IMPACT 2011

I wanted to make sure that everyone out there hears about the upcoming Children’s ministry Conference here in Saskatoon at Ebenezer church February 12, 2011.  Fantastic storyteller and speaker Steven James is going to be there.  There are also many other awesome workshop choices!  Cornerstone volunteers  if you work in Children’s ministry or Junior Youth this is something you should consider.  Come talk to me if you are interested!  You can go to the website at http://www.cnetsaskatoon.ca/ for more information and to download a registration form.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity -  It only comes around once a year!

Jessica Braun

jessica@cornerstone-church.ca

Family Devotional Magazines

D6 family magazine from Jessica Braun on Vimeo.

d6family.com

go deeper – d6curriculum.com

splink – d6family.com/splink

November is Adoption Awareness Month

November is Adoption Awareness month.  Adoption awareness month is a time to recognize the value of adoption for children and families.  This is not something we have talked about at Cornerstone before but this month I wanted to make you aware of adoption awareness month since it is something important in my own life.   Adoption Awareness is not just international adoption.  It is there to educate people about foster care and adoption here in our city and around the world.  Right here in Saskatoon there is a fantastic organization ASCS (Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan).  I am a member of this organization and they do some amazing things in our province and city.  They offer resources, workshops and support to people doing foster care and adoption.  This month they are also doing an ‘adoptwalk’ to raise money for adoption.

This Sunday, November 7, is specifically Orphan Sunday.  Churches and organizations around North America recognize this Sunday, by making people aware of orphans around the world and then strive to do something about it.  Go to www.orphansunday.org to learn more about orphan Sunday and how you can be apart of it.

Focus on the Family also has fantastic resources if you are considering adoption or want to know how to support those who are adopting.  Go to www.icareaboutorphans.org to watch videos and learn more about adoption and what it can mean for you.

If you know someone who is adopting, has adopted or does foster care pray for them.  Find out how you can support them.  Educate yourself on what adoption is!  Consider adoption or foster care in your own home.  Through our own adoption experiences I have met many families of all ages and sizes who need support and they need you to understand what adoption is and what it is not.  There are many misunderstandings when it comes to adoption and I just encourage you to be someone who understands.

In our family resources we have a few books that talk about orphans and adoption.  I also have personal books I would love to lend to you!  Check it out and make yourself aware of adoption this month.

Goodbye Generation

Goodbye Generation by David Sawler is a book I have been currently reading.  This book resonates with me and what has been on my heart and mind.

I grew up in the church.  I have gone to church my entire life.  Yet I am at the stage in my life now where some of the people I grew up with are not in the same space as I am.  The people I grew up with in the church have either completely turned from God and church or they are fitting into the ‘Christian’ mold.  Adults who went to the same church, the same children’s ministry, the same youth group, even the same families are vastly different.  Some now call themselves atheists, while others post scripture on their facebook statuses.

Unfortunately I don’t always like what I see in Christians.  Instead of a relationship with Christ that is lived out in love and actions,  I see religion or Christian talk but not a lot of Christ.   In his book, Sawler talks about why young people leave the church.  Sadly the reason is usually because they are not seeing Christ in the church or at home.  They get questions and false truths about their faith thrown at them every day through media and at school.  They see negative portrayals all around them and often we don’t address it at church or in our homes.

At Cornerstone church, in our youth & children’s programs we do what we can.  But our time is so limited with them.  Kids need parents and mentors to surround them and fill them with TRUTH.  They need to be taught how to live out 1 Peter 3:14-16 To ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.’

It starts in the home and in the church.  What messages are we sending our young people about who Jesus Christ is?  Is church all about rules, judgment and what we are against in this world?  Or is it about loving, encouraging and sharing the truth of who Christ is.  Are we helping our children understand God and draw near to him?  Or simply teaching them to attend church.  Because sadly, if attending church and following  traditions and rules is all your children are learning, statistics show they will leave the church as young adults.

