation of children. Each week, we study Scripture within the context of God’s big story of redemption; God is the hero of every story! We learn together in a safe environment that invites questions and conversation between peers and caring adults. We start with big concepts in our Toddler class and continue through 5th grade on a path to better understanding the Gospel narrative, and who we are individually and in community as a result. We serve together, offering children regular opportunities to serve and lead in this environment. Soon, our 5th graders will lead our Shoebox collection for Samaritan’s Purse.


Just as adults find connection, support and growth in small group time, our children develop Gospel community during this hour. As a parent, I’ve watched this in my own children and am grateful for the relationships fostered with both peers and teachers. -- And as a teacher, I can tell you that learning goes both ways. In the weeks I am preparing to teach, I am learning the most, not to mention the insight I gain from the words and actions of our children.

Cynthia Veerman, who has taught children and teens at Northwest for several years, serves because it combines her love for God’s Word with the love she has seeing children become active members of the church. “Sunday School is a time of discovery and fellowship,” she says. “It has been a joy to see how God changes the hearts of young children and makes them a vibrant part of His community.”

Join us, beginning September 12 at 9:00am.
For more information regarding individual classes, curriculum or teaching opportunities, contact Elizabeth Deakin at edeakin@npc-dublin.org

Headline: Moms Defeat Sons in Capture the Flag!

Ok, so the headline was from me as mom-participant, reporting from our annual Moms and Sons game night.  Nice to know we can still catch those growing boys...especially the ones who've grown bigger than we are.  My children's ministry director self always enjoys this event, as I observe not only moms and sons spending time together, but also the collection of boys (aged 4 to 17 years this time) playing hard and making time for each other.  Also nice to see moms relaxed and connecting with each other in this laid-back setting.  One mom told me once, "it's just nice to have a couple of hours and a place where I don't have to say no."  So it was yes to pizza, yes to ice cream, and yes to running-around good times, whatever your speed and ability.  Can't wait to do it again.  

 Did I mention that we won capture the flag?

Children's Worship in May

K-2
Bible Memory:
May 2: “Hear O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” Deuteronomy 6:4
May 9: “Hear O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deut. 6:4-5
May 16: “Hear O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words I command you today shall be on your heart. ” Deut. 6:4-6
May 23: review Deuteronomy 6:4-6
May 7 30: say them for a reward!

The Message: “Who is God? What is He like? How Should I Act Toward God?” We continue to study the character, greatness and worth of God. In May, our messages will covering the following:

God is Trinity—God is three persons in one, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God is Love—Love is the overflow of the joy God has in Himself.
God is Omnipresent — God knows everything.
God is Refuge—God is a place of safety and protection for His people.
God is Unchanging—God never changes

PreK:
We will spend the month of May equipping our preschoolers with the knowledge that God made them. Because He made them, they are special. They are special not because they can jump the farthest or run the fastest. They are special because God made them and loves them!

Moms and Sons Game Night! -- MAY 7

Got Game?
Moms and Sons, join us for an evening to hang out and have fun at your own pace, indoors and out. We'll provide dinner and some gaming options.  Take time to enjoy each other and to get to know other moms and sons. 
Friday, May 7
6:30pm
@NPC
Cost for moms:  $5.00, Cost for sons: Free!
Register in the NPC lobby

Children's Worship in April

The Message: We continue to study the character, greatness and worth of God. We’re also celebrating Easter and have invited some guests in to talk about their roles in worship. This is what we’re up to in April:

EASTER!—God is Victorious—God always wins, even over Satan, sin and death.
Learning about worship from our special guests — Pastor Dave and Jessica Robson. Pastor Dave answers kids’ questions about the sermon and all kinds of things. Jessica shares how kids worship in Malawi. Very cool. You can check out Jonathan and Jessica Robson’s blog at
http://www.robsonsinmalawi.blogspot.com/
God is Attentive — God is constantly watching and acting in the world.
God is Faithful — God always does what He says He will do.

Bible Memory: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry. Psalm 34:15