Map of Judah

This week in your Field Guide you were encouraged to look up a map of Judah during the birth of Jesus.  We'd like to make that task a little easier for you!  Here are several:

Presentation About Drugs

On Tuesday, December 10th, 2013, at 7:00PM in the Teen Room at Northgate (North), there will be an important presentation/program for all parents. The presentation is about drugs, drug use among teens in general and the important things that we should all know about this.

The program will be presented by Mike Bruggman and Jose Ortiz.

If you have any questions, please call the church office at 343-4011 and ask to speak with Pastor Gloria.

If you are a parent or grandparent, we strongly urge you to come to this meeting. You are welcomed to bring any other adults you feel may benefit from hearing this information.

 

Thank you for keeping this meeting adults-only.

What Bible should I buy for my child?

What a great question to ask!  At Northgate we want every child to have an age-appropriate Bible that s/he can use at home as well as in church.  That's why in Bible Trek we randomly give the kids prizes for bringing their Bibles with them.

The Bibles recommended below include links to where you can buy them on Amazon, but here are a few other places you can go (or sites you can visit) where you can receive some more guidance, or even flip through Bibles as you choose which one will be best for your child:

Alpha and Omego Parable Christian Bookstore
1601 Penfield Rd. Rochester, NY OR 1540 Ridge Rd. West - Stone Ridge Plaza, Rochester, NY
(Order online or go in person)

Christian Book Distributor
(Order online)

Bender's Parable Christian Bookstore
8550 Sheridan Dr., Williamsville, NY
(Order online or go in person)

Life Resources Christian Bookstore
3902 Maple Rd., Amherst, NY
(Go in person)

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to buy a Bible for your son or daughter, please speak with Pastor Gloria or Elizabeth Goodberry.

**Many of these Bibles can be bought in a Kindle or tablet edition.  This is a great way to get your child interacting with the Bible, but if your child doesn't have his/her own tablet, I personally recommend that you get your child a physical copy of a Bible.  This will allow your child to get into the habit of bringing a Bible with them to church, which is a great thing to do through adulthood!

If your child doesn't have an age-appropriate Bible, here are some good ones that Elizabeth, our Bible Trek Director, recommends - - based on age:

For Toddlers:

The Beginner's Bible is a great Bible for kids to learn some of the stories in the Bible, and to get them interested in the Bible.  It has great pictures and few words.  It's the perfect Bible to start some routine with your kids, reading to them from the Bible each night.  If kids want to look through the book themselves, the colorful pictures will draw them in!  The more your child touches and looks at the Bible when s/he is young, the more s/he will learn to love the Bible when s/he is older!!

They also have board books with individual stories from the Beginner's Bible, in case your child likes ripping pages out of books!!

 

For Pre-K Kids:

 

This bible, called The Jesus Storybook Bible, is absolutely wonderful!  It features stories from both the Old and New Testaments and helps kids (and adults!) to start to understand how Jesus has been at work in the world since the beginning of time.  It portrays God's love for His creation throughout... an amazing Bible!!  It also has pictures, and there are more words.  Parents will have to read to children, but it should be something they can sit through by the time your children are 3 or 4 years old.

 

 

For Kindergarteners & 1st Graders:

Notice that I am not going by age, but by grade level for elementary-schoolers.  This is because children are still learning to read, even through third and fourth grade, so we want to make sure they are getting into a Bible that they can read more independently.  In Kindergarten and First grade, your child will likely still be dependent on an adult's help when reading the Bible, but the Bibles listed below will grab their attention and make them want to read it!

 

By Kindergarten we really want to move our kids away from the "storybook" Bibles and into a Bible that includes books of the Bible and verses.

 

The Action Bible is something that we use in Bible Trek almost every Sunday.  I like it because it helps our pre-readers engage in the lesson and gets them looking at a Bible while we're reading directly from the Bible.  The kids can actually see what is happening.  This also might be a good resource for your child with Special Needs - - but take a look at it, first.  It could also be over-stimulating for a child with special needs.

 

The Action Bible features most, but not all, Scripture (for example, this year we will be doing a series on Parables that Jesus told, and they are not all featured in this Bible).  The really cool thing about it (especially for boys) is that each page looks like a page from a comic book!  It's a great way to get your kids excited about God's story of the world!!

 

**If your child is going to bring his/her Action Bible to Bible Trek, please make sure that the front cover is clearly labeled with your child's name, since we have many copies of our own in the classroom.  Thank you!

 

 

This Bible is going to be one that your child can stick with through fourth grade, so you may not feel that your Kindergartener is ready for it yet, but I encourage you to get a Bible like this one for your child once s/he reaches 1st grade so that your child may start to get used to how to use a Bible.  Using a Bible is a difficult thing to learn at any age, so the earlier you start, the better!  We use Adventure Bibles in Bible Trek, and this particular version is written for young readers (kids ages 6-10).  Even if you choose not to go with this particular Bible, I highly recommend the "New International Reader's Version" (NIrV).

