God is the Nursery

Yesterday I spoke to one of my former summer students, Alison, as she served up my Starbucks order. I smiled as she chatted to her co-worker happily about how we used to work together at the church. It got me thinking later that day about all that went on that summer. We had wonderful Sunday morning celebrations and outreaches which our summer students planned, but the one thing that has stuck in my mind was a sign Alison made and laminated to hang on our nursery wall. She wasn’t asked to do it. It wasn’t even an idea she decided to run by me. Instead, she called me into the nursery and pointed to the wall where she had taped up a sign and picture. I looked at it and it simply said, “God is in the nursery.” I loved that poster because it challenged my thinking when I read it, along with anyone else who was in there.

Do we believe that “God is in the nursery?” Of course we believe God is Omnipresent, meaning He’s everywhere and all at once. However when it comes to Sunday morning, how much do we believe this statement is true? When worship music is blaring in the sanctuary, a children’s church leader is pouring his heart out in the kids’ auditorium, and the preschool class is shouting “God loves me!”…what do we believe about the space where we have a cushioned nursery floor? Do we believe the Presence of God is equally present there?

We have an elder in the church who goes into each room prior to anyone arriving Sunday mornings. He prays over our children’s ministries. I’ve never asked him to, but I know he includes the nursery in his prayer walk. We have a Preschool Coordinator who diligently prints out lesson themes each month for our preschool leaders and, if you were to walk into the baby room, you’ll see an activity sheet for this month specifically for our nursery. Why? Because we believe that God is in the nursery on Sunday mornings.

“Connecting kids to the life-changing presence of Jesus” is our mission. Believing we have opportunity to fulfill that mandate each and every Sunday…is up to the individual heart.

God IS in the nursery.

Amen.

Originally posted on www.sundaystaffroom.blogspot.com
 

Chase Away the Boredom of Summer Waits

As summer is quickly approaching, it's not a bad idea to stock up on some vacation travel tips.
Here's a great link for parents of some fun activities appropriate for airports, waterpark lines, road trips and grocery shopping adventures!

http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/waiting-games-super-simple-activities-pass-time-kids



If you want to add some spiritual strengthening activities during the wait times here are a few more ideas/adaptations:

Scripture Alphabet:

Start with the letter "A" and have someone recite a bible verse that begins with that letter. For example "A"-"All things work together for good to those who love the Lord" Romans 8:28. Continue through the alphabet and if you get stuck on a letter use your bible or smart phone bible app to learn a new verse.

 Attributes Alphabet:

Similar to the previous game, but instead of reciting Scripture you talk about the attributes of God that come to mind when you say a letter of the alphabet. Once you say as many characteristics/attributes you can think of from one letter you move onto the next.

Prophetic Encouragement:

A heard someone once say that the New Testament gift of prophecy is divine-inspired encouragement for one another. Take the opportunity to encourage one another through prophecy as a family. Be sure to pray first and ask God to reveal to each person a word or image that will be an encouragement to someone in the family. Encourage your family members that as long as a word is encouraging, they don't have to be afraid to speak it out when it comes to mind!  Exercise those spiritual gifts and watch car ride arguments come to a hault.

Do you have any other games or strategies that encourage spiritual growth and natural "God moments" for families? Please share!

Cafe Starts Up Again for Spring