wepckids

VBS Donations - MILK JUGS!

2012-01-26T13:41:00.000-05:00

We are building igloos for VBS 2012! And we need your help. If you drink milk by the gallon, then please donate your jugs to West End Presbyterian Church.

We need CLEAN, UNCRUSHED, GALLON Milks juds WITH LIDS.

Donation box is outside of Joe Brown's office door.

VBS 2012 Director is here!

2012-01-23T13:46:00.001-05:00

Rebecca Perry will be leading the legion of VBS volunteers this year to bring the Gospel to our children and their friends.

VBS here at West End Presbyterian Church is always a fun week where the Gospel is presented clearly and creatively. This year, VBS will be June 24 - 28 from 5:30 - 8:00.

The theme and title will be announced in the coming weeks.

Do you like taking pictures?

2012-01-20T10:09:00.001-05:00

If you are a member of WEPC and you like taking pictures, we are looking for a wepckids photographer. This person commits to photographing the programs on a Sunday morning once a month and posting the pictures on the bulletin board opposite the nursery counter. Your gift will help serve the church by allowing parents an "inside-view" of our ministry to their children.

Paid Nursery Positions Available

2012-01-16T11:10:00.003-05:00

Wednesday Little Lambs is our Wednesday evening program open to all preschoolers or younger children.

With a large amount of children attending our Wednesday activities, we are in need of a few more folks who would be willing to share the love of Jesus with our littlest friends on Wednesday evenings from 5:50 to 7:40. This is a paid position until the end of the school-year.

If you are interested or want more information, please contact Joe Brown.

Wednesday night class led by Matt

2012-01-13T02:00:00.000-05:00

Parenting Book Club

Wednesday nights

6:00-7:30pm

Room 160

Need some encouragement in how to love your kids for God’s glory? Join us for fellowship and discussion, using Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp / matt@wepc.org.

Wednesday night class led by Kim, Diane and Deb

2012-01-10T02:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday Evening Women's Study:

Genesis: Pursuit & Promise (the Wellspring curriculum)

Begins again: Jan 18, 2012

Wednesdays 6:15-7:30pm

Room 21

Wednesday night class led by Kevin & Shangwok

2012-01-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

Generous Justice: A class equipping those that want to “go deeper in worship and further in Jesus Christ’s Mission” based on Tim Keller’s book, Generous Justice. Teaching, discussion and stories from folks at WEPC that are learning how to follow Jesus in doing justice.

Begins January 18th

Wednesday 6:15-7:30PM

WEPC Chapel

Taught by Kevin Greene & Shangwok Deng

Questions? kevin@wepc.org

A Challenge: 2012 Calvin Institutes Prayers

2012-01-09T11:56:00.000-05:00

I am only one of many followers of Christ that have found much help in understanding the Gospel by reading the writings of John Calvin. His words are clear, true, Spirit-filled, and encouraging. I disagree with him insofar as he was writing in a very different culture and time than I live. But for the most part, Calvin has better things to say to us now than many contemporary authors/pastors, myself included.

His masterpiece was the "Institutes of the Christian Religion" written in Latin and then in French. It is to this work that I will be pouring over in the year of 2012 (you know, the year the world ends; even NASA is talking about it.) :)

I will be reading through this work through the year of 2012. It's actually not a daunting task - about ten-twenty minutes of reading a day. If you would like to follow along, I will be using the schedule prepared by the Foundation for Reformed Theology, found here on their website. Thank you, FRT! While this schedule was prepared for the Battles translation, I will be reading through the Beveridge translation for two reasons: (1) I already read through the Battles translation in 2009 and (2) I got the Beveridge translation on my tablet so I can go "paperless." The Beveridge translation can also be found free on reformed.org here.

Finally, for those of you that don't have the time or desire to read this book now, I will be posting, or "tweeting" a prayer based on each of the sections of the Institutes each weekday. It may be a summary prayer of the section, or it may be something that the Holy Spirit used to quicken my soul.

If you would like to follow these prayers, I will be using the hashtag: #Calvin2012. You can also view the most recent prayers on the main page of this blog.

Finally - my hope is that this journey will bring us all to a better knowledge and worship of our Redeemer and Lord, Jesus.

"Now let us cast ourselves down before the majesty of our good God with acknowledgement of our faults, so that we, finding that there is nothing in us but a bottomless pit of all kinds of iniquity, may learn to resort to his righteousness, and to seek it at the source." - Calvin, Sermons on Ephesians

4th Annual Father/Daughter Dance

2012-01-08T12:19:00.000-05:00

Saturday, February 18, 6:30 p.m.

Join many other dads anddaughters for a memorable evening which includes a formal sit-down dinner, ballroom andswing dance lessons, a keepsake photograph, and sweet memories.

Cost is $15 perfather/daughter couple; $5 for each additional daughter.

Registration will openin mid-January.

More information will be coming in the next few weeks.

Contact:Joe Brown.

Safety Reminder - Sick Policy

2012-01-06T12:19:00.000-05:00

Remember that the absence of a sick child orworker from WEPC is a sign of God’s grace in the lives of the other children.

In light of the current (and looming) cold and flu season, please remember thatwe ask no child or worker come into a Nursery or Sunday School room if theymeet one of the following conditions:

(1) Fever greater than 100.4°F within the past24 hours

(2) Ongoing diarrhea

(3) New or unidentified rash

And as always, children arewelcome to sit with their parents during the service.

VBS 2012 Dates Set

2012-01-04T12:17:00.000-05:00

Sunday, June 24 – Wednesday, June 27 (withCelebration on Thursday, June 28)
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Please pray for the VBS 2012 Leadership Team as they begin thepreparation for this amazing week.

Lenten Children's Choir

2012-01-02T12:20:00.000-05:00

Does your child want to be a part of a Children’s Choir?

A LentenChildren’s Choir is forming now to lead the congregation in worship for the Easterworship services on April 8^th.

If any 2^nd – 5^thGrader is interested, please contact Joe Brown.

Even if your child has never sung before, this may be a great opportunity tolearn the basics of singing.

Rehearsal dates and times TBD.

Back to normal on Sunday, January 1st

2011-12-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Nurseries, Preschool Quest, and Sunday School will be back to normal schedule this Sunday, January 1st at West End Presbyterian Church.

Come to see what God is doing!

Christmas Morning with Spurgeon

2011-12-25T02:00:00.000-05:00

“Light means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world, what we shall be does not yet appear. God’s people are a hidden people, but when Christ receives His people into heaven, He will touch them with the wand of His own love, and change them into the image of His manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, but what a transformation! They were stained with sin, but one touch of His finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal. Oh! what a manifestation! All this proceeds from Jesus. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendor, Jesus shall be the center and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see Him in His own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!"*

This is your hope...the waiting is done...the light has come!!! Merry Christmas...

*Modified from Morning and Evening : Daily Readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.) by C.H. Spurgeon

Come worship this morning

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! Brew some coffee, give some presents, laugh, and then at 10:30, come worship at West End Presbyterian Church.

No Sunday School, no early service, no Children's Worship. Simply a time to worship our Lord in an intimate way.

Bring Food Pantry Donations Tonight!

2011-12-24T03:00:00.000-05:00

Donations to the Food Pantry is requested for the 4pm Christmas Eve Service

If you are planning on worshipping at the 4pm Family Service on Christmas Eve, please bring an item of food to donate to the WEPC Food Pantry.

Jesse Tree Family Project coming to an end

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Jesse Tree Family Project and 2011 Advent Devotional Blog Click here to download a packet to print, or pick up one in the gallery of the WEPC.

This churchwide project will be coming to an end this coming Sunday, and will be the central object lesson used for the 4pm Christmas Eve worship service tomorrow.

An idea: At a meal, read the Scripture with your children. Ask them the included questions, or questions of your own to get at the Gospel in this passage. Then read the “bloggers” thoughts on the passage and how he/she sees Jesus in this Scripture. Finally, decorate the ornament together and hang it on a tree. Have fun with it!

It’s simple: Children color or decorate a small ornament each day that reminds them of a person or event in the Old Testament. This is the same person or event that is the subject of the day’s devotional at the wepcadvent blog.

Welcome Claire!

