Friday, March 29, 2013

Upcoming Events


Family Event: Flying Squirrels Game

Join us as we head to a Flying Squirrels Game on Sunday, April 7th at 2:05 PM (free game for Kids Club members).  The giveaway that afternoon will be Kids Toboggan Hats for the first 2,000 children 14 and under.  RSVP to Julie at Julie@gcpres.org. We will plan to meet in the General admission section 211.  Check out the Flying Squirrels website for directions on joining the free kids club for children ages 14 and under:  Flying Squirrels.  Just saw the following  information on their website: KIDS CLUB MEMBERS EAT FREE ON SUNDAYS!!!

The Flowering Cross – A Symbol of New Life
On Easter Sunday, the children will get to decorate the cross with flowers that will be handed out at church.  The flowering cross will be a reminder to us that Jesus offers us new life, eternal life, because He died on the cross.

A great book to help your child understand the concept of the flowering cross is The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan.  You can find a link to it at our bookstore on the church website.  Once you go to the link you will need to click on the category called Children’s books.
I just set up this category on the bookstore page but I will be adding more and more children’s resources to the page.  I also have one copy of the book that I am happy to lend out. 

No Sunday Communities on March 31st.
Happy Easter!!


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Palm Sunday

Grace Kids helped with singing this week in church.




The following "1st Easter Booklet" was used during Sunday Communities this week: http://ministry-to-children.com/the-1st-easter-printable-storybook/.  The Sunday Community teachers in Preschool and Kindergarten - 1st grade used props to help with retelling the story to the children.  

Children's Worship Classes (Preschool - 2nd grade) completed a craft related to Jesus' Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem.  The preschool class heard the story:  The Donkey that no one could ride by Anthony DeStefano. The elementary class heard the story:  The Donkey who carried a King by R.C. Sproul. 



This week the children all planted grass seed (let's keep our fingers crossed that it will begin sprouting within the week).  They added a cross sticker with the words Jesus gives new life.  They also added  a small wooden cross to their cups as a reminder of Jesus dying on the cross to rescue the world. 





Saturday, March 23, 2013

Egg Hunt Slideshow



Perfect Day for an Egg Hunt!!
Thanks so much to my team of helpers today!!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Resources for Bringing Up Girls

I need to pass along another blog that I love - http://wearethatfamily.com/
There have been a few articles recently related to bringing up girls.  Being the mother of a little girl, I have greatly appreciated the articles.  There are a ton of great resources on this site and well worth your time to check out - http://wearethatfamily.com/2013/03/resources-for-raising-girls-in-our-world-today/

Another good resource & Palm Cross

I subscribe to the following blog from Amanda White:  http://ohamanda.com/ .  By subscribing to her blog you can receive a free ebook:   Praying Gods' Word for your kids by Amanda White. http://ohamanda.com/oh-ebooks/   She is the author of the Truth in the Tinsel book about Advent. 

Palm Crosses - If you would like printable directions for making a palm cross go to the following link:

I just made a cross following the directions at the link (and I am not crafty at all)!!  I did find it helpful to trim the ends of the palm to help make the cross. 





Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Jesus Storybook Bible

Just had to share that you can purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible:  Every Story Whispers His Name - Kindle Edition by Sally Lloyd-Jones right now at Amazon for $1.99.  This is a great deal offered on a FABULOUS Bible.  Here is the link if you are interested: Kindle Edition: Jesus Storybook Bible

The GCPC Egg Hunt has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 23rd from 3:30 - 5:30 PM.  For additional information contact julie@gcpres.org

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Parenting Discussion

Thank you so much to Scott, Clint, and Ross for leading our Parenting discussion this past Saturday.

GCPC Parenting Discussion – March 16, 2013
A list of resources are available at our church website (www.gcpres.org) under the Media Tab then click the Bookstore Tab.  Books are located on the GCPC Bookstore page in categories. There is also a direct link from the Bookstore page to order through Amazon. Several books are listed on this handout but there are more on the website.

The following website is a good resource for parents:  Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU) – Understanding Culture to Impact Culture - http://www.cpyu.org
CPYU President Dr. Walt Mueller will present "Download: Teaching Teenagers to Filter Their Media Choices" at Third Presbyterian Church located at 500 Forest Avenue in Richmond, VA. To register, and for more information, contact Rick Hutton at the church at rickh@thirdpres.org.
Go to: http://www.cpyu.org for information about this seminar on March 22nd.  Search under the Quick Links tab (located on far right of home page). Then click the Calendar Link.
Another page to check out from this website is also from the Quick Links tab:  Media (http://www.digitalkidsinitiative.com/ )  This page provides information and resources for parents, youth workers and educators to help kids navigate their digital world. 

Resources Suggested on the GCPC Bookstore Page
For Parents
·       Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens, Second Edition (Resources for Changing Lives)
By Paul David Tripp
·       And Then I Had Kids- Susan Yates
·       Basic Training for a Few Good Men
 By Tim Kimmel
·       Becoming A Dad: A Spiritual, Emotional And Practical Guide
By Stephen James, David Thomas
·       Family-Based Youth Ministry- Mark Devries
·       How and When to Tell Your Kids About Sex: A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child's Sexual Character (God's Design for Sex)
By Brenna Jones, Stan Jones, Jim Putman

  • God’s Design For Sex Series Packet
    • The Story of Me (God's Design for Sex) by Stan Jones
    • Before I Was Born (God's Design for Sex)
By Carolyn Nystrom
    • What's the Big Deal?: Why God Cares About Sex (God's Design for Sex)
By Brenna Jones, Stan Jones, Dick Towner
    •  Facing the Facts: The Truth About Sex and You (God's Design for Sex)
By Brenna Jones, Stan Jones, Eugene H. Peterson
·       How Children Raise Parents- Dan Allender
·       How our Children Come to Faith- Stephen Smallman
·       Instructing a Child’s Heart- Ted Tripp
·       Is it a Lost Cause? - Marva Dawn
·       Parenting in the Pew – Guiding your children into the joy of worship – Robbie Castleman
·       Raising Kids for True Greatness: Redefine Success for You and Your Child
By Dr. Tim Kimmel
·       Shepherding a Child’s Heart- Ted Tripp
·       The Young Peacemaker- Corlette Sande
·       What a Difference a Daddy Makes - Kevin Leman
For Couples
·       As for me and my House - Walter Wangerin
·       Each for the Other- Bryan Chapell
·       Intimate Allies - Dan Allender and Tremper Longman
·       Sacred Marriage - Gary Thomas
·       The Intimate Mystery- Dan Allender
·       The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God
By Timothy Keller

Technology and your Children Guiding them within the Virtual world
Parent resource websites:
http://bit.ly/Yhhl49 - Welcome to the web
http://bit.ly/Yhhsgb - Parent Controls Product Guide
www.iKeepSafe.org - iKeepSafe
www.fosi.org - Family Online Safety Initiative