Family Challenge Tips and Ideas

Life or Death

Scripture:  Deuteronomy 30:15-16
See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

Activity:  Gather items that represent joy and life and items that represent destruction and death.  Draw two paths with sidewalk chalk or use a rope to create the borders of the two paths.  have your family sort through the items you collected, placing the joy and life items on one path and destruction and death items on the other.  Feel free to get creative and draw your own items along the paths. Then walk each path and discuss the items you found.  When god gave Israel his laws and commands, he put two choices before them-the path of obedience and the path of disobedience.

Discuss:  God knows what is best for his people and he was clear about where each path leads. Obedience leads to life. Disobedience leads to death. God's people had to make a choice. Tell about a choice you made that had bad consequences. Read Proverbs 14:12. Why is it sometimes difficult to choose the right path?  Read John 14:6.  How does this truth encourage followers of Jesus?  What other resources has God give our family to help us stay on god's pathway that leads to life?

Lesson Learned:  God wants his people to choose the path of life and obedience.

This activity was provided by Weave.  Learn more at http://www.weavefamily.org

High School Mission Trip to the Bay Area, June 8-13, 2014

Team members: Alli Bouwman, Lindy Carlton, Courtney Clark, Brennen Deforest, Autumn Gardner, J.J. Garzella, Jake Hanson, Bryce Kirk, Collin Kirk, Kelli Kirk, Aaron Pabst, Jeff Stephenson, Josh Stephenson, Amber Wolff, Athena Zaharias, Thane Zeeh.

The bay area of California is among the nation’s most popular tourist destinations. Just wait for the fog to lift from the San Francisco Bay, and a beautiful city full of cultural attractions will be revealed. But while cable cars travel the steep hills and visitors stroll through the city’s distinctive neighborhoods, there also are thousands of homeless individuals living on the streets and in local shelters. The high cost of living in San Francisco has further increased the problem of poverty. It's a complicated place full of much strength and beauty.

During the week our group partnered with children’s programs that are working to serve the kids in the city throughout the summer months and into the year. They definitely appreciated our energy and willingness to play.  We also had the opportunity to serve the homeless people of the community in many different ways.  We visited the Golden Gate Bridge, a beautiful site with a rich story that is part of the area's history. In the evenings we learned more about the bay area by visiting local sites and through listening to the stories of community members.  We were even able to host a BBQ and invite some of the homeless community to join us.

We are very proud of the group of high school students that joined us on the trip.  We joined members from 2 other youth groups, one from Colorado and one from California. Together with our students, they served meals to the poor and home bound, played with children at the Boys and Girls Club, delivered groceries from the Food Bank to residents in Mercy Housing, worked at the Food Bank and at the Salvation Army too.  All team members remained positive and worked hard.  We truly have an amazing group of Christ-centered kids!

Preteen Mission Trip 2014

This is the 5^th year Good Shepherd’s preteens have participated in the “Week of Hope” Mission Trip.  We went to Colorado by church van and served June 15-20, 2014.

Week of Hope is a summer mission trip packed with practical acts of love and service. Our students built meaningful connections as they served people through ministries and nonprofit organizations in Loveland, Colorado. Service is the fabric of Week of Hope – our group not only served the community but took turns serving everyone at camp by helping to prepare meals and keep our lodging facility clean. Week of Hope is not just about a “project”, it is about service becoming part of a preteen’s life.

Fifteen of us went on the trip.  Twelve preteens and three adults.  We were split into 3 crews with 5 members on each crew.

Chris Bell’s crew; Kennan Bell, James Dickerson, Willow Edwards and McKayla Ridges, served at a low income housing project.  For the first 2 hours of each day they pulled weeds.  The remainder of their day was interacting with the residents and playing with the children.

Kelli Kirk’s crew; Joshua Hong, Cole Johnson, Kayla Siebeneck and Zipora Rowe, served at a residence.  The home owner had a bad car accident and he and his wife were expecting a baby.  The crew was able to clean up, de-clutter, pull weeds and generally help the home owner organize his home.

