W I N T E R
the
2 0 1 7
Sycamore
Family Newsletter
Valentine’s
Date Night
Friday, Feb. 17th 5 – 8 p.m.
It's a pajama party! Come
for messy games, pizza
bar and a movie with a
popcorn bar! Invite
friends so moms and dads
can go out and enjoy a
Valentine's date. Middle
and High School help
welcome and wanted!
Sign-up arriving online
end of January.
Sunday School Teachers
2’s & 3’s: Nannette & Amanda Buchholz (Nursery Room C)
4’s - K: Heather Fields & TBA (Nursery Room D)
1st & 2nd Grades: Beverly & Chris Wells (Room 13)
3rd & 4th Grades: Denise Maddox & Rachel Rohrer (Room 12)
5th Grade: Kathryn & Mike Oprandy (Room 10)
Save the Date for Summer Camps!
VBS: Upward
Bound
Missions Camp
July 24-28
Rising 4th & 5th
July 24-28
graders serve Christ
Follow Christ to
& the community at
the Summit!
church!
Arts Camp
Aug. 14-18
Rising 3rd – 7th
graders learn basic
art skills while
praising the Lord!
WINTER 2017
Children’s Church
This year Children’s Church will be going through
The Jesus Storybook Bible curriculum.
Every story whispers his name
The Jesus Storybook Bible tells that Story beneath
all the stories in the Bible. From Noah to Moses to
the great King David, every story points to a Child.
The one whom everything would depend…
There are lots of stories in the Bible. But all the
stories are telling one big story: the story of how
God loves his children and comes to rescue them.
Check out Facebook each week prior to Sunday
and we will provide a video of the upcoming
lesson so you can discuss and be a part of your
child’s lesson as well as get them excited for
Sunday!
5 Sunday’s are still family Sundays – no
th
Children’s Church.
January Young Family Lunch
Frank Matthews will have a young family lunch
after late service Sunday, January 15th. Check
Facebook and the newsletter for further details!
Moebs Baby Shower
In December, Danny & Leah Moebs welcomed
Richard Noel into the world just in time for
Christmas. Let’s join Leah and Danny in their
celebration Sunday, January 22nd, 12:30 – 2:00 for a
baby shower.
They are registered on Amazon, but will also gladly
accept diapers and boy specific clothing. A food sign
up will be posted on Facebook and via email this
week.
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WINTER 2017
Mom’s Movie Night
Friday, March 3rd, 6:00 – 8:00
Dads will be heading out of town for the Men’s
Retreat, so to help out we will provide dinner and a
movie! We are hoping “Moana” will have its DVD
release by then, otherwise we will watch “Trolls”. I
recommend checking the reviews on pluggedin.com.
Invite friends and bring sleeping bags/blankets!
Children’s Ministry Needs
Children’s Ministry is a busy, hands-on ministry that
requires a lot of manpower throughout the week. We
cover nursery for ESL Tuesday’s and Thursdays,
Wednesday Women’s Bible Study nursery, Saturday
Covenant Group childcare once a month, special
events and then there’s Sunday mornings with
nursery 3 times a morning, 2 Children’s Church
services and 5 Sunday School classes!
The Lord has graciously given Sycamore a healthy
number of families that walk in and out of our doors
using Children’s Ministry every week, however the
need is always there…we will never turn down help
and there is always a place where you will fit!
Areas in need immediately:
-
2 8:30 Children’s Church teachers on rotation
once a month/every other month
-
1 Preschool/K Lead Teacher for Sunday
School
-
6 Adult Nursery Caregivers on rotation once
every other month (2 for 8:30 service, 3 for
Sunday School, 1 for 11:00 service)
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WINTER 2017
Family Devotion: Jesus Is Our King
from “Laugh & Tickle, Hug & Pray”
by Julaine Kammrath
Stop and Think Prince Elson worked hard to
a true king? Who will spend night after night
match his father’s long stride as they passed
with the sick and dying, the love for them
through the arched side hall. King Elohim did
outstripping the desire for his own rest? Who is
everything in a determined way, even walking.
wise enough to know when to intervene and
The stone floors rang with the steady sound of
when to allow this one or that to learn the
his steps, reassuring the servants in earshot that
consequences of their wrong ways? Who can
all was well and safe in the kingdom. One old
give them what they need when the clamor only
servant crossed behind the pair and paused to
for what they wish?”
smile at the upturned face of the prince, so
Prince Elson left his father’s questions
serious, so intent.
unanswered for a full minute. Then he gazed out
“Father, this new strategy of Luce’s; I do not
over the land and spoke into the air, “They
understand it. How can we hope that our people
would be like a sheep without a shepherd,
would be so foolish as to each try to be king?