I have seen it.  I am watching it happen in those closest to me, and it breaks my heart.  I know it breaks Gods heart too.

David Sawler says this ” It is far better that our youth and young adults hear about questions they are going to face from someone in the Church than those trying to destroy their faith.  We must encourage people to talk about the questions they have before they walk away.  It is even okay to say we don’t have all the answers and we will try and find them.  Because of the growing amount of negative material, knowing about the failings of the past presents an incredible opportunity to ask for forgiveness for past mistakes and to show how we have changed. ”

Is this a losing battle against the world and what messages it is sending our children?  No.  But we as leaders and you as parents need to be turning your children towards Christ.  Not by quoting scripture at them or attending church semi-regularly.  But through our actions, in truth and in love.  “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 NLT

Instruction that comes from the Lord can only happen if you have a right relationship with Christ.  If you do not have a right relationship with Christ you can not expect your children to.

Your children will still grow up and make the choice to follow Christ or not.  But God has entrusted you with your children.  There is purpose in that.  Talk to your kids.  Let them ask you tough questions and don’t try to have all the answers because you and I both know – you don’t!  But the more you seek to know Christ the more clarity you will have in raising your children.

Back to the Manger

A Family Christmas Musical

Practices begin November 11- Dec 16

From 6-7pm and Saturday Dec 18 (time TBA)

For Grades 1-8

Talk to Lorn or Jessica if you have any questions

God Moments

My passion for families grows each year as I work with your children here at Cornerstone.  Recently we challenged our elementary kids to read their bibles every day and I was taken aback by the resistance I got from the kids.  This was simply a reminder to me that each childs spiritual development can not happen at church alone.  On average the most I or the volunteers have to invest in your kids is 40 hours a year.  That is not much time to rely on us as the sole teacher of your child’s spiritual lives.  Our C-Kids theme Sunday mornings is “first things first” and it is important that you join us as we teach your child(ren) what should be first in their lives.  Our relationship with Jesus Christ.

I have heard from parents and kids that ‘we just don’t have time for that’. I agree we do live in a very busy culture and as a result time as a family suffers.   The bible tells us “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)

This short video talks about how you can teach your children in todays busy world and it’s importance.  Family Role

Jessica

Great resource sites for parents.  They give you ideas and conversation starters.  Check it out…

Rio Family

D6 Family

Family Fun Challenge

Hello Families at Cornerstone!

In C-Kids we have been learning and talking about Creation and Foundational Truths. Next week, Oct 10, Lorn will be preaching on gifts & talents.
So my challenge for you this week is to do this:
As a family make a creation! Have your entire family join together using each others gifts & talents to create something. Use your imaginations! Use your gifts & talents! Then bring it to our Family Service on Oct. 10th to share what your family created with other families.

This is meant to be fun! So enjoy your time together as a family

Jessica

Under Construction

The hammers are going, supplies are being brought in and the smell of paint will soon overcome the Christian Education Wing and everything will soon look fresh and clean ready for fall programming.

The summer has been a busy one of construction for the CE wing.  People have been working very hard to get it ready for the fall time and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us so far.

I want to thank families for being so patient and understanding during this time since it has been an inconvenience with the upstairs including the bathrooms being out of commission. But soon the upstairs will be done.

We don’t have an exact date yet of when the upstairs will be open so please keep posted through Sunday morning announcements and bulletin.

Feel free to continue using the nursing room and parenting room downstairs.

If you would like to help with clean up, we would greatly appreciate that. We are looking for helpers to assist in washing/cleaning toys, tables, book cases, etc. Contact the office.

Summer Wednesday Connection

During the months of July and August, every Wednesday an activity will be organized for families and friends within our church  and community  to connect at.

These events are open to everyone. Feel free to invite friends and family.

Cost is covered by the individual.

Weather permitting.

Parents are to accompany their own children and are responsible for them.

