Your Will Be Done

OK OK - Fuel was great and some of you have to be gone this weekend I really want to find a way to stay connected. That is why I'm writing these blogs. I'd like you and event the confirmation kids to read them and comment on them. Am I dreaming too big? "Thy will be done" is a BIG topic because it can encompass so much. Earth, heaven, God's Will, etc, where should we even begin?

What kind of BIG risk have people taken? What kind have you taken? What about that movie, "National Treasures: Book of Secrets," Nicholas Cage trys to kidnap the president - pretty risky. What about Martin Luther, standing up to the Pope with the risk of excommunication and being burned at the stake - pretty risky. What are you willing to take risks for - things that matter or things that are just to have a thrill? How do we even begin to understand God's will for our life?

Well, how about brain storming some things: daily quiet time for prayer, reading the Bible, serving people who are needy, signing up for the mission trip, helping out around the church, helping an elderly neighbor, interview some people around church about what they think God's will is - take notes and report back. Look up some bible passages that talk about God's will and write them down and post them around church. Give me some feedback when you get a chance. Thanks to all the teachers who love the Lord and are serving the youth of our congregation. Thanks to the kids for being here and to the parents who help make confirmation real at home too. God will bless you for your efforts.

Fuel Worship

This Sunday is the Fuel Worship - you have an option as teachers to attend the Fuel Worship Service or to have class. At least two of the students will be part of the band that morning. Our focus will be on Trust - which really fits with the next session which is "your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Please mark your calendars for October 25th at 7:00PM. I'd like us to have a conference call meeting to discuss how things are going, what we can improve, and any needs we have. Also please try to be at the Confirmation Service on the 31st at 10:45AM worship. Thanks for your ministry to the kids and for sharing in this important ministry. I will look forward to hearing from you and receiving input on how things are going. I will also be doing a video sometime in the next month on the Lord's Prayer that you might be able to show via DVD or YouTube during class time. I will keep you posted as to when that is available. Blessings.

Your Kingdom Come

WE have no real reference point for a King in our society so this comes across as a little strange. But as adults we understand "boss", CEO, commander, leader, and so forth. What would it be like if Jesus ruled. There is a funny YouTube video with kids asking questions about what Jesus would do. I can send you the link if you want - let me know. But the question of how Jesus would rule or run things is a good one. You could study New Testament readings about Jesus and leadership - Google - Jesus and Leadership and see what you get. Talk about the President and Leadership or world leaders and compare them to the way Jesus would run things.

Have the kids create a Jesus cabinet. What would their job be if Jesus was in charge and they were his disciples - what would he have them do? If they were his ambassadors and workers how would they behave during the week and what would they do?

Download some pictures of world leaders and see if they can identify the picture. Look at Jesus footwashing of the disciples and ask how this is a King's Job and what Jesus intended to teach by doing that. Maybe even conduct a footwashing. Go to another class and ask to wash the feet of a teacher or another student as a sign of what Jesus asks us to do for one another. What is another "Servant Event" they could do together? Consider packing some Operation Christmas Child Boxes as a class project - Baby King Jesus Celebration. Ask Cindy Biernacki to come in and talk about OCC.

Amy Hartson will also be stopping by one of these weeks to talk about offering and what we do with our offering and what they as students can do to give to God's work.

Make crowns for one of the elementary kids classes and tell them that Jesus makes them special people through baptism. Maybe consider working on a puppet show for the little kids sometime. http://www.puppetresources.com/resources_links.php

Talk about the Kingdom of Darkness that Satan rules and how dangerous that is. I'm working with someone right now who is really struggling with this as a young person. It's real and kids dabble in this stuff. Teach them to be careful - only God is our true King but Satan wants to have a victory by taking kids away from faith. This might be something to explore.

This was a pretty cool site also -----

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wL1IvMuWo&feature=related

Well there you go - week three - tell me if these blogs are helpful

PD

Holy - Hallowed - be Your Name

God is holy and the 6 - 8th graders will be challenged into thinking about holiness and what that means. To be holy actually means to "belong to God." an immediate thought came to mind that you could make labels that said, "Belongs to God" and go around the church and place the label on people and things around the church. It is active and sends a message and I could even talk about during worship. The kids could each wear a label that said, their name and then "belongs to God" underneath.

Middle school kids need action, movement, teamwork, and independence. They love snacks too so hurray for those of you who thought of that. You could have each family volunteer to bring a snack each week or take up a special offering for snacks each week - but food is a help. Feel free to move around the building, next door park, and try out spaces that might be an alternative setting to the classroom. Even BJ's restaurant once in awhile is ok - like as a special treat for a month's perfect attendance.