2011-12-22T14:51:00.000-05:00

Please welcome Claire Eckert as the new Children's Ministry Administrator.

Claire will be working part-time in administrating the many ways that the Gospel is shared with our children here at WEPC. The next time you see Claire, please welcome her!

Kids Club and Wednesday Little Lambs returns on January 4, 2012

2011-12-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

Get ready!

Christmas Video by kids!

2011-12-20T15:30:00.002-05:00

Thanks Heather Jarvis for bringing this to my attention. A great video from St. Paul's Church in Aukland, New Zealand. It has great music and wonderful visuals bringing the story of the Nativity to life.

Click here:

http://youtu.be/zduwusyip8M

Food Pantry Donations

2011-12-17T13:49:00.000-05:00

Donations to the Food Pantry is requested for the 4pm Christmas Eve Service

If you are planning on worshipping at the 4pm Family Service on Christmas Eve, please bring an item of food to donate to the WEPC Food Pantry.

Extreme Christmas this Wednesday

2011-12-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

Extreme Christmas 2011

Wednesday, December 14th
6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
WEPC Fellowship Hall

Come one, come all & celebrate with the whole family

Dinner
Carols
Cookie-decorating
Crafts
A new festive program starring some of your favorite elves!

What do you need to do?

1. Wear crazy holiday attire

2. Bring a family-favorite side dish to share

3. RSVP to Jenny Brock

Optional: we need some people to donate some unfrosted sugar cookies

Email Kristin Tetterton for general information

Kids Club and Youth Group resume on January 4, 2012

Advent Blog with little ones...

2011-12-08T12:10:00.001-05:00

Many of you have been following the 2011 WEPC Advent Devotional Blog. For those of you that have been doing the Jesse Tree Family Project with it, I'd love to know how you are engaging your little ones with the devotion. Here's what the Brown family does:

First of all, I don't expect much when it comes to our devotional time at our dinner table.

I read the Scripture passage and then I try to ask one question for them to answer that I think would get them to see Jesus in the passage.

For example, a few nights ago we looked at the story of Moses leading the Israelites across the Red Sea. I simply asked my kids if God has ever saved them? That was quickly answered with "Jesus!!!" I'm not sure if they knew what they were saying, but it worked for me.

We then decorate the ornament.

Nothing astronomical. But it has made us talk about the Gospel more at our dinner table than any other time in he past, so it is a success.

Advent is Coming!

2011-11-14T12:29:00.001-05:00

Do you want something to do with your kids this Advent Season that will point them to Jesus?

Do you want to join together with other families of WEPC for a time of food, crafts and prayer?

Come to the Family Advent Kick-off on Sunday, November 27th. All are invited to a potluck lunch to kick-off the Advent season with our Jesse Tree Family Project. Children will hear what Advent is about and receive take-home packets, as well as begin Day One. Even if they don't do every day of the devotional, it's still an easy and simple presentation of the Gospel each day.

Potluck details:
Last Name A – F: Side, Fruit, Bread or Salad
Last Name G – S: Main Dish
Last Name T – Z: Dessert

**For those adults who will be going through the WEPC Advent Devotional, the Jesse Tree Family Project matches perfectly with it and is a great way to worship as a family during this season.**

FYI: A Jesse Tree Family Project (taken from Isaiah 11:1) is a survey of God’s work from creation to Christ by looking at one person or event in the Old Testament each day that points to Christ. The ornament is made to remind you of that person or event and it is displayed on a Christmas Tree for all to see during the Advent season.

Sandusky is a Reminder to Report

2011-11-10T13:25:00.003-05:00

After reading the Grand Jury report of the PSU scandal that cost JoePa his job (isn't that the only reason we are paying attention, sadly?), the first thing to say is that I didn't read the whole thing. I read the first half and then decided that I didn't want to hear anymore of the stories of the alleged abuse by Jerry Sandusky. It was disgusting.

The second thing to say is that it should be a sad, but important, reminder of the importance of reporting suspected abuse. Especially for those of us who work with children outside of the home, we are entrusted with the care of these children by their parents. May the care of our Lord Jesus Christ be shown in how we protect our children from the wolves inside and those that try to sneak in. If you are a volunteer leader in the children's ministry here at WEPC, let me say - if you suspect abuse, report it immediately.

I pray for those children that were abused.

I long for the day that sin is once and for all wiped away.

I long for Jesus to heal the wounds of the sexually abused.

I long for the total redemption of people as sinful as pedophiles.

I long for the Justice of God reigns supreme.

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Are you poor?

2011-11-07T12:20:00.002-05:00

Last night at the Thanksgiving Dessert my 8 year-old asked me about the people that came to the Food Pantry. [We collected food for the Food Pantry, and he saw the food on the shelves that we collected. He was intrigued. After all, it looks like an aisle in the grocery store.] He asked me who came here. I told him those that can't afford to go to the grocery store. A pause. My son: "Are we poor?"

As parents, we look for these moments, don't we!?

Standing in the Food Pantry the answer is as clear as a bell: 'No. We are quite rich.'

But my problem is that I don't stand in the Pantry normally. I stand in my driveway, sit in front of my television, or surf the web and read blogs and facebook posts. In that context, I'm poor because I want what they have. My son is beginning to see that.

But the problem is NOT that I lose perspective on those less fortunate. The problem is that I lose perspective on who/what makes us fortunate.

If it was all about stacking us up against the world, well then: we are all wealthy and we should have more compassion. It places all of it on our shoulders. If that was true, then you better give us more food for the Food Pantry! No...

I lose perspective on who makes me fortunate. Everything I have is because of God's mercy. I am quite rich because God has provided everything I need... and beyond.

Praise Jesus for giving me a family, a home, healthy children, toys, education, cars, electricity, indoor plumbing, friends, a retirement account, insurance... I could go on and on. But most importantly, God has given us His Son. And since that is true: He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things.

Leading children is difficult

2011-10-31T12:06:00.001-04:00

I said on Friday that I was going to try to lead my children in mission and worship. So far so... bad?

It's difficult, people! My son hurt his ankle on Saturday night and my wife returned from out of town late Saturday night so our Sunday didn't go as planned. And suffice it to say: I'm no help to me wife on Sunday mornings either. And then after church, I admit that I really wanted to listen to the Panthers come close to beating the Vikings. (alas - too much hope on that one, I know). But really, leading our children to Jesus is not easy!

And the reason for this is that we lead our children to where we want to go ourselves. My children love movies, television and books: three things that I love myself. You quote a movie, I'm there. You talk Nielsen ratings, I'm with you. You heading to the library, I'm driving.

So... do I want to be on mission with Jesus? Do I want to worship the One True God? That is worth praying and confessing.

Going Deeper in worship with children

2011-10-26T13:02:00.002-04:00

As WEPC strives to go deeper in worship and farther in mission this year, I wonder how we can help our children do the same. I would like encourage my children in worship by talking about the songs, the prayers, and the sermon during the week. But what would this look like? I could use the study guide found at wepc.org. I could attentively worship with an eye to how this applies to my child's life. I could buy one of the songs and listen to it with my children through the week.

I (and you) should try that this week. I'll let you know how I do.

Belief is Trust

2011-10-17T15:54:00.001-04:00

The beginning of the Nicene Creed is: "I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth."

In Preschool Quest, as we journey through the First Catechism, we are spending a long time on the character of God and His role with His people. In other words, we are talking about the "One God" and how we should respond to Him. The short answer is, we should BELIEVE in Him. But what does that look like for four year-olds?

I submit that for four year-olds (and for all others), belief looks like trust. Yes, it produces a more fuller tone as years go on, and yes, there are more facets to belief than we can even imagine, but it is always essentially the same - TRUST. You can believe in any system - but you can only TRUST in the One God.

John Calvin wrote in his "First Catechism" that we are "not simply taught to believe in God but to recognize him to be our God and to trust..." Christian belief is more than intellectual assent - it is the personal affection and willful self-abandonment you have toward the God who saved you.

Parents, help your children to trust you - and you will lay a foundation of being able to trust a much more worthy Person - the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Do all parents love their children?

2011-10-12T15:41:00.001-04:00

Most parents (maybe all?) have deep affection for their children, but isn't it false to say that all parents love their children? Doesn't the high rate of abortion prove that false?

