FX HIGHLIGHTS!

Over 100 families have joined us at FX the last three nights. Come join us Friday from 6:30-8:30pm for the CARNIVAL! Anyone is welcome. Invite your neighbors! Free games, food and entertainment!

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

I was so excited to see so many Creation Station kids at FX this week! I had a WONDERFUL time with my family and I sure hope you did too. I think what I found so amazing was worshipping with my preschoolers. The music was loud, the songs upbeat, and my husband and I LOVED praising together with our 3 year old  while she danced in the aisle.  

Our little ones are learning everyday and this week during FX the kids learned how to worship, pray, and have fun WITH their families.  That makes my heart sing, how about you? If you have any stories or moments that you would like to share about FX—please do! We would LOVE to hear how God is working in the hearts of your little ones. Feel free to drop us an email at children@cpccweb.org .

This weekend’s Bible story is from Genesis 1:14-19.  In the beginning, God made the sky, sun, moon and stars. While we know that God made the sun, moon, and stars still nights can be scary to our little ones. Do you have a toddler that is afraid of the dark? Check out this link to read one mother’s story about night time fears and how she addressed them with her son. It’s a great read!

http://www.orangeparents.org/afraid-of-the-dark/

See you this weekend!

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS!

Our Summer Theme “Base Camp: Get Ready to Climb!” continues this week.

Week 2 – In this week’s story, Jesus heals a blind man. This miracle made the Pharisees and other Jews wonder if this man Jesus was the Messiah they had been waiting for. Jesus told the blind man exactly who he was. Our bottom line is: God is doing something to show me who He is. God is continually doing things around us that help us to know Him better. Like seeing a beautiful sunset, or experiencing kindness from someone just when you need it the most. This helps our relationship with God grow. Our verse this month is: “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52. As God shows us more of who He is, He will help us develop wisdom, faith and friendship in our lives.

BASE CAMP FLAG!

If you haven’t picked up a Base Camp Flag, they will still be available at any of the elementary environments this weekend. Instructions included! Decorate your family’s flag and plant it in your “Base Camp” location (kitchen table, car, etc). Plan a regular time each week at Base Camp to debrief what you’ve learned!

REGISTER FOR FX (Family Xperience) TODAY! YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

Hi parents! This month starts our journey into the big idea that GOD CREATED EVERYTHING. The memory verse for the month of June is Genesis 1:1

“God created the heavens and the earth.”

 This week, our Bible story is from Genesis 1:6-10. We will learn that in the beginning, God made the water. Water! It’s definitely a favorite of preschoolers. They can use it to paint watercolors, make mud pies, and best of all . . . SWIM! Yes, sir! Water is super fun! Sit with your child and brainstorm some fun water activities you can do together and then do them! Water flowers, squirt water guns, run through a sprinkler—there’s so much you can do! As you play, tell each other how happy you are that God made water!

Parents, it can be perplexing trying to explain to our toddlers about God. We tend to try and explain away the wonder. Here is a link to some good advice for keeping the wonder in our lives and our kids- It’s worth the click!
http://www.orangeparents.org/where-did-wonder-go/

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS!

Our Summer Theme is “Base Camp: Get Ready to Climb!” When we look at the life and teachings of Jesus, we are reminded how important it is to go back to the basics. Luke 2:52 says that “Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and men.” These are the basics:

1). Wisdom – I need to make the wise choice. Jesus taught that the best way to learn what we should do is by listening to God’s Word. The Bible teaches us that we should make the wise choice in every situation.

2). Faith – I can trust God no matter what. Jesus came to earth to physically show us God’s love. We can grow stronger in our faith in God because we have seen what He did through Jesus.

3). Friendship – I should treat others the way I want to be treated. Jesus walked every day with his friends. He allowed them to get to know him, He taught them and He helped them with their hurts. By following Jesus’ example, we can know how we should treat those around us.

Week 1 – this week, we learn from Luke 2:52 how Jesus grew up. We don’t know a lot about Jesus’ life between his birth and the start of his ministry, but we do know that He grew in wisdom, faith and friendship. Our bottom line is: God is doing something in you to change the world around you. We can’t change the world until we allow God to change us on the inside and make us more like Jesus!

 BASE CAMP FLAG!

