A brief word…
Ephesians 6:13-18
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
I know I can’t complain too much about body aches because I’m barely in my thirties, but when I stand around for too long my back hurts. Apparently my posture is not the best. So… as I look forward to many holiday parties in the coming months, I dread the prospect of all the standing. (Although the plethora of sweet treats and tasty beverages help to calm my apprehension.)
But when I read Ephesians – I am comforted to see Paul’s image of standing. Because when it comes to the daily grind – the temptations that surround me, the failed goals, the unmet expectations, the disappointment in relationships, the suffocation of my own sin – it’s all I can do to simply stand. I dare not try to run toward God. I can’t even begin to walk toward Him. I can simply, and totally, stand upright. And if it wasn’t for the work of the Holy Spirit, I would be a crumpled pile of flesh and clothes on the floor.
So friends, parents, volunteers, brothers and sisters – let’s strive to do one thing – to STAND IN THE SHOES OF THE GOSPEL (6:15). When arrows are flung at you – realize that you stand upon the promise of God. When you are tempted to despair – don’t be overcome by unrealistic expectations, but despair in your sin and trust in the God that bought you those wonderful shoes of the Gospel.
Safety Highlight
WEPC considers it a high priority to keep our children safe and secure. That is part of our calling as shepherds. Therefore, each newsletter will highlight one of the many ways parents, teachers, pastors and children work together to create a safe environment. To view the entire Children’s Ministry child safety policy statement from the website, please click here and follow the links. If you ever have any questions about the safety procedures that are used in the WEPC Children’s Ministry, please contact Joe Brown.
Fire Evacuation Guidelines:
To provide guidelines for a safe and rapid evacuation of the sanctuary, classrooms, and nurseries in the event of an emergency, the diaconate as prepared and revised an evacuation procedure. If you have any questions about this procedure, please contact Joe Brown or Chris Perry.
I. Initial Phase
A. Alarm is to be activated if not already active.
B. Primary and secondary exit pathways, posted in each room, are to be followed.
C. Church staff members and officers are to encourage parents to exit through the front exits and meet their children at the assigned holding area (see below).
D. Persons with disabilities are to exit through the front exit walkways and will receive assistance from church officers.
E. Pastor will instruct individuals in sanctuary on what to do.
II. Evacuation
A. Deacons of the month – The primary responsibility of the DOMs is to provide direction and keep people moving toward the exits.
B. Other deacons and elders – are to report to the nurseries and assist with child transport.
C. Nursery coordinator – is to provide direction to nursery workers and deacons/elders. Additionally, once satisfied with deacon/elder/nursery worker activity, the NC is to account for all children at the holding area (see below).
D. Nursery workers – are to begin transporting children outside, with at least one remaining to account for all children still inside.
E. Sunday school teachers – are to exit the building with their class.
F. Parents (in the sanctuary) - are to exit through the front doors and meet their children at the holding area (see below).
III. Resolution Phase
A. Once each room is empty, deacons are to shut, not lock the doors.
B. Deacons of the month should be last to leave the building.
C. Holding Area: All officers, parents, and children are to go to, and wait in the assigned holding area located in the far, rear corner of the parking area (nearest Nottingham Green Apartments). The nursery coordinator and teachers will match children against attendance lists. All are to remain until every child is accounted for.
D. Transfer of Custody: it is the responsibility of all childcare workers to ensure that all children leave the building safely. Children should NOT be given to parents prior to the safe accounting of all children in the holding area. Parents can assist in getting children to the holding area, but may not take their children until the Nursery Coordinator has released them from the holding area.
Helpful “Tidbits” for Gospel Advancement
Every newsletter will include a section on education for volunteers, parents or both. These short insights are meant to help volunteers/parents to know how to love children for the Lord and how to present the gospel clearly and creatively. If you have any questions about any of the shared information, please contact Joe Brown.
Characteristics of a First Grader**
Think in literal and concrete terms
Can follow specific instructions
Have difficulty sitting still for very long
Have a lot of energy
Like all kinds of games
Need to feel capable
Want to please teachers
Are talkative
Are developing hand-eye coordination
Think in terms of good and bad
Enjoy Bible stories
Understand God's love through personal experience
Beginning to read
First Graders “need to feel capable.” I can relate – I desire more than almost anything else the knowledge that I can produce results. That when I speak or act, things happen. Do you feel that way? Well… let’s produce what we should – repentance at our selfish desire to be capable. And let’s show our first graders that they are extremely capable – but God is the only One able to search the hearts of man – and the only One able to save.
** This is found from the Great Commission Publications newsletter, “Go Teach.” To subscribe to this helpful newsletter, please click here. GCP is the curriculum provider for our Children’s Sunday School classes.
November Announcements
Click here for classroom and age assignments for Sunday morning.
Click here for a list and brief description of most of the family events for the next school-year.
Information will be provided in the bulletin, e-newsletters and other ways for each specific event.
Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner:
On Sunday, November 8th at 6:00 p.m. come enjoy a fellowship as you are served by our Young Servants and others a delicious Thanksgiving meal: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, stuffing and other seasonal favorites. The cost is $4/person but no more than $12 per family. Please RSVP to rsvp@wepc.org so we know how many to cook for. Please list the # of adults, # of kids 6-18, and the # of kids 5 and under. Feel free to invite friends and family. Also, please bring some food for the WEPC Food Pantry.
Interested in Spreading the Aroma of Christ to our littlest friends?