 

For 2nd & 3rd Graders:

See my full description above, in Kindergarten & 1st Grade

By 2nd & 3rd Grade, I really hope that kids are using a Bible such as the Adventure Bible for Young Readers (see Kindergarten & 1st Graders) that has all of the books of the Bible and all of the verses.  This is prime time for kids to learn how to look up verses in their own Bibles.

 

For 4th Graders:

I still recommend The Adventure Bible for Young Readers at this age.  See my full description and reasoning under Kindergarten & 1st Graders.

 



One of the great things about keeping the same Bible (for example, the Adventure Bible for Young Readers) for a long period of time is that your child can learn to start taking notes and underlining passages!  If you want your child to keep his/her same Bible, but still want to get something new - - Bible pens are a great gift!  They will get your child excited to take notes, and special pens that are made for Bibles will not bleed through the page.  These are the ones I personally use, and I love them!!

Although I don't have much personal experience with the Kids' Quest Study Bible, I do feel confident recommending it for your 4th or 5th grader.  I like that it is a Study Bible, which means that it will include helpful excerpts about how to apply God's Word to your life.  This is the perfect Bible for your child if s/he is eating up everything in Bible Trek and always wants to know more!  It will begin to bridge the gap between God's Word and your child's own life.

 

For 5th Graders:

You guessed it!  After your kids have grown out of the Adventure Bible for Young Readers, I am recommending the Adventure Bible.  It has all of the great features of the A.B.f.Y.R., but begins to help your child learn to read the language of the Bible.

 

The Kids' Quest Study Bible will be a great Bible for your 5th grader, as well - - especially at Northgate where we send 5th graders up to our Young Teens (Plugg'd In) program!  See my full description above, in "For 4th Graders."

 

 

For 6th - 8th Graders:

I really like the Teen Study Bible for kids at this age, for several reasons.  One, it gets them used to the idea of "studying" the Bible.  There are little excerpts that they can read to dig deeper into God's Word and start applying it to their own lives.  I also love that it tackles real-life issues that kids at this age are starting to face.

 

This is actually one of the Bibles I had when I was growing up.  You can apply everything that I said above about the Teen Study Bible to this one.  It helps kids start to learn how to study the Bible and apply it to their own lives.

 

For 9th-12th Graders:

 

The Life Application Study Bible is perfect for your child who has grown up in the church and is ready to start studying the Bible on their own.  This is a great time to get your son or daughter a leather-bound Bible, and even get the cover engraved with his/her name!  They also have cheaper Life Application Study Bibles, though, if you can't afford the leather one.

I believe that kids in senior high should have two very good Bibles: one that is portable (that they can toss in their backpack and bring to school or work) and one that is bigger and has more notes (which is why I recommend the Life Application Study Bible).  As you choose a smaller Bible for your teenager, try to stick with a version that is theologically sound (you can always ask a pastor).  If you don't want all of your Bibles to be NIV, I really like the ESV for personal study.  I do not recommend the King James Version, or even the New King James Version.  They are theologically sound, but they can be difficult to understand.

 



For Teenagers who are New to Christianity:

 

I love it when I hear that a teenager has given his/her life to Christ!  It was during my teenage years that my own relationship with God really began, and when I started understanding what it meant to be a Christian.  But teenagers who are new to Christianity can find themselves feeling "in over their heads" when it comes to reading the Bible.  That's why I recommend The Message version of the Bible for these kids.  It takes Scripture by the paragraph and breaks it down into contemporary language, so it's easier to understand.  It might be more difficult to follow along on a Sunday morning at church, though (because of how it takes paragraphs rather than verse-by-verse to make it easier to understand).  I recommend getting a cute or cool - looking edition, though. :)

 

 

 

If you have any questions, you're probably not the only one!  Please post questions or comments on this blog, and we'll make sure to answer them!

 







God Is Our King Sign

This week your family is encouraged to make a sign that says "God is Our King."  Here are some ideas for you to work off of:

1. Take an old piece of wood and stain it, then write "God is Our King"
2. Have kids find letters in magazines to spell out "God is our King" and use Modge Podge to glue them on a piece of wood or foam board
3. Kids can color their own signs on paper with crayons for their bedroom doors
4. Type up "God is Our King" and put it in a frame that matches the other décor in your house

Post a picture of your sign to our Northgate Kids site!!

Family Rules with Verses

I found this on Pinterest (no link attached, just the picture), and thought it was worth sharing!  These are family rules, and they include verses!!

If you'd like to see the sign bigger, visit this link.

One More Week!!

Just one more week until Bible Trek begins!  Are you excited?  I sure am!

If you haven't already, you'll want to stop by the sign-in table tomorrow and fill out a registration form for your kiddos.  One form per family is fine (unless you have more than three kids in Bible Trek!).  Put that form in the green folder for me to pick up, and your kids will be pre-registered next week!  This will lessen the line on the first day of Bible Trek, for sure.

