Bringem Beach Bash is just 10 days away (July 17^th) and our team is hard at work getting things ready. The snack crew has a delicious treat planned and the recreation team is hard at work getting some wet & wild games ready. We’ll spend the afternoon discovering how God can use our families to help others know Him better, all while having a whole lot of fun!

If you haven’t registered your family, help us be prepared by registering TODAY! Click here to register.

Here’s a preview of the fun your family will have at Bringem Beach:

3:15   Check-In
3:30   Dive In (in the Worship Center)
4:00   Explore the Beach  (Games, Snacks, Activity, Story)
6:00   Pack Up  (in the Worship Center)
6:30   Dinner
7:30   Head Out

So, pack your sunglasses and swim shorts, and we’ll see you on the beach!

Check out some pics from this great afternoon:

This Sunday, we learned that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and all the people waved palm branches and yelled “Hosanna” to praise him.  Jesus was happy to see the people because Jesus loves everyone!  Who does Jesus love?  Jesus loves everyone!  We had so much fun this week celebrating this fun story.  We played a game riding on a donkey around the room, and had delicious donkey shaped cookies.

Parents, talking to your child about Jesus’ death and resurrection can be a little intimidating- but don’t let it be.  There are lots of great children’s Bibles that tell this story using kid-friendly language.  There are also resources that can make this story fun to learn, too.  One of my favorite Easter activities for families is making resurrection cookies (click here for recipe) or telling the story through Resurrection eggs.

This was our last week working on our memory verse from John.  Be sure to ask your child to say it with you one last time.  “Love eachother as I have loved you.” John 15:12.

Click on the image above to see an enlarged view.

On Sunday morning, we learned that Jesus chose some special friends called disciples. He chose all different people to be his friends.  He called to them, “Come Follow Me” and they did!  Jesus wants us to follow Him too.  We can show that we are following Jesus by loving others like Jesus does.  Who does Jesus love?  Jesus loves everyone!

This week, during snack time, our kids got to take an extra heart cookie home for someone they love.  A simple gesture of sharing with others helps kids experience love first-hand.  We also played follow the leader and used play dough to make heart shapes. 

Parents, this month we have been focusing on showing love for everyone!  When Jesus chose his friends, he chose people who were from all different backgrounds.  Before bedtime, take some time out to help your child make a list of their favorite friends.  Then pray with your child for each friend by name.  Ask God to help your child show love for all of them through their actions.

Be sure to practice our memory verse.  “Love (cross hands over heart) eachother (spread arms out) as I (point up for Jesus, because Jesus said this) have loved (cross hands over heart) you“(point out with both fingers).  John 15:12 (hold hands open like a book)  Have your child “show off” their memory by doing it on their own too.  Be sure to give them lots of praise!

If youa re new to West Side, look for Jessica and she’ll help you get connected.

Plan ahead and put these play days on your calendar now:

• Wed. March 31st 11 a.m., story time at Barnes and Noble
• Friday, April 16 10:00 a.m.   White Oaks Mall Play Area
• Thurs., April 29 10:00 a.m.  WSCC, Kite Flying Day  (bring your own kite or play on the playground)

This week we learned a story about a short man named Zacchaeus.  Many people in town didn’t like Zacchaeus because he was a tax collector.  Sometimes he took money from them that he shouldn’t take.  But Jesus still loved Zacchaeus.  Jesus wants us to love everyone, too.  He wants us to love people, even when they are unkind to us.  Who does Jesus love?  Jesus loves everyone!

To help us remember our story, we played a fun game measuring each child to see how tall they were.  We also made little Zacchaeus puppets.

Parents, kids love the part of the story where Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus.  Use this part of the story when talking with your child during your next drive.  Your conversation could go something like this.  “See that tall tree out the window.  That makes me think of the story of Zacchaeus.  He climbed a tall tree so that he could see Jesus over the crowds of people.  Jesus told him to come down because he was going to his house for dinner. Zacchaeus felt so special that Jesus went to his house.  Who does Jesus love?  Jesus loves everyone!  Which tree do you think is the tallest tree ?”  Point to different trees and let your child try to find the tallest tree you pass as you drive to your destination.

Our memory verse this month is “Love (cross hands over heart) eachother (spread arms out) as I (point up for Jesus, because Jesus said this) have loved (cross hands over heart) you“(point out with both fingers).  John 15:12 (hold hands open like a book)    Write this verse out on a couple note cards and say it in the car, at dinner, at bedtime and other times you are with your child.

Moms can chat and get to know eachother while the kids play.  If you are new to West Side, ask for Miss Jessica, and I’ll make sure you get connected.  I’ll also be taking some beverage orders and bring coffee from Gloria Jeans or sodas from the Cookie Factory as a special treat for all the moms.

If you have a friend who doesn’t attend West Side, please invite them too!

This week we learned that Jesus calms the storm!  All month long we’ve been learning, Is there anything to hard for God?  NO!  Jesus Can do Anything!  We had a lot of fun this week creating some fun art using our crayons, chalk, and a squirt bottle.  The kids had such a blast even though we all ended up a little bit wet!

During talk time we had a great conversation about the things that make us feel nervous or scared.  We also talked about how Jesus is our friend, and He will help us when we are scared.

If you haven’t heard your child say their memory verse yet, be sure to ask.  Our Bible says, “With God (point up with both fingers) all things (spread arms out wide) are possible (2 thumbs up!)  Matthew 19:26

Parents, use bathtime as an opportunity to talk about this week’s Bible Story.  Get out your children’s Bible, find a small toy boat and have some fun.  Let your child pound their feet on the bath tub floor to make thunder and splash the water to make waves.  Then at the part of the story where Jesus stood up and said STOP, have them freeze.  You might be surprised how many times they will play this game, telling this great Bible story!