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Well, summer is nearly over and it will soon be time to return to the routines of fall. I hope that everyone enjoyed the study of the Fruit of the Spirit this summer as well as the reduced schedule. Your comments and thoughts on how it went are appreciated! On September 5th, the children will be presenting what they've learned over the summer in a skit during worship. In addition, Bibles will be presented to our first graders and those who are being promoted to new classes will be acknowledged. It is of course Rally Day and we want to kick off the year in a great way. We have some exciting things planned for Sunday school this year. We will be trying out a new attendance incentive program. Please stay tuned for more details on this as it will be fun for the kids and will involve your direct support. We'll be asking for some help from the congregation very soon. I'm so glad to report that all the wonderful teachers have agreed to return and we are ready! For a long time now, I have been praying and looking for a Bible based study for our youth class. It's difficult to keep this age engaged and it has weighed on my mind heavily. One day I was sitting in my car waiting for school to let out and I got a call on my cell phone. It was a salesman. I was not happy. I briskly asked him how he got my cell number and he said it came from the church. To be honest, I was starting to get really miffed now. But, something came over me and basically said "be quiet and listen". The salesman was from a company I'd never heard of and they specialized in youth ministry. After a lot of questioning from me, it was clear that I had to try this out. He sent me a free box of DVD Bible studies to review and it has been an answer to my prayers. The material was reviewed and blessed by Pastor Julie before she departed as well as the two teachers for that class and myself. So the youth class will be studying these throughout the fall and into winter. The videos are about 15 minutes in length and are followed by a direct study of the Bible in their student books. The first is called "Why Jesus?" and was filmed on location in Israel. The instructor is David Nasser who is a well known speaker around the nation. Culture is blurring the lines between different faiths. It is increasingly difficult for students to grasp how their faith in Jesus Christ is unique. In this study, David Nasser addresses the tough questions that students have about Jesus and points them back to the scriptural truths about our Savior. The second study is called "Conflict" in which students candidly share real-life stories about the conflict they experience in their lives. The instructor, Doug Fields, offers Biblical insight into the most common areas of conflict and teaches students how to reach peace and forgiveness in the relationships that mean the most to them. Finally the third study is entitled "Am I Happy?" Today students have more access to entertainment, education, social networking and material "stuff" than ever before, yet they often feel confused and empty. In these four sessions, students share the trials and struggles they face in their search for happiness. Instructor Sean McDowell offers Biblical insight into the fleeting nature of happiness and the true meaning of joy. I urge you as parents and the supporting congregation to do all you can to have the children at Sunday school each week. Continuity is so important as we try very hard to teach them God's Word. We ask your blessings and prayers for a prosperous and enjoyable year! Alberta Smith Superintendent of Sunday School Christian Education Ministry Chair |