That Time of Year Again...Time To Say Thank You...

Parents,

On behalf of Jim and my wife Dee, I would like to thank you for the honor of having your child in Children's Ministries this year. It is an privilege to come along side you and assist in their Christian development. Where has the year gone? It seems like yesterday we held our first class and I can still see the nervousness in the children's eyes when we had each one come to the front of the class and answer silly questions. Everyone had a good laugh by the end of the class and we knew we had a great group of kids. The "Game On" event at the Warehouse provided fun for the kids and helped us get to know each other and intern Stephen a.k. "Farley" gave a great message from God's Word. Mr. Bruno learned a valuable lesson that day...if you every hold an event and tell people that the child who brings the most people will get to smash a whip cream pie in your face remember it could end in a tie...or a 4 way tie...I still laugh when I see the pictures...Through all the activities, contests, games, "Class Open House" and "Questions of the Week" we remained focused on sharing God's Word. After each week of providing the lesson we often wondered if the children understood what was taught and had multiple reminders that, yes they were learning. Either by additional questions from the children or comments from the parents it became apparent God is opening their eyes a little bit more each day. This class will be remembered by us all as one that really liked to learn, really liked to laugh and was always very respectful. We are going to be sad to see them leave and wish them the very best when they are "officially" 5th Grade Children Ministry students. We hope you and your children continue to say "hi" when we see you and God willing, I look forward to seeing your children at the Middle School Club JV when they enter sixth grade.

We would like to thank:

God - for giving strength during the year and for teaching us when needed.

You the Parents - your words of encouragement and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated!

Kelly Coy - Children's Ministry Head Coordinator - for always listening, always helping and always caring. Parkside has been truly blessed by your leadership!

Renee, Kyle, Melissa and the entire staff  - no matter what was requested you always came through. Your efforts are appreciated!

To Mr. Kelvington - you are a great mentor and a great Brother in Christ. I value our time together even if we are the "Odd Couple"

To my wife Dee: For always supporting me and being at my side, I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us in the future! (Happy 20th Anniversary June 22nd!)

To the Children - thank you for being in our class this year and for learning God's Word. You are an awesome group of kids!

We look forward to finishing the year out strong but we wanted to take a moment to reflect and say thank you. This will be the last blog update (we hope you found the "Keeping in Touch" emails and the blog useful and helpful) but feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We pray that your children continue in God's Word, introduce friends to Jesus, and continue to build a deep relationship with Jesus.

In Christ,

Harry, Dee, and Jim

The Schedule for the Last Few Weeks

June 26th: The Prodigal Son...it's about the son who went off on his own...right? (Mr. Bruno)
July 3rd - No Class... Happy 4th of July!
July 10th - Ambassadors of Sport (Tentative)
July 17th - Mr. Kelvington will not be in class - Lesson Ten (Mr. Bruno)
July 24th - The Year in Review (Mr. Kelvington)
July 31st - PARTY! Outside if the weather is nice or in our classroom!

KID CONNECTION: Make It a Summer to Remember

So....your out of school for the summer...so have some FUN! I hope you all have a great summer! Make sure you take time to help someone this summer, maybe a neighbor could use some help with yard work, or some other project. Remember it is awesome when we help others out of the kindness of our heart - be a positive impact on someone!

Lesson Nine: Life In God's House

"I am writing you these instructions so that...you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household." 1 Timothy 3:14-15.

Writing probably from somewhere in Macedonia during his fourth mission trip, Paul penned his first pastorial letter to Timothy, his former traveling companion, faithful co-worker, and beloved son in the faith. Paul had stationed Timothy in Ephesus to combat false teaching with the truth of the gospel as well as deal various relational and organizational issues in the fledging church there.

Born the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother, Timothy had a unique background. Childhood training in the Scriptures at the hand of his mother and grandmother gave Timothy the knowledge that made hime "wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ." The faith that his mother and grandmother had was now his. Paul had traveled through Timothy's hometown of Lystra, a Roman colony in the province of Galatia, on his first mission trip.

When Paul returned to Lystra on his second mission trip, brothers in the churches spoke well of Timothy. Paul decided to take him along on his trip. Set apart and equipped for ministry by the laying on of hands, Timothy traveled and worked with Paul throughout most of his second and third mission trips. This week we learn about Timothy and what he was like.

Scripture: 1 Timothy and Acts 20:29-30

Bible Truth: Paul wrote to a young Timothy, his coworker in the faith, to encourage and instruct him in leading the church in Ephesus. Paul deals with false teaching, sound doctrine, and godly living.

Memory Verse: For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 1 Corinthians 13:9-10

Monkeys, Cows, and Grandma...OH MY!