I have deep affection for my children. I can't imagine losing any of them. When I think of them, it makes me smile. When I spend time with them, I usually enjoy it. And when I say "I love you" to a child, I sometimes am actually thinking of my love for them instead of what I'm about to get to next.

But it is a terrible thing to take love for granted. Our love for our children loses its power if we don't at first ask ourselves, "do I really love my children?" I wonder if many parents go through life thinking they love their children because that's what your supposed to do, but instead either are apathetic to them, or worse, hating them.

I can honestly say that I love my children. But I can say that because I know what love is. It is seen in Jesus laying down His life for his friends. It is seen in the Father sending His Son to the cross for the sake of His children. It is seen in the power of the Holy Spirit given to all of the family of God. That is love.

My love for my children is pitiful compared to that. But I know what love is. I know what it looks like.

Do you know what love looks like?

Cheap Pottery

2011-10-05T14:46:00.000-04:00

The point of the lesson at Kids Club tonight is that we are but cheap pottery - common, not uniform, and easily broken. But there is one thing that believers have - that is a "pearl of great price" hidden inside. We may be common, but we are precious because of what is inside. We may lack uniformity, but what is inside is One. We may be easily broken, but what is inside can never again be broken.

We have Christ inside - who is precious, is One with the Father, and was broken once instead of us.

[Pray that no child gets any broken pieces of a terracotta pot flung on them!]

Wednesday Little Lambs

2011-09-28T15:43:00.000-04:00

October 5, 2011 is the beginning of the Fall Quarter of Kids' Club and many of the Adult Missional Community Groups here at WEPC! To support these ministries, there will be a new program titled Wednesday Little Lambs (WLL) for all children in preschool or younger. Kindergarten and up will be in Kids Club or Youth Group.

Wednesday Little Lambs is more than childcare. The workers will be bringing the Gospel to bear in the lives of these little ones. They will be using a new curriculum dedicated to only Wednesday nights that will help show the light of the Gospel to your friends. What a great time they will have!

The cost of the Wednesday night childcare is per seasonal quarter:
$40 for the Fall
$40 for the Winter
$40 for the Spring.

The dates for this year are:
Fall is October 5 to December 7 (with no wed. night programs on Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving) - 9 weeks
Winter is January 4 to February 22 - 8 weeks
Spring is February 29 to April 25 (with no wed. night programs on April 11th for public school spring break) - 8 weeks

The time will be:
Drop-off can begin at 5:55 p.m.
Pick-up no later than 7:40 p.m.

If you would like your child to participate, please contact me as soon as possible to let me know:

1. Names of children you desire to have child care for
2. Ages of children
3. Any special instructions (allergies, pick-up notices, etc)

Joe Brown
joe@wepc.org

But I love methods!!

2011-09-19T15:35:00.001-04:00

"I have observed that the best and most lasting fruit is born in families in which the gospel is genuinely believed and lived. Parents who daily depend upon God, and not their methods and self-working principles, are most likely to pass on their faith. I am convinced that the most contagious parenting is living a heartfelt faith before your children." - Rich Bradley

My flesh cries out for methods because they make me feel comfortable in my control. Faith is much less comfortable.

Gospel Recruitment

2011-09-12T13:28:00.001-04:00

Our job is to ask, it is God's job to draw. I have been preaching this to myself for weeks as I have struggled through recruiting a whole lot of people in our church to lead children to Jesus through various ministries. And even as I say it, do I believe it?

Do I believe that God loves me enough to answer my prayers? Even in hindsight I see how His plan is better than mine, I see that He always answers my prayers.

Side note: The church staff was praying this morning while a little child was crying to her mother in the background. All I caught was the girl yelling, "But I want it!" My prayers changed after that from a checklist of things to a crying to God - "But I want this!" I hope I'll remember that.

I'm Needy

2011-09-02T16:42:00.001-04:00

Kevin & Katie Shaffer need help (go help them if you can). But Katie reminded me this morning that as she owned her pride and asked for help, I was encouraged to see that our God is the only true and eternal power source (sorry Dominion). So I'm asking the members of WEPC for some help. Can you look below and see how you can help? And thank you Katie.

FIFTY-THREE volunteers are still needed!

We are in need of some followers of Christ to volunteer at different levels to share the Gospel with children!

We need 26 more monthly nursery room leaders

12-18 months room, 2nd service: THREE more monthly volunteers

18-24 months room, 2nd service: TWO more monthly volunteers

24-30 months room, 2nd service: FOUR more monthly volunteers

30-36 months room, 1st service: ONE more monthly volunteer

30-36 months room, 2nd service: FOUR more monthly volunteers

36-42 months room, 1st service: TWO more monthly volunteers

36-42 months room, 2nd service: FOUR more monthly volunteers

42-48 months room, 1st service: TWO more monthly volunteers

42-48 months room, 2nd service: FOUR more monthly volunteers

We need 2 more bi-weekly Preschool Quest leaders

1st service: TWO more bi-weekly volunteers (starts in January)

We need 3 more weekly teachers and 10 more bi-weekly Sunday School leaders

Kindergarten, 1st service: ONE teacher and TWO helpers*

First Grade, 1st service: ONE teacher and FOUR helpers*

Second Grade, 1st service: ONE teacher and ONE helper*

Third Grade, 1st service: ONE helper

Fourth Grade, 1st service: ONE helper

Fifth Grade, 1st service: ONE helper

We need 12 more weekly Wednesday night volunteers

WiLL, birth-PreK: SIX leaders (paid)

Kids Club, Kind - 5th Grade: SIX leaders

* Three Sunday School classes are at risk of NOT operating after Sept. 4th:

Because we do not have teachers for the Kindergarten, First and Second Grade classes, as of right now we will not be able to staff these three classes next Sunday, September 11th. If you think that God has this spot for YOU to fill, then please contact Joe Brown.

Soul Restoration

2011-09-02T16:33:00.001-04:00

In the third verse of the 23rd Psalm, David records that "He restores my soul." Just think about that for a minute - God brings life back to your soul. He breathes into your very being that which gives you being. Before this, we are dead - or seemingly dead.

The way this comes out in my life usually is that I was completely unaware that I needed restoration. I just run and run until I my "battery" dies. And when that happens, like a lost sheep, I look up and realize that I have been running away from my life-giving Shepherd.

But the odd thing is... the life-giving Shepherd has never left me. He has run to find me - abandoning all else to capture His soul-deflated sheep.

That is the kind of God we worship - a Father that seeks His wandering child and restores him. Do you need to cry like David: "Father, restore my soul!" All other sources of restoration are vapid at best - they don't last. Our Father restores His children through the work of the Son.

To show children this, check out this little book called "Sammy and His Shepherd" It's one of my favorites.

-Joe Brown

September 2011

Second Grade Graduation this Sunday

2011-09-01T16:16:00.001-04:00

This Sunday, Sept. 4, will be the commissioning of our second graders. They have been growing in the Gospel for years and we no want to commission them to a lifelong journey of worship of Jesus. Come and be reminded of the power of the Gospel.

Sent from my iPad

Test

2011-09-01T16:02:00.001-04:00

Test

Sent from my iPhone

2011-09-01T15:57:00.001-04:00

Test

No Sunday School or Nursery on August 28

2011-08-27T19:31:00.001-04:00

Typing on an iPhone. :)

No Sunday school, nursery, or meetings in Sunday morning, august 28.

Worship at 10:30 am

--
Joe Brown
Children's Pastor
West End Presbyterian Church
9008 Quioccasin Road
Richmond, VA 23229
(804) 741-6562
wepckids.blogspot.com

2011-2012 WEPC Family Events

2011-08-25T14:08:00.001-04:00

Jesus' church has been placed here to proclaim the Gospel. WEPC hopes to provide some opportunities to families to gather and hear and experience that Gospel of redemption and hope. This coming year, our mission will be to draw parents and children closer to seeing the faith that has been entrusted to God's people. Come one, come all. But be ready to be changed! Click here for the latest schedule of Family Events here at West End Presbyterian Church.

Child Safety!

2011-08-22T15:43:00.001-04:00

Let's keep our children safe!