Each family will receive a Base Camp Flag this week. Instructions included! Decorate your family’s flag and plant it in your “Base Camp” location (kitchen table, car, etc). Plan a regular time each week at Base Camp to debrief what you’ve learned!

REGISTER FOR FX (Family Xperience) TODAY! YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

This week’s Bible story is from Exodus 17:8-13.  Aaron and Hur help Moses by holding up his weak arms during the Israelites battle against the Amalekites. Whew! Try getting your toddler to say that name. That should give you a few laughs!  You can watch the story again here if you would like!
http://cdn.rethinkgroup.org/PCUEAppPre/1305/1305_PreDTWk4.mp4

Have you ever wondered how a worship service and small group works in Creation Station? Please know that you are welcome to observe at any time! We have THE BEST volunteers who love to encourage your child by teaching, playing, and showing God’s love to them. Stop in and see!

This month we are learning that I CAN HELP OTHERS. Have a story about your child helping others? Please share!

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS!

Our Life App for May is PATIENCE – waiting until later for what you want now.

 Week 4 – For this week’s Bible principle, we learn the wisdom in being patient (Proverbs 14:29). A person who gets angry quickly will often end up looking foolish. A person who is patient takes the time to make the wise choice. Our bottom line is: when you think you can’t wait, don’t lose your cool. We should work hard to keep control of our words, our actions and our attitudes while we wait. Then we can avoid doing something we will regret later. Maybe we can even use the time we are waiting to do something helpful or productive. Our monthly verse is, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV. When our words, actions and attitudes honor God while we wait, we show we trust Him and the people He’s put in charge of us. Trusting in Him will help you be strong even when you don’t understand why you are waiting. Share a time with your kids when your words or actions or attitude didn’t honor God while you were waiting. Did it hurt others? How did you resolve that?   

FX PROMO BAGS!

You will receive a FX (Family Xperience) promo bag this weekend as you pick up your child. Now’s the time to register. You don’t want to miss this great fun summer family event!

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

This month we are learning that God wants us to help others. Creation Station Two is helping others by helping to feed the hungry. Remember to bring in your non-perishable food items to give to those in need anytime during the month of May. Please bring them to the Creation Station 2 check in counter.

Our week 3 story tells us about a man named Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-6). He went to Jerusalem to help his family and friends. What he saw was that the walls had been torn down and all the stones were loose. The broken down walls would never keep the people safe. So Nehemiah gathered the people together and everyone used their hands to start building the wall. After weeks and weeks of hard work, and opposition from several sides, they finished the wall!  Nehemiah did what he could to help those in Jerusalem. God loves it when we remember that I can help others!

If you haven’t already, make a point to talk about and do the feeding the hungry project. Let your child go shopping with you and pick out a few items to give away. Or let them pick out some items from your pantry to give away. Have fun with it! If you have already done this project, think of a friend or a neighbor that you can serve in some way, with the help of your preschooler!  Our memory verse this month is “Be kind and loving to each other.” Ephesians 4:32 NCV

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS!

Our Life App for May is PATIENCE – waiting until later for what you want now.

 Week 3 – In this week’s Bible story, Hannah wants to become a mother and have a baby, but she is not able to (1 Samuel 1:9-2:1). Her prayers to God are so emotional that even strangers notice. But even through the sadness of her prayers, God gives her the strength to wait until the time is perfect. Our bottom line is: when you think you can’t wait, tell God about it. God wants us to talk to Him. When we are facing difficult times, we can always tell God how we feel, especially when we don’t feel like waiting. Our monthly verse is, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV. Many times it feels too hard to be strong and to wait for the Lord. But it’s always safe to tell God how we are feeling. He will give us the strength to keep going and to trust Him no matter what!

If you did not pick up a “Wishing Well” widget with instructions, they are available at each elementary environment until supplies last! Take some time to use it as a family. It will be fun, and a great learning tool about patience!

Mom’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful Mom’s out there. Dads and kids, if you haven’t bought or made a card for your Mom or wife today, send this little message along.

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

This month we are learning that God wants us to help others. Creation Station Two is helping others by helping to feed the hungry. Remember to bring in your non-perishable food items to give to those in need anytime during the month of May. Please bring them to the Creation Station 2 check in counter. Thank you so much for helping your child help others!

