School Newsletter-4/27/12

April 30, 2012 in Learning Center

THEME OF THE WEEK
Bible Story: The Holy Spirit Comes to Jesus’ Friends
Toddlers: Transportation
Preschoolers: Graphing


Bunnies on the Go (Rick Walton)
Wake up Engines! (Denise Mortensen)



The students enjoyed coloring and exploring different modes of transportation this week!

  • Check out our airplanes flying in the classroom!
  • We practiced matching with planes, cars, trains and boats!
  • Ask your child to show the exercises like riding a bike, rowing a boat, or flying like a plane!
  • Cars make great painting tools! Check out our cool pictures!


The students in the preschool room practiced their graphing skills!

  • Our graphs of our favorite colors are hanging up in the classroom! Check it out!
  • Graphing was fun when it involved M&Ms! We even got to eat them afterwards!
  • We rolled a dice and graphed the numbers we rolled!
  • Our Weekly Reader taught us about a dolphin’s tail and how it breathes underwater!



The children of COG Learning Center are singing in church this Sunday! We would love to see you there!

Artistico Express will be here Monday! Make sure to bring your order form if you haven’t turned it in already!

More Joy!- School Newsletter 4/4/2010 (sample)

April 29, 2012 in Learning Center

THEME OF THE WEEK

Bible Story: Jesus Comes Back to Life

Toddlers: Easter Preschoolers:Easter

Little Bunny’s Easter Surprise (Jeanne Modesitt) Easter Eggs Everywhere! (Steve Metzger)

All the children enjoyed our Easter Themed week filled with the good news of Jesus reserection! Ask your child about their “tomb cookie” snack.

  • We decorated Easter eggs!
  • We made crosses that remind us that Jesus died and rose again for us!
  • On Thursday we practiced hunting for eggs in our room!
  • On Friday we hunted for eggs outside!!

All the children enjoyed our Easter Themed week filled with the good news of Jesus reserection! Ask your child about their “tomb cookie” snack.

  • We made a delicious edible empty tomb!
  • We made a stain glass window using a cross and tissue paper! Look for these in the window!
  • We filled in eggs matching the number we rolled on a dice!
  • We made our own egg using yarn, glue and a balloon!
  • We told the resurrection story using our own set of eggs, called Resurrection Eggs.

Save the Date!We will be holding Easter for Kids this Saturday, March 31st! It starts at 9:30. We will have crafts, games and snacks! We would love to see you there!No School: We will be closed Monday April 2-Monday April 9 for Easter break. School will resume Tuesday April 10th. Enjoy your break and your family time!

test

April 29, 2012 in Uncategorized

Are you a morning person? Do you spring out of bed before the alarm clock goes off eager to start the day? Or are you a “I need to hit the snooze button three times and drink two cups of coffee before anyone can talk to me” kind of person?

Now that we have our bell tower up and running at church, every morning at 9:00 I have the opportunity to hear the bells play a hymn. During the Easter season, this hymn is “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness.” It’s a great morning hymn. The text of this hymn reminds us that the scene on Easter morning, with the tomb empty and Satan defeated, is one that gives us a reason to wake up with joy. I especially like verse three of this hymn:

This is a sight that gladdens–
What peace it does impart!
Now nothing ever saddens
The joy within my heart.
No gloom shall ever shake,
No foe shall ever take
The hope which God’s own Son
In love for me has won.

If mornings aren’t your specialty, maybe you could give this a try: before you get out of the bed, take a trip by faith to the empty tomb. Remember the meaning of Easter. It gives you hope. It gives you joy that no one can steal from you. Perhaps that can put a little extra spring in your step (it might not hurt to add a few cups of coffee as well!).

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

Upcoming Worship Preview

April 29th Fourth Sunday of Easter
Theme: Good Shepherd Sunday
Readings: Acts 12:1-19, 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6, John 10:11-18
Hymn of the Day: Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep (CW #436)
Sunday School: Paul and Timothy

COG Breaking News

Congregational Meeting this Sunday

Following our worship this Sunday, we’ll be have our quarterly congregational meeting. This will give the whole congregation the opportunity to hear a short report on the work of each of our boards. One item we will also be discussing is a “wish list” of extra budgetary items and projects that is being assembled.

Wednesday Night is GIFT Night

Our first GIFT night was enjoyed by all who attended. There is still room for me. Our theme this spring is “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?” All members (and friends) of the congregation from ages 1 to 92 are invited to attend. Let’s grow in faith together!