Last week all of us had quite a laugh as one of the kid's gave a great example that God was like the trunk of a tree. That of course, led to Mr. Bruno drawing a tree on the board, which led to him drawing a monkey in the tree and naming it after one of the students (you know who you are!) which then led to him drawing a cow in the tree for "how now brown cow". Pretty funny stuff (guess you had to be there!) At the evening service I had the pleasure of meeting a Grandma of one of our kids. It was great to hear such encouraging words!

KID CONNECTION: The Decision To Be Patient and To Trust God

Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out our heart to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8

As kids, grownups, and even our nation, we are impatient for changes or things that we want. We want solutions to our problems and we want them right now! But sometimes what we want is not an easy problem to solve or we sometimes do not get our way right away so we must be patient. Believe me, I know that is hard sometimes, to wait on something.

Psalm 37:7 commands us to "rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for Him" (NKJV. But for most of us waiting is God is hard. Why? Because we are imperfect beings who seek solutions to our problems and things we want today, right now, if not sooner. We seek to manage our lives according to when we want something rather than when God want's us to have it. That's a mistake on our part. Instead of pouting we should pray. When we do, our heavenly Father will reward us in His own miraculous way and in His own perfect time.

MoRe To ThInK AbOuT...
"Be patient. God is using today's problems to make you stronger for tomorrow. He is equipping you. The God who makes things grow will help you bear fruit" Max Lucado

ThE BIG IdEa.....

God has big plans instore for you - so trust Him and wait for those plans to unfold. And remember God's timing is best so don't allow yourself to become discouraged if things don't work out exactly as you wish. Instead of worrying, put your trust in God.

HeY...OnE MoRe ThIng....

Everyone has problems or maybe gets down because something did not happen like they thought it would. Sometimes talking it out with your parents, friends or someone at church helps a bunch. So don't keep it inside...TALK IT OUT!

KID CONNECTION: A COOL IDEA

Hey...Kid Connection is taking a break this week (bummer) but I was really surprised to learn last week how many of you have never attended a Parkside on the Patio evening service! So this week I thought for Kid Connection I would recommend that you ask your parents to bring you to the Parkside on the Patio in June 26th. It is fun to bring lawn chairs or sit on a blanket and eat FREE ice cream! The worship band plays and it is a lot of fun...did I mention the FREE ice cream...yummy!

If you go, look for us and say hi!

Lesson Eight: June 12th Living for Christ's Return

Timothy gave a good report to Paul concerning the Thessalonian congregation. The apostle wrote the believers he had visited just once, expressing joy and gratitude for what God had done among them. They had received God's word through Paul's ministry and were passing on the gospel to others, so that the report of their faith was spreading throughout the region.

Paul prays fro the Thessalonians and encourages them to please God while looking for the return of Christ. "It's God's will that you should be sanctified," Paul explains. Holy living is pure, peaceful, and productive.

"We believe that Jesus died and rose again," Paul affirms, helping the Thessalonians understand that believers who have already died will be raised when Christ returns. Then he gives his readers some details about Christ's second coming.

Scripture: 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Acts 17:1-10

Bible Truth: Paul offers the Thessalonians words of encouragement, instructs the believers to live responsible lives pleasing to God, and teaches then concerning the return of Christ.

Memory Work: Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongue's, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinithians 13:8

June 5th:Lesson Seven - Christ is Supreme and Sufficient

This week we will look at Colossians. If Paul had titled this letter, he might have called it "The Supreme and Sufficient Savor." He stresses that Christ is supreme over all creation because he is God. He created all things, visible and invisible, and he is the Lord, the supreme ruler of all that he made. Christ alone is the head of the Church, his community of believers whom he reconciled to God through his death and resurrection. His work is completely sufficient to give full salvation to all who believe in him. Nothing needs to be added to what he accomplished for his people.

Scripture: Colossians and Acts 19:10

Bible Truth: Paul affirms that Christ is supreme over all. Christ is completely sufficient to bring full salvation, and Christians must live in dependence on Christ alone.

Memory Work: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

KID CONNECTION: Choosing To Not Give Up

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NIV

Do you want to live a life that is pleasing to God? If so, you must remember that life is not a short run or sprint, but a long run like a marathon. Are you one of those people who do not give up easily, or are you quick to give up when the going gets tough? If you developed the habit of giving up at the first sign of trouble, it's probably time for you to have a heart-to-heart talk with the person you see in the mirror everyday (that's you!).

Jesus finished what he began, and so should you. Despite His suffering, despite the shame of the cross, Jesus was never gave up on His faithfulness to God. You, too, must remain faithful, especially when times are tough.

Do you want to build a closer relationship with God? Then don't give up. And if you are facing a difficult problem, remember this: whatever your problem, God can handle it!

the BIG idea....

Never give up - always try your best and remember to pray!

HeY...OnE...MoRe...ThInG....

If things don't work out at first, don't quit. If you never try, you'll never know how good you can be!