Author Archives: Sue Kelcey

Kids’ News

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This week, we learned about one of my favorite ladies—Lydia! She was quite an unusual woman for her time. Lydia had her own business selling purple cloth, and she was the head of her household. Since purple cloth was expensive, she most likely sold it to wealthy people, making her a wealthy woman herself.

One day, as she was praying by the riverbank, Paul came by. Before meeting Paul, Lydia was not a follower of Jesus. However, she showed great courage by becoming a person of faith. Her heart opened to hearing Paul’s trusted words, and she even invited Paul to stay at her home. This was the beginning of Lydia’s journey in helping to spread the message of Jesus to her family and others.

Lydia started a small church in her home and likely used her status to offer leadership and gifts to the early church. Because of her courage to follow Jesus, the church grew, and many people became followers of Jesus.

It takes courage to try something new, just like Lydia did by following Jesus. It also takes courage to welcome new people into your circle. Can you be courageous like Lydia? Could you invite new people to church and make everyone feel welcome when they come to visit? See you in church on Sunday. Blessings!

Kids’ News

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This week, our story focused on Mary, who shows great courage. Jesus and his disciples traveled to Bethany, the home of his good friend Lazarus, and his sisters, Martha and Mary. They were to host a dinner for Jesus. While Martha served the meal to the guests, Mary took a large amount of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet. She then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The whole house was filled with the aroma of the perfume.

Mary’s actions in this story are deeply courageous. She used perfume that cost a year’s wages to anoint Jesus’ feet and lovingly rubbed it in. In Jewish culture, it was not customary for a woman to touch a man who was not her husband in public. After anointing his feet, Mary let down her hair to dry them, which was uncommon for women in public. Any of these acts could have been dangerous for her.

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples who often stole money, was angry that she was “wasting” the perfume. However, Mary’s loving act was a way of honoring Jesus, and Jesus acknowledged it. Courage can look different to various people, and we show courage when we follow God. Being faithful sometimes means doing the unexpected. Because Mary loved Jesus, she bravely anointed his feet, even though it was risky.

We would also like to extend a big “Thank you” to everyone who contributed with our kids to Heifer International. We will buy several animals to help those less fortunate live better lives. See you in church on Sunday!

Kids’ News

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This Sunday, we learned about a woman named Naomi. She left her home in Bethlehem with her husband and their two young sons to live in the country of Moab. While living in Moab, her sons grew up and married two young women, Ruth and Orpah.

Sadly, Naomi’s husband and sons passed away. With no family left in Moab, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. She encouraged Ruth and Orpah to go back to their own families. Orpah returned home, but Ruth chose to stay with Naomi, saying, “Wherever you go, I will go… Your God will be my God.”

Life was challenging for Naomi and Ruth when they returned to Bethlehem. They worked hard to set up a new home, but food was scarce. To survive, Ruth went out to gather leftover crops in the fields, as it was customary in those days for people in need to collect what was left behind.

A man named Boaz showed kindness to Ruth by allowing her to glean in his fields. This story reminds us that it sometimes takes courage to be kind, especially in difficult times. God calls us to be brave and show kindness, and when we do, that kindness can spread to others.

With school now in full swing, I know life can get busy; but I hope to see all our children in church this Sunday.

See you then!

Kids’ News

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This Sunday, we learned about Rahab. She lived in the town of Jericho, and her house was built into the wall that surrounded the city. One night, two spies showed up at Rahab’s house. They were there to gather information about Jericho because it was part of the land that God had promised to their people. Rahab helped them escape by hiding them on her roof under stalks of flax that were drying there. When the king’s men, who were pursuing the spies, arrived, she misled them by directing them in the opposite direction. After the king’s men left, Rahab lowered the spies from her window with a scarlet cord and sent them in the opposite direction of the king’s men.

This story teaches us that everyday people can be courageous and make a big difference. Rahab was smart and clever, making quick and wise decisions even when it was hard to know what to do. She trusted in God, and her actions demonstrated her courage.

For our craft, the kids braided a bracelet out of red cord to remind them to have courage. Did you notice two-year-old Milani leaving her grandmother and going with the other kids to children’s church? She marched out like a big girl! I was so proud of her!

Be sure to have all our kids in church on Sunday because Miss Connie is going to have all the kids help her decorate a bucket for bucket time, when we collect change to help buy farm animals to supply food for the less fortunate.

See you in church on Sunday. Blessings

Kids’ News

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Do you remember when we had bucket time every Sunday for the kids? Mary announced Sunday morning that we would start this again. Every Sunday morning, the kids dropped change in the bucket to buy farm animals for less fortunate countries. We bought chickens and an ox to help with farm work. This allows our kids to make a positive difference in the lives of children who do not have enough food. Bring your change to help Mary collect enough to make a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate.

In our Bible story on Sunday, we learned about a man named Cornelius. He was a Gentile who worshiped God and lived a life that pleased Him. One day, Cornelius had a vision in which an angel told him to send for a man named Peter. Peter was a Jew who followed God’s laws and customs. At that time, Jews and Gentiles did not associate with each other.

The next day, Peter had a vision too. He saw a large sheet coming down from Heaven, filled with animals that Jewish people were not supposed to eat. A voice told Peter that he could eat any of the animals, but Peter said he would not eat them. The voice told Peter that everything God made is good and should not be called unclean. Peter was puzzled by the vision.

Just then, Cornelius’ men arrived and asked Peter to come to Cornelius’ house. When Peter arrived, Cornelius had gathered many people to hear Peter’s message. As Peter spoke about his vision, he realized that God was showing him that he should not call any person unclean or impure. Peter understood that God’s love and salvation were for everyone, not just Jews.

Peter then shared the good news of Jesus with Cornelius and his household. They believed and were baptized, becoming the first Gentile Christians. Peter learned that all of God’s people belong together, regardless of their background.

We look forward to seeing you in church on Sunday. Please be sure to bring your change for Mary’s bucket! Bring Grandma and Grandpa with you as well as Mom and Dad! Blessings.