Do you remember going to Vacation Bible School?

I guess I remember VBS because it was so different from anything else during the summer.  I distinctly remember one VBS at the little house at Trenholm Park and we made a God's eye from yarn.

 

As Jane and Kelly and I were just minutes from the start of today's VBS I got that same feeling of anticipation but it was a little different.  I was anxious to see what God's plan truly was for us this first day.  Here are some things He showed me today:

1. Everyone has sinned.  No one measures up to God's glory. (Rm. 3:23).  I knew this, but I heard it differently today, maybe more with the ear of a child.

2. That sneaky serpent spoke with the strangest voice as portrayed by Allison Cox today. 

3. There are 3 beautiful verses to Jesus Loves Me!  When sung by children there is something magical in those words.

4. I can't wait to hear God's plan 2 Know Us, 2 Save Us, and 2 Love Us 4 Ever over the next days of VBS.

Come join us even just for an hour or two this week to sing or to hear God's stories through the ear of a child.  I promise you don't want to be late to church Sunday or else you will miss 3 verses of Jesus Loves Me as you have never heard before!

This is the link to Day1 of VBS.  Enjoy!  

Click here

Who is this who even forgives sins?

Why do young siblings argue? I have no idea!  Is it jealousy, is it competition, is it an age gap?  There are so many theories to this age old question.  Mary Ellen and Cantey and I will admit whole heartedly that we fought.  I remember Sunday school shoes being thrown down the hallway, a hammer, and arguments of who was looking out of the wrong window on car rides.  Sound familiar?  There is one story I will never forget told by my sainted Grandmother.  We were playing cards one day and clearly I was cheating and so she asked, "Bibs, are you cheating?" My response was, "only when I have to."  Talk about competition! Talk about a sinful nature! My cheating erupted into quite a brawl I'm sure.  But, where did the forgiveness come in and when?  

We learn to say I'm sorry at a very early age, but when do we learn the true meaning of forgiveness and to truly forgive?   I think it is a life long process.  In Luke's Gospel reading for this week, the Lord forgave a woman who was clearly a sinner, probably with a capital S .What was the gap between Simon and this sinful woman?  She recognized the Lord's love for her.  Those who recognize that God has forgiven them much will love the Lord much. We show this love in walking the walk and talking the talk; not just sharing the Gospel, but living the Gospel.  The nature of true love is that it turns from self gain to the person who is loved.  Need to hear that again?  The nature of true love is that it turns from self gain to the person who is loved.  How much does Jesus love you?  How much has Jesus forgiven you? You will show this in your love for Him and in your love and forgiveness of others.  The path to increasing that love starts with humbling yourself, recognizing your sinfulness, then thanking Him for His forgiveness and provision.

So, the real question, how to keep siblings from arguing?  Not a chance!  But you can teach them forgiveness in modeling forgiveness yourself. Recognize that the Lord has forgiven us much and love others with that same "much"!

Are you moving up?

The first Sunday in June marks a transitional time for children in Liturgy Preparation affectionately known as "move-up Sunday".  During the summer, the children will begin to transition into either a new classroom for Liturgy Preparation or into the Cathedral if they are rising 3rd grade.
These are the room assignments for the summer:
Rising 3k and 4k will meet in room 205, 5k room 206 and rising 1st and 2nd grade will meet in Keenan Chapel during the summer for 10:00 Liturgy Preparation.
Please remember this is a transitional time.   Talk with your child and determine the best plan for your family.  You may want to come visit Liturgy Preparation with your 3 year old or come visit Keenan Chapel Liturgy Preparation with your rising 1st grader .  For rising 3rd graders, There will be Quiet Bags located on the porch of the St. John's portal.  Please use these materials and then simply return the bag to the blue bin.

Important Dates:
June 1st- Brown Bag Bible Study.  Join us in the Workshop at 12:00 each Wednesday in June and July with a brown bag lunch and meet the apostle Paul .
June 3rd- Movie Night.  Meet us in the Workshop at 6:00-8:00pm with a Happy Meal and snuggles and watch Inside Out!
June 6th- Mystery Reader Monday - Come meet the Mystery Reader every Monday at 4:45 in the Story Room and then join us for dinner at the 5 Points Chick Fil A!