All volunteers in wepckids must attend a safety training.
There are three options for this fall.
Please attend only ONE:
(1) Wed Aug 31 at 7pm
(2) Sun Aug 4 at 12pm
(3) Sat Aug 10 at 9am

All meetings will be in Room 35
Please RSVP to Joe Brown

wepckids redux... 9/11/11

2011-08-17T18:44:00.003-04:00

On Sunday, September 11, 2011, the Fall Quarter begins in wepckids. What may seem like small potatoes is actually a large deal: new classes, new rooms, new volunteers, same Savior.

For all ages, there will be many new faces in the classrooms. Please pray for our many volunteers - that they may see the grace of their God as they minister to our young friends.

From Kindergarten and up, these children will graduate to their new grade this morning.

September 11, 2011 - a day of new beginnings.

Effective Parents...

2011-07-18T15:44:00.001-04:00

"Effective parents equip their children to overcome the world - not by changing and controlling their environment (things external to their children), but by going after their children's hearts. We change their hearts by teaching the gospel, modeling the gospel, and centering our homes on the gospel. The gospel, rightly understood and modeled, makes Christianity attractive. Effective parents make the gospel so attractive that the world cannot get a foothold in their children's hearts."

- William Farley, Gospel-Powered Parenting, 24

Are you attracted to the gospel? Does it compel you in some way? Or is it just another word... another activity to add to your calendar?

VBS Thank You!

2011-07-06T14:52:00.001-04:00

An extraterrestrial shout of thanks to all who prayed, provided snacks, and/or rode the USS West Enderprise through the star gate as Lightspeed Galaxy Staff. Thanks to such a great group effort, VBS 2011 hosted a record-breaking number of children here at WEPC VBS who heard and experienced the Gospel. Please continue to pray that the Gospel will go forth and that the seeds planted this week will sprout into saving faith. An extra thanks to Rebecca Allan, our volunteer VBS 2011 Director!

Until next year... To Eternity and BEYOND!!!!

(aside: how can you go beyond "eternity"? hmmm)

VBS Skit Help Needed

2011-06-16T10:23:00.003-04:00

We still need a few more folks willing to jump in and participate in the VBS Skit. This is one of the more fundamental aspects of bringing the Gospel story to our children. Please consider participating and contacting Joe Brown or Kari Gross.

No line memorization needed.
No background in drama necessary.

Simply a willingness to show four year-olds that you can be goofy for them!

VBS Decorations Work Days

2011-06-15T03:44:00.001-04:00

If you have a free moment (or you want something to do with the whole family - even toddlers can hold a paintbrush, right?), then please stop by:

Workday details:

Saturday June 18th - 9:30A-4P and 7P-9P

Friday June 24th - 6-9P

Saturday June 25th - 8A-4P and 7P-9P

Feel free to stop by for any part of this time. Wear clothes that would be appropriate for painting.

Please call or email Jen Wickham with questions and offers! Cell phone is 804-986-6653 and email is jenwickham@msn.com

VBS Decorations Items Requested

2011-06-15T03:42:00.000-04:00

If you have any of the following items, we would highly appreciate it if we could borrow any of the following to help transform the WEPC Building into a Space Dock:

Items to borrow (please label with your name):

strands of Christmas "rope" lights
white "icicle" lights
strands of Christmas lights in single colors - all red, blue, green, ect.
utility work light with hook or clamp
utility extension cords
Disco Ball
box fan
reflective windshield sunshade
outer space props

Items to donate:
duct tape
painter's tape
heavy plastic sheeting
cardboard boxes
silver spray paint

Please call or email Jen Wickham with questions and offers! Cell phone is 804-986-6653 and email is jenwickham@msn.com

WEPC Community Preschool Yard Sale THIS Saturday!

2011-05-18T13:34:00.002-04:00

Please come and shop at the yard sale on Saturday, May 21^st !

8am-12pm

Ali and EJ Fogarty's house

9503 Lakewater Dr.

**ALL proceeds go directly to the Preschool Scholarship Fund. **

We could still use some help on Friday night at 5:30pm (at WEPC), and Saturday morning at 6am (at the Fogartys). Please let Heather Jarvis know if you are able to help. Also, we are collecting items for the bake sale. Drop them at church by 5pm on Friday. Thanks!

Jesus is Kind to the Ungrateful

2011-05-16T16:46:00.001-04:00

I had a "bad parenting moment" yesterday. One of my daughters did not want to go into her Sunday School class. She was crying and yelling that she was scared, blah blah blah. I didn't want to hear it. I wanted her to listen and to obey. That wasn't happening. So... what did I do? I quietly reprimanded her... which did nothing. I then told her that because of this she would be disciplined when we returned home... which did nothing. So, I did what any rational being would do. I took her into my office and took her toy that she had brought with her that morning that she loves - and I threw it in the trash. I said that she would go into her class or else the toy would remain in the trash.

She was crushed. Her spirit was quashed. And then... she obeyed! It worked!

But, alas, it didn't work. I had outward obedience, but I had spoken to her sin (reinforcing her behavior) instead of speaking to HER. Her spirit was crushed instead of being redirected. By destroying her toy I was communicating that I will do anything in my power... I mean ANYTHING... to control her.

What a horrible moment.

Jesus tells us to be merciful "because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35). I still maintain that my daughter was sinning by disobeying me, but my response was disproportionate and irrational... and far more sinful than hers. I was anything but kind to my daughter - I was cruel. But praise God that Jesus is kind to us, even as we act ungratefully and wickedly. I pray that Jesus will enable me to be kind - I need that.

P.S. After much repentance, and reconciliation with my daughter, I had to go get her toy. But the trash had already been emptied! I had to scour the church and dig through a humongous trash can to find the toy. I got old coffee grounds and snotty tissues on me, but my daughter had her toy back. Justice? Maybe a little.

"We're talking about the Gospel!!!"

2011-05-11T15:54:00.000-04:00

Parents - does this sound like a conversation you ever have with your child?

I know it does to me. This is from an article from Kevin DeYoung - read the whole blog entry here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/05/10/parenting-001/

Me: What's the matter son?
Child: I want that toy and he won't give it to me!
Me: Why do you want the toy?
Child: I don't know.
Me: What's going on in your heart when you desire that toy?
Child: I don't know.
Me: Think about it son. Use your brain. Don't you know something?
Child: I guess I just want the toy.
Me: Obviously. But why?
Child: I don't know.
Me: Fine. [Mental note: abandon "why" questions and skip straight to leading questions.] Do you think he is having fun playing with the toy right now?
Child: No.
Me: Really?! He's not having fun? Then why does he want that toy in the first place?
Child: Because he's mean.
Me: Have you ever considered that maybe you are being mean by trying to rip the toy from his quivering little hands?
Child: I don't know.
Me: What do you know?
Child: I don't know!
Me: Nevermind. [I wonder how my brilliant child can know absolutely nothing at this moment.] Well, I think taking the toy from him will make your brother sad. Do you like to make him sad?
Child: I don't know.
Me: [Audible sigh.]
Child: He makes me sad all the time!
Me: Well, I'm getting sad right now with your attitude! [Pause, think, what would Paul Tripp do? Thinking . . . thinking . . . Man, I can't stop thinking of that mustache. This isn't working. Let's just go right to the Jesus part.] You know, Jesus wants us to love each other.
Child: I don't know.
Me: I didn't ask you a question!
Child: [Pause.] Can I have some fruit snacks?
Me: No, you can't have fruit snacks. We are talking about the gospel. Jesus loves us and died for us. He wants you to love your brother too.
Child: So?
Me: So give him the toy back!

Then I lunge for the toy and the child runs away. I tell him to come back here this instant and threaten to throw the toy in the trash. I recommit myself to turning down speaking engagements on parenting.

River of Life

2011-05-02T11:15:00.001-04:00

"I've got a river life flowing out of me. Makes the lame to walk, sets the blind to see. Opens prison doors and sets the CAPTIVES FREE!"

We sing the song "River of Life" most weeks at Preschool Quest. It's a great song and we shout the last part of the chorus: "sets the captives free." If we can't shout about our freedom, then what can we shout about?