Our week 2 story tells us about a man named Elisha and a rich woman (2 Kings 4:8-17). Elisha was a good friend of God and he walked many miles telling people what God had said and how God wanted them to live. When he went from town to town, he needed places to stay for the night. Sometimes kind people invited him to come and stay at their house. For the most part though, Elisha probably slept out under the stars. One day, Elisha visited a town where a rich woman lived. This kind woman invited Elisha for dinner. After Elisha ate he headed to the next town. The woman was happy to help, and knowing that Elisha came to her town often, she fixed up a room in her house for Elisha to stay in each time he came through. She had amazing helping hands! God loves it when we show love by helping others!

If you haven’t already, make a point to talk about and do the feeding the hungry project. Let your child go shopping with you and pick out a few items to give away. Or let them pick out some items from your pantry to give away. Have fun with it!

Our memory verse this month is “Be kind and loving to each other.” Ephesians 4:32 NCV

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS!

Our Life App for May is PATIENCE – waiting until later for what you want now.

 Week 2 – In this week’s Bible story, the Israelites grow impatient waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain after meeting with God (Exodus 32:1-35). They ask Aaron, Moses’ brother, to build an idol for them to follow instead of God. Moses returns and finds them worshipping the golden cow. The Israelites immediately regret their impatience. Ask your child what Moses did next? Our bottom line is: when you think you can’t wait, don’t forget what is true. God had led the people of Israel out of slavery, but in a moment of impatience, they forgot everything they had experienced and everything God had done for them. From them we can learn to be patient and trust the people in charge. Remember to review this month’s memory verse, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV. When we start to lose hope, remembering the truth of what God has done will help us to wait well. Make sure and pick up a “Wishing Well” widget with instructions this weekend! Take some time to use it as a family. It will be fun, and a great learning tool about patience!

FX (Family Xperience) REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN!

Click here for more details

 PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

Coming this weekend we will learn that God wants us to help others. Creation Station Two is going to help others by helping to feed the hungry. This weekend each child will make a bag to collect non-perishable food items in. Please help your child collect food and bring the bag back  to the CS2 counters anytime during the month of May. Thank you so much for helping your child help others!

Our week 1 story tells us how the early church helped each other. The very first church didn’t have a building where they met like we do today. Church just happened when Jesus’ friends got together to remember all the amazing things He did and all the wonderful things He told them. The most important thing that Jesus talked about was our hearts! We’re supposed to LOVE God and LOVE others. So when someone in the first church needed help, everyone pitched in and helped how they could. When someone was hungry, they gave them some food. When someone was cold, they gave them a warm coat. When someone was sick, they helped them feel better. This week make a point to talk about and do the project above. Let your child go shopping with you and pick out a few items to give away. Or let them pick out some items from your pantry to give away. Have fun with it!

Our memory verse this month is “Be kind and loving to each other.” Ephesians 4:32 NCV

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS!

Our Life App for May is PATIENCE – waiting until later for what you want now.

 Week 1 – In this week’s Bible story, Esau comes in from hunting and is very hungry! When his younger brother Jacob, offers him a bowl of soup in return for his birthright, Esau trades his entire inheritance for a full stomach. Esau’s impatience cast him his whole inheritance!  Our bottom line is: when you think you can’t wait, think twice. Just because you want something right now, we still need to take time to think through the consequences. And we get into trouble when we don’t think it through first. This month’s memory verse is “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 NIV God knows our needs and has great things in store for us. We can trust Him and WAIT for the best that God will give us.      Stay tuned for a great opportunity to teach your child about patience. Next week you will receive a “Wishing Well” widget with instructions. Take some time to use it as a family. It will be fun, and a great learning tool! In the meantime, this week, take the opportunity at your dinner table to ask about times that each person in your family has been impatient. How did that turn out?

ANNOUNCING FAMILY GYM NIGHT!
Fridays from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. Come join us for some family fun!
• Parent must be with child(ren) 15 and under at all times.
• Maximum of 5 children per parent.
• Shoot around only. No full or cross court games.
• One volleyball net will be set up on the South court.

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!
Coming in May we will learn that God wants us to help others. Creation Station Two is going to help others by helping to feed the hungry. The first weekend in May each child will make a bag to collect non-perishable food items in. Please help your child collect food and bring the bag back to the CS2 counters anytime during the month of May. Thank you so much for helping your child help others!

