1-7-21 This Week in Faith

January Memory for Kids

We have been choosing our memory verses from different CD’s produced by Seeds Family Worship. The music is a great way for kids [and parents] to get Scripture stuck in their heads. Getting God’s Word into the heads and hearts of our kids is one of the most valuable things we can do for them. This year, we are using their CD I Believe. They are also producing an online family devotional for these verses that you can find HERE. If you don’t already do family devotions, this might be a great place to start. 

CD’s are in! If you would like an I Believe CD, or a code to download the album for FREE, find me or Stephanie Atkinson this Sunday at church. We’d love to give your family one!

Scripture Memory- Isaiah 61:1

New City Catechism- Question 31 and Question 32

STUDENT MINISTRY SCHEDULE

Student Ministry Small Groups

We start back up this week and begin a new series based on the book, My Tech-Wise Life.

  • Middle School- Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 at Faith [in the Plaza]

  • High School- Sundays from 6:00-7:30 at Faith [in the Plaza]

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What Do We Tell Our Children About the Storming of the Capitol?

It was difficult to watch what transpired in Washington DC yesterday at the Capitol. There were a million thoughts that ran through my head about what it means for the state of our country and the future of our country, what it means for the church that there were crosses and Jesus signs throughout the crowd, about the tragedy of the lives that were lost, and more. It was something I knew I needed to talk about with my kids so we could process it all together. I feel like we had a good conversation but it was hard to know where to start and I know there was more I wish I would have said. I thought this article may be helpful in thinking through some of the important ways to address the events that happened and disciple our kids towards a way forward. I know there are plenty of other things that could be said, and you may not agree with everything in here, but teaching our kids the prophetic role of the church and helping them to know that right and wrong are rooted in the character of God are good beginning points. One of the things I appreciated the most about the article is where it ends up- helping our kids understand the courage that is required to follow Jesus faithfully [and the courage the gospel infuses to do just that]. One of the things I pray for almost every morning for my kids as we drive to school is that they would have courage to follow Jesus. And my prayer for all of us is that knowing the presence and power of Jesus in our lives would fill us with courage to live as his people, even in the face of suffering and opposition.

Click here to read the article by Cameron Cole.

Husbands, Use Your Power to Bless

It seems like there is a lot of talk these days about what it means to be a man, and even what it means to be a husband. Do we use authority and power to acquire more authority and power? Or do we use the roles God has called us to as an opportunity to serve those around us and work for their good, even if it means laying down our lives to do it? This is a short article with a good reminder about what God is calling us to do as husbands in blessing our wives for the glory of God. “A man’s leadership in marriage is not a license to do what he wants to do but empowerment to do what he ought to do.” 

Click here to read the article by JD Greear.

The Real Problem with 4-Letter Words

This is an interesting article about what’s at the heart of using bad words. It’s one I want to read to my kids…and one that I’m interested to see what discussion it produces :) It’s always interesting to me the way kids test the limits of what is and is not acceptable to say. And sometimes they can get so focused on certain words that they miss the heart of the matter and still sin in this way, just with more socially acceptable words. I think this article can help us go deeper in this conversation with our kids than simply saying, “Watch your language!”. [Which is a good thing]

Click here to read the article by Karen Swallow Prior.

THIS SUMMER @FAITH: 2021 Mission Mexico

In case you missed it, we are in the process of putting our team together for this summer’s mission trip to Merida, Mexico. It is a great trip for families and students, and I’d encourage you to prayerfully consider participating. The trip will be May 29-June 5 but we are forming the team this month because there is a lot of preparation we have to do between now and then.

There will be an informational meeting this Sunday after each service where you can get some more info and ask questions. Or you can just talk to me directly. Here is a video from Sarah Weinrich who is now a missionary in Merida talking about what she loves about the city and why everyone should consider going.

Click here to watch the video with Sarah Weinrich.