5 minute read
Children’s Ministry: “Assemblage” 3-Dimensional Art
Our Children Show Us How to Reassemble a Congregation After A World Pandemic
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Visions: Some of the children came to “Art on the Lawn” with a particular item that they wanted to create. The challenge was that no one knew what the raw materials would be. Our art instructor, Lori Powell, brought boxes and boxes of different sizes, shapes and colors of containers and other 3-dimensional items. Some of the children were able to design the functional item they had seen in their mind, yet it ended up looking nothing like what they envisioned. Some tried to force their idea on the raw materials and became frustrated. The item functionally worked yet took on a whole different look than they could have envisioned. It was a product, eventually, that they were satisfied with.
Dreams: Some of the children arrived that same day but with nothing in mind. They examined the items, arranged and rearranged them until it took on a shape. They adjusted and exchanged parts until they were satisfied with the shape that emerged. It was a process of creation and they were satisfied.
Plans: Our congregation is emerging from a world pandemic. An event we had no experience with and did not plan for. We are like the diverse boxes that the children used to design their “assemblage”. We are called to envision and “assemble” the Church, a faith community that is the hands and feet of Christ. The Church will not be a perfect product but it will have functionality. It will be a creation we never envisioned. Let’s examine where we are at this present time in the history of our Church. Let’s take our time and not get frustrated with it not looking like what we had previously dreamed. By faith let’s start to arrange and rearrange the pieces. With prayer and determination we will be surprised as the pieces of our faith community will fall in place by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus reassured us in John 14:25-27 NRSV:
August’s Up and Coming Events
August 1st Parent Meeting on Zoom. God’s Kids: 7:00 pm, Junior Disciples: 8:00 pm
August 7th from 9:00-11:00, Art on the Lawn “Weaving”
September 5th is Labor Day Sunday: Families worship together: There will be no God’s Kids or Junior Disciple classes. Childcare will be provided for 4 years and under.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Sept. 12th Fall “Kick-Off” of Sunday School
Blessings, Pastor Cheryl
Worldwide Prayer Concerns
“But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.” Hebrews 10:32-33
BOLIVIA
International Ministries Pray for Sarah Nash Matos and her new husband Luis, as they use this year of home assignment to learn new skills in preparation for their return to the House of Hope in Cochabamba. She praises God for providing oxygen for Carmen and Richard, who are her ministry partners at House of Hope and had contracted COVID and pneumonia during this third wave of cases. Carmen and Richard are now recovering. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, including Carmen’s friend Maria. Pray that vaccines and medicine can help the people of Bolivia battle the virus. Pray for the continuing work of the House of Hope. Pray for God to be preparing the way for Sarah and Luis’s trip back to Bolivia.
HAITI
Wall Street Journal and International Ministries
Pray for the nation of Haiti as the recent assassination of President Jovenel Moise has created new political instability. Moise had been elected in 2016, but had postponed elections in 2018 and tried to rewrite the constitution to expand his power. In recent years, the nation had been wracked by violence between gangs financed by various power brokers. New elections are scheduled for September. Pray for an end to the political violence and corruption, and for the election of leaders who will serve on behalf of the Haitian people. Pray also for our American Baptist Global Servants Khomi Ngwemi and Nzunga Mabudiga who minister in Haiti. They are continuing to raise funds for a new vehicle to transport people to the Eye Clinic that they run. Pray that this vehicle will soon be funded.
THAILAND
International Ministries
We recently heard stories in church from Lauran Bethell about how she had worked in Thailand to confront human trafficking and help women out of prostitution. The New Life Center that she started continues this work. Pray for Kit Ripley and Jenni Pedzinski, who are two American Baptist Global Servants working there. Kit recently returned to Thailand and endured a harrowing re-entry process of quarantine and haggling over her work visa. At one point, after she had endured 15 days in quarantine in Bangkok, an immigration official in Chiang Mai told her she would have to leave the country and apply for a new visa. But by God’s grace and a lot of negotiation, her visa and work permit were finally approved! Jeni has served at New Life since 2015 and is currently on her year of home assignment. She requests prayers for a vehicle to use while she is here in the US. Pray for the ministry of the New Life Center as they shelter, counsel, and support abused and exploited women and girls in Thailand.
- Jonathan Peske
If you have information to share about the persecuted church or news from the mission field, please share it with Jonathan Peske.