April week 3’s story again reminds us that Jesus wants us to tell others about Him (Matthew 28:19-20). Saul was a man who persecuted Christians. As we told the kid’s this weekend, he was a really, really mean man! But one day as Saul was walking down the road, suddenly a bright light shone down! That day Saul met Jesus and was changed forever! Jesus told Saul to find a man in that town named Ananias. Now Ananias, knowing about Saul’s reputation, was afraid to help Saul. But Ananias loved God and wanted to obey him. God helped Ananias be a friend to Saul, AND he helped Saul to change his life around, even changing his name to Paul. Paul used the rest of his life to teach others about Jesus. Talk with your kids about how you can be an influence on someone you know to introduce them to Jesus. Invite them to church? Invite them to an event at church, like FX? Our memory verse this month is “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19 NIV

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS!
Our Life App for April is FRIENDSHIP – spending time with someone you trust and enjoy.

Week 3 – Our Bible principle this week, in Galatians 5, teaches us about serving each other. Paul instructs the believers to use their God-given freedom to care for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and others in need. Our bottom line is: friends serve one another. When we get the opportunity to spend time with friends, we can serve them by thinking about what they would like to do, or what they would like to eat, or look for ways to help them. Our memory verse this month is “A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes.” Proverbs 17:17 NIrV. The reason we look for ways to serve our friends is because we love them. Jesus showed us that loving our friend means serving them. How can you serve someone this week? Find time to talk through that with child, and then make a plan to do it! Maybe, like those people in Galatia, you could find a homeless person, a widow, or an orphan that you can serve this week!

LIGHT FORCE MERGE SIGNUP DEADLINE APRIL 14!

Check this out! You don’t want to miss out! 4^th and 5^th grade Merge is LONGER this spring and will be held offsite at Camp Allendale. Transportation will be provided from the church to the camp and back.  Check out the details here!

 CAMP ALLENDALE PRICES INCREASE APRIL 15!

Camp Allendale registration prices increase beginning April 15. There are still a few spots left open, so go to www.camp-allendale.org to register!

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

Does your child come home signing the songs of the week in Creation Station 2?  The lyrics can be quite catchy!   Some of our favorite songs are on Yancy’s “Little Praise Party” album.  We’re so excited that there is now an app (for iPhone, iPad and Android) you can download for free to make it easy for your little ones to watch some of their favorite “Little Praise Party” videos at home.  Each month five music videos are featured that you can watch on the go and it’s absolutely free.  Hopefully, your child can teach you the motions to some of our recent favorites, “My Best Friend” and “Hosanna Rock,” to join in! Check it out here!

Week 2’s story again reminds us that Jesus wants us to tell others about Him (Matthew 28:19-20). Peter was a close friend of Jesus when he was on the earth, and when Jesus rose into heaven, Peter took Jesus’ challenge seriously! Peter told everyone he knew about Jesus! But King Herod did not like Peter telling others about Jesus and so he sent his soldiers to arrest him and throw him in jail. But God sent an angel to guide Peter out of jail. Peter’s chains fell off, and the angel led him past the soldiers at the door and through the locked gate. It was a miracle! Peter ran to the place where his friends were praying for him. When he knocked at the door, his friends were so surprised and excited. And Peter told them all the incredible things that God had done! Is there a time in your life when God did something miraculous for you? Share with your kids this week! Encourage your son or daughter to tell someone about Jesus? Invite them to church? Invite them to an event at church, like FX?   Our memory verse this month is “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19 NIV

PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS

Our Life App for April is FRIENDSHIP – spending time with someone you trust and enjoy.

 Week 2 – We will learn this weekend that we should cheer each other up and give each other hope (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Paul wrote a letter to his friends in Thessalonica to encourage them and give them hope, even though they faced persecution for believing in Jesus. Our bottom line is: friends encourage one another. It’s really easy to get into the habit of teasing our friends or joking around with them all the time. Just remember that it’s important for friends to encourage each other with positive words and to cheer each other on when we are tired or hurt. Our memory verse this month is “A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes.” Provers 17:17 NIrV. Everyone needs encouragement. Talk about some ways you can encourage your family or friends with helpful words or simple actions.

CAMP ALLENDALE PRICES INCREASE APRIL 15!

Camp Allendale registration prices increase beginning April 15. There are still a few spots left open, so go to www.camp-allendale.org to register!

