back-2-school... KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!

Just a couple of resources for those families who have kids heading to the public schools next week. You might have been convinced that prayer & Bibles have been taken out of the public schools, but that is just not true. YOU HAVE RIGHTS TO BRING JESUS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO! Here is a synopsis of the rights each student has and links to help you out if you run into some opposition.

 

STUDENT RIGHTS:

1.  Students may witness to and pray for their classmates during any student interaction time.
2. Students may read their Bible during school at times when any non-instructional reading is allowed.
3. Students have a right to organize a Bible club in their school. The club should have the same privileges as any other club held at school. The only difference is the teacher sponsoring the club cannot control the meeting. The club may contain any religious activities such as prayer, Bible reading and worship.
4. Students may do speeches, write papers, or do English themes based on Christian topics.
5. Students may use pencils or notebooks that display their faith.
6. Students may wear apparel that promotes their Christian faith.
7. Students may pass out flyers or Christian tracts during non-instructional times.
8. A student may pray before they eat.
9. Christian students may excuse themselves from activities they find objectionable.
10. Graduation speakers can mention their faith and/or read the Bible in their speech.
11. Baccalaureate services may be held in public schools if they are held by private groups.

 

Here is the link to "Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools" by the US Department of Education.

 

Here is the link for a short legal analysis prepared by ACLJ attorneys on prayer in schools.

 

Here is the link to the AFA where your student can order free Bibles to give away at school.

Water Baptism for Children

Our annual New Life Water Baptism Service and Church picnic is coming up Sunday, August 18th at Stoney Creek Metro Park. With the baptism around the corner, I have been having numerous conversations with families about the age in which their child should become water baptized. Chris and I have been discussing this with Isaac this past year as well, and I was so blessed by what Pastor Mike shared in his message today. If you missed it, please listen to it here... he starts talking about water baptism at the 23:20 point, and specifically talks about the age our children should be baptized at the 37:00 point.

We also had a Water Baptism class in Small Town last week and have print-outs available. Please see Keri Sheerer or Jeni Cupp for a copy to discuss with your children.

CONNECT: SCS Fireworks

Last Wednesday was our annual SCS Fireworks CONNECT. The kids were more than excited to pass out free glow sticks to the kids in the community. We could barely keep our eyes on them because they were so excited to run around and generously give to others. What a wonderful night to hang out together, giving out a little love.

some of my favs this week... enjoy!

I'm always looking for things that encourage and challenge me during the phase of life I am in and through the opportunities God has afforded me. I just read through a few blog posts lately that I thought were really good and I wanted to pass along. 

 

The 1st one is entitled "Capturing the Heart of your Teen Daughter" by Victoria Mininger at Fearless Heart Ministries. I read it to get some tips on interacting with the girls in the youth group, but ended up realizing they are things I can use with my daughter right now. I just re-read Day 3 and it changed our entire day. It's a 15-day series, but well worth your time if you have a daughter.

Day 1: The Heart of the Matter

Day 2: Time: Quality vs Quantity

Day 3: Attitude Adjustment/Refocusing Our Hearts

Day 4: Dreaming- Between Now and Growing Up

Day 5: Tackling Fear and Letting Go

Day 6: Pointing Her Heart

Day 7: Modesty Becomes Her

Day 8: When Looks Matter

Day 9: Her Greatest Strength

Day 10: When She Runs

Day 11: A Father's Heart

Day 12: When He's Absent

Day 13: A Daughter's Perspective

Day 14: Her Value and Worth

Day 15: Looking Forward

The 2nd resource is from Missional Women called "8 Helpful Tools for Raising Missional Kids" by Laura Krokos. This particular article has many resources in focusing your kids to look outward and reach the world around them, including a neat music series for young children called Songs for Saplings, Kids Around the World Prayer Cards and Stand For Kids resources.

...and if you have a few minutes, check out the quick little article "Happily Ever After" article by Nicole Howe as well.... such a good perspective of marriage.

 and lastly, an article that challenged me hard-core this morning titled "Pursuing That Which Takes Time" by Ruth Simmons. It's a good reminder for those of us who are just trying to make it through the day with our sanity in check.

my daily prayer cards.

I am a firm believer in praying scripture.

I can't think of any words that I can come up with that would be more powerful than the Word of the Lord that has already been given to us. I have been really focused on praying scripture over my kids lately and decided to make prayer scripture cards to go through each morning during my prayer time. Some are scriptures that would be great to pray over all children, and then some are specific to things my kids are going through right now.

Pray scriptures relevant to your children.

Pray scriptures that cause your faith to rise.

Pray scriptures that speak life into their future.

Pray scriptures that display the heart of God.

I kept mine pretty rustic, but skies the limit on how fun you can make these. You can keep them by your bedside, by your Bible or even hang them on the wall for the family to see each day. The important part is to use the power of prayer to speak life into your kids!

You might also have the kids come up with their own prayer cards. How fun would it be for them to come up with scriptures that they want to pray over themselves!

 

Airtime Trampoline Park

Our 4th and 5th grader discipleship and leadership team had our end of the year celebration at Airtime. What a bouncy, fun experience! Each of these kids are amazing and grew in leadership this year!!

Around the World in 60 Days

I am seriously so excited about the Focus on the Family Thriving Family's FREE Around the World in 60 Days Calendar. This is such an excellent calendar that provides daily activities that will get your kids to learn and pray for other countries in such a creative way! 

From their website: 
Have you ever wondered what life is like in other countries? This summer, Thriving Family invites you to join us on a trip around the world! Over the next 60 days, you'll have the opportunity to explore 27 different countries on six continents. For each day of the trip, we've packed a short biblical lesson and an activity that will give your family a glimpse into another culture. We've provided a map for you to use during your travels. Post the map to your refrigerator and track your progress with a magnet or put it up on a living room wall and circle each country you stop at. 

If you get the free Thriving Family magazine, then the map and calendar is in the centerfold. If you don't get the magazine, you can get it on-line. When you click on this link, it will take you to the website where you can print out a map, passport and itinerary. The calendar starts on June 2nd so download it soon!! First stop....is Oceania the region of the pacific ocean that includes Australia and several island nations. See you there :)

Breakfast

I know we had our family ministries breakfast a while back but I wanted to share some pictures from the event. 

The room was decorated in our "grow" theme :)

Resource Tables

PRIZES!!

Balloon Animals :)

face and hand painting 

Raffle

Food :)

Minute to Win it Family Competitions

And the winners are....

What an awesome event we had. We were not only able to have food, fellowship, and games, but us directors were also able to share our heart and vision for the kids at New Life Christian Church. We all want to be able to grow in every aspect of our lives to become more and more like Jesus daily! 

Thanks to all came out!!

Jesus and Cinderella

Princess Party 2013

Thank you to everyone who hosted the Annual Princess Party...

this year we had a wonderful production, craft, snacks and amazing photo ops.

We were blown away and the kids LOVED it!

*** special video coming soon ***

 

FM Breakfast

 
Family Ministries

BREAKFAST

 Saturday, April 13th
9am-11am
Come and bring the entire family to our 1st annual
FM Breakfast to hear the VISION for family ministries this year!

*Breakfast for entire family*

*Minute-2-Win-It Family Competitions*

*Prizes/Giveaways for Families and Kids*

*Balloon Animals*

*Face Painting*

*Resource Table*
 

Plus, come and hear from each of our directors about what God is doing in their area of ministry and what they anticipate for the future!