Psalm 46 is about the river of life - but it is compared with the "heart of the sea" into which mountains and nations fall. The "heart of the sea" ("coeur de mers") is where darkness, annihilation, and prison is. On the other had, the River of Life is the "river whose streams make glad the city of God... God is within her, she will not fall" (vv. 4-5).

Rivers make clean - oceans make dirty.
Rivers lead somewhere - oceans lead to nowhere.
Rivers bring life to the trees on the banks - oceans bring death to whatever falls into it.

Jesus offers a river of life to those who want to be free from the prison of the chaotic uncontrollable ocean of life.

what do you love doing?

2011-04-28T12:02:00.001-04:00

This week at Preschool Quest I will ask the preschoolers what they love doing. Maybe playing soccer, or playing the Wii, or spending time with their parents, or hanging out with Mr. Brown at church :)

When I ask myself, I get different answers depending on the time of day. I love early mornings with coffee and a book. I love getting my "tasks" done. I love watching episodes of Doctor Who or stupid movies. I love spending time with my wife after the kids go to bed. I love doing fun things with my children and taking pictures of them. Some of these things are about others - some are about God (sort of) - but most are about me.

In contrast, what we see in the Bible is a God who loves doing things for His children. He is the only being that can be perfectly self-loving because He is love and He is the center of proper worship. Yet, oddly, He seems more concerned with His children. He loves redeeming His children. He loves to grow them in grace and purity. He loves to send them a Savior. He loves sending them a Comforter and Helper. He loves being with them and helping them.

How is God redeeming you today? I, for one, am being pushed into relying on Him today because I can't do this without Him. How about you?

ink on my hands

2011-04-17T13:47:00.001-04:00

I love movies. There is an independent movie that came out a couple of years ago called "Ink" (free to view on hulu.com). Warning: it's not child-friendly - fairly scary, has some morbid tones, and I can't remember but I assume it has some bad language. But what I love about this movie is that the central picture of the film is one of a father who fights off bad guys to protect his little girl. And not just that - but the struggle for the father, John, is that he forgot that his job is to protect his daughter, Emma. He needed to remember who he is - he is his daughter's father. Fathers, do you remember that?

Parents, it's easy to say that your job is to protect your kids. But in reality - this is extremely difficult.

It's easy if the bad guys are bullies or invading armies.

But it's much more difficult when the bad guys are pride, envy, or even inter-dependence. (Think about that for a minute - maybe keeping your child from any and all difficulties is actually pushing her closer to a bad guy of idolatry - "parent-worship.")

Bad guys are everywhere - we need to be protected.

In Preschool Quest on Easter Sunday, April 24th, we will talk about the First Catechism Question 75: "Why do you need Christ as your king? Because I am weak and helpless." Your child may know this - he may not. But I am certain that your child needs to hear that Christ is his Great Shepherd King who chases after his lost sheep until He finds, cleans and protects His own.

I know I need to hear this.

Child Abuse Awareness Month

2011-04-13T15:46:00.001-04:00

If you read this blog, it means that you either minister to the children of WEPC, are a parent of a child at WEPC, or a friend. I believe is fitting to remind everyone that April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. So, what does that mean for us? In the very least, we should all be reminded to remain diligent in protecting the children in our care from abuse. To aid in that, please read or review this three-page pamphlet from the Virginia Department of Social Services about identifying and reporting potential abuse.

Secondly, we should be reminded to pray for those that have been abused in the past. Pray for God's healing hand on their souls. If you know of someone that has been abused, take him/her out to lunch and remind them that they are not defined by their abuse. God says who they are - abuse doesn't.

Thirdly, pray for those that have abused in the past. Pray for conviction of sin and healing. Child abusers are not beyond the pale of redemption. God's forgiveness can even extend to them. Let's yearn for healing there.

And finally, I think we should be reminded that Jesus is King. He sits on the Throne and He stands on the threshold of His new heavens and new earth. There will be a day that abuse is no longer a thought. No one can abuse or be abused during Jesus' New Day. The night has gone and everyone's full dignity will be restored in the image of the Lord of Lords. Let's pray for that.

In Defense of Alexander Hamilton

2011-04-11T14:08:00.001-04:00

Years ago I read Ron Chernow's biography on Alexander Hamilton. I loved it. Excellent read. [I think I might be one of the few people that enjoyed that more than the highly-esteemed (and also brilliant John Adams)]. As most high school history students know, Alexander Hamilton made a speech at the Constitutional Convention to crown George Washington king. This is not necessarily true, but he definitely argued for a more "monarchistic" approach to government than the approved (and wonderful) republican version. He saw the "majority rule" as a great potential for evil - even more likely than an evil "president-for-life." I'll leave that to you to discuss.

This week at Preschool Quest we will look at American political theory... Just kidding. But we will discuss someone that proves politics is more than theory. King Jesus shows that He is our Final and Greatest PROPHET, PRIEST and yes, even our KING. Power and authority resides with our King, Jesus. Mediation between God and man are being done. Even public and private affairs are not run by any government without the actual hand of King Jesus.

Some of you may be tempted to despair when so-and-so is in control of the government. Or you may be tempted to hang your hopes upon one political party over the other. Even those in the new southern country of Sudan have to be reminded that al-Bashir (or yet-to-be elected leader of the south) is not in ultimate control.

Jesus RULES and DEFENDS His people. Friend, remember that the TRUE story (which is surely unraveling the untrue story) is and will be this:

"³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:3-4

kierkegaard and me

2011-04-09T10:21:00.000-04:00

One of the reasons that I like the Jesus Storybook Bible is because it is one of the few children’s Bibles that actually talks about Genesis 22 – the story of Abraham and Isaac on the mountain (you know, the scary one where God asks Abraham to kill his son, Isaac, only to be stopped right before it happens by the angel of the LORD). We don’t like this story because in the very least, it seems that God is the bad guy in this story.

But this is an important story to tell our kids. Because it is the story of life over death. As we go to Easter, many families will attend Easter morning services because we get to announce that “Jesus is ALIVE!” But how many families will attend a Good Friday service? Are you itching to have your child be confronted with death? If you want your child to know how good Easter is, you need to show your child how bad Good Friday is.

God isn’t the bad guy in Genesis 22. He’s the “Doctor” who announces the problem of sin and the need for death. He’s the “Medicine” who offers a ram instead of Isaac. He’s the “Counselor” who showed Abraham his faithfulness.

You see, Abraham walked with his boy…

up a hill…

with wood on his back…

to die.

God the Father walked with his boy, Jesus…

up the hill of Calvary…

with the wood of the cross on his back…

to die.

Praise the LORD Isaac lived!

Praise the LORD death couldn’t hold Jesus!

And praise the LORD that we can live too!

Waiting

2011-04-04T14:16:00.001-04:00

Kids wait all the time. They ask their parents for something and then they have to wait. Sometimes they wait a long time! Especially if you are a Brown child and you ask your dad for something. I usually respond with a dismissive "In a minute," while I continue doing whatever I want to do. But that's the deal with relying on someone else - you always have to wait. And we don't like that. Even if it is within a split second, it is still longer than we want. And since kids have to ask their parents for a lot, it means that they have to wait a lot.

This Sunday at Preschool Quest we will talk about WAITING. Specifically how the believers in the Old Testament had a faith in the Messiah coming sometime. When? They didn't know - but they waited. So how did Abraham or Moses or Elijah know that the Messiah would come? It all hinged on their belief that the LORD was trustworthy. Would God lie to them? If your child asks you for something, it means that your child trusts you! Even if it is a whine (or a scream) - it is a whine/scream of trust!

[Boy... my kids must trust me a lot, because they certainly ask me for a lot!]

Sorrow is not forgiveness

2011-03-28T14:42:00.001-04:00

This Sunday at Preschool Quest our four and five year-olds will be talking about forgiveness. Do you think prechoolers need to know more about this? Do you think YOU need to know more about this? I know I do.

I can't tell you how often someone sins against another in our home - and how exhausting forgiveness can be. It's so much easier to ignore sin, or to just declare "I'm sorry" and move on. But the thing is - you can be as sorry as can be, but unless you deal with the heart of the sin, there is no reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 7:10 talks about that.

So... I'm sorry, but our sorrow is not forgiveness. We need to seek reconciliation with those we sin against - with our siblings, with our parents, with our friends, and with God. Jesus offers that reconciliation through His sacrifice. And He offers the improbable power to seek reconciliation with those we conspire with in our sin.