During the 10:30 service, we still have a few nurseries that are in need of individuals that can love God through loving children. This is a bi-weekly commitment that involves loving little children, praying for families, and making sure that the environment in the nursery room is one that spreads the aroma of Christ. If you want more information, please mark your tear-off or contact Jennifer Tomenendal at 527-0307 or Blair Brown at 543-8227.
Looking for a Fantastic Time on Wednesday nights?
See information below about Kids Club. We are still looking for a First Grade small group leader and also helpers for most ages. Please mark your tear-off or contact Joe Brown at 741-6562 if you want to help.
Weekly Children’s Worship Food Offering:
The children of Children’s Worship (ages 4 – 2nd Grade) are encouraged to bring one food item per week for their offering. We have an “offering wagon” where the children bring their food for the church food pantry. Parents, please help them to remember to bring just one item a week. Examples of things they can bring: a can of tuna, soup, beans, or fruit, a box of macaroni and cheese, raisins, or cereal, a jar of peanut butter... Bringing an offering of food is a concrete and tangible way for your child to respond to what we are learning about showing love to our neighbors. Please make a note to yourself to make it a weekly habit. One small item per week can make a big difference in someone’s life.
Kids’ Club:
Every Wednesday during the school-year, WEPC will be presenting the gospel to our elementary-school children every Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 25. This is a chance for children to enjoy the fun of fellowship, small groups and games. All are welcome. If you have a child in Kindergarten through 5th Grade, please come this Wednesday. If your child is not yet in Kindergarten, please let the excitement build up in them over this year and refrain from bringing them until they are in Kindergarten. Because of the large number of kids, we will have to turn away any preschoolers. This year we will be learning about the Gospel in the book of Genesis and the patient love that God shows to His covenant family.
Flu Season is Here:
Click here for the church’s statement on the spread of influenza.
While we should not live in fear, we should be prepared as best as possible. The flu is here and with it are some precautions. We can all help protect ourselves, our children and each other by washing our hands frequently, regularly using hand sanitizer, covering your mouth with your sleeve when coughing, and staying home when you are sick. For more information on what WEPC is doing to prevent the spread of contagious disease, please visit the children’s ministry page of the church website, or contact Joe Brown.
VBS CD available in early November!:
After many months of editing and delay, the CD of all the music from this past summer’s Vacation Bible School will be available in early November. If you filled out a form to receive a CD then you will be contacted when it is ready to be picked up. The CD costs $1.
CM Restructuring Team Update:
For a few months now, a team of parents, volunteers and members have been meeting to discuss and propose a change to the way we minister to children here at WEPC. We have discussed such issues as the way we love and care for new parents all the way to the hard years of the “tweeners” (i.e. 10-13 year olds). Please be in prayer for this team of nine individuals over the next two months as a plan comes together. More information will be forthcoming.
WEPC Community Preschool:
Enrollment Still Open:
We still have a few spots open in our 3 and 4 year-old classes. If you or someone you know would like to enroll, please do so as soon as possible. Contact Casey Zollinhofer at 741-6562 or casey@wepc.org. You can also visit the website.
Substitutes Needed:
If you are interested in being a substitute teacher for the preschool, please contact Casey Zollinhofer at 741-6562 or casey@wepc.org. Substitutes are paid $8/hour for their time serving at the preschool.
Scholarship Contributions:
If you would like to partner with preschool by contributing to our scholarship fund, you can pick up a brochure in the “Life At West End” display case in the gallery or visit the preschool page of the church website.
Children’s “Sermon Bulletins” are available
WEPC strives to assist parents in the training of their children in worship. In so doing, we provide two weekly Children’s Bulletins that are renewed every week and that generally align with the preached text. One of them is designed for our youngest regular worshipers (4 – 6 years old) and the other is designed for older children (7 – 12 years old). You will find these bulletins at the “Life at West End” Information Center in the gallery.
How to Stay Connected…
On Sunday mornings, if you have questions about the Children’s Ministry, please visit the “Life at West End” Information Center, on the wall near the center doors in the gallery. There, you can find informational brochures for all the ministries to children. During the week, please check out the church website (www.wepc.org) or the Children’s Ministry webpage (wepckids.blogspot.com) to read further about how God is advancing His Kingdom in the life of the children at West End Presbyterian Church, or give us a call at the church office at 741-6562.
Prayer Needs
Please pray for the following needs for the Children’s Ministry of West End Presbyterian Church. If you would like to submit a prayer request, please click here, or reply to this email. Please note in your request if you would like it to remain confidential.
- Pray for healing and protection for the large number of children that have gotten the seasonal or swine flu.
- Pray for protection and faith in the number of pregnant women that have other children with H1N1.
- Pray for an increase in faith to supersede the fear that the H1N1 outbreak has caused. God is in control!
Praise for more babies!!!
Three more beautiful babies were born to WEPC families since the last newsletter. We praise God for His blessing, as well as continue to pray for the health and welfare of the babies and families. If you would like more information, please contact the church office.
November Schedule
Sunday, November 1st
What: WEPC Comm. Preschool Board Meeting
Where: Conference Room
Time: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Joe Brown
Sundays, November 1st, 15th, 22nd & 29th (No YST on Nov. 8th because of the Fellowship Dinner)
What: Young Servants’ Training
Where: Library
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (on the 29th, 5:30 – 6:30)
Contact: Joe Brown
Wednesday, November 4th, 11th, 18th (NO KC on Nov. 25th because of Thanksgiving)
What: Kids’ Club
Where: Room 25, 29, 31, 33, 34, 10 & 08
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Joe Brown
Sunday, November 8th
What: Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner
Where: Fellowship Hall
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Contact: Liz Grissom
