Family Ministries Resources
May 15, 2024
Faith @ Home - Making the Effort
FCC families, ministry leaders, and friends,
Last Friday night I was listening to the 11:00 news as I was getting ready for bed when I heard that the northern lights might possibly be visible. Then they showed the radar and it looked like cloud cover was over our area. We had already been out and thought it was cloudy. We've been out watching for the northern lights several times before without success. I was tired and crawled into bed. I missed out! Saturday morning I saw all the spectacular photos posted by neighbors who had made the effort to walk outside.
This week we say a special thank you to all who have made the effort to volunteer in our children's ministries. It is easier to not make a commitment. Volunteering may mean stepping out of your comfort zone. Many times showing up doesn't seem to lead to something spectacular. But, please know, your efforts matter! Your yes to serving in children's ministries helps kids know and experience God's love. Your time spent in children's ministries helps build relationships among our church family and helps kids grow in a relationship with Jesus. Volunteers, you are valued. Thank you for your efforts!
Upcoming Events:
Scuba Decorating Workshops - You are invited to join us in The Grove to help prepare more of our Scuba setting! You are welcome to come and go at any point during the workshops.
-Thursday, May 16 from 10-noon
-Tuesday, May 21 from 10-noon
-Wednesday, May 29 from 4-8PM
Scuba Decorating - You are invited to help hang decorations in the back hallway.
-Monday, June 3 from 1-4
-Tuesday, June 4 from 1-4
Kids four years-old through students entering fifth grade are invited to participate! Registration is open! Please click here or use the QR code to sign up as a volunteer or participant!
Scuba Donations-You are invited to sign up to provide items for Tidal Treats and take the corresponding fish from the display in The Commons. You are also invited to purchase items from our Amazon Scuba Wish List of items needed for our Scuba stations and future children’s ministries. We can also use any leftover gray and colorful spray paint.
Sunday Worship Hour Ministries (10:30 AM)
Current volunteer schedules are also available anytime on our church website under family resources and on our church app. Please contact Saskia Kendziera with schedule changes or questions (saskia@ferrysburgchurch.com or 616-780-3292).
Nursery and the following children's ministries for kids through fifth grade will be available this Sunday during our 10:30 worship hour.
Nursery Lauren Kohley, Emersyn Bonnema, and Sharon Pell will care for our kids on Sunday.
Explore (2-4 year-olds) - Peggy Bosch and Nolan Visser will share the lesson about prayers of confession.
Wonder (Young Fives-First grade) - Glenn Merz and Annalise Bonnema will share the lesson about Pentecost.
Dig (Second-Fifth grade) - Saskia Kendziera and Gabe Gauthier will share the lesson about prayers of confession.
*Attached is this week's Wonder @ Home page. Check out the lesson, activity suggestions, conversation starters and links to this week's preschool and elementary videos and the worship playlist.
Bible Memory Challenge
For May, you are encouraged to memorize Psalm 66:19-20:
But God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
You are encouraged to discuss one or more of the questions from this week's Wonder @ Home.
• What are different ways we can pray to God?
• How does it make you feel to know that God will forgive any sin (or wrong thing) that you have done?
• What is one way you want God’s help to make you more like Him?
GymJam
We are excited to have spring weather so kids can play outside! GymJam will resume in the fall. GymJam is a great opportunity for kids and caregivers to gather in the FCC gym so kids can play and adults can enjoy fellowship. You are invited to join the Ferrysburg Church GymJam group for occasional announcements and reminders. Contact Kaylee Freeman (kaylee.rae.freeman@gmail.com) with any questions or to be added to an email list for updates/reminders.
MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers)/MomCo (Mom Community)
MOPS has concluded for the season. Moms will have the opportunity to connect again starting in September with the new name. MomCo. We offer a great place for moms to enjoy support, fellowship and adult conversation. Find out more at www.ferrysburgchurch.com/mops or on the FCC MOPS Facebook page.
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior)
GEMS meetings have concluded for the season. First through seventh grade girls are encouraged to join us from 6:30-8:00 p.m. next September - March. New girls are always welcome! Information is available at www.ferrysburgchurch.com/gems.
EXAMPLES OF KIDS HELPING OTHER PEOPLE--Recommended posts and podcasts from Wisdom of the Wounded shared by Karen Mulder
Additional Family Resources
Faith Nurture Books--books to borrow for support/encouragement from our FCC library
How to Talk to Kids About Tragedies and Other Traumatic News Events
Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events
40 Free, Fun Faith Forming Ideas for Families
10 Ways to Talk with Kids about Their Faith
5 Ways to Practice Justice and Mercy
Kids Corner-- faith forming devotionals, podcasts, Bible stories, and more
Just Ask Your Mom--podcast on marriage, parenting and more
Parent Cue: Great Articles, Blogs & Podcasts for All Parents
Raising boys and girls podcast