In short, don't just say "I'm sorry" - ask for forgiveness. You'll see that when you receive it, there is grace.

A defeat of defeat

2011-03-24T10:51:00.001-04:00

The power in the Resurrection of Jesus is that it proves that Jesus has ultimate power over life and death... and He did it for me.

Jesus cast aside His kingly glory for a time of hell. He died so that I might be declared righteous. He lives so that I can live. And for the entire time, He was thinking of His Bride - the church - Paul the Apostle, C.S. Lewis, Simon Peter, John Calvin, and all the billions of unknown believers like you and me.

This Sunday, our four and five year-olds will look at the resurrection in Preschool Quest. But it's not just a fun story. It's the story of when we can live again. It's the time that we can rejoice that OUR GOD doesn't just promise life after death - He proves it.

The resurrection was a defeat of death - a defeat of sin - a defeat of defeat.

Who has the power in your life? You? Or the One that proves nothing can stop His power?

No More Craft Donations

2011-03-21T13:18:00.001-04:00

Thank you to everyone who donated items for some future crafts here at wepckids. We have received enough items for now. Thank you!

WEPC Safety Update

2011-03-16T15:37:00.001-04:00

Parents, please monitor your children at all times. When you sign-in your children to a nursery or classroom, we are responsible to shepherd your child. Once you sign them out, you are responsible to shepherd them. While WEPC is fairly safe, we cannot guarantee who is in the buildings on Sunday mornings, and we highly encourage you to monitor your children.

Remember Daylight Savings Time

2011-03-11T13:23:00.001-05:00

This Sunday, March 13th, is the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

Remember to spring your clocks forward an hour!

WEPC Community Fun Day - March 26

2011-02-21T10:38:00.002-05:00

Community Fun Day Planning Meeting

WEPC Community Fun Day is March 26th from 3-6pm. Purpose: To build bridges with the families in the community. Lots of fun games, crafts, and activities with dinner available for purchase. Helping hands are needed! If you are able to volunteer for this event, come to our planning meeting following the second service on February 27th, or contact Heather Jarvis at heather.jarvis@comcast.net.

WEPC Nursery Feast N Freshen Up

2011-02-21T10:35:00.002-05:00

Come and be where the action is! Attend “Feast N Freshen Up” this Saturday, February 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the WEPC Nurseries. Join us as we wash, sort and inspect the toys, declutter the rooms, and generally ‘freshen up’ the area! Food will be provided. Wear old clothes to help us make the rooms safer and cleaner for our little ones. For more information, please contact Jennifer Tomenendal at 527-0307, Blair Brown at 543-8227 or Amy Gill at 794-5212.

VBS 2011: “Lightspeed Galaxy”

2011-01-31T15:02:00.002-05:00

From Sunday, June 26th to Thursday, June 30th WEPC will host an evening VBS from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

All children from four years-old through Fifth Grade will take an interplanetary space journey through the story of Joseph and hear the Gospel at lightspeed!

WEPC Safety Update

2011-01-31T15:01:00.001-05:00

Kids Club is still on tonight

2011-01-26T14:59:00.001-05:00

We will still be having Kids Club tonight, January 26, 2011 even though the weather outside seems frightful. If you feel uncomfortable driving, please stay home. If the forecast changes for the worst, we will alert you of any changes.

WEPC Family Movie Night this Friday!

2011-01-10T16:53:00.001-05:00

This Friday, January 14th at 6:30 p.m., there will be a Family Movie
Night - all are welcome. Children of all ages are invited to gather in the
Fellowship Hall with other families for some popcorn and a viewing of a
blockbuster film on the "big" screen. Pajamas are welcome. We will provide
the popcorn, but you are asked to bring either a dessert or drink to
share. The movie will begin promptly at 7pm. For more information (or to know the movie title)please
contact Joe Brown at joe@wepc.org.

WEPC Father/Daughter Dance

2011-01-06T13:58:00.003-05:00

SAVE THE DATE/Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance on Saturday, February 19th

A very special evening to remember for all daughters and their Dads! WEPC will be hosting a Father/Daughter Sweetheart Dance in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday night, February 19th at 6:30 pm. The evening will include a formal sit down dinner, dancing, a keepsake photograph, and sweet memories. The cost is only $15 per father/daughter couple. $5 for each additional daughter. You can register in the gallery on Sunday, January 30th and Feb 6th or email Alyssa Leimberger at Leimbergers@hotmail.com by Feb 6th. If you would like to help with the planning (we could use you!), there is a planning meeting in the Fellowship Hall following church on Sunday, January 16th.

WEPC VBS 2011 Dates!

2011-01-06T13:58:00.001-05:00

SAVE THE DATE/Vacation Bible School 2011

This year's Vacation Bible School will be held from Sunday, June 26th to Thursday, June 30th. Again it will be an evening VBS from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The theme is still being decided, but it is always our goal to present the Gospel clearly and creatively to our children and the community. More information to come.

Kids Club starts again this Wednesday - and update on Wednesday night dinners

2011-01-03T22:11:00.003-05:00

Kids Club will start again this Wednesday, January 3rd and we will meet from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday this school-year. A more detailed schedule (with lesson topics, scripture, and dates) can be found on the church website.

One important change has been instituted is that the fellowship dinners that had been going weekly during the Fall have been changed to once a month (the third Wednesday of the month). The reasons for this change are legion, but the long and the short of it is simply that these dinners require a whole lot of work from a few volunteers and we needed to step back, reevaluate and see how we best can do this that actually furthers the kingdom and encourages fellowship in a sustainable way.

On the "off-weeks," the Fellowship Hall will be open if families want to bring their own dinners and hang out together. The first monthly dinner will be January 19th. It will again be $3 per person and no more than $10 per family on those monthly dinners. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, or to call the church office at 741-6562.

9:00 service canceled on Dec. 26th - WILL WORSHIP at 10:30 a.m.!

2010-12-25T21:53:00.002-05:00

Enjoy the Snow! And be safe!

All functions at 9:00 a.m. have been canceled at West End Presbyterian Church for Sunday, December 26^th. That includes Children's and Youth Sunday School, and Adult Teaching Fellowships and the 9:00 worship service.

If you are able to make it, please join us for the 10:30 a.m. service!

If you were scheduled to work in the nursery during either the 9:00 or 10:30 service, and if you are able to make it to the church, please come to the nursery desk by 10:15 to find out what the needs will be.

Don't forget your food pantry donations

2010-12-24T13:52:00.001-05:00

Worship Service today (December 24) at 4pm at WEPC.
We will take up an offering for the poor, and children may bring a gift of canned food items for the Food Pantry. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Lenten Children’s Choir

2010-12-17T13:04:00.001-05:00

Starting February 2nd, a Children's Choir will be practicing to help lead the congregation in worship for the Easter worship services on April 24th. If any 2nd—5th Grader is interested, please RSVP to Joe Brown at joe@wepc.org by January 30th. The practices will be from 7:00—7:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening in Room 08. Even if you child has NEVER sung before, this may be a great opportunity to learn the basics of singing.

Dec. 26th - No Second Service Children's Programs

2010-12-17T13:02:00.001-05:00

No 2nd service children's programs on Sunday, December 26th

Because of the Christmas holiday, there will be NO Children's Worship or 2nd service Preschool Quest on Sunday, December 26th. We will still have Nursery for all children birth to three years-old during both services, as well as Sunday School and Preschool Quest during the first service.

Christmas Eve Service

2010-12-13T13:06:00.001-05:00

We will have two services on Christmas Eve.

A Family Service, geared towards families and young children at 4pm and a Traditional Service of Lessons and Carols at 7pm. No nursery is provided. While children are welcome at both services, the 4pm service is specifically designed with the young worshipper in mind. Both services are in the WEPC sanctuary.

We will take up an offering for the poor at both services, and children may bring a gift of canned food items as an offering for the WEPC Food Pantry at the 4PM service.

Dec. 15 - Xmas Extravaganza!

2010-12-09T09:05:00.000-05:00

WEPiC Wednesday

Christmas Extravaganza!!!

