Family Ministries Resources
September 24, 2025
Faith @ Home 🏡 - Well-nurtured plants
FCC families, ministry leaders, and friends,
This past weekend, my husband and I traveled to Northern Michigan to attend a wedding. As we stopped in various resort towns, I was delighted by the wide variety of spectacular summer flowers still blooming beautifully — bright red impatiens and tall canna, golden celosia plumes, pink hibiscus trees, purple salvia, and multiple colors of zinnias and dahlias. One of the merchants told us the flowers are cared for daily. What a difference that makes! As we reflect on serving God with all of our souls this week, let's consider how we are caring for our souls. Are we spending time daily with God to nurture our relationship with Him? May we faithfully nurture our souls so we can beautifully glorify God with all of our unique gifts.
Upcoming Events
Protect Young Eyes Presentation -- Classis Muskegon will host a presentation from Protect Young Eyes on October 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Allen Avenue CRC, 695 Allen Avenue, Muskegon 49442. “Mental Health & Tech: Understanding Fabulous and Fragile Brains with Protect Young Eyes” should prove to be very informative, insightful, and inspiring for everyone connected to kids. Youth and children’s ministry leaders, parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers will benefit from this presentation. Child care is available for kids from babies to age 11. Note that reservations are required through the following link:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/protectyoungeyes/1750404.
Contact muskegonsafechurch@gmail.com with questions.
Sunday Worship Hour Ministries (10:30 a.m.)
Rocking Chair Available—A rocking chair is available for moms and babies to use during the worship service. The chair is located in the youth room, which is located off the back of the sanctuary near the soundboard. Nursing moms can pull the door mostly shut when utilizing the room.
Fall Ministries—Thanks to all who have committed to serving this fall! Here are the schedules for Nursery, Explore, Wonder, and Dig.
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 - Bethany Holtrop and Sharon Pell will care for our kids on Sunday.
Explore (2-4 year-olds) - Courtney Wolffis and Audrey Holtrop will share Joseph's Story.
Wonder (prekindergarten-first grade) - Nancy Bontumasi and Annalise Bonnema will share The Good Shepherd and the Lost Sheep.
Dig (second-fifth grade) - Al DeYoung and Bill VanEe will share Joseph's Story.
Bible Memory Challenge
Throughout our Undivided fall series, your family is encouraged to memorize Mark 12:29-30.
Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Our entire church is focusing on this passage for our fall series. You are encouraged to learn this passage by singing it! You can find a younger kids' version of this song here and the older kid/adult version here on YouTube.
Talk About It
Families with elementary-aged kids, remember to engage with your Undivided activity sometime this week.
What is something unique about you? How can you love God with your uniqueness?
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
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
GymJam
GymJam is a great opportunity for kids and caregivers to gather in the FCC gym so kids can play and adults can enjoy fellowship. GymJam is cancelled this week due to the funeral at our church. The next GymJam will take place on Thursday, October 16, and will meet on other Thursday mornings when MomCo does not meet, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please reach out to Kaylee Freeman (kaylee.rae.freeman@gmail.com) with any questions or to be added to an email list for updates/reminders.
The MomCo (Mom Community)/formerly MOPS
Moms have the opportunity to connect on mostly first and third Thursdays at The MomCo from 9:30-11:00 a.m. through May 14. MomCo provides a great place for moms to enjoy support, fellowship, and adult conversation. Childcare is available for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. The next MomCo date is October 9. Check out ferrysburgchurch.com/momco for more details.
GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior)
GEMS registration is open at ferrysburgchurch.com/gems! . First through seventh-grade girls are invited to join us from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month from September through March. GEMS will meet next on October 6. Talk to Lori Houskamp if you know of anyone who would like to join us!
Blessings,
Lori
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