Consider ways that God is "disrespected" in culture today - music, art, movies, etc. Why is this happening? What are ways we can honor God? Having our Bible with us, wearing a cross, talking with others about our church, bringing friends with us, brainstorm a little on this. Use a video clip if you like - I'm trying to get a TV or projector in every classroom so you can hook up dvd or computer - I have a mobile cart right now so you need to let me know if you need it the week before so I can reserve it for you (except in the CARE Room). Ask the High School kids to help you out if you like (they are in the Youth Room) and perhaps they could do a moveable skit and act out part of the lesson - call Jill Klingbeil or Jaunda Kneller to see if they might help out. Take over a bulletin board in the church to help drive a point home - what would they want on it - there is one in the lower hall, one in the CARE Room, and one in the lobby (Atrium) I could let each class have to do something related to the Lord's Prayer.

Consider a "prayer walk" walk around a block nearby and pray for each family in each house of that block. Maybe even leave a little flyer at the house telling the resident that your class is praying for them today. Have your class lead the Lord's Prayer in church using the modern translation - that will shock a few and make them think.

Always think outside the box with Middle Schoolers. They love it when you give them assignments and make them get involved - they love action and movement.

Also don't forget to start the day by making the sign of the cross (reminds us that we are baptized) - the Lord's Prayer, Apostle's Creed, Great Commandment, Great Commission, and Ten Commandments. If we say these in unison each week by the time they take the test in 8th grade it will be so well known that they will have no problem remembering them.

First week of confirmation

Welcome Confirmation Teachers and Subs,

Thank you and God’s blessings for the care you have for youth and their grounding in Christ. The first week is the OUR FATHER part of the Lord’s Prayer. Several things come to mind but before I get to that I would like all the classes to get into a routine of opening the way Martin Luther began his day: 1. Begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (why?) It is a reminder of our baptism; 2. Then orally go through the Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s Creed, Ten Commandments, Great Commandment, and Great Commission (all together); three move into the lesson.

Our Father is a “gracious encounter” with God. It is a loving parent expressing that He loves and cares for us. Some things you could do is to have a picture of your dad or grandpa and talk about them and what they were like. Invite the kids to do the same. Have them write a note to their dad or grandpa expressing what they mean to them. Some of them could be estranged from their dad so be sensitive to that possibility.

Use a YouTube clip from “O God” the movie with George Burns and John Denver and ask why the director pictured God the way he did.
Show pictures from the Hubble telescope and talk about the vastness of the universe and, yet, how close Jesus wants us to think of God. Ask how God is present.

Talk about prayer and where we pray in the church. Look at a hymnal and show them that in the front part of the hymnal there are many prayers. Take a walk over to Trinity Park (the triangle lot across from the church) – sit in a circle and do a circle prayer – assign each youth a part of the prayer and have them lead that – talk about parts of a prayer.

Do some bible races on prayer – look up several verses in the bible related to prayer and have them race to find them…give them simple prizes like a donut hole or a pack of gummy snacks or tootsie sucker – etc.

Ask when they pray at home – and suggest they be the prayer leader this week at one of the family dinners. Let me know if some of these ideas are helpful. Also give me feedback on the lessons as you look them over.

Blessings and many thanks. Pastor Dennis

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

This child's drawing was so pure and loving that it captured my attention as I thought about Transfiguration Sunday and the beginning of Lent this week. Some people are giving up pop or chocolate for lent but what about fasting and praying for the poor, the homeless, the oppressed. Kids get it. They want to help other people. Mission is just natural to them. We can learn a lot from them. Lent is a call to fasting and prayer for mission. Not a mission to force religion on people but to love in genuine ways like Jesus. He loved because he overflowed with love from God. People believed and followed because they new that this kind of living would give them new life and new energy. Join us this lent by listening in on WIMS radio in Michigan City, downloading our podcasts, or picking up a CD or typed copy of the messages. You can also join us in feed the hungry by being at Bethany on Thursdays at 5:00PM or by making a tax deductible contribution to the ministry of Bethany. Let's be on mission this year and learn together how to think globally and act locally. Let the Child of Bethlehem now lead us as our brother to become more and more like him in loving the world for God.

BLC Basics

We're starting a new series - in a new year - with a new purpose. The theme for this year is "Every Member a Missionary." Our premise is pretty basic - like building blocks we are built into a church that is designed to honor God. Every member is a part of this - no one gets a pass. If you are in Christ you are called. You might refuse but you are called. But we are not moving ahead blindly and we are not expecting you to go without understanding.

We've divided the year into four quarters of mission: Jan, Feb, March will be "Preparing for Mission;" April May June is "Training for Mission;" July Aug Sept focuses on "Doing Mission;" and Oct Nov Dec will be "Celebrating and Refueling for Mission."

This Sunday I launch a sermon series that will form the building blocks of this year's emphasis. January 10th will be, "Church 101 - BLC Basics;" January 17, "Commandments, Creeds, and the Cross," January 24, "The Great Commandment;" January 31st, Sacraments and Service;" and then finally on February 7th, "The Great Commission." Then with Ash Wednesday and lent just around the corner we will provide you with some tools and training to do mission as God has designed you.

I believe this can be exciting and a great learning opportunity for everyone. I encourage you to listen to the podcast if you miss a service. Read the blog for some previews. This week study Acts 2:42-47 and ask the Holy Spirit to open up your mind and heart to receive the message God is preparing for you.