At one time in my life I was employed by an Area Education Agency as a Mentor Coordinator. My main responsibility was to recruit caring adults to mentor young people. It was while I was employed at the AEA that I first heard about the 40 Developmental Assets. Young people who have these assets are more likely to grow up to be healthy, caring, and responsible adults. One of the assets is, “Young person spends one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution.” Studies have revealed that young people who actively engage in a faith community on a regular basis are rewarded with reduced likelihood of life problems and risky behaviors and stand to improve their odds of a happier, healthier and longer life.
A Christian education does make a difference in the lives of young people. Studies show the sooner the Christian influence begins the greater the chances that it will make a positive difference in a child’s life. According to a Barna Group Study nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior do so before reaching the age of 13 (43%). A child’s faith is impacted by their parents, other relatives and friends, their peers, and youth ministries (such as Sunday School, Youth Group, Vacation Bible School).
We are very blessed in this congregation to have people who give of their time, talents, and resources to teach our young people about our Lord and Savior. What they do for our young people, in the name of Jesus, is priceless! We are thankful for these dedicated folks.
Soon it will be time for Vacation Bible School. This year it will be held at our church June 10-14 in the evenings. As always, a lot of hands are needed in order to provide this ministry to the children in this community and surrounding area. I encourage you to contact Pam Ehmke or Kristy Rieken (co-chairs of Education Committee) to see how you can be of help.
Thank you for all you do in the name of Jesus!
And All God’s Children said,
“Amen!” Pastor Karen
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Hallelujah! Winter is over and Spring has officially begun. Although when we look outside and see the green grass and budding trees we are reminded that Spring came early this year. Actually , Summer came early, too, at least for a few days. Records that had been in place at least 90 years were broken by our extended 80 degrees weather in March. Des Moines’ high temperature reached into the 80s for five consecutive days, and the National Weather Service said it’s the first time that has ever happened in March – in fact, it had never happened for four days in a row before this year.
And while it is true there have been a time or two in the past when the snow has reappeared in April, even if that happens, it usually does not stay around too long. Spring is definitely here! We can look forward to all that Spring brings.
In fact, as Christians, all of us can look forward to what is to come this month, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Easter is on April 8. Like our unexpected spring/summer like weather in winter, Jesus’ resurrection was unexpected. Even though Jesus told his disciples he would rise again, they did not understand. They were lost and devastated at the time of Jesus’ death. They thought Jesus’ death was the end, the end of Jesus and the end of their hope in a Savior who would save the world. But they were wrong. In fact, the best was yet to come! Jesus triumphed over death and today we worship a Risen Savior! Thanks be to God!
Yes, we can all look forward to what is to come! The seasons change, but the promises of God do not. We have the promise of Jesus’ daily presence to comfort and to guide and the promise of eternal life. 1 Peter 1: 3-5 tells us, “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven.” The Good News is:
“We serve a Risen Savior, and He is in the world today!”
Have a Blessed Easter!
Pastor Karen
_Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It seems like only a few months ago we went from writing 2010 to writing 2011. Yet, here it is, 2012. Twelve months have passed! It certainly gives meaning to the Psalmist‟s words:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:1)
“Let me know how fleeting my life is.” (Psalm 39:4)
There is an important message in the above scriptures – Life passes quickly! Now is the time to do those things that will make a difference in this life and in the life to come. I recently read The Top 10 New Year‟s Resolutions for Christians:
- Practice what you preach.
- Read your Bible every morning.
- Read your Bible every night.
- Pray every morning.
- Pray every night.
- Forgive everyone.
- Do not judge anyone.
- Do not gossip ever.
- Give to the poor.
- Give unconditional love.
Personally, I am not a big fan of New Year‟s Resolutions. But as I reflected on the Top 10 List I just shared with you, I have to admit that if we want to make the most of 2012, giving some attention to these New Year‟s Resolutions would be a great way to get started!
Wishing you a very Blessed New Year and God‟s Good Gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love!
And All God‟s Children Said,
“Amen!”
Pastor Karen
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In this constantly changing uncertain world that we live in, we need our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In uncertain times, it is good, in fact necessary to remember that the God we worship remains the same. God does not change. Our money says, “In God, We Trust.” This statement is a statement of faith, one we can profess in the good times and the bad. Regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, God is here with us –loving us, forgiving us, guiding us, caring for us. We serve a God who loves us more than we can even begin to imagine. Psalm 100 instructs us to:
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is He that made us, and we are His.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever,
And his faithfulness to all generations.”
Coming before the Lord with thanksgiving is a good thing to do. Someone once told me that grateful people are happy people. And I believe that to be true. Remember the old hymn, “Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One.” Counting our blessings helps us to maintain a positive hopeful outlook on life. As we praise God for all he has done for us and through us, we naturally draw nearer to God, feel more of His presence, more of His peace and joy and grace in our lives.
This Thanksgiving Season may we all take the advice of the Psalmist . Let us gather together, as the children of God ,to worship our Lord and Savior and thank God for our many blessings.
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.
And All God’s Children Said,
“Amen!”
Pastor Karen- Pastor Karen would like to make some home visits.
- If you would like her to visit you, please call the
- church office.
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