Remember, kids need to be registered for Bible Trek every year.  This helps us keep our information up to date, especially since your kids are with us for 5 years!  A lot changes between Kindergarten and 4th grade!

If you have any questions about Bible Trek or Pre-registration, please don't hesitate to contact me at elizabeth@northgatefmc.com

See you in a week!

Printable Prayer Prompt Cards for Kids!

I just found these Free Printable Prayer Prompt Cards for Kids, and thought you would want to know about them!!  Just go to the link and click on "download" for the boys cards, or for the girls'!

The only differences I see between the boys' and girls' cards is the clip art and the colors of the cards.  The content is the same.

Each card includes the sentence, "I can talk to God..." and it fills in the blank with what the child can talk to God about.  Then it references scripture to show that God wants us to talk to Him about that.  How cool?!

What a great way to help your children learn that they can talk to God about anything - - anywhere, anytime!

I might print and laminate a couple copies of these to put in our prize locker, as well!

Volunteer Positions Available

Here are the volunteer positions available for the 2013-2014 school year!

 

2013-2014 School Year Openings

Bible Trek runs from September 8, 2013 - June 15, 2014

**Safety of our kids is very important to us.  Background Checks are required of anyone working with Bible Trek**

Position: Worship Team Leader
Commitment: 3 Hours Every Other Week
Description: We are looking to create a second worship team this year that will potentially take over worship for the following year (2014-2015) when our current leader steps down.  This team will lead worship every other week for this coming school year.  The leader will decide which songs to sing on a Sunday and lead worship for our 9:30 and 11:00 services. Come to church by 8:00 and lead worship both services in Bible Trek.  You can leave after the 11:00 worship set (around 11:15).

Position: Tech Team Member (3 openings)
Commitment: 2 30-minute intervals once every 4 weeks
Description: Come in 15 minutes before service to run slides and music for our in-between time as well as for worship.  Use of Pro Presenter and iTunes.  Training will be provided.  This position may be filled by teenagers or adults who are at least going into 7th grade.  Every 4 weeks from 9:15-9:45 and 10:45-11:15.

Position: Worship Team - Guitar Player
Commitment: 2 15-minute intervals every other week
Description: Play guitar, following music that is written out by chords, for our second worship team.  You will be expected to be there every other week to help - - worship runs from 9:30-9:45 and 11:00-11:15.  Coming early to practice before church is always helpful.  The person who takes over this position might also want to be a coach!

Position: Worship Team - Piano Player
Commitment: 2 15-minute intervals every other week.
Description: Play piano, following music that is written out by chords, for our second worship team.  You will be expected to be there every other week to help - - worship runs from 9:30-9:45 and 11:00-11:15.  Coming early to practice before church is always helpful.  The person who takes over this position might also want to be a coach!

Position: Worship Team - Drum Player (9:30 service)
Commitment: 15 minutes every week
Description: Play drums for our 9:30 worship team every week.  You will be expected to be there a little before 9:30 to be ready to play at 9:30.  Worship runs from 9:30-9:45.  You might also want to consider being a coach for the 9:30 service!

Position: Assistant to the Director
Commitment: About 4 hours every week (8:30-12:30 every Sunday)
Description: Arrive early to Bible Trek and stay late to help our Director with tasks as needed, such as making copies, cutting paper, setting up centers, or filling coaches' binders.  During services, helping the Director with tasks such as handing out prizes, snacks, keeping the room tidy, keeping kids in their centers, and other tasks as needed.  Attend church on Saturdays to be able to serve on Sundays.  If this position is filled, it will free our Director to spend more quality time with kids, parents, and coaches each week.  It is also a flexible position, so if you have time from 8:30-9:30 but can't commit to helping during services, that would still be extremely helpful!

Position: 3rd Grade Girls' Coach - 9:30 Service
Commitment: 1 hour every week of the school year
Description: Our 3rd grade girls' coach shows up a little before the 9:30 service begins and helps kids with their center activities.  She engages in worship with the kids, and gathers her group before the lesson.  She sits with her kids during the lesson and then leads her group in pre-written questions about the lesson.  She mentors 3rd grade girls.  After small groups, she might be asked to help with our whole-group activity.  Then she helps kids in their centers until kids are dismissed.

Position: 4th Grade Girls' Coach - 9:30 Service
Commitment: 1 hour every week of the school year
Description: Our 4th grade girls' coach shows up a little before the 9:30 service begins and helps kids with their center activities.  She engages in worship with the kids, and gathers her group before the lesson.  She sits with her kids during the lesson and then leads her group in pre-written questions about the lesson.  She mentors 4th grade girls.  After small groups, she might be asked to help with our whole-group activity.  Then she helps kids in their centers until kids are dismissed.

