Children, Youth & Family Ministries at Pinnacle

January 2024

Children, Youth & Family Ministries

There’s two types of households; those who take down the Christmas decorations right after Christmas and those who leave them up through the New Year. According to the church calendar, we celebrate the season of Christmas through January 8th this year. Yet the good news of great joy each Christmas, is that we never have to put the gift of Christ away. We get to carry this Christmas gift of Emmanuel, God with us, all year long. So as you prepare to usher in 2024, I wonder what it might look like to focus on carrying this gift with you throughout the year? How might that change the way your family celebrates, takes on challenges, carries grief, and resolves to live in 2024? May our gift of God’s presence and the gifts Jesus brings of hope, peace, joy and love, carry you into and throughout this next year. We can’t wait to see what God does in and through each of your lives!

Happy New Year!

Pastor Leah, writing on behalf of Liz and Brandon too

Your Children, Youth and Family Ministries Team

Live It Out

(PreK - 5th Grade):

Emmanuel Family Check-In

Commit to a 2 minute weekly check-in with your family in the coming year. Choose a time to talk with your children, possibly at dinner time or when everyone is in the car together. Mark it on your calendar or reminder app. When the reminder pops up, take a minute to ask each family member if they know of a time that day (or during the week) when they felt that God was with them, or a time when they asked God to be with them. Take it one step further and remind your child often of the gift of Emmanuel, that God is with them all the time, even during daily tasks, special occasions, or play! If your child created an Emmanuel plaque in Church School a few weeks ago, display it somewhere that your family can see throughout the year and be reminded often that God is with them!

(6th - 12th Grade):

A Visit to the Manger

What if, in addition to the baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you too were at the manger? Using your imagination, you and your family are invited to place yourself into this scene. What do you feel, what do you see, what do you smell? Click here to access this Ignatian contemplation of the manger scene.

Talk to God

Prayer:

Model what it looks like to pray, aka talking to God! Close in a time of prayer thanking God for what your children have shared. To the extent they are able, invite them to pray their own prayers of gratitude as well. Thank God specifically for your child by name.

Connect:

If you have specific prayer requests or want to talk, we’d love to connect with you. If you tried this at home we’d love to hear how it went and/or see pictures of what you’re thankful for! Email Pastor Leah here!

Important Dates

JANUARY 8

Woven Bible Study (For Women under 50)

6 pm | Chapel Parlor

JANUARY 17

MOPS resumes

9 - 11 am | Teen Center

JANUARY 31

Family Game Night & Dinner*

5:30 pm | Fellowship Hall

*Children have the opportunity to help serve dinner for this fun evening. Contact children@pinnaclepres.org if you would like your child to participate.