Grace and Mercy
Dear Church Family,
In the house I grew up in, the bedrooms and kitchen were on the top floor and our living room was on the bottom floor. Many nights I would sneak out of my bedroom and sit at the top of the stairs straining to hear the TV that was playing in the living room down below. One night, as I was in my usual spot, I heard a voice behind me. I thought my mom was downstairs, but she had been in the kitchen getting some dessert and was now confronting my disobedience. I was in big trouble. But on this night, instead of punishing me, she turned and grabbed a second dessert and invited me to join her for a late-night snack. I did not deserve this kindness from my mom, but she offered it to me anyway.
That’s what we’ve been digging into in Children’s Ministry: grace and mercy. Through The Gospel Project curriculum, we’ve seen how God gave David many things he didn’t deserve (grace) and next we’ll be looking at how God didn’t give Solomon what he did deserve (mercy). At Adventure Club, we’ve had the opportunity to dig deeper and talk about God’s desire for us to share His grace and mercy with others through things like missions, community outreach, sports, and music.
I am thankful for all the teachers and helpers who are living examples of God’s grace and mercy to our kids. From Adventure Club to Children’s Church, to Nursery, to Friday Play Days and Kids’ Night Out, we have about 25 adults and teens serving in Children’s Ministry. And it’s not just the act of serving. It’s about relationship building across generations. It’s about those who are further along in their walk with Christ pouring loving actions or biblical truth into those who are young in their faith.
The relational aspect is key as it models God’s desire for relationship with us. As these kids will soon be in middle school and high school, asking hard questions and experiencing issues that will challenge their beliefs, knowing they have not only God’s Word but God himself and a whole body of believers to walk alongside of them is powerful.
And so, our current Youth Leaders are modeling that as well. We’ve tried to build relationship with teens by attending their events and engaging with them on Sunday mornings. We’ve intentionally made Sunday night Youth Group conversational. Over the last few months, we’ve posed common questions and then taken time to open the bible and discuss what God’s Word has to say. With those who’ve shown a desire to go deeper, we meet during the week for bible study. And we are looking forward to our Retreat May 19th-20th at Black Diamond Camp in Auburn. We are including Young Adults at this get-away as many will be home from college or are still living locally and have joined our group events in the past.
We ask you to join us in praying for our leaders, helpers, and kids of all ages. May we understand that it is by “grace we have been saved through faith” in Jesus Christ; a true gift of God that we cannot earn and do not deserve (Ephesians 2:8). May we model grace and mercy in our interactions with one another through the power of the Holy Spirit. And may God receive the glory as a result.
Justine Peterson
Family Ministry Deacon, on behalf of the elders and council
________________________________________________________________________
Check out our Announcements page and/or our Events page to find out What's Happening at LTCC this week and beyond!
Read about this week's Missionary Spotlight, Micah & Andrea Heath.
Joining us via Livestream this Sunday? Click here to get the link for the Livestream.