Next Week: Wednesday, December 15^th

Come celebrate the joy of the birth of our Savior Jesus!

What’s different?

1. We will be starting at 6:00 p.m. instead of 5:30. We will conclude no later than 7:30.

2. We will all stay together for the entire time, so we can celebrate as families. There will be a full dinner, there will be a showing of A Charlie Brown Christmas, we will sing carols, and we will have a birthday cake for Jesus.

3. Dinner is FREE OF CHARGE!

What do you need to do?

1. Come!

2. We are asking that families with little ones bring undecorated Christmas sugar cookies. We will supply the frosting and toppings.

This will conclude our WEPiC Wednesdays for the Fall. We will start again on January 5^th. Please visit the church website for more information regarding classes being offered. Or contact Matt Purdy at matt@wepc.org, Tim Cornwell at tim@wepc.org, or Joe Brown at joe@wepc.org.

Looking for something to do with your kids over Advent?

2010-12-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

Jesse Tree Advent 2010

Jesse Tree Advent Devotions 2010
These devotions are intended to be a simple and easy tool to bring the Gospel to children and families during the Advent/Christmas season. There is a Scripture, a short reading, question(s) and a prayer. You can either work on these alone, or you can tie it together with your very own Jesse Tree. Directions for the Jesse Tree are below.

To Make Your Own Jesse Tree:

Making a Jesse Tree
Directions to make your own Jesse Tree – a fun and crafty way to celebrate Advent and the coming of Jesus Christ.

Symbol and Shape Patterns
Patterns to be used in the making of your own Jesse Tree.

Preschool Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

2010-10-20T13:40:00.001-04:00

WEPC Community Preschool Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Where: Parham Chick-fil-A 1529 N. Parham Road, Henrico, Virginia 23229

When: Thursday, October 21th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Scholarship fund receives 10% of the proceeds from those who inform the cashier that they support the preschool.

***Excluding Drive Thru Orders ***

Donate 50 cents and Spin the Prize Wheel

Every person who spins the prize wheel wins a coupon for something (Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, parfait, soda, waffle fries, etc.)

Help us raise money for our scholarship fund!

WEPC Thanksgiving Dinner

2010-10-18T15:36:00.002-04:00

WEPC Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, November 7th at 6 p.m. This is not a potluck- it's a Thanksgiving meal!

Come enjoy fellowship as you are served turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and other seasonal favorites.

What do you need to do?

Please RSVP by Monday, November 1st. Please contact the church office, and please include the number and ages of those attending.

Please pay for the meal when you arrive. The cost will be $4 per person, but no more than $12 per family.

Please donate items to be given to the residents of Fay Towers, the seniors home within the Gilpin Court Public Housing community! WEPC families and youth will be going to Fay Towers on December 11th to celebrate Jesus’ birth with the residents. Items that are needed and appreciated include toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothpaste/toothbrush etc.) and cleaning supplies (laundry detergent, etc). Additionally residents are very excited to receive socks, scented soaps, colognes and other luxury-type items.

October 15 - WEPC Family Square Dance

2010-09-16T10:25:00.000-04:00

WEPC Family Square Dance:

Be a ‘square and come dance with your whole family on Friday, October 15th at 7pm! This will be a night of hoe-downs and throw-downs as we eat some munchies and dance the night away with a real “square dance caller.” This event is FREE, but please bring a snack or dessert to share.
For more information or to help with this event, contact Heather Jarvis at 290-491 or heather.jarvis@comcast.net.

wepc family events 2010-2011

2010-09-08T16:25:00.002-04:00

From the Father/Daughter Dance and the Easter Egg Hunt to NEW events like a Square Dance and Mother/Son Games, check out what families are doing here at WEPC:

http://www.wepc.org/2010-2011-children-family-events

wepckids work day on September 6th

2010-08-30T13:35:00.001-04:00

If you would like to help organize the nurseries and classrooms for the coming year, please come to the church on Labor Day Monday, September 6^th at 10 a.m. If you would like a free lunch, please RSVP to Joe Brown ASAP at 741-6562 or joe@wepc.org.

Jobs will include moving materials into new rooms, cleaning toys, and moving child nametags.

Child Readers Needed

2010-08-04T11:17:00.002-04:00

If your child would like to read Scripture in the worship service of WEPC, please contact Joe Brown at the church office - joe@wepc.org or (804) 741-6562. It is always a blessing to see and hear a child of the faith leading us in worship. If your child is interested, we will talk and make sure that he/she understands the meaning, grasps the responsibility, and is prepared.

WEPC Family Events 2010-2011

2010-07-30T12:54:00.001-04:00

Family Events 2010-2011

It is our desire to provide opportunities for the families of WEPC, the WEPC family, and the larger community to gather, to serve, to witness, to fellowship, and hopefully to see the Gospel more clearly.

On August 29th, a brochure with details for the various events will be available. These events include:

Square Dance in October (contact Heather Jarvis)

Thanksgiving Fellowship Dinner in November

Serving Fay Towers in Gilpin Court in December

Movie Night in January

Father/Daughter Dance in February (contact Alyssa Leimberger and Darlene Blaum)

Community Fun Day in March

Easter Egg Hunt in April

Mother/Son Games in May

and more...

If you would like to help with some of these events, please contact the noted contact, or Joe Brown.

wepc Wednesdays

2010-07-30T12:53:00.007-04:00

wepc Wednesdays

WEPC Wednesdays is an opportunity for all ages to come together in the middle of the week to be encouraged in Christian fellowship and to be reminded of the Gospel. Starting October 6^th, there will be some adult gatherings that will coincide with Kids' Club and middle school youth group (6:00-7:30), and there will also be a low-cost nursery for any kids younger than Kids' Club age. Most fun of all, we'll have a low-cost dinner cooked every week, which will be served hot right at 5:30pm.

So pile the kids in the van, or come straight from work, and check out what is happening on WEPC Wednesdays this Fall!

Details

5:30 p.m.

Dinner for all interested (there will be a minimal cost - TBD)

6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

- Nurseries for children birth to preschool (there will also be a minimal cost - TBD)

- Kids Club for all Kindergarten to Fifth Grade Students

- Middle School Youth Group (jv)

- multiple Adult Gatherings

- other opportunities for community and mission: i.e. children's choir, young servants, prayer groups

If you have any questions, please contact Matt Purdy, Tim Cornwell or Joe Brown.

Kids Club - Elementary School Ministry

2010-07-30T12:53:00.005-04:00

Kids Club - Elementary School Ministry

Starting October 6th, Kids Club returns for another year of Gospel Fun! All Kindergarten to fifth grade students are welcome to join our team of dedicated volunteers as we journey through the Gospel of Matthew and have fun doing it. See the announcement below (wepc Wednesdays) to see how Kids Club is integrated with the other ministries of WEPC.

This is an opportunity to show our elementary students how to apply the Gospel to everyday life, to allow them to invite their friends, and to grow the community of faith here at WEPC.

If you would like more information about serving at Kids Club from October to early May, please pick up a brochure from the table outside Joe Brown's office, or go to the church website (here) or contact Joe Brown.

Children's Worship - Elementary School Ministry

2010-07-30T12:53:00.003-04:00

Children's Worship - Elementary School Ministry

Training children to worship the Lord is a daunting and important task. Jill Wiebe-King is taking up the mantle again to serve the church and our children by leading this ministry. If you would like to join this wild and fun group, please contact Jill Wiebe-King.

Sunday School - Elementary School Ministry

2010-07-30T12:53:00.001-04:00

Sunday School - Elementary School Ministry

One of the keystones of our ministry to children is the laying of solid Biblical instruction in Sunday School. All children from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade are led by weekly volunteer teachers and bi-weekly volunteer assistants. If you would like more information about serving as a Sunday School Teacher (weekly) or a Sunday School Assistant (bi-weekly) please pick up a brochure from the table outside Joe Brown's office, or go to the church website (here) or contact Chris McMahon or Colleen Jacoby. All positions are from September 2010 to August 2011.

Preschool Quest (four and five year-olds)

2010-07-30T12:52:00.003-04:00

Preschool Quest (four and five year-olds)

A new program for preschool students begins this Fall - Preschool QUEST!