 Position: Kindergarten Boys' Coach - 9:30 Service
Commitment: 1 hour every week of the school year
Description: Our Kindergarten boys' coach shows up a little before the 9:30 service begins and helps kids with their center activities.  He engages in worship with the kids, and gathers his group before the lesson.  He sits with his kids during the lesson and then leads his group in pre-written questions about the lesson.  He mentors Kindergarten boys.  After small groups, he might be asked to help with our whole-group activity.  Then he helps kids in their centers until kids are dismissed.

Position: 1st Grade Boys' Coach - 9:30 Service
Commitment: 1 hour every week of the school year
Description: Our1st grade boys' coach shows up a little before the 9:30 service begins and helps kids with their center activities.  He engages in worship with the kids, and gathers his group before the lesson.  He sits with his kids during the lesson and then leads his group in pre-written questions about the lesson.  He mentors 1st grade boys.  After small groups, he might be asked to help with our whole-group activity.  Then he helps kids in their centers until kids are dismissed.

Position: 2nd Grade Girls' Coach - 11:00 Service
Commitment: 1 hour every week of the school year
Description: Our 2nd grade girls' coach shows up a little before the 11:00 service begins and helps kids with their center activities.  She engages in worship with the kids, and gathers her group before the lesson.  She sits with her kids during the lesson and then leads her group in pre-written questions about the lesson.  She mentors 2nd grade girls.  After small groups, she might be asked to help with our whole-group activity.  Then she helps kids in their centers until kids are dismissed.

Position: South Campus Coach (we're looking for 2)
Commitment: 1 hour every week, or every other week, of the school year
Description: Our South Campus coaches show up a little before the 11:00 South service begins and greets kids as they come in.  Bible Trek at South is a more intimate group of kids, so there is a lot of room for relationship development.  We expect our coaches to sit with the kids during the lesson and foster a relationship with the kids, in hopes of bringing the children closer to Christ.

An "App in our Hearts"

This week during my lesson I asked the kids to explain to me what it means to let God work in us.  One of our second-graders raised his hand and said, "It's like when you're born again and God puts an App in your heart.  The App tells you what's good to do and what's bad to do."

I love my job!!

Thankfulness

We Need Wiis!!

Hi, all!  We would LOVE to do a super-fun activity in a few weeks with your kids, but in order to do it we need your help!  If you have a Wii and a small TV set that you would be willing to let us borrow for the morning, would you please let us know?  The date that we will be using them is May 19.  We promise to be very gentle with them!

The only game we need is the one that came with your Wii (the one with all the sports).  We'll use guest Miis to play.  Obviously, we will also need the Wiimotes and the Sensor Bar for the top of the TV.

Please let us know if you are willing to let us borrow any of these things!

Thanks so much for making Bible Trek a fun place to learn about how much God loves us!!

Frogs and Tadpoles

We found frogs and tadpoles for Bible Trek this Sunday!!  You're not going to want to miss this!

Father/Daughter Dance Pictures

What a wonderful time everyone had at the Father/Daughter Dance last weekend!!  And a HUGE thanks needs to go out to Courtney, Sara, and Rick for all of their very hard work to put it on for you.  Thanks, also, to Lynn for taking pictures of your little cuties.

I have just loved seeing the pictures and videos from that night!  I SO wish I could have been there.  If you have some you would like to share, post them to our Northgate Kids Facebook Page.

See you in Bible Trek on Sunday!  Don't forget your pennies for the Make a Wish Foundation!!

Make A Wish!

We will be collecting pennies for the Make a Wish Foundation during this next series.  Please bring in as many pennies as you can!!  We'll be keeping track of who can bring in the most - - the boys or the girls!  You have until April 28 to bring in the pennies!  We'll announce who won on the 28th!!

Welcome to the Stage, Ms. Cate!

Ms. Cate is teaching her very first Bible Trek lesson this week!  You're not going to want to miss it - - we will be talking about Mary Magdalene, who was the very first person to see Jesus after he rose from the grave.

Father/Daughter Dance

Easter Break

Just a reminder that we will not have Bible Trek this week for Easter Sunday.  This will give our volunteers a chance to rest and it will give you a chance to go to service as a family!

Your kids should be able to sit through a service and get something out of it.  I challenge you to set a high standard for your kids this Easter.  Tell them ahead of time that you will ask them what the service was about.  Then have them participate in the service - - stand and sing along with worship (we sing the same songs in Bible Trek, so they should know them), open their own Bibles when Pastor Andy says where we are reading from, and be totally present with the sermon.  After service is over, start a conversation with them about what they learned in service.

We also have worksheets available for your kids to fill out while listening to the sermon.  You can pick one up at the Bible Trek sign-in table.  We'll have plenty of copies available!

If you would like more specific advice on how to help your kids focus during the sermon, please feel free to contact me personally or leave a comment below!

How to control your anger

The Bible says that we should "be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." (James 1)

This is difficult for anyone - - but even more difficult for kids (and doubly as difficult for kids with special needs).  Here is a video we found to help your kids learn what to do when they become very angry - - Belly Breathe!!

