Happy Friday evening church family!

I want to start out by apologizing. I made the mistake last week of announcing how Spring had arrived. My bad. But we’ve only had snow a few days this week, so…. soon.

My heart was filled to overflowing Wednesday night at the Awana awards program. It was so encouraging to see all of these kids (and there are a lot!) progressing in the Awana program, learning scripture, and even applying it. Several students articulated in front of everyone why the scripture verses they picked were meaningful to them. This is sowing seeds that these students can reap the fruit from for the rest of their lives. Parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends – continue to plant these seeds of scripture and biblical truth into these kids. We do our best as the church, but a vast majority of the sowing comes from you.

I know the idea of talking to your kids about the Lord can be intimidating. You may feel unqualified or that you don’t know enough. But I want to assure you – if you know Jesus as your savior, you know enough! Share your story, and as you learn through your own bible reading and prayer time, share that too! I’m reminded of the man Jesus healed near the Decapolis – he wanted to join Jesus, but Jesus said no! Rather, (he said) go and tell what God has done for you! That’s all we need.

And please, all, keep praying for our students and the youth. Growing up today has so many challenges we never could have imagined. Thankfully, we can rely on the knowledge that God knows this too. 😊 But keep them in your prayers. They need it!

-- In faith, Pastor Eric

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV