Week of 02/14/21 - 02/20/21
Giving What Is "Mine"

This week was a reminder that what we do impacts others. Whether it is something we do directly or indirectly. It's hard when we are sequestered to our own homes and to our own families to see that impact but it doesn't change the fact that our actions make a difference. It was tempting at times to think "Well, maybe I can just keep that plugged in" or "Is it really going to hurt to keep that on". It could have been really easy to take advantage of the fact that we had power to just do whatever we wanted. Why not? We pay for the energy. We had it. Why not use it? As you're now probably screaming in your brain, "because there were others who needed it too!" Now, without getting into the systemic problems from the week, you're right...there were others who needed it so we indeed tried to do what we could to help. But I can guarantee you that wasn't the case for everyone because we like to get (and keep) what is ours, especially when giving it up might lead to discomfort. "Store up for yourself treasures in heaven" because "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus reminds us. The treasure that comes from heaven is not ours to give or hold onto. It's given by a gracious God who is looking out for the good of all. We can attempt to store it up but it will always be more than what we can hold onto for ourselves. So what do we do with it? Since we don't have to store it up, we are free to let it flow into the world so that others might experience it as well. We're free to treasure that which God gives to us and let our hearts follow. It's like holding sand, no matter how tightly you hold it, it's going to slip through. So why not open up and let it flow? Have a good weekend!
Children

Resources for Sunday, February 21st

Start by viewing the Sunday School video together on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0ZnbEVRacboPgksA1RpKr8BFRQuFFu-4

Here are additional activities to continue your learning:

Illustrated Ministry Lenten Devotions!: I can send these to you by e-mail or you can pick them up from our Drive-in Service. It's a great way to go more in-depth each week.

Treasure Hunt: Hide something in or around your house. Then come up with a list of clues to help the treasure hunters find it. Follow the clues to find the treasure! What clues lead us to the treasure that God gives to us?

Storing it up: Pick a large number of objects of uniform size and shape. See how many can you hold at one time. What was that number? How much love, joy, hope, and peace can you hold onto? We are given so many of these things by God that we can share them with others!

Question to continue the conversation: What is a treasure that you can share with others this week?

Next Sunday: Check next week's Family Connect e-mail or the Facebook group for resources!
Family

-Family Devotions for our Lenten season are now ready! Be sure and pick up a packet at the Drive-in service or I can e-mail it to you!

-Family Sunday School Video is now available on the Youtube Channel

-Join us tomorrow for a Family Moment during the Drive-in service! Be sure and bring crayons or something else to color the Children's Bulletin and coloring sheet with.

-Recharge for Junior High and High School will be on Zoom at 2:00 pm tomorrow. Meeting access details are below!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2986540262

Meeting ID: 298 654 0262
Junior High

-Share your Blessings, Bummers, and where you have seen Jesus for the week
-Read Matthew 6:19-21
-What is one word or phrase that stood out to you? What image came to mind?
-Read the story again
-What is a story or experience that you have had recently that connects with this story? What is a question you have of this story? What is God trying to tell us in this story?
-Read the passage one more time
-Write and pray a prayer that speaks to what you have shared

The phrase that always seems to stick out for me is "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

I think that we tend to see this phrase as the opposite. That where we invest ourselves and our heart that will be what we treasure is. What Jesus calls our attention to is that we are not as in control of our hearts as we think we are. There is truth to the ordering of this phrase. What we treasure is where our heart is because our hearts can pretty easily be swayed. It's good then that God pours out the treasures of heaven in abundance on each of us so that we don't have to work on storing them up. With an abundance given to us then we can let it flow out to others which creates more of the treasures of heaven. We aren't in charge of the accounting of these treasures and the one who is, gives generously.

Generous God, thank you for everything that you pour out on us. Without your love and grace we wouldn't be able to love others. Remind us that we cannot store what we do not control. Help us to share love and grace with every person we encounter and with all creation. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Question to continue the conversation: What is a treasure that you can share with others this week?
Next Sunday: Check next week's Family Connect e-mail or the Facebook group for resources!
High School

-Share your Blessings, Bummers, and where you have seen Jesus for the week
-Read Matthew 6:19-21
-What is one word or phrase that stood out to you? What image came to mind?
-Read the story again
-What is a story or experience that you have had recently that connects with this story? What is a question you have of this story? What is God trying to tell us in this story?
-Read the passage one more time
-Write and pray a prayer that speaks to what you have shared

The phrase that always seems to stick out for me is "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

I think that we tend to see this phrase as the opposite. That where we invest ourselves and our heart that will be what we treasure is. What Jesus calls our attention to is that we are not as in control of our hearts as we think we are. There is truth to the ordering of this phrase. What we treasure is where our heart is because our hearts can pretty easily be swayed. It's good then that God pours out the treasures of heaven in abundance on each of us so that we don't have to work on storing them up. With an abundance given to us then we can let it flow out to others which creates more of the treasures of heaven. We aren't in charge of the accounting of these treasures and the one who is, gives generously.

Generous God, thank you for everything that you pour out on us. Without your love and grace we wouldn't be able to love others. Remind us that we cannot store what we do not control. Help us to share love and grace with every person we encounter and with all creation. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Question to continue the conversation: What is a treasure that you can share with others this week?
Next Sunday: Check next week's Family Connect e-mail or the Facebook group for resources!
Upcoming Events

February 21st- Worship video comes out at 9:00 am. Family Sunday School video comes out (Everyone)

February 21st- Drive-in Worship at 10:00 am (Everyone)

February 21st-Recharge via Zoom at 2:00 pm (Junior High and High School)

February 24th- Confirmation at 6:00 pm on Zoom. Lent Drive-In Service at 7:00 pm (Junior High and Everyone)

February 28th- Worship video comes out at 9:00 am. Family Sunday School video comes out (Everyone)

February 28th- Drive-in Worship at 10:00 am (Everyone)

February 28th-Recharge via Zoom at 2:00 pm (Junior High and High School)