Around the Creek - Creek Kids Version

We are already two months into the new year, spring is just a week away, and I still find myself thinking about the message in the Awakening series, when Pastor Marty declared, 2011 had the potential to be the very best year ever.

He got my attention when he said, for some, God had placed dreams inside of you, you've prayed, you've believed, you have felt that you are making no forward progress, and you feel frustrated and stuck. That season is coming to a close, and a new one is around the bend. And then, he posed the question: "What are you doing to prepare for it?"

If you didn't hear that message, I encourage you to visit stevenscreekchurch.com and watch the entire service or download the podcast at itunes.com.

One of the ways that Pastor Marty challenged us to prepare for this new season, was to clean the clutter out of our lives. I don't know about you, but I took this very seriously. I cleaned every part of my house, getting rid of everything from clothes that didn't fit and wished they did to exercise equipment that was taking up valuable space. When he said there was money everywhere in my house, I, went searching for it. While going through pants pockets of clothes that were now designated "Good Will", I was surprised to find $26.00, which for me is a weeks worth of Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki at Subway. I was happy, very happy.

I even heard through the Stevens Creek Grape Vine that Pastor Marty was challenged by this message as well. Following that service he went home and cleaned out his car and found enough change to fill an entire Ziplock bag. (I wonder if that was a gallon size or quart size. Hmm!) Anyway, he gave his Ziploc bag of change to Sarah to put in our Stevie Tithing Box, which makes me wonder, how much change do my fellow Creekers' have laying around their houses.

Our resident and favorite weatherman, Jeff Rucker, says, "High pressure brings mild and dry air for the weekend. Sunny skies are expected Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the low to mid 70's" It's a great day to clean our cars and look for all spare change under the seats and floor mats. Pull off those cushions from the sofa, love seat, and chair and look for hidden treasures, I bet there's a couple dollars to be found there. And, here's your challenge:

1. Grab a couple of Ziploc bags
2. Fill them with all the change you have found laying around the house
3. Bring them to the Creek tomorrow and let your child fill Stevie the Tithing Box

I can't wait to see Stevie filled to over flowing! Let's clean the out the clutter, prepare for a new season, and fill Stevie!

Announcements

Spring Forward

Don't forget to move your clocks forward ONE hour tonight before you go to sleep.

We don't want you to be late or miss an exciting day at the Creek altogether.

Summer Camp

That's right, it's time to start thinking about Creek Kids Summer Camp!

Stay tuned for dates and details!

Toys, Puzzles, and Games

Do you have any gently used toys, puzzles, or games laying around the house?

If so, Creek Kids could use them, simply bring them to any Creek Kids check-in desk.

Games, toys and puzzles should be appropriate for pre-school and elementary age kids.

Around the Creek - Creek Kids Version

A couple of weeks ago I was scrolling down through the Creek Kids Facebook page and one particular status caught my attention. I pulled my hand back from the mouse and read these words over and over; "Being a parent is by far the hardest thing I have ever done; with that being said, being a parent is my GREATEST JOY."

I guess I had never really thought about it that way before, but as I sat there and let those words roll around in my heart, I began to realize how true they really were.

As kids we spend five years in elementary school, three years in middle school, four years in high school and many choose to continue on to spend four additional years in college. Education prepares us to be successful in a field of our choosing, but what prepares us to be parents? Parenting, arguably, the most important job one could ever have, but no amount of education could ever prepare you for.

God brought back to my remembrance that status update this week, as I sat in the dentist office with my 18 year old. A weekend toothache that would lead to emergency surgery to remove all four wisdom teeth was not on my agenda for the week, but sometimes God has a way of changing our plans. I took the next couple of days off from work so that I could be home to take care of him and as I did I began to notice how much I enjoyed it. My heart was overwhelmed with joy as I cooked special foods for him, brought him his medicine, and propped his pillows.

As I look back over the years of raising two boys, I remember the many times when they would cry and I didn't know why or what to do and the times they would wake in the middle of the night with a fever and nothing seemed to bring it down. As the years passed and they got older the problems were still there, but the solution was and is always the same, prayer.

There may not be a school to teach us how to be a Mom or Dad, but there is one whose skills as a parent surpass all others. When the baby cries and nothing seems to bring him comfort, when a problem presents itself and you don't know the answer, or when you just need a hug or a word of encouragement our Father in Heaven promises that He will be there. He is the perfect parent, He will never leave us or forsake us, He will comfort us in difficult times, He will encourage you, and He will provide the answer when you don't know what to do.

God has given us as parents the greatest and MOST IMPORTANT job on earth, to love and teach our children. It is by far the hardest job we will ever have, but when we look into our children's eyes, we can't help but see the GREATEST JOY they have brought to our lives.

Parents there are many great things happening in Creek Kids.

Most information will be posted here on the blog page, or the Creek Kids

Facebook and Twitter pages.

Don't forget this Sunday is FRIEND DAY!

Invite someone to The Creek this Sunday and encourage your kids to do the same.

It's going to be a GREAT day at The Creek!

Awakening for Creek Kids

What better way to begin a new year than to begin with prayer and fasting. Pastor Marty has invited each of us to participate along side of him, the staff, and leadership of Stevens Creek in a 21 day season of prayer and fasting, called Awakening. During this time we have set aside time to focus our energy as a church body toward seeking God and positioning our church and leadership for maximum effectiveness. Awakening is not just a a seasonal campaign, Awakening is about establishing a culture of prayer, fasting and personal devotion within our church and within our lives.

One of the best ways to teach our children, is to simply model the behavior we desire to see in them. Over the next 21 days we have a great opportunity to model and teach our kids about fasting and prayer. So over the next few weeks during Creek Kids, we will break fasting and prayer down to a level that the kids will understand and encourage them to put it into practice.

We have provided an Awakening calendar designed with your child in mind. It contains a daily Bible reading and items they can fast on that day. This is a great way for them to learn about fasting and as they continue to do this you will be helping them cultivate a lifestyle of fasting and personal devotion in their own lives.

Also, check out this informational video for parents and families on fasting by John Wyatt, the Family Life Pastor of Celebration Church.

Info for Parents and Families from Celebration Church on Vimeo.

The calendar and video will be posted on the Creek Kids Facebook page as well.