Childhood Ministry Basics - Lifeway

                                                                                     February 2010      

January has been a quiet month for the Hostess Committee.  Our Church had a wonderful December, filled with celebrations observing the birth of Jesus.  We now turn our attention to the upcoming year.  It is time to turn our efforts and resolve to reach out to our community witnessing to those who do not know Christ and are not enjoying love and Christian fellowship.  We are so fortunate in that Brian Norris is our Fifth Sunday Sing guest, bringing the word to us through his music in our morning service.  Following the service, we will be enjoying a pot-luck luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.  In Matthew, Jesus promises us: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.  This will be a great time to enjoy wonderful food, Christian love and conversation with family, friends and neighbors in the presence of Christ.   Many of us share fond memories of Fifth Sunday sings over the years.  One of my fondest memories, is waking up at my Grandmother’s house on a Sunday morning, the house filled with the wonderful smell of her cooking, the sounds of good old gospel music playing on the radio brought by the local station in Cordele, Georgia, with great anticipation of seeing aunts, uncles and cousins at Pleasant View Baptist Church’s Sunday Gospel Sing after the “Dinner on the Ground”, prepared with love and good Christian hands.  Remember when the old churches had no air-conditioning, the windows were open and you could hear “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus” floating across the churchyard and road, never mind the fact that a big old wasp had flown in an open window and was “dive bombing” little Billy McGlamery, who was wedged (for control) between Ms. McGlamery and Beulah Jones.

When we have our church gatherings and events in our Homecomings, Fifth Sunday Sings, Vacation Bible Schools and others, we are making memories for ourselves, our friends, children and grandchildren that will live on in our hearts for years to come.  We are setting examples for them and letting them see what a fulfilled and wonderful a Christian life can be.  Kristin is making memories and setting a wonderful example when she lifts Kyla up on a chair, hands her a microphone so that she can join her in singing God’s praises.  We should all make it our resolution this year to seize every opportunity to participate in all of our church’s social functions this upcoming year and invite a friend, relative or neighbor.  We should resolve to be known as a friendly church, spreading the story of redemption.

Kaye Carpenter