Children's Ministry Blog

Overcoming Fear

Written by Jennifer Snook, Director of Children’s Ministries

According to psychology, a child is only born with two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. All other fears are learned behaviors.

Fear is a common mountain the Christian climbs whether he is a child or an adult. Children give adults an opportunity to grow in the discipline of handing over fears to a God who is big enough to handle them, because children are not afraid to voice their fears. Such a voice allows adults an opportunity to explore ways to conquer fear.

Adults have the advantage of being able to tell the difference between a fear that is perceived and a fear that is based on reality. This is not always the case with children. A few of the fears of children include: a fear that something bad will happen in the family, a fear that a pet or someone close to them will die, a fear of the unknown and a fear of not being good enough.

A quick Google search of “people who were afraid in the Bible” reveals many Old and New testament saints who had the same fears we have today. A good way to combat fear is by the Word of God. Psalm 34:4 says “I sought the Lord, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Children need to know that Christ is their best friend who will never leave them. I hope you and your family feel empowered as you conquer fear together with God. Some good Bible verses about this topic include the following:

  • Deuteronomy. 31:6
  • Hebrews 13:5-6
  • Joshua 1:9

If your family is participating in the Lenten Paper Chain Challenge, I would love to hear how you approached some of your challenges, and which challenges were your favorites. Feel free to post pictures to me on Facebook or send your comments and photos to jennifer@mygpc.org.

Bus Tickets and Morning Worship: February 12

Each month Grace distributes bus tickets to people in our community. This typically happens on the 15th of the month but will be February 12 this month. (The buses will not run on February 15 because of President’s Day.)

Volunteers and those receiving tickets begin to gather around 7 am in the Grace alcove. Guests are greeted with smiles, coffee, water and a place to sit. Tickets are distributed at 8:30 am, and a brief worship service follows. Everyone is invited to stay for worship, which includes communion. The worship service lasts about 15 minutes.

We can always use volunteers to help with set-up, clean-up, and ticket distribution. Want to help? Contact Kirk Anderson, kirk@mygpc.org or 684-5215.

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Laundry Love: February 14

Show some LOVE this Valentine’s Day with Laundry Love.

Laundry Love is our monthly mission-evangelism initiative when we go to College Town Laundry at 3223 E 17th St, by the WSU Campus, and pay for laundry for people.

We’d love for you to join us. We’ll be there from 2:30 – 5:30 pm on Sunday, February 14. Want to know more? Contact Catherine Neelly Burton, catherine@mygpc.org or 684-5215.

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IGNITE Mission Night: Overflow Shelter Meal

On January 27, members of the IGNITE high school youth group prepared and served a meal for the Interfaith Homeless Overflow Shelter. They chopped vegetables, decorated cupcakes, cooked meat, and made a feast to share with our brothers and sisters downtown.

Thank you to Kirk Anderson for arranging this, for adult volunteers for supervising and driving, and to our youth who made it happen!

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Jacob’s Learning Ladder

Grace Presbyterian is proud of Jacob’s Learning Ladder (JLL). JLL is a vibrant ministry of our congregation. God’s youngest children fill our church Monday through Friday, and we are honored that their families entrust them to us.

We are grateful for the incredible staff that cares for and teaches these children.

Each winter the staff goes above and beyond what is required of them and puts on two special events, Dad’s Night and Mom’s Night. On those nights the Grace Great Room is transformed based on a particular theme.

Dad’s night this year was a sports theme, and children and their dads (or granddads/uncles/etc) came dressed in their favorite sports paraphernalia and enjoyed games, crafts, and snacks. The pictures with this post are of some of the JLL staff in sports gear from the January event.

Mom’s night comes later in February, and we’re excited for what is to come.

Join us in giving thanks to God for this incredible ministry.

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