Check out the video at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mZbzDOpylA&feature=player_detailpage

Donations Needed

Many of you have asked what you can donate that we especially need.  We are so grateful for the many generous donations we have received throughout the year from you.  Bible Trek is an exciting ministry for your kids, and it is so good to have so much support from you so that the church can spend its resources on other ministries.

I have looked over the things that we need through the end of the year.  Here are the things you can help with:

March 3 - Superhero outfits for dress-up (at least 6)

April 14 - 3D chalk and 3D glasses

 

May 5 - Frogs and tadpoles, and a book about them

 

May 12 - Butterflies and Caterpillars, and a book about them

 

May 19 - Acorns, book about them

 

June 2 - Strobe light
**Update: Cindy R. is donating this

 

June 9 - Armor of God dress-up (at least 6 sets)

 

The date listed is the date we will be using them, so besides the live animals/insects, we would need them the week before (or by 9am the day of).

 

If you are interested in donating (or letting us borrow) any of these things, please leave a comment below indicating what you can bring in.

 

Thank you for your faithfulness to this ministry!

 

 

Welcome to the Stage, Mr. Steve!

We are so excited that our coach, Mr. Steve, is stepping up to teach a lesson this morning!  He will finish up our lesson series on the Beatutiudes.  You're not going to want to miss this week's lesson!!  He even has a surprise friend joining him...

In fact, if you read this post, let's do another coupon :)

This Week's Verse

This week our verse is quite long.  Your kids might be a bit overwhelmed by the length, but let them know that if they memorize the verse in its entirety, they will receive 2 commitment coins.  If they don't want to memorize the whole thing, they can just memorize the first half for one coin.  Either way they memorize it will count toward their standing in Verse Masters.

Choice #1: Worth 1 coin and a star in the book for Verse Masters
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” ~ I John 3:1a
Choice #2: Worth 2 coins and a star in the book for Verse Masters
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” ~ I John 3:1

You Are Special

Max Lucado wrote a children's book called You Are Special.  We read this book in Bible Trek this week.  On your Weekly Reflections this week, as a family we asked that you watch the movie on YouTube.  Here is the link, so you watch the right one!  It's very cute, and it has a great message!

Dulcie's Discussion

On Testimony Tuesday we feature a story from one of our coaches.  This week Ms. Dulcie is sharing!  Please note that any kids' names have been changed to protect the privacy of our kids.  We will try to let you know if your child's story is going to be featured, so you can share in the joy!

Dulcie's Testimony:

I am always astounded by the kid's prayers. Everyone (no matter what grade I coach) always has a suggestion (which when you get to young and senior teens it's like pulling teeth). They always pray for their friends, family, pets; never for themselves. It is so very humbling and inspiring to pray with these kids every Sunday. I hope they never lose that innocence!

NES Newsletter

Our Bible Trek ministry got its very own article in the NES (Northeastern Seminary) Newsletter!  If you'd like to see it, follow this link.  Enjoy!

Verse Masters

We have calculated who is a verse master so far!  Ask your child to check the chalkboard this week to see if his/her name is up there!

If it is, this is not a guarantee... Verse Masters have memorized 75% or more of our verses, so they will have to continue to memorize throughout the rest of the year... we're only half-way through!

If it's not, there is still time!!  Memorize the verses in Quarters 3 and 4!!

Coupon!

It pays to read our blog!  Here is a coupon for your child.  It is only valid this week for one child, so print off one per child in your family today!

 

 

Paul's Parley

This week our 2nd grade boys' coach for the 11:00 service will share in our Testimony Tuesday segment.  Please note that all names have been changed to protect the privacy of the children in our church.


In the fall of 2011 I became aware through weekly announcements at church that there was
a need for volunteers in Bible Trek. I felt a calling to serve but was apprehensive because
my experience in other churches had been working with Jr./Sr. High Teens. But despite my
apprehension, I decided to help where there was a need and began working in Bible Trek that
September. Throughout the year I still had doubts that was the best place for me but I enjoyed
my coworkers and the interaction with the children. God must have a reason for leading me to
this ministry. Then in May 2012 I was at a soccer tournament coaching and I felt a tug on my
pants. I looked down to see Jason* standing there. He seemed as surprised as I was
to meet there. He said , “Hi Coach Paul! I know you from Bible Trek! “ It was that day that I
felt God affirmed my place in serving in children’s ministry. I realized if I can coach sports at
any age level, God can certainly use me teaching and guiding the primary age children at church
too. Just that short conversation with Jason was enough to change my attitude and approach
at Bible Trek. I enjoy each of the boys in my small group and love spending Sunday mornings
sharing about God’s love for them.

*Name has been changed

Elizabeth's Expression II

Okay, I know it's not technically Testimony Tuesday, but I just had to share this story:

Yesterday during his lesson Mr. Stephen shared about how when he was in Sunday school he asked his teacher how you know what God wants you to do.

