Youth and Children’s Ministry Programs for Back to School

This time of year brings excitement as kids are heading back to school for a new year, marking the start of our new school year of Youth and Children’s Programming.  We have a fantastic group of volunteers this year, and all are excited for the coming school year.  Below are programs that will be starting up and their start dates.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kirk Anderson.

Children’s Sunday School

  • Starts Sunday, 8/17, in the second-floor Exploration Station.  Led by Caity Harrison, an interactive Sunday school with bible discussion, video, and crafts.  For ages Kindergarten to 5th Grade.

Youth Programs

  • Sunday School starts on the 17th.  For ages 6th through high school, we dive deeper into God’s word using discussion, games, and video.  Led by Gracie Shelton and Kirk Anderson.
  • Robinson After-school Wednesdays is for any Middle School youth.  Starts on Wednesday, 8/27. We begin at 3:30 and end at 5:00 pm.  Message, discussion, games, snacks, and lots of fun.  Let by Grace Westbrook and Kirk Anderson.
  • Grace Wednesday Youth Fellowship. We start on 8/20.  This is open to Middle school through High school students.  We begin with dinner at 6 pm, followed by fellowship and discussion on life and God, games, and opportunities for service to the community and beyond.
  • Robinson WYLDlife Club.  Our partnership with YoungLIFE, Robinson, and Grace is to introduce middle school youth to Christ.  We go from 3:30 to 4:45 pm on Fridays.  Our first club is scheduled for Friday, 9/12, at Robinson, then we will move to our Fellowship Hall every other Friday.
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The 2nd to the Last Word from our Interim Pastor, The Rev. Dr. Steven Marsh

God’s story has embraced you and writes meaning-making into your existence. And you in turn are a meaning maker to and with others. Trevor Hart in Making Good makes this connection that our partnership with God for making good is both eucharistic and eschatological. That is, our co-creating meaning with God is about the Table and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, because it is rooted in “…the vicarious self-substitution of Christ for us, and opened out by the work of the Spirit of Christ in and through you in the direction of that New Creation.”

“Beginnings and arrivals. We were all born. We all will die. At birth we began a journey of many beginnings and arrivals over the course of our lives. Death happens. We experience arrival with the One who knows us the best and loves us the most. A new beginning occurred. And eternal life continues the journey of beginnings and arrivals. God’s unconditional love beckons you to allow God to serve you and you in turn to serve others. John Stott, citing the Lausanne Covenant in Christian Mission in the Modern World, writes,

“…We affirm that God is both Creator and the Judge of all men [people]. We therefore should share his [God’s] concern for justice and reconciliation throughout human society and for the liberation of men [all people] from every kind of oppression. Because humankind is made in the image of God, every person, regardless of race, religion, color, culture, class, sex or age, has an intrinsic dignity because of which he [they] should be respected and served, not exploited….the salvation we claim should be transforming us in the totality of our personal and social responsibilities.”

Be embraced by and embrace God’s unconditional love. Jesus will live his life through you. God’s mission of inclusion and well-being is a journey of beginnings and arrivals. Experience and appreciate the beginnings and arrivals on the journey.

On this transition journey with you, I remain faithfully yours,

Steve

The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh

Interim Pastor

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The Adult Sunday School Class: Wine in the Word

Join us at 10:00 am in the Grace Parlor for the video-based study, Wine in the Word. Wine is the most talked-about food in the Bible. Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine. “Though wine has been misused, it was meant to be a spiritual gift, symbolizing joy and communion with God.” So, we want to explore together wine’s place in the Bible, in the history of the church, and in fellowship today. Join theologian Gisela Kreglinger and Pastor Randy Frazee for this video-based study “exploring how wine and the Christian life can be connected.”

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NSYBNOG Bowling Event

Summer is here, and it’s a great time to be in the cool air conditioning of the WSU bowling alley! Come join the “Not Old Group” (NOGs) on Saturday, July 19, from 3:00 – 5:00. A chance to socialize, meet a few new people, and bowl (or not) for free. Hope you can come! More info: Carolyn Shaw 316-210-9478.

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Easter Brunch Next Sunday

Easter Sunday, April 20, is our (almost) annual Easter brunch from 10 to 11 am in the Great Room. This is a great time to bring family and friends and show them off! Sign-up sheets for items you would like to bring are on the bulletin board by the coffee bar. If you have questions, please get in touch with Chris Alexander or Chris Anderson.

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