Theme for 2023: Faith Forward – The Year of Extraordinary Faith!
Kids Say the Darndest Things was a hit television show hosted by Art
Linkletter. In recent years the show was revived with Steve Harvey
hosting, then another iteration had Tiffany Haddish as the host. And if
you’ve ever just sat down and had a conversation with a child, no
doubt you’ve discovered that they have a lot to say! Sometimes it
makes you smile, sometimes it makes you think, and sometimes you
have a belly laugh at their interesting take on life.
What we teach our children matters. For one thing – you never know
when it’s going to come out! But also, it matters because they just may
need to remember something you’ve taught them about life.
Naaman was the commander of the army in Aram. A strong leader, a
man from whom men took orders. But Naaman had an issue. A skin
disease. But there was a child, a girl, who had been taken captive by
the Arameans and was now a servant girl to Naaman’s wife.
Apparently the child knew of Naaman’s condition so she did the
logical (and spiritual) thing she knew to do.
“If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria!
He would cure him of his skin disease.”
2 Kings 5:3
Where did that kind of wisdom (and boldness) come from? She had to
have learned it! Most likely from her parents. And what did Naaman
do? He rushed to the king of Aram and told him what this child had
said, and he acted on it! Based on what came out of the mouth of a
babe.
What we teach our children matters! If we don’t teach them about
God, then who will? If we don’t instill faith in the Almighty God who
heals, delivers, and sets free, then who will? If we can teach a little
child to swim, then surely we can teach them about the God of the
waters. If we can teach them to read, then surely we can teach them to
read a children’s Bible.
So, what happened to Naaman? Join us for worship this Sunday, as we
begin a new sermon series: Family Conversations. This Sunday’s
sermon: Teach Your Children Well. We’ll talk about Naaman, a child,
and the benefits of training our kiddos in the faith! You can worship
in-person or you can also join us online at 10:00am. For online
worship go to www.umcgt.org.
Celebrating Children This Sunday kicks off a new sermon series on
the family. We’ll have a Children’s Sermon from Rev. Jim Christy
(warm fuzzies included!), and they will participate in the Lord’s
Supper in a special way. So bring your kiddos, grandkiddos, niece &
nephew kiddos, neighborhood kiddos, and let’s celebrate children!
Mother’s Day & Confirmation! Both celebrations will happen on
May 14! Bring your family out and enjoy worship, a Photo Booth for
some memorable family photos, and be part of the confirmation of two
of our very own youth! What a fitting way to celebrate Mom!
Pancake Breakfast on May 21, 9:00am! No children’s Sunday
School that day. This is a youth fundraiser for their upcoming mission
trip. Let’s show them our support and have breakfast together!
HeGetsUs is going strong! Join us every Wednesday thru May 24 as
we talk about the thought-provoking videos that you may have seen as
commercials on TV and during the Super Bowl. It’s led in a discussion
format, no book required. It’s open to everyone, member or not,
anyone who wants to get to know the One who gets us, even when we
don’t get ourselves! If you’d like to have a bite to eat, dinner (potluck
style) is at 5:45pm and the group goes from 6:30-7:30pm. Lea Doyel is
the facilitator.
Senior Fellowship The 2 nd gathering of our seasoned saints went
well. Great ideas were shared, and it’s still in the beginning phase, so
we need more folks to come on out and enjoy a time of socializing with
others. The next one will be on Tuesday, May 16, at 11:00 am. See you
there!
Stay in the Know! Don’t forget to pick up your monthly church
calendar, this month’s Memory Verse Card, and the printed newsletter
at the Welcome Center or the Coffee Station. To see the calendar
online here’s the link: Church Calendar. Just our way of helping you to stay
in the know!
“May the Lord keep watch between you and me
when we are absent one from the other.”
Genesis 31:49
Blessings,
Pastor Linda