Are you registered for Vacation Bible School?

It's June 13-16th!  God's Plan 4U=Jesus!  

Please do not stop reading because you think this blog is only for 3 year olds through 5th grade!

The week of VBS at Trinity holds so much for so many who can't even imagine the blessings that await them, including myself.  I have a confession....I have not participated in VBS in at least 12 years and I am a little nervous.  Will the plans we have made bring God's word to all of the children, will the music peace fall into place, will there be enough volunteers? As one of the chairs shared with me today, "God has already planned all of this, He is on our side and we are simply His vessel."   Wow!

Please consider joining us for this special week.  We can use you in any way: floater, snack preparer, lunches for volunteers, lead shepherd, dodge ball referee....you name it; we will find your special niche in finding "God's Plan 4 U"!

Registration:

www.trinitysc.org

                                                                         

Can you name the fruits of the spirit?

Come join us tomorrow (Wednesday, May 18th) at Cottle Farms 2533 Trotter Road  at 5:00pm to pick strawberries!  We will learn the fruits of the spirit through a very catchy tune before we pick strawberries.  Just to get you started here is a link to the song.  Warning: It will stick with you!

 

 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/209276713910872280/
We will then enjoy supper at San Jose on Garner's Ferry Road. 

Don't forget this Sunday we transition to our summer worship schedule:
7:45 in the Cathedral
9:00 Keenan Chapel
10:00 in the Cathedral w/ Liturgy Preparation
11:30 Lemonade on the Lawn

This summer, to prepare your children's hearts for each worship service, I am going to include the scripture references for each Sunday and a fun activity for the week prior to each Sunday lesson.

• Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
• Romans 5:1-5
• John 16:12-15
• Psalm 8
• or Canticle 13 (or Canticle 2)

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/lessons/files/2013/04/LPTW-Trinity-Sunday-C-YC.pdf

And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pentecost always seems to mark so many things for me.  It reminds me that summer is just around the corner, that rest is in sight from the crazy days of May. It is a time of celebration; recitals, graduation for many, home comings for others.  It is also a time to be transformed and to delight in the transformation of others around us as we share the Gospel in whatever language we are called to do so.  "Motherese" is, as many of you know, a language we use with our children. It is  the language spoken, 

all over the world, by mothers to their babies, before and after birth. Motherese is the earliest language a baby hears.  So, share the story of Pentecost even with the "smallest of these".  Here are a few suggestions to do so:

 http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2014/06/come-holy-spirit-fizzy-explosion-prayers.html?m=1

 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/533465518331235489/
 

http://www.futureflyingsaucers.com/fire-jesus-acts-1-2-object-lesson/

Hint: This is for older kiddos, but very effective.  Practice this one first, but it is really cool!

This Sunday is Pentecost and I invite you to join us for the 9:00 service, 10:15 Bishop's Forum and children's program and/or the 11:15 service.

I especially want to highlight the children's program during the Bishop's forum.  All children are invited to the Storyroom at 10:15 to hear the Tale of the Three Trees.  Come hear what is better than being the tallest tree in the world!

Who are you praying for?

Your children, a family member, to survive "May"hem?  Did you know Jesus prayed for you in the Gospel lesson this week?  Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said," I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me..." (Jn. 17:20)  That's us!  So, what did He pray for?  He prayed for our unity; that they all may be one. He prayed for us to be given this unity by His father.  It was a gift.  Unity from God  is received not achieved.  What will you do with this gift today?  What example of unity will you or your family display today?  How will you set an example of being in this world but not of this world? How will you become more unified with your church family at Trinity? Tough questions, I know. 
This might be a fun activity: 

 

http://www.origami-resource-center.com/weaved-place-mats.html

Weave a place mat with your child and put family, friends, and/or neighbors names or pictures on the weaving pieces to help explain that we are individuals and have distinct roles to play, but we are all united in Christ. 
Happy early Mother's Day!