JULY

July 7th: Appleby Drive Kids Club

Time:6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Meet at Kids Club Apartment ( 107-714 Appleby Drive)

The club minister to immigrant and refugee children. Tons of fun.

July 14th: Fort Carlton Provincial Park.

Time: 9:00 a.m.- 1 p.m. approx. Meet at the church at 9:00 a.m.

for those interested in car pooling.     -Bring packed lunch.

-Fire pits and picnic shelter available.

-Historical Tours of the Fort and hikes available.

Cost: Family $9.00     Adult: $4.00    Youth(6-17): $1.00

Children under 5: FREE

July 21st: Saskatoon Berry Picking

- Berries are ripe!     Meet at the church at 9:30 a.m.

- Bring a packed lunch.     $5.00 per ice cream pail.        Bring own pails.

- Place: Langham ( 30 min)

July 28th: Riverdale Outdoor Pool

- Time: 1:00 p.m..    Meet at the Pool

- Cost: Family $12.00  Adult: $6.00  Youth (6-18) : $3.60

August

August 4th: TBA(Outreach Opportunity)

August 11th: Kinsmen Park and Rides.

- 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.        Rides open at 10:00 a.m. $1.00 per ride.

- Meet at the park          -Bring packed lunch/snacks

August 18th: Pike Lake Day

-Leave church at 9:30 a.m.   ALL DAY EVENT: you leave when you want.

- Day Pass to Park only : $7.00  Swimming/mini-golfing is extra $.

- Fire pits and picnic area’s available.       -Nature hikes.

- Please see Pike Lake Provencial Park website for more info.

August 25th: Meewasin Park ( Free but bring snacks/lunch)

- Shelter and playground available.   Time: 10:00 a.m.- 12. 00 p.m.

- Church will bring some play supplies.

Wondering how your family will get through a church service…

With summer around the corner, many parents might be wondering how they will ever make it through the summer family services.  Between one child complaining they are hunger while another is bored and trying to keep a baby quiet, church may seem impossible.  Don’t get discouraged, talking with some parents, it does take a child time to adjust to a new routine so be patient those first few weeks. Here are some suggestions to help you out.

Explain to your child the routine of the church service. Usually, we sing songs; pass the offering plate around, special music, main speaker and then closing music.  This may be a good time to walk your child through the sanctuary to explain what a pew is, were the music comes from (instruments, speakers, sound board) , introduce them to main speaker ( usually Russ) and get them familiar with the environment.

Here are some suggestions to keep a child occupied during the service. This is a generalization so some of these may not pertain to particular age groups.

Create a special church bag. This special church bag will have toys only for church, snacks (crackers, fishy crackers, dry cereal or raisins), puzzles, coloring books, picture books and maybe a special candy. Have the child carry the bag so they feel part of the Sunday morning process. One parent suggested having soft caramel just for church service because it takes forever chew and helps keep them quiet.

Engage them in the service. We will try to have appropriate break out times during the service when Russ will ask families to answer questions together. Take advantage of this time to engage your children and ask them what they think. Also, maybe let your children be responsible for passing the offering plate and putting money into it.

This one may sound contradictory but decided to sit closer to the front instead of in the back. Just like adults, sitting in the front help keeps a person attention and the child can also have a better view of what is happening up front.

For parents with small children, make sure diapers are changed and the child is fed. Of course there will be times when you child may be ill or teething and they will be a little more noisy but that is okay. Don’t feel judged.

Feel free to take the child on a walk outside of the sanctuary half way through the service. It helps break up the time and helps the child to refocus.

There is a nursing room provide in the back of the sanctuary along with a parenting room accessible from just outside the sanctuary doors. There are toys, games, puzzles and washroom provided for your convenience.  Please ask an usher if unsure where the room is located.

These are only suggestions and parents know their child best so please use your own discretion.

I hope these suggestions can be of some help!

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