The holidays are hard on our attendance for our kids. We had a wonderful lesson this week known as the Beatitudes; this is part of the Scripture called The Sermon on the Mount. As word of Jesus’ Ministry spreads, large crowds begin to follow him. The Sermon on the Mount is a series of teachings by Jesus that helps us know how God wants us to live.

The Beatitudes can take time to grasp fully. However, most children can comprehend being a peacemaker. We are not always happy, but we can spread God’s peace. We are called “God’s children” because we work for peace, just as God does. This practice brings joy and happiness. Praying you all had a wonderful and safe 4th of July and we will see you back in church Sunday. Blessings.

Our bible story for the week was about Esther, who lived with her older cousin, Mordecai. The King chooses Ester to be his new queen and brings her to the palace to live. Queen Esther is Jewish, but her husband the king does not know this. The king’s helper, Haman, doesn’t like the Jewish people. So he tricks the king into making a law that will have all the Jewish people killed.

Mordecai convinces Queen Esther to intervene with the King to save her people. Esther approaches the king and tells him that she is a Jew and that Haman wants to kill all her people. She begs the King not to allow this to happen. The King is upset with Haman. The King doesn’t want Esther or her people to be killed, so he makes a new law to keep Queen Esther and her people safe. As an elite woman, it would have been easy for Queen Esther to remain silent and allow her people to be killed, but Esther put her own life at risk to save and bring peace to the Jewish people. Sometimes it is hard to be a peacemaker in difficult circumstances; but with the help of God, we can all do this.

It was a little late for Father’s Day, but we took this opportunity to show Dad how much he is loved. Each one glued small stones around a heart made of wood and wrote “Dad, you rock!” on the heart.

Hope he loved it! See you in church on Sunday. Blessings

Our lesson Sunday was one of my favorites from when I was a child. I can remember my Mom reciting it to me. It represents God as a shepherd who is always with us. He protects the sheep and keeps us on a proper path in God’s good name. When we are in distress, God uses his rod and staff to protect us as he uses these to protect the sheep as a shepherd. This reminds us that God is always with us, even in times of trouble. God cares for every one of us and will always be with us.

We had a wonderful craft ready for Father’s Day, but to our dismay, we were missing kids! I enjoyed having Bridget there to help us with our craft. Hopefully, we will see you in church on Sunday. Blessings…

Sunday, we met a wonderful peacekeeper by the name Abigail. Her husband, Nabal, was a man of great wealth; he had 3000 sheep, and a thousand goats. Nabal was shearing his sheep in Carmel.

David sent out ten young men to keep the shearers safe for Nabal. David told his young men to greet Nabal and ask for food in return for their safety. Nabal grew very angry and refused to give them any food for the protection. The young men returned to David to give him Nabal’s response. David said to his men, gird on your sword. Every man girded on his sword; David also girded on his sword. David took about 400 men. But one of the young men told Abigail. When Abigail learns what happened, she quickly gathers supplies and food for David and his men. She then finds David and apologizes on behalf of her husband. Peace is established and David praises Abigail for her good judgement. Abigail’s’ act allows David and his men to experience peace through good judgement.

This story demonstrates the importance of peacekeeping efforts and provides us an example of what not to do if our gestures are not met in friendly ways. We have some exciting plans for Sunday. Hope to see you in church!

We were all prepared to meet Abraham and Lot Sunday. Abraham was a very rich man who was traveling with his family and livestock. Can you imagine traveling with your family and livestock!? He made and broke camp each night. His wife, Sarah, and his nephew, Lot, were with him. Abraham and Lot had so many cattle and possessions between them that the land could not support them both.

Conflicts began to break out between their herdsmen. Abraham and Lot realized that the two groups could no longer travel together. So, for the sake of everyone they made an agreement about how and where they will live in the future. To ensure peace, Abraham gave Lot the choice of two lands. Lot chose the Jordan Valley because it was lush and green. There would be plenty of food and water for his animals. Without complaining, Abraham moved his animals and servants to the drier land.

In the story, we hear God promise Abraham many descendants. Abraham sacrificed the better land for the sake of keeping peace. The story shows us that we can work together if we try. It also shows us that compromise does not necessarily mean loss.

On another note, I purchased 12 caterpillars to release as butterflies with our kids. The little guys had their own schedule in mind and transformed into butterflies a week early. Since they have such a short life span, we released them last Saturday.The butterflies were so happy to be free that they flew across the street and high into my neighbor’s tree. Sunday when I arrived home from church, I noticed one was still flying in their habitat. Yes, you guessed it, he flew away as well! We may have to try this again.

See you in church Sunday