Wanted: Summer Sunday School Teachers

As we prepare for the Summer Sunday School session, we are looking for volunteer teachers. It is not a difficult task (all materials are provided for you) and there are many benefits. It gives our regular, hard-working Sunday School teachers a little break from their labors. It gives you the opportunity to grow in faith and the joy of working with these children. It gives the children the opportunity to see different members of our congregation as spiritual role models. And, ultimately, God is glorified by your faithful service. There is a sign up sheet in the gathering room for those who are interested. If you have any questions, please speak with one of our Sunday School teachers (Rebecca Toepel or Heather Hahm) or Pastor Hahm.

New Bible Study Series Begins THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday we will begin a series of Bible studies looking at the issue of Bible translation. Our Synod is facing a decision on which translation to use in its publications now that its current translation of choice (NIV-1984) is no longer available. In light of this important decision, we are going to take a couple of Sundays to talk about the different issues involved in selecting an English translation of the Bible. We are then going to study the book of Luke, using some of the different English translations that are available. Come and join us!

Waking Up with Joy- Church News April 24th

April 29, 2012 in Church News

Are you a morning person? Do you spring out of bed before the alarm clock goes off eager to start the day? Or are you a “I need to hit the snooze button three times and drink two cups of coffee before anyone can talk to me” kind of person?

Now that we have our bell tower up and running at church, every morning at 9:00 I have the opportunity to hear the bells play a hymn. During the Easter season, this hymn is “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness.” It’s a great morning hymn. The text of this hymn reminds us that the scene on Easter morning, with the tomb empty and Satan defeated, is one that gives us a reason to wake up with joy. I especially like verse three of this hymn:

This is a sight that gladdens–
What peace it does impart!
Now nothing ever saddens
The joy within my heart.
No gloom shall ever shake,
No foe shall ever take
The hope which God’s own Son
In love for me has won.

If mornings aren’t your specialty, maybe you could give this a try: before you get out of the bed, take a trip by faith to the empty tomb. Remember the meaning of Easter. It gives you hope. It gives you joy that no one can steal from you. Perhaps that can put a little extra spring in your step (it might not hurt to add a few cups of coffee as well!).

In Christ,

Pastor Steve

Upcoming Worship Preview

April 29th Fourth Sunday of Easter
Theme: Good Shepherd Sunday
Readings: Acts 12:1-19, 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6, John 10:11-18
Hymn of the Day: Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep (CW #436)
Sunday School: Paul and Timothy

COG Breaking News

Congregational Meeting this Sunday

Following our worship this Sunday, we’ll be have our quarterly congregational meeting. This will give the whole congregation the opportunity to hear a short report on the work of each of our boards. One item we will also be discussing is a “wish list” of extra budgetary items and projects that is being assembled.

Wednesday Night is GIFT Night

Our first GIFT night was enjoyed by all who attended. There is still room for me. Our theme this spring is “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?” All members (and friends) of the congregation from ages 1 to 92 are invited to attend. Let’s grow in faith together!

Wanted: Summer Sunday School Teachers

As we prepare for the Summer Sunday School session, we are looking for volunteer teachers. It is not a difficult task (all materials are provided for you) and there are many benefits. It gives our regular, hard-working Sunday School teachers a little break from their labors. It gives you the opportunity to grow in faith and the joy of working with these children. It gives the children the opportunity to see different members of our congregation as spiritual role models. And, ultimately, God is glorified by your faithful service. There is a sign up sheet in the gathering room for those who are interested. If you have any questions, please speak with one of our Sunday School teachers (Rebecca Toepel or Heather Hahm) or Pastor Hahm.

New Bible Study Series Begins THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday we will begin a series of Bible studies looking at the issue of Bible translation. Our Synod is facing a decision on which translation to use in its publications now that its current translation of choice (NIV-1984) is no longer available. In light of this important decision, we are going to take a couple of Sundays to talk about the different issues involved in selecting an English translation of the Bible. We are then going to study the book of Luke, using some of the different English translations that are available. Come and join us!

