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April Kids Happenings

Hello Church Family,

           Spring is finally here!  I wrote in my newsletter last month that, “Spring is a time when worms begin to emerge from the earth, ladybugs land on screen doors, green buds appear, birds chirp, and flowers begin to bloom”.  Well, these past few weeks I can joyfully say that I was able to experience all of these.  I’m excited to see what God has planned for our children’s ministry this spring season.  With all of the preparing for a Children’s Musical, Easter Egg Hunt, Vacation Bible School, and Kids Camp, this will allow God to move in great ways during these upcoming events! 

Please check out the different upcoming events shown at the bottom of this article to plan your spring and summer calendar for your families.  We have several ways for adults to plug in and serve along with great fun and spiritual growth for your children.  Feel free to contact me with any questions regarding these events.

We ended our Upward season with a spectacular Celebration Night at Central High School with approximately 800 in attendance.  We had trophies, cheerleading routines, and magic.  Everyone in attendance seemed to really enjoy themselves.  I want to say “Thank You” to everyone that gave of their time, prayers, efforts and love this Upward season.  We were able to minister to 214 children along with their families.  Some of them have even visited our worship services.  This is a great community outreach that touches so many lives in a positive way and we couldn’t have done this without the help from everyone involved.

Thank you for the opportunity to love on your kids.

 April Sharp

April Women on Mission

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

For those of you who packed a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, here is a message from Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse.

DEAR Friend,
As I stood in the cold wind on the tarmac at Baltimore-Washington International Airport next to a jumbo jet loaded with 60,000 shoebox gifts, I couldn’t help but think of the children in northern Iraq who would soon be opening these presents.  It’s even colder over there, and their families had to flee their homes to escape ISIS terrorist.  Despite the miserable living conditions, I knew that these gifts—packed with love and prayer by people like you—would bring children great joy and also give our church partners unprecedented opportunities  to share the Gospel.  We praise the Lord for providing enough shoebox gifts to reach 10.4 million boys and girls in118 countries in the Name of Jesus.  Everyone involved in Operation Christmas Child looks forward to seeing God raise up ambassadors for Christ as millions of these children study The Greatest Journey discipleship lessons through their local churches.  Your prayers and support enable us to carry out the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).  On behalf of children around the world, thank you, and may God richly bless you.

ANNIE ARMSTRONG EAST OFFERING

Evangelical churches are losing ground in the church-to-population ratio.  During WWI, there was one Southern Baptist Church for every 430 people.  Now there is one for every 6,194 in the U.S.  In Canada, there is one Canadian National Baptist Convention church for every 115,040 people.  Boston is home to more than 250,000 college students with one church for every 42,900 people.  In Detroit, only one Southern Baptist Church exists for every 36,227 people.  Please pray and give through our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  Envelopes are available at the Welcome Center.  Women on Mission will meet Monday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Kathleen Qualkenbush.  All of our ladies are invited to join us.