Father.”
Who would believe that we can all live together
King Elohim looked down at his young son
if we do as Luce says? If each takes care only of
tenderly. He put his hands on Elson’s shoulders.
himself, how is that being a true king?”
Then with the incredible calmness that always
King Elohim stopped by an opening in the white
surrounded the king, he said, “That is why, Son,
stone wall. He looked out over the vastness of his
you must go and live among them. In due time,
realm, laid out below like a tapestry: “How
Luce will have convinced great numbers of them
indeed,” he answered. “Who can be unselfish
that you and I don’t even exist. Some will play at
enough to work for the good of all over whatever
being kings in order to feel power over others.
appears to be good for one? Who can ponder all
The weak ones will suffer – those with no one to
the decisions that affect so many, one woven into
protect them. When the time is right, you will go
another? Who will sacrifice himself to take the
to stand against Luce and his armies.”
first onslaught from Luce and his evil armies like
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WINTER 2017
Prince Elson’s eyes were steady as he faced his
us enough to be our King; He puts our needs
father. “I love them too, Father. You and I are
before His own. That’s why He came to earth – to
one in wanting to save them. I will do whatever
keep us from the lies and death that Satan likes.
you tell me. While I am down there, I know you
If you were a Magi, what would you have given
can see all of the kingdom from up here. I will go
the baby King?
wherever you tell me and do as you direct me.”
God sighting. Memorize John 3:16: “For God so
He paused a moment then grasped his father’s
loved the world that He gave His one and only
outstretched arms. “And we will win, Father!”
Son that whoever believes in Him shall not
“Yes, my son. We will win!” Fire was in their
perish but have eternal life.” Then see if you can
eyes, the fiery spirit of victory.
find someone else who can recite it to you. (You
Look and Listen Read Matthew 2:1-12. What
might ask a grandparent, a Christian friend, or
were the three presents given to Jesus when He
your pastor.)
was born? Did you get any of those when you
Proceed with Care
were born? Maybe you got a gold bracelet, but
 Candied fruit peel or gumdrops are
more likely you got clothes, a stroller, and some
traditional sweets for Epiphany because of
rattles. Why do you think men who lived so far
their jeweled appearance. Think of jewels
away would bring presents like these to Jesus –
in a king’s crown. Decorate a cake with
who did they think had just been born (verse 2)?
candy “jewels” by cutting a square cake
Gold seems like a logical gift to give a king, but
into triangular fourths. Line up the
incense was mostly used by priests when
triangles with the points facing up, ice
worshipping God (Exodus 30: 34-38). Myrrh was
with yellow icing, and add candy jewels.
a spice used in the wrapping of people who had
 Make today the day your family writes
died.
thank-you notes for Christmas gifts.
I wonder if those Wise Men understood that
Reprint some of the snapshots of your
someone incredible had just come into the
children opening gifts to enclose with the
world? They gave Him gifts for a king, for a
letters. Use with gift wrap from the sender
priest, and for a dying Savior. Look at the next
to make the card!
time in Jesus’ life when He was given myrrh –
Go in Peace
John 19:39. When was that?
Pray this traditional prayer from Saint Columba:
How is Prince Elson like Jesus?
Alone with none but Thee, my God
I journey on my way.
What need I fear, when Thou art near
O King of night and day?
More safe am I within Thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.
Epiphany, January 6th, is a day some Christians
remember that God is Elohim, the Mighty
Creator and King of the universe. Like the Magi,
we worship Jesus too. He is the One who loves
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WINTER 2017
Happy Birthday!
 January
 February
o 24th – Daniel M. – Happy 7th!
 March
o 5th – Omar A. – Happy 10th!
o 7th – Caleigh S. – Happy 11th!
o 10th – Daniel V. – Happy 11th!
o 21st – Caitlin O. – Happy 9th!
o 27th – Lucy M. – Happy 9th!
o 28th – Gavin E. – Happy 10th!