Peacefulness

Our Son Quest presentation will be this coming Sunday at the 11:00 service. Children (young and young at heart) are invited to play the hand bells at both services. Join us as our children show you what they have learned about having the peace of Christ. Below you will find the family devotion for the week. Please ponder with your children exactly what it means to be "peaceful." One of the most amazing prayers that I have ever prayed when I prayed for God to fill me with His peace. Now, I will not tell you that I am always calm but I do know that in the hectic moments of life, I can take a deep breath and feel the peace that only God can give. I encourage you all to join me in this prayer and welcome the perfect peacefulness into your life...Christ!

Playful Sea Otters

The sea otter spends almost all of its life in the water. Otters love to dive and splash and swim from morning to night. The otter's favorite foods are abalone and sea urchins. These both have hard shells, but the clever little otter has figured out a way to crack them open. The otter finds a stone or smooth rock, tucks it under its front leg, scoops up an abalone or urchin, and the back-floats on the surface of the water with the stone resting on its tummy. Grabbing the shellfish, the otter smacks it against the stone until it cracks. Then he eats the juicy meat inside the shell. After all this hard work, the otter is tired. He makes his bed in the water too. The otter rolls up in a long piece of seaweed then falls asleep, cozy in the kelp blanket while the soft waves rock him to sleep.





Just like sea otters, children love to play all day. After running and jumping and climbing they get tired too. God knows that all animals and people need to rest. He wants us to get sleep so we can be healthy and happy. When we sleep, our bodies grow and get stronger. Playing and resting are both important.





Questions to Ponder





1. Why do you think God wants all of his creation to rest?





2. Where is your favorite place to sleep? What makes you feel safe in this place?





3. How can you find peace?





What does God say?


"I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe." Psalm 4:8

Family Devotion for March 1-March 7

Gorilla Family

Gorillas are the largest members of the ape family. They live in the mountains and lowlands of Africa. Although there are movies and stories about fierce, giant gorillas, most gorillas live quiet and peaceful lives in small family groups. Both father and mother gorillas help care for their children. They are patient teachers and spend many hours playing games with their babies. When little gorillas are tired or frightened, their parents will pick them up and hug them or carry them on their backs. Mother gorillas teach their children how to build sleeping nests and how to find good things to eat. Young gorillas enjoy climbing and wrestling just like human children.

God has placed people in families too. People in families protect and love one another. Just like the gorillas, we can learn many things in our families. We learn to work and play together, to respect one another, and to do our part to help the family. God says that he is like a father to all his children. In a very special way, everyone who loves God belongs to his family, and it pleases God when we love all our brothers and sisters.

How many people are in your family? Can you name them all?

Why do you think God places people in families?

What does God say?

"Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters."

-Galatians 6:10

Son Quest Prayer Concerns and Praises (By: The Chidlren)

Please join me in sharing prayer for the children's concerns. These concerns are from the heart and on the minds of our children. If you are the parent of a child, please take a moment with your child and pray. If you have prayer concerns of your own, please email me at jeng1125@gmail.com and I will gladly add your concerns and pray for you also. On Sunday, I will pass along any praises or concerns from you to our children. Have a blessed week!

Praises:

Jessica's friend Alex and her mom were not hurt in a wreck

Hannah H. was not hurt in a wreck

Jenna's Maw-maw and Paw-paw were not hurt in a wreck

Miranda's Hip Hop team won their competition

Mission team came home safe

Concerns:

Isabella has a sinus infection

Ashlynn's Paw-paw Drum is going to Georgia to learn how to live without eyesight

Emily still has a cough

Miranda's dad has a broken leg

Daniels dad hurt his arm