The teacher crouched down on the floor so he was face-to-face with Stephen, and said "Ribbit, Ribbit!"

You can imagine how your kids reacted to our coach jumping around the stage like a frog.  That's the kind of dedication it takes to be a part of Bible Trek - - comfortable enough to be silly in front of everyone!

After calming the "crowd," Mr. Stephen explained that FROG is actually an acronym for Fully Rely on God.  He wrote it on the white board:

From the crowd of little theologians, I heard the small voice of Hannah* (one that we usually hear speaking up in Bible Trek) say, "That's really cool because Fully and Rely both end in ly!"

Oh, my word!  Hannah just makes me so happy.  She says the funniest things sometimes, but she also is one of our most serious students.  She really understands Scripture and her role in God's story.  Last week she commented, off of another student's comment, "It doesn't matter what color skin you have [or anything else like that], all that matters is your spirit!"  She is so right, and Hannah's spirit is in the right place!

The other child who was speaking up during that conversation was Will*.  He said, "It doesn't matter how many legos you have, all Jesus cares about is your heart."  Boy, does he get it!!  Will brings joy to my week, too, as he sits up on his knees in front of the class during the lesson, and has a hard time raising his hand because he's so excited to give answers.  He doesn't just give one-word answers, either... he makes sure that you fully understand the answer to the question.  :)

Your kids bring so much joy to my heart and my life, and I thank you for sharing them with me!!

*Name has been changed

Welcome to the Stage, Mr. Stephen!

Mr. Stephen will be teaching his first lesson this Sunday!  You're not going to want to miss it - - we're starting a series on the Beatitudes!

We can't wait to see you this weekend!!

Keep tuning in to our blog.  You never know when it may pay off *wink* *wink*

 

Chris' Colloquium

This week's testimony comes from our very own Chris E.  Chris volunteers in our Bible Trek room during the 9:30 service on Sundays.  He leads our Kindergarten boys' group during that service and he also has started teaching lessons.  Please note that any children's names have been changed to protect the privacy of our little Bible Trekkers.


“I have a great idea”. I have said these words often, generally to the dismay of either my
boss, or my patient wife.

A year and a half ago, as a “baby Christian”, I had a great idea. I wanted to learn
more about what was in the Bible and what it meant. At times it can be difficult to
read, understand, and sort through. Adult Bible studies, with folks that have studied the
Bible for many years, can be intimidating. I had heard a lot of the stories; Jonah and the
Whale, Adam and Eve, Moses, The birth of Christ, and had a general understanding of
them, but I wanted to know what they really meant.

I needed to study the Bible more. Not on a 37 year old, husband, working professional,
and father of 4, level of study. I needed to study the Bible at a 4th grade or lower level.
I needed Bible Trek to teach me about the bible. I needed to get in the door and let God
work on me a little.

So my great idea, wife approved, was to volunteer as a coach in Bible Trek. Being a
coach has encouraged me to study the Bible, just a little more, and in a way to teach
the lessons at a basic level to the children of Northgate; a basic level for children to
understand, and for me to comprehend and digest.

I have been a “coach” (small group of 3-6 children) to 3rd grade, and kindergarten boys.
The lessons are well planned by the staff, and easy to teach to the children. The time
commitment is minimal. I have taught 2 group lessons to the entire class, K-4th grade
boys and girls. This required a little more preparation, but this was completely voluntary,
and is not required by any volunteer at Bible Trek.

In my time with the Bible Trek program I have gained a deeper level of understanding of
the Bible. I have noticed the natural pull that children have towards the Holy Spirit and
the Bible. And not only in Bible Trek, but also in my job as a Police Officer, as I interact
with children, often in the midst of crisis. I have seen children and adults in terrible
situations “light up” when I talk to them about Jesus.

If we, as Christians, do not teach our children what is expected of them, then the world
will. I encourage you to learn a little more about the Bible Trek program at Northgate. If
you would like to help, then volunteer, you will not regret it.

Elizabeth's Experssion (Testimony Tuesday)

We are going to start doing something called "Testimony Tuesday."  This will be the day that one of our coaches posts a testimony from either their own lives or Bible Trek.  The kids in this ministry are such a testimony to each of us every week, and unfortunately we don't always have a chance to share our stories with you parents week-to-week.  We won't be using any of the kids' names, but we'll try to let you know personally when there is a post about something your child said or did so you can share in the joy that your child brings to us.

This week I would like to share about our wonderful coaches, and what a blessing each of them has been to this ministry as well as to me personally.

This is my fourth year with our children's ministry, and my third year directing.  I can't tell you what a blessing and a privilege it has been to be a part of something so life-changing and rewarding.  Throughout my time in this ministry, I have seen lives being changed, spirits being renewed, and hearts being turned toward Christ.  Each year we ask children to commit their lives to Christ.  Last year we had 42 first-time commitments to the Lord.  This is not because we have a great curriculum or a fantastic room (although we are so grateful for them, and they do play a major role in this ministry), it's because of the leaders who step up and volunteer their time to your children.