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS!

This weekend’s story reminds us that Jesus wants us to tell others about Him (Matthew 28:19-20). After Jesus rose from the dead he came and spent time with his friends. They ate together. They sang together. They walked places together. But it came time for Jesus to leave for good. Jesus took his friends to the very top of a mountain and told them he wanted them to go and tell everyone, everywhere, about him and that he wanted to be there friend forever! He also said he would help us tell others about Him. Then Jesus rose into heaven, and the Bible says that he is preparing a place for those who believe (John 14:2). Is there someone you know that you can tell about Jesus? Encourage your son or daughter to tell someone about Jesus? Invite them to church? Invite them to an event at church, like FX?   Our memory verse this month is “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Matthew 28:19 NIV

 PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY KIDS

Our Life App for April is FRIENDSHIP – spending time with someone you trust and enjoy.

 Week 1 – This weekend we will hear about Paul’s writings to the believers in Rome. He teaches them about accepting each other (Romans 14-15, Acts 9). Paul experienced this himself when he first started following Christ and the believers struggled to forget his past. Ananias befriended Paul, and then Barnabas helped the other believers accept him too. Our bottom line is: friends accept one another. Even when someone makes a bad choice, or they have a different background than us, or they have different interests, we can still accept them. Our memory verse this month is “A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes.” Proverbs 17:17 NIrV. When a friend is having a tough time, our acceptance can make a big difference in helping that friend. Ask some questions to your kids this week at the dinner table. Who are some of your best friends? Why are they good friends? Is there anyone you know that is hard to accept? Can you think of a time when you had a really hard time and a friend helped you? You helped them?

 LIGHT FORCE MERGE FOR 4^TH & 5^TH GRADES!

Check this out! You don’t want to miss out! 4^th and 5^th grade Merge is LONGER this spring and will be held offsite at Camp Allendale. Transportation will be provided from the church to the camp and back.  Check out the details here!

EASTER FOLLOWUP FOR FAMILIES!

After you pick up a Family Easter Kit, OR if you did not pick one up, why not try out these other things you can do as a family this Easter season:

1. How about breaking out some Sharpies for your Easter egg decorating?

2. Or how about using Kool-Aid packets to color your eggs? Fun colors AND smells great! You can find directions here:
http://www.heyjenrenee.com/2011/04/kool-eggs.html

3. Want a different take on your Easter egg hunt? How about doing it at night or even indoors with the lights off? Just add glow sticks to the inside of your plastic eggs! Fun!

4. Perhaps your kiddos would really love to eat those “Resurrection Rolls” again this year! (Or, admit it, you are the one that remembers just how great they tasted! J) Here’s a link to a super easy version:
http://womenlivingwell.org/2011/04/my-favorite-easter-breakfast/

5. Want a more visual experience of the Easter story? Our own Connection Pointe Library had 2 copies of The Visual Bible, Matthew. This 2-DVD set is a word-for-word presentation of the life of Jesus. You can also watch portions of it for free on YouTube. Click here for chapter 28:

  Have younger kids with shorter attention spans? Fast forward to 5:54 to pick up at Matthew 28:16 and hear Jesus say, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY KIDS!

Today’s story is the ultimate WOW story! You can read about it in John 18-20. Jesus made some incredible statements about himself. So incredibly crazy that some people had trouble believing everything He said. And when Jesus died, even some of His followers doubted that the things He had said were true.  But then the most amazing miracle happened! Jesus came back to life! All the incredible things He said came true! Our bottom line is: when Jesus came back from the dead, it proved that what He said was true. When we have doubts about God, we can remember He kept the biggest promise ever. We can trust Him to keep His other promises too. Take a look as these verses this week and talk with your family about all the promises God gave us. Isaiah 40:29-31, Matthew 11:28-29, Matthew 28: 20, John 14:27, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:37-39, Romans 10:9, Philippians 4:19.  Also check out all the Family Easter ideas above that you can do with your family to celebrate Easter together!

LIGHT FORCE MERGE FOR 4^TH & 5^TH GRADERS – APRIL 19-20!

Check this out! You don’t want to miss out! 4^th and 5^th grade Merge is LONGER this spring and will be held offsite at Camp Allendale. Transportation will be provided from the church to the camp and back.  Check out the details here!