My very first blog was about the Pop Up Tea Room. This is a fund raiser being sponsored by the education committee. We have begun using a curriculum called ‘Rotation Station.’ This is not new to the department, it was used several years ago and at some point we moved away from it, so we are bringing it back. The reasons for this move are many, but most of all the teachers and the students love it. I believe it is a good move for the Education Committee.
There are 7 breakout sessions in each unit. We have begun with the unit ‘Families Remember God’. 6 of the sessions are held on Sunday mornings; Art, Games, Missions, Science, Spiritual Practices and Storytelling/Drama. The cooking session is completed on Wednesday afternoons during Children 1st.
Our Bible verse during this session is in Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all our being and all your strength.
With the rotation of sessions our volunteers teach a session every other week. We have four teachers at the moment. We wish to recruit two more. With our current rotation two teachers are teaching every other week and the other two are teaching weekly. The volunteers are getting to know all the children in the program, not just the children in one age group. High school youth are encouraged to volunteer and participate with the children, helping out the volunteer teachers. It is a win-win for everyone.
I am involved in the cooking session during Children 1st, along with Sonja Vosburg and Betty Springer. The first week, we made unleavened bread, this was a new experience for the children. Many were using a rolling pin for the first time. Using honey to flavor the bread may have saved the experience when the children shared their bread during snack time. I will admit, they preferred the bread of today over unleavened bread of Biblical times. What a wonderful way to experience life and the ways of living during the time of Moses. Last week we made sugar cookies, the lesson was to encourage good food choices and taking care of our bodies. Instead of frosting for the cookies, we used whipped cream and strawberries. The children enjoyed this snack.
This week we are making smoothies. Spinach and avocados are in the recipe along with chocolate chips, blueberries and honey. I cannot wait to see their reaction to this recipe.
We are also focusing on The Ten Commandments.
Were you aware the first four commandments tell us how we are to relate to God?
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You should have no other gods.
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You should not make idols or images of other gods to worship.
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You should not use God’s name in vain.
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You should remember the Sabbath. Rest like God rested when God created the earth.
The next six tell us how to relate to one another.
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You should respect you mother and father’
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You should not kill.
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You should not lie.
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You should not steal.
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You should not be jealous.
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You should not cheat.
This is a great way to help the children remember and relate to the commandments. (It works for me to remember them this way, too)
My goal is to share with you a couple times each week. Return here to learn about the ministries, activities, celebrations and day to day life at Hampton United Methodist Church.
Oh, and don’t forget to buy your tickets to the Pop Up Tea Room, Saturday, February 16th from 11 am until 2 pm.
The Walk by Adam Hamilton – Lenten Study
Lenten Bible Study:
How do we walk with Christ—daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him? Join Adam Hamilton this Lent and Easter in The Walk and discover five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus’ own walk with God. In each chapter, Hamilton’s engaging teaching style will help you explore one of these practices-each of which is intended to be a part of our daily walk with Christ—its New Testament foundation, and its potential effect on our personal lives and our lives together as the church.
Thursdays during lent beginning February 27 @ 6:00 PM in the Wesley Room. Pastor Lewis will lead the class. Sign up to order books by February 12th. The class will run through Lent. Will discuss ‘snow dates’ at the first class and how we will handle them. (Let the office know of your interest: 641-456-4238.)
The Journey Continues
Our last night of Vacation Bible School, the Grand Finale’ will be at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary of St. Paul. It has been a great week, “Wild About Jesus.” As every year, there are new faces and old faces. It has been a fun filled week. As with any adventure, it comes to an end here in the churches of UMC and St. Paul, I do believe the children and the adults will be sharing the story of what was found here, Jesus. “One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left. Matthew 19:14-15 The Message
And as this adventure ends, another begins. Three days from now a group will be leaving for Perryville, Arkansas to spend a week on the Heifer International Ranch. We will say ‘good-bye’ to Bossie and her sister, Bessie, who will be returning to greener pastures until they are needed to assist with fund raising again. They did a great job! I do believe, over all, the people of the UMC community enjoyed hosting them over the summer.
Time to look towards the fall and the changes in routine that comes with school beginnings and summer vacation endings. I am so excited to share the beginning of a Bible Study series that will be held on Sunday evenings. We will begin in the New Testement with the book of Matthew.
Transition from Vacation to Reality
John Wesley’s Sermon, The Character of a Methodist
- One who has the love of God shed abroad in the heart.
- One who cannot but rejoice, having peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ
- One who has the hope of immorality
- One who prays without ceasing
- One who loves and does good to neighbors and friends, strangers and enemies
- One ho is pure in heart and shows mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, long suffering and forgiveness
- One who seeks to please God and keeps God’s commandments
I have always said “returning from vacation is a trip back to reality.” I am blessed my reality is easy to return to these days. There were times when I wanted to stay on vacation forever, but God calls me back, there is work to do. I was reading a post yesterday that said “Choose a Job You Love, and You Will Never Have To Work a Day in Your Life.” That is what it feels like here at HUMC.
This year I did not travel. No beach fronts, no visits with friends here in the midwest, no exotic cities, no trip to the mountains. Just me at home, doing what I wanted to do, spending time with grandchildren. So, no, these are not vacation pictures.
Now, back to my reality and in reading over John Wesley’s list of characteristics, I find myself reflecting, as I continue to strive toward the life of perfection, life has become easier. I know perfection in this life is not attainable, yet, with the Lord Jesus Christ at my side, I will strive.
Now I find myself on the eve of the Franklin County Fair Parade, The Franklin County Fair, coordinating volunteers for the Chapel in the Pioneer Village, Vacation Bible School, The Mission Trip to Heifer International. I would say that HUMC is doing ministry out in the world, yes, we may spend Sunday morning inside the church, the rest of the time we are out doing ministry, being the hands and feet of Jesus. HUMC does so much more and I am blessed to be a part of this ministry!
In his sermon, Wesley ends with these words: “Is thy heart right; and my heart is with thine? I ask no further question. If it be, give me thy hand.”
I feel my transition back into my responsibilities here at @Hampton United Methodist Church was smooth because God has made it so.
*** Side note:
Now, if you know me, I am often asking, “Does this make sense?” What is going on in my head doesn’t always transfer into thoughts on paper or the spoken word as I would want them to. So, for today, these are my thoughts and I thank you for taking the time to read, and please let me know if this makes sense to you.