Jeff Stephenson’s crew; Vivian Brown, Lilly Frame, Chloe Siebeneck and Laura Stephenson, served at a senior care facility.  They helped clean patios, wash windows and pull weeds for the residents.  In the afternoons they sorted clothing to be sent to those in need around the world.

Sunday, May 18, 2014 is Teacher Appreciation Sunday at the 9:30 am service.

Note:  This Sunday is the last day of Sunday school for Junior High and High School Students.

Did You Know…

In September 2013, Kelli Kirk and Jeff Stephenson began working together to form the Good Shepherd Family Ministry Team. Through prayer, they are working to develop a comprehensive program with committed Family Ministry Team Members to minister to our students, nursery through high school.

What do our Family Ministry Team Members commit to?

· Love God and love kids

· Study the Bible

· Attend Worship regularly

· Submit to a background check

· Set a good example

· Attend training 2 times each year

· Attend the Family Ministry Team breakfast and Bible study for team members on the third Sunday of each month at 8 am

· Be prepared

· Arrive 30 minutes early to class to greet students

· Make ministry a priority

· Pray weekly for the children in your class and their families

· Attend team prayer time when possible. (10:45 am, Sundays in the QUAD)

· Be kind and Love Well

· Smile and laugh and enjoy

Family Ministry Team 2013-2014

NURSERY 

Megan Andrelczyk, Bari Comoletti and Jolyn Dickerson

ELEMENTARY (PreK-5 grade)

PRESCHOOL-KINDERGARTEN:  Lindy Carlton, Christina Duffield, Amy Frame, Becky Garzella, Amber Wolff

FIRST GRADE: Jen and Rick Johnson, Ian Kirkpatrick 

SECOND GRADE: Greg and Diane Darling, Yon-Paul Siebeneck

THIRD GRADE:  Glenice Coward and Chris Siebeneck

PRETEEN (4-5 grade):  Teresa Deppe, Christy Johnson, Bryce Kirk, Dani Lassig and Kerwin Knutson

JUNIOR HIGH (6, 7, 8 grade):

Michelle and Manfred Lassig (Experiencing God)

Jim Fillman and Curtis Zeeh (Made to Make a Difference)

Steve Edwards and Dave Weiss (The Rabbi)

Kevin Fitz (Grounded)

HIGH SCHOOL (9, 10, 11, 12 grade):

Rick Bergsma and Jeff Stephenson (Crazy Love)

Mario Alejandre (Christianity Explored)

Dan and Krista Sontum (The Messiah)

FAMILY MINISTRY TEAM LEADERS

Kelli Kirk:   kellik@gslc.net

Jeff Stephenson:   ffej@gslc.net

Phone: 801-255-8181

Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Good Shepherd
This content is provided to help your family continue the conversations at home that begin at church.

Junior High and High School
This Sunday is Family Worship Sunday- celebrate Mother's Day by worshiping together.

REMEMBER, FAMILY LIFE THIS MONTH IS ON MAY 18, 2014 (not this Sunday, May 11.)

Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Good Shepherd
This content is provided to help your family continue the conversations at home that begin at church.

Preteen (grades 4-5)

Knowing Jesus
Key Faith Foundation: Loving Jesus
Key Scriptures to read as a family: 1 John 5:1-5

Talk about it:

• Discover someone in the Bible who loved Jesus?
• Ask 2 people in your family to tell about how they show their love for Jesus.

The preteens will have an end of the year party this Sunday.  Remember, this is the last day of Sunday school for the year.

Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Good Shepherd
This content is provided to help your family continue the conversations at home that begin at church.

Third Grade
What's in the Bible!  God's Kingdom Comes.  General Epistles & Revelation
This Sunday your child will hear stories from Revelation.

Talk about it:

 What is the last book in the Bible? (Revelation)

• You’ve almost completed the Bible! What is something new you’ve learned about the Bible, or God, or walking with Jesus?
• What is a doxology? (A tiny poem that praises God)
• What are the three things that John said should be in the life of someone who’s following Jesus? (True Teaching, True Living, True Loving)
• Tell me about the special verse you chose.
• Would you like to put it on the fridge or hang it in your room?

Remember to visit www.whatsinthebible.com for even more family fun.  Look for DVD 13, week 3.