This program is designed to point our children to the Gospel through the First Catechism, to show them that they belong to Christ and to this church, and to partner with parents through easy take-home questions and answers.

Joe Brown will be leading this program weekly. We need plenty more bi-weekly volunteers to serve during the first service and during the sermon of the second service. If you would like more information about serving as a Preschool Quest Volunteer please pick up a brochure from the table outside Joe Brown's office, or go to the church website (here) or contact Joe Brown or come to the Preschool Quest Volunteer Meeting on Wednesday, August 25th at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. The positions are from September 2010 to August 2011.

Can you Help Once a Month next year?

2010-07-30T12:52:00.001-04:00

Can you Help Once a Month next year?

If you are a member of WEPC, then you serve in the nurseries once every other month (or thereabouts). Please consider adding a few more Sundays to that and sign on as a Gospel Foundations Room Leader. So... instead of serving 6-7 times next year, you'll serve 12-13 times.

If you would like more details about what it means to be a Gospel Foundations Room Leader, please pick up a brochure from the table outside Joe Brown's office, or go to the church website (here) or contact Jennifer Tomenendal, Blair Brown or Amy Gill.

September 12th - wepckids begins...

2010-07-30T12:51:00.001-04:00

September 12th - wepckids begins...

All new classes, new teachers, new rooms, new organization, new, new, new...

Starting Sunday, September 12th, your child will graduate to his/her new class with new teachers.

This also begins the new "graduation" model for younger than three-year-olds (more information coming).

This also is the first week of Children's Worship again, along with a CW Parent Orientation.

In sum, September 12th is the beginning of a new day here at wepckids.

To read more, go here.

Summer Grief - does it hit you?

2010-07-30T12:49:00.000-04:00

"Bogged there they say: 'Sullen were we - we took
No joy of the pleasant air, no joy of the good
Sun; our hearts smouldered with a sulky smoke;
Sullen we lie here now in the black mud.'"
- Dante's Inferno, Canto VII, 121-124

"You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy... now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."
- Jesus, recorded in John 16:20, 22

Are you sullen today? Are you grieving today?

If you are a student, then maybe the expectation of school saps some of your joy. If you are a parent, maybe the constant attendance of children in your home all day every day this summer is killing your joy. I know that I can relate to all of that. A few days ago I had a conversation with my son about melancholy - about being sad for no good reason. I reminded him (and myself) that the good news is that God is always with us - and that this is not the last word. This is not the end. Jesus has something better for us. And sometimes we need to just keep in mind that "that something better" is as far as Jesus is from us.

Friends, there are plenty of things in this world about which we could (and should) grieve. Broken friendships - lies - hatred - bullies - sadness - death. (I don't think I need to go on.) But when we grieve, we have a distant (and immanent) hope in the One that overcomes.

The summers may be hot.
The schedules may be crazy.
The extended families may be crazy.
The future may seem dim.

But Jesus can definitively declare that our grief will turn to joy because the one event that should bring us the greatest grief (Jesus' crucifixion) also brings us the greatest joy (our salvation).

And nothing... not anyone or anything ever... can take that joy from us. We have a better future - a future tied to our Savior Jesus.

Maybe you need to say NO!

2010-07-19T12:20:00.004-04:00

!!This is a dangerous email!!

Current CM volunteers,

Various Children’s Ministry Directors and I will be contacting you and many others in the coming weeks to fill the 160+ volunteers we need to support our church’s ministry to children. More so than in previous years, there will be a more diverse range of positions that you could help in – weekly roles, bi-weekly roles, once-a-month roles, and support roles. I want to encourage some of you to help as you are contacted. BUT… I only said “some of you” because there are others of you that need to say “NO” to helping next year with the children’s ministry.

There are a group of you (you know who you are) that have been pouring yourselves out for the Gospel for years and years. I want to strongly encourage you to go to a Teaching Fellowship this coming school-year, and not volunteer to help with the children. I’m not saying you need to be selfish – but I’m saying that you have poured and poured yourselves out, it is time to be “refilled” by the teaching and support of other believers. The Teaching Fellowships meet at 9:00 every Sunday and are a time to know and be known by others, to hear the teaching of the Gospel through various topics and studies, and to learn again. Please find the one that best fits you and go to it. Just say NO to me… and don’t worry, I’ll keep asking!

But there are also those of you out there that need to be challenged by the work – stretched by the volunteer commitment – strengthened by your ties to these children and fellow workers. You need to say “YES.” You may not be able to come to the Teaching Fellowships. You may say NO to everything and soon find yourself cut out of the life of the church. If this is true of you, then serving in a child’s class may be exactly the discipline that God has for you.

So… as I and others start asking you to serve, I want you to remember that I don’t want just warm bodies in the classrooms – I want people that are willing to show the Gospel to these children in their actions and in their words and in their thoughts.

And pray for me and the Directors to have boldness to ask for help – because we need a lot!

Relating to Your Child

2010-07-15T09:53:00.003-04:00

This is about three years old, but if you want a funny example of how we should relate to your child - watch the first 40 seconds of this clip from comedian Brian Regan.

Jokes.com

Brian Regan - Joke

comedians.comedycentral.com

Futurama New Episodes

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Russell Simmons Stand-Up Comedy

It should remind us that what seems trivial to adults is NOT trivial to children. Losing a balloon may feel like losing a friend. Maybe, we need to comfort those who grieve?

Why are Parents So Unhappy

2010-07-12T10:27:00.001-04:00

Al Mohler has a great commentary on a recent issue of New York Magazine. The magazine reveals that parents are more unhappy than non-parents. As I struggle with parenting, and as I struggle with my own sins of judgment and self-delusion, I can agree. The Mohler article (link below) is helpful to bring this back to the Gospel:

http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/07/08/why-are-parents-so-unhappy-and-who-would-settle-for-happiness-anyway/

Teach your child today what it looks like to speak to Jesus.

2010-07-08T11:49:00.001-04:00

Children like to ask questions. Usually it is repetitive, loud, and at inopportune times.

Maybe that’s how we are supposed to speak to our Father in heaven: repetitive, loud, and at all times.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus commands his disciples to “ask and it will be given to you”

Ask for what we need.

Ask for what we desire.

Ask for our hopes.

Ask for our dreams.

Ask for help.

Just ask.

This is not a one to one ratio where you do one thing and it automatically produces something else. Jesus’ promise that “it will be given to you” if you ask does not mean that you can conjure up a mountain of chocolate ice cream just because you ask for it. After all, you are not God. But it does mean that the One that answers prayers is as close as a word. Speak… and the One who answers hears. And He actually does do something with all prayers – He answers them.

If you ask for help, He helps you the way you need to be helped.

If you ask for your dreams, He shapes you and your circumstances to provide your dreams for you.

If you ask for your hopes, He places your hope in the One that is hope-worthy.

If you ask for your desire, He molds your desires to His – and then gives them to you.

If you ask for your need, He provides for it when you need it.

If you ask, He will provide.

So today, teach your child to ASK. To ask loud, over and over again, and at all times.

This may actually produce strong prayer warriors!

Creation is Suprisingly Feelgood

2010-07-07T16:25:00.001-04:00

When you create something it just feels good. I remember making a Lego world when I was a child – no directions – no input. Just me and my Legos. I loved that world. There were buildings, cars, people, rockets. It was wonderful. Genesis 1:31 says that when God saw all that He had made He declared it was VERY GOOD. In other words, in one sense, God felt good at what He had done. The next time you see a child create something – remind him or her that this is a similar (albeit a fraction) to how God felt at creation. God looks at His creation and loves it. He loves it enough to not leave it alone either.

PreK & K Sunday School class has split!

2010-07-02T14:36:00.001-04:00

Because of the large numbers of kids we have had to turn away the past few weeks, and because of some members that have stepped forward to volunteer for the coming 10 weeks of the summer, we are going to split the PreK & Kindergarten classes into two classes starting this Sunday, July 4^th (Happy 234^th, America!).

All children who are going into Kindergarten in the Fall are welcome to the PREK Class in the Lions’ Den, Room 124.

All children who have completed Kindergarten (and going into First Grade) are welcome to the KINDERGARTEN Class in Room 34.

The 25 child limit remains in effect for all Sunday School classes.

See you Sunday!