Prayer PALS: Prayers Always Lovingly Said
On Sunday, April 28, we will celebrate the Children’s Sabbath, a day when we as a congregation promise to nurture and pray in support of the children of Hope Church as well as those children with special concerns around the world. We want to celebrate all children on this Sunday and each day that follows.
The congregation will have the opportunity to select names of children to support and pray for in the coming year. The names of all the children in each family will be included on the Prayer PALS sheet. Along with the names there are some suggestions and more information about how you can make a meaningful connection to those children through prayer and/or involvement with the family. The sheets will be distributed during the worship services on April 28 and they will also be available in the Gathering Area for a few weeks after the Children’s Sabbath. We will also provide cards that may be sent to the family to introduce yourself to them.
The children age 3 through 5th grade have created posters about themselves and they will be posted along the Commons hallway. Check them out and learn more about your Prayer PALS. Our children are an important and valuable part of our congregation as they share their joy and energy with each of us and we celebrate them.
Peace Camp – June 24-28
For the past two summers, Hope Church has participated in a weeklong Peace Camp with other churches and organizations in Holland. The adults who volunteered and the children who attended learned practices to help encourage peace and were introduced to many different ways to make peace in our own selves, homes, and in our part of the world. If you would like to be a part of this amazing experience, please contact Jocelyn Van Heest, jvanheest@hopechurchrca.org. We are in need of leaders, food helpers, craft helpers and anyone enthusiastic about teaching children how to make the world a more peaceful place for everyone including themselves. There are so many ways you can help to encourage these young children in making a peaceful future. Families will be sent information about the camp and how your children can participate. This year the camp is for children entering 2nd grade through those entering 8th grade. Through many methods including art, music, movement, discussion and listening they will get excited about making peace and not breaking peace with others.
~Jocelyn Van Heest, Children’s Ministry Director