Where are the children?

Pulling into the parking lot last Wednesday night on the opening night of this year's Awana program I couldn't help but think that our attendance would be low. Facing a tropical storm was reason enough to have those thoughts. I have to admit that I thought it wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have so many children on the first night as it is usually chaotic. Forgive me for thinking such things because, to my surprise we saw numerous children last Wednesday night. In all we had 83 children and 59 Awana workers present. Praise God for that.

We also introduced a new Awana group. For the 2 year old's and 3 year old's that didn't make into the Cubbies this year we have a new club called Puggles. What a blessing it was to see our very young children coloring, singing, and learning about God.

The best thing about it all was that there was no chaos. Everyone seemed to know where to go and what to do. On top of that I saw kids and leaders alike laughing and having a good time.

Thank you to all you Awana workers for stepping up and serving this year. This is the most workers that we ever had in Awana. May God continue to bless us here.

Where are the children?

Pulling into the parking lot last Wednesday night on the opening night of this year's Awana program I couldn't help but think that our attendance would be low. Facing a tropical storm was reason enough to have those thoughts. I have to admit that I thought it wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have so many children on the first night as it is usually chaotic. Forgive me for thinking such things because, to my surprise we saw numerous children last Wednesday night. In all we had 83 children and 59 Awana workers present. Praise God for that.

We also introduced a new Awana group. For the 2 year olds and 3 year olds that didn't make into the Cubbies this year we have a new club called Puggles. What a blessing it was to see our very young children coloring, singing, and learning about God.

Thank you to all you Awana workers for stepping up and serving this year. This is the most workers that we ever had in Awana. May God continue to bless us here.

Homeschool group at MSBC

Did you know we have a Homeschool Ministry Group at MSBC now? We are up to 15 of our families that are homeschooling and we have several families that have joined us from other churches or the community. This group is getting active! We have co-op classes beginning September 4th and we currently have over 30 students signed up to take one or more of these classes. If you would like to help or are a homeschool family that needs to get involved, please see Michele Everson for more information.

Please pray for this group as we begin another school year and as we have the opportunity to reach children and families for Christ. (Pray specifically as well for traveling mercy as we will be heading to Kennedy Space Center next week for a field trip!)

Why the Church?

Ok...you know I love the Renewing Your Mind Book Club at MSBC...so we are now reading Donald S. Whitney's book, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health. What an INCREDIBLE book! In chapter six, Mr. Whitney asks "Do you delight in the Bride of Christ?" and I have to ask - do you? If you look throughout Scripture you will see examples of how we are to treasure one another - to adore the Bride that we are a part of! King David's words in Psalm 16:3 should reflect our hearts "As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight." (taken from Whitney's book). Whitney goes further to challenge us by asking, when was the last time we thought of the person teaching our children in Sunday School as a "majestic one"?

While we should hold each other in this high regard and love each other enough to hold each other accountable, it is the Church that is the Bride - it is the collective whole of Christians, working together to serve and glorify Him, educating and edifying each other in sound doctrine and wholly committed to faithful following - that is a Church. We cannot be a Church when there is no expectation of membership, accountability for the body or love for one another...that is not even a social club (even they require more than that). We must know the doctrine we stand firm on as a foundation, we must hold together in love and unfalteringly protect our unity and we must keep our eyes focused on the purpose set before us, to glorify Him in all that we do! When you are a believer and plugged into a Church like that, then you understand what it means to "Love the Bride!" I love Madison Street Baptist Church!