Mr. Rick is my right-hand man.  I don't think that's exactly what he signed up for, but it's what he is.  What a wonderful leader he is!  Rick works very hard for this ministry.  He does lots of work at home for our slide shows and videos (he makes all the videos and slide shows for Bible Trek).  Not only does he do behind-the-scenes work, but Rick also takes over teaching lessons whenever he can, and leading Bible Trek when I'm away.  I am so thankful for Rick!
Ms. Heather has recently stepped up to start teaching and joined our Leadership Team.  Her energy and enthusiasm light up the room!!  Heather advocates for our children with special needs, which is a huge help to us as we strive to provide an inclusive setting for our youngsters as they learn about Jesus.  Heather is a huge blessing to our ministry.
Ms. Rachel is one of our high school helpers.  She has such a warm heart for our girls.  She is extremely loving toward your kids when she is in Bible Trek.  We just love her!
Ms. Katherine is the love of your young girls.  Seriously, they gravitate toward her.  And I don't blame them!  She is one of the sweetest, most down-to-earth people I have ever met.  I am privileged to know her, and your kids are so fortunate to have her as a leader!
Ms. Katie is another one of our young women volunteers toward whom the little girls gravitate.  She always, always has a smile on her face - and it lights up the room!  Katie seems to always have a happy story to tell.  I see her brighten the days of our coaches each week, as well as the days of our kids.  She is an absolute joy to have in Bible Trek!
Ms. Tammy stepped out of her comfort zone to help out with Bible Trek, and I'm so glad she did!!  Tammy is a wonderful help at our sign-in table, and does a fantastic job making sure our kids get signed in properly.  She is more than willing to jump in and help wherever she can, and the girls in her group adore her!  They're not alone - us coaches adore her, too!
Mr. Steve always has a smile on his face.  He is warm and loving, and provides a great example of what the young boys should aspire to be when they grow up.  That's exactly what young men need to see!  Steve is another coach who helps out wherever he can and always has a child close by.  The kids love him, and so do the adults!  He brightens our days.
Mr. Stephen is a wonderful example for our young boys to look up to.  He is sweet and fun to be around.  One of the things that has most impresses me about Stephen is that even though he doesn't always have boys in his group, he consistently comes ready to serve - - and finds a place for himself on those days that no first grade boys come.  He has a servant's heart!
Mr. Chris E. has recently stepped up to the platform and started teaching lessons.  The kids love it when he teaches, and so do I!  He does a fantastic job helping the kids understand the Bible, and what it means for them in their own lives.  This carries on into his small group, as well.  Chris is always able to find ways to explain biblical principles in a way that his young boys can understand.  He's great!
Mr. Chris C. is a very committed volunteer.  He worked with us for a year, then followed our Bible Trek ministry to South Campus.  Now that there is no Bible Trek at South, he has returned to us - - but he faithfully continues to support the ministries at South campus as well.  Chris draws the boys in his group in to the story of the Bible, helping them to understand their place in God's story more clearly.  He is an engaging story-teller, and teacher.
Mr. John cares a great deal for your older boys.  He coaches our 4th grade boys, and it's the perfect place for him because he comes prepared to answer the toughest of questions.  John is a great inspiration to me as a Christian, and he is a wonderful example for the boys in Bible Trek.
Mr. Jeffery is one of our helpers in Bible Trek.  He helps out with the 4th grade boys and has seemed to cultivate some very meaningful relationships with the kids.  Whenever I ask for a coach volunteer, the boys in his group want him to volunteer!
Mr. Alex runs our slide shows during worship and makes sure there is always music playing between services for the kids.  He takes his job very seriously, recognizes the importance of what he does in Bible Trek.  We are very fortunate to have him on our team.
Ms. Jacky has been working with this ministry for much longer than I've known her.  In fact, she consistently is able to tell me stories about the testimonies she hears from kids in her group that make her realize she taught that child's father, or grandfather!  Now that is what being committed to seeing lives being changed really means!  Jacky has a heart for Jesus, and Jesus has given her a heart for your girls.  This year she has stepped out of her comfort zone to fill a need that we had for a Kindergarten coach (she is used to coaching the older girls).  Jacky has done a fantastic job!
Ms. Cate has a gentle and quiet spirit, and she is so very loving.  It is not uncommon to find a child in her lap or giving her a hug.  She loves the young girls in her group, and they adore her!  Cate's loving spirit is contagious.
Ms. Bea is our newest coach, and already she feels like family to our team.  She stepped up at a time we needed her most, and is very committed to impacting the girls in her group for Christ.  Although I don't know her all that well yet, I can already tell that Bea wears her relationship with Christ like a badge of honor - the way we all should.  We should all strive to be more like Bea.
