Coming Soon: Kid's City Park

Over the last few weeks we've finally been able to see changes brought by a concept several years old.  We're still waiting for all of the dust to settle, but the transformation is nearing full swing.  The plan was to reconfigure existing Kid's City space into a worship center & gathering room.  Mathematically, it went like this:  
One hallway + 1 unused classroom + 1 used classroom = Kid's City Park!
Thus far, walls have been subtracted, wiring has been multiplied, drywall has been added and as a result, the space is no longer divided!  

What's bigger, better and by far more beneficial than the room's new look is the room's new purpose.  At core, we want to model worship for kids.  Adults gather in the big room on Sundays at 10 and worship with songs and prayer.  Likewise, kids will gather at 10 in the Park, worship with songs, pray and then go to their age appropriate classes!  We believe this will enable us to minister more effectively to children ages 3-5th grade.  We believe it will help them be more like Him as they sing about Who He is!  We believe it will help graduating 5th grade students make the transition from classroom to worshiping in the big room.  This why all the dust, stuffing particles, rewiring and bringing down walls.  

As a bonus, the Park will be a multipurpose room available for other groups, by rental or reservation.  Using our space more effectively means having more space for ministry.  Not to mention birthday parties.  How cool would it be if a child chose Kid's City Park over Chuck E Cheese?  And what if at that birthday party, kids got excited about Kid's City-a place they'd never been before, but wanted to visit soon?  

In just a few weeks, the makeover will be complete.  In the meantime, this is what it looks like.

Inside looking out-the grand entrance!  (Yes, there's a bird on that phone.)

The sound booth.  Just think: a sweet sound system and high energy worship music!

The soon to be stage area!  Monitors will flank the center stage so kids can sing along!

Mid Week Memo

There is so much happening at South in the coming weeks. Here is what's up:

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CARNIVAL
School may be out for the summer, but it’s coming back in just a couple of weeks. So…let’s get ready. We have the opportunity to be a blessing to children by providing them with a backpack and supplies for school. It all happens Saturday, September 6, right here at South from 2-4 p.m. with a Back-To-School Carnival.

WANT TO HELP?
We are still taking donations of school supplies now until September 3. Each pack of crayons or #2 pencil can make a difference in kid's lives. Drop of supplies at the church office. We also need six individuals who donate a dozen cupcakes, as well as four individuals who can help with the carnival games. If you would like to provide cupcakes or help with games, email Shirley Blakely by clicking here.

SERVE25 OPPORTUNITY - LOVE CLOTHING CENTER
We need 10 volunteers on Saturday, September 13 from 9:15am to 2:30pm. Volunteers will help sort clothing and assist children in shopping for clothing on their list. It will be at Judson Memorial Baptist Church. For more information or to sign up email Carol Burghdoff.

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God's way to handle money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! Classes start Tuesday, September 23 at 7pm. Register online at http://www.seekstudyserve.org/fpu

Women’s Ministry Retreat - Garden Getaway
Garden Getaway is a relaxing garden-themed retreat the women of our church are doing together. It includes worship, Bible study, and time for laughter as well as time for quiet reflection. Friday, October 10 session is from 6:30p to 8:30p and Saturday, October 11 session is from 8:30a to 2p. Our retreat will be held at South Lansing Christian Church and the cost is only $25.00 per person. This includes a Garden Getaway bag, journal, cd, blessing keeper, scripture pendant, pen, lunch, fun and refreshing activities. Payment and registration is due by September 14. Contact the office at 394-3220 for more information, or stop by our table at the church Sunday to learn more and register. Take time to relax, to make new friends, to worship, and draw closer to God. We hope you’ll join us at Garden Getaway. Invite a friend!

Are we good neighbors?

A few weeks ago I asked church members from our church and several others to take a brief survey to help me understand how we are doing at loving our neighbors. We've talked a lot, lately, about what it means to be good neighbors, both as South Lansing Christian Church and in each of our own neighborhoods. We do this because our vision is to "reconnect our community to God's Story one person at a time." There is no better way to do that than in the neighborhood where God has planted each of us to serve as ambassadors.

So how are we doing? 

I asked 210 people the following: "Jesus taught his followers to ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Mark 12:31). How important do you think this commandment is for Christians to follow?” 99% of those who responded said that it was either "Important" or "Very Important." That's the good news.

Here's the not-as-good news:

• 90% said that they pray for their six nearest neighbors less than five times a month. Nearly half (47%) said they never pray for their neighbors!

• Nearly one-fourth of the survey takers have no idea if their neighbors are Christians or not.
• Only four out of ten know the names of half of their six nearest neighbors. 

So what does that mean? Bottom line: We say that loving our neighbor is important, but if we don’t know their names, don’t know if they’re Christians, and never pray for them, then are we really loving our neighbors?

We're going to talk about that for two weeks beginning Sunday, September 21. Then, on Saturday, October 4, we'll be presenting a seminar called "Neighbors Should" that will help you learn how to begin engaging with your neighbors in ways that can help them write new chapters in their faith stories. More details are available in the events section of our website.