A “Wow” Sunday! – Church Weekly Update 4/13/12

April 23, 2012 in Church News

If I had to choose one word to describe our Easter worship service here at Cross of Glory, it might have to be “wow”. It was a “wow” kind of a day. The weather was beautiful. The church looked wonderful with the cross draped in white and Easter lilies surrounding the empty tomb in the garden. The instrumentalists, the Sunday School children and the choir did a wonderful job in glorifying God with their talents. But above all, the greatest “wow” of Easter Sunday was the wonderful message proclaimed in the Scriptures: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

There is a temptation for the Sunday after Easter to be somewhat of a letdown. After all, how can you top the high of Easter Sunday morning? The truth is: every Sunday at our church is a “wow” Sunday. Every Sunday we proclaim the glorious truth of Christ crucified and risen from the dead. Every Sunday we hear God’s holy law and comforting gospel. Every Sunday we are encouraged, uplifted, and strengthened for another week of spiritual battle. We can look forward to the second Sunday of Easter (or the twentieth Sunday of Pentecost for that matter) just as much as we look forward to Easter Sunday each year.

In Christ, Pastor Steve


Upcoming Worship Preview

April 15th Second Sunday of Easter
Theme: Stop Doubting and Believe!
Readings: Acts 26:19-29, 1 Corinthians 15:12-22, John 20:19-31
Hymn of the Day: O Sons and Daughters of the King (CW #165)
Sunday School: Jesus Resinstates Peter


COG Breaking News

Board of Education
The Board of Education will hold its monthly meeting this Sunday (4/15) following worship.

Bayou Servants for Christ
The Bayou Servants for Christ will be meeting this coming Tuesday (4/17) at 7 p.m. All the ladies of the congregation are invited and encouraged to attend.

GIFT Night Returns!
On Wednesday, April 25th, we will once again be holding our GIFT Night at Cross of Glory. This Bible Study for all ages was very well received in the fall and we are looking forward to its return. We meet at 6:30 in the sanctuary. There is some time for singing with the adults and children together. Then the children and the adults separate for some Bible study time together. We come back together for a devotional thought and some closing songs. All are invited (and feel free to bring a friend!).

Easter Joy! – School Newsletter 4/7/12

April 6, 2012 in Learning Center

THEME OF THE WEEK
Bible Story: Jesus Comes Back to Life
Toddlers: Easter
Preschoolers: Easter


Little Bunny’s Easter Surprise
(Jeanne Modesitt)
Easter Eggs Everywhere! (Steve Metzger)


All the children enjoyed our Easter Themed week filled with the good news of Jesus reserection! Ask your child about their “tomb cookie” snack.

  • We decorated Easter eggs!
  • We made crosses that remind us that Jesus died and rose again for us!
  • On Thursday we practiced hunting for eggs in our room!
  • On Friday we hunted for eggs outside!!

All the children enjoyed our Easter Themed week filled with the good news of Jesus reserection! Ask your child about their “tomb cookie” snack.

  • We made a delicious edible empty tomb!
  • We made a stain glass window using a cross and tissue paper! Look for these in the window!
  • We filled in eggs matching the number we rolled on a dice!
  • We made our own egg using yarn, glue and a balloon!
  • We told the resurrection story using our own set of eggs, called Resurrection Eggs.


Save the Date! We will be holding Easter for Kids this Saturday, March 31st! It starts at 9:30. We will have crafts, games and snacks! We would love to see you there!

No School: We will be closed Monday April 2-Monday April 9 for Easter break. School will resume Tuesday April 10th. Enjoy your break and your family time!

Building Update – Beautiful View

October 13, 2011 in Building

Yesterday, we got our first glimpse of what the finished sanctuary will look like inside. The pews were bolted into place and the new altar, font, and ambo were moved into the chancel. What a wonderful sight!!

Building Update – Down the Home Stretch

October 11, 2011 in Building, Uncategorized

Things have really progressed since our last post two weeks ago. The floor has been finished (and cleaned by an expert clean-up crew). The walls have been painted. Today, the pews are being installed and the final cement for the driveway / sidewalks is being poured. Just another week or so until the whole project is finished!

Building Update – Prime Time

September 28, 2011 in Building

     

Yesterday, our painters primed the whole building. We also started installing the trim and doors. Today we started leveling the floor and preparing it for tiling beginning on Friday. Things are really coming together as we look forward to opening on October 30th!

Building Update – WOW!

September 22, 2011 in Building

We’ve seen some significant progress on the project since our last update. The drywall has been finished and we are ready to install the trim and start painting. The most striking change has taken place in the garden area behind the church. Thanks to approximately 2000 hours (give or take a few hundred) of labor from Pastor and Connie Greenlee, our dirt pile has been transformed into a little slice of Paradise. You can also see in the window frames the outline of the large cross that will stand in the front of the church as the centerpiece of our chancel.