Ms. Dulcie - what can I say about her that you can't tell by looking at her?  She brings an amazing energy to Bible Trek.  She is always smiling, and is always ecstatic to be working with the kids!  She always (yes, always) has a child in her lap and she prays like she means it.  Dulcie is a fantastic example of what you want your little girl to aspire to be.
Ms. Lynn could do anything she set her mind to.  Lucky for us, she set her mind and hear on this ministry.  Each day she impacts lives for Christ.  One of the things I personally appreciate most about Lynn is that she always tells me what she thinks.  If there is something we can be doing better, she lets me know - - and helps me come up with a solution.  Lynn is an asset to this ministry.
Ms. Courtney "fires" me every week, and I still love her dearly.  If that doesn't give you a clear picture of who she is, I don't know what will.  This year in particular Courtney has stepped up and joined our Leadership Team to help plan outreach events for the kids in Bible Trek to invite their friends to.  She is also one of our leading coaches in memorizing verses along with the kids.  She has set a fantastic example for your Kindergarten boys.  Courtney makes every hesitant young boy feel so comfortable in her group.
Mr. Todd is new to our ministry this year, and I don't know what we ever did without him!  He coaches our first grade boys during the 11:00 service, and does a fantastic job.  The joy of Jesus shines through him, and his love for Jesus extends to your kids.  Where would we be without Mr. Todd?  I don't want to know.  He's great!
Mr. Paul has been with us for two years now, and he has become one of my favorite coaches (not that I play favorites).  He shares so many stories with me about the kids in his group, and how Bible Trek and his ministry in the program impacts them.  It is so encouraging for me to hear Mr. Paul's stories.  Hopefully he'll share stories on our blog sometime, because he makes such an impact on your kids!
Mr. Rob is such a wonderful coach that I turn to him when we have a new coach to train.  He is an excellent leader for us coaches as well as for the kids in Bible Trek.  He brings a wealth of biblical knowledge to his group, which is certainly not something we can say for all of our coaches (myself included).  Rob astounds me each week.
Mr. Bob is a newbie this year, and he's doing a fantastic job!  The way he described his job to me several weeks ago was that he is there to love the kids.  That is exactly what he does each week in Bible Trek.  The boys in his group love him, because he loves them!
Mr. Barry is very committed to the 4th grade boys.  He makes deals with them to help them memorize their verses, and he sets an excellent example for them by memorizing verses along with them.  Barry does a great job of connecting with the boys on a personal level as well as checking their understanding of the lessons.  Barry makes Bible Trek a more warm and welcoming place!
Mr. Charles just joined us a few weeks ago, and he is already an integral part of the Bible Trek ministry.  He helps out with Mr. Barry's group, and does a wonderful job.  We are so excited to welcome him to our team!
Pastor Gloria is extremely invested in Bible Trek.  Not only does she co-author our curriculum, but she makes sure that Bible Trek is running smoothly when I am not there, and she supports our ministry as an important part of the church.  We are so grateful for Pastor Gloria!
Ms. Donna blew me away last year when she volunteered to take care of our snacks each week.  Not only does she lovingly provide snacks for the kids, but she faithfully prepares many of the snacks by herself, either splitting them up into little baggies or sometimes making snacks from scratch!  Donna's ministry is a behind-the-scenes one, so she doesn't get much recognition.  But she doesn't do it for the recognition - she does it for your children.  Her ministry has been a huge blessing to this church.
Ms. Vicki is another behind-the-scenes servant of Bible Trek.  She creates our weekly take-home notes in a way that makes them stand out and help you connect with your children on a spiritual level.  Vicki's service to Bible Trek is one that I personally appreciate very much.  If she weren't making the take-home notes, I would have to do it - - and they would not be nearly as professional-looking or well-made.  Vicki does a great job!

If you would like to do something to give back to these leaders who have given so much of their time and effort to your children, stay tuned!  We'll be having a [semi-surprise] coach appreciation brunch soon.

 

 

This Week's Field Guide

Hi, everyone!

So sorry that we forgot to print the Weekly Reflections for those of you who came to first service this week!  Some of you were accidentally given the weekly reflections for last week.  Here it this week's, as promised:

View here on Google Docs, or see below for the text version.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-29-nP-938eR3FzOFZwekNiS0E/edit

Weekly Reflections

Today’s Lesson: When we are tempted, we are like Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-11)
Memory Verse: “Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” ~ James 4:7

Memorize this verse for next week to receive a Commitment Coin to buy something from our prize locker!

Reflection 1: On the drive home... talk about what would happen if you did not submit to the traffic laws? how is that a reminder about why we should submit to God?

Reflection 2: With your family...read together Matthew 4: 12-25. What happened in Jesus’ life right after he resisted temptations? Talk about how this might look in your lives.
Reflection 3: In your quiet time... make a list of your greatest temptations this week. How can you submit to God, and resist the devil in each of them?