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Hello friends! I hope you’ve been enjoying this lovely fall weather we’ve been having. I finally got some time to get my garden and some of my flower beds cleaned up for the fall/winter. It’s kind of sad to cut back and pull out all that’s done for the season. But it’s also refreshing to clean out and clean up. Often as I pull weeds, I find myself asking God to keep pulling weeds in my heart too. 

Last week was full of meetings! A long board meeting, some building project meetings, some time to catch up with mentors and friends and commission work time. It also included another wonderful Wednesday Roots Night and a fun evening of Dutch Blitz (congratulations to Jen Deibler, this year's reigning champ!). I understand that the Crop Walk was a wonderful occasion as well. 

This week takes a much welcomed, quieter turn. I’ll be taking some time this week to prepare for the next Sunday School block and an upcoming Roots Crew meeting. 

Speaking of Roots Crew, that group has taken some exciting changes over the last year. I’m excited to add the Adult Roots Coordinators (Adult Sunday School, Adult Grow Groups, Young Adults and OAKS) to our crew as we continue to walk out the vision of Family Ministry at Mechanic Grove - EVERY Generation, working “to be and to raise Christ-following disciples who are “rooted and built up in Him,” bearing good fruit in their lives.” Check out the Roots Family Ministry report in the upcoming Congregational Business Meeting packet to see more of what that group is up to. 

As my weekly email comes upon its second birthday (crazy!) you can anticipate some small changes as I continue to make sure it’s serving its readers well. I enjoy the chance to share with you each week a little of what is going on both inside and outside of my office!

 

What WE’RE Learning This Week: A nugget of what our Lil’, Youth and Adults Roots heard this week
Our Family Theme: Surrendering Our Rights

Our Root Text: Romans 14:1—15:7

Verse of the Month: Romans 12:2

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Talk about this as a household… What kinds of things should we choose to argue about and what are some things we should not?

 

What I’M Learning This Week: Sharing what I’m reading and listening to lately
I’m prioritizing hanging with our Youth Roots on Wednesday Roots Nights. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been having a blast teaching our 4th-5th grade Lil’ Roots and I always enjoy a visit to the BOLD nursery during the week. But teens will always have a special place in my heart, especially after my time in the classroom. 

Our Sr. High Youth Roots are using the Essentials of Faith series on RightNow Media on Wednesday Roots Nights. It’s a great resource for all ages, but unique because it has a youth study guide as well as adults. In true youth form, we quickly derailed from our conversation about “What Makes Humans Unique” to an awesome, yet chaotic conversation about heaven. 

I loved hearing these teens' thoughts on what heaven would be like. I loved getting to direct them to scripture to find answers to some of these questions. But what I loved the most was watching some of them intently listen to Pastor Kevin’s sermon yesterday as he talked about Jesus’ return and the promise of heaven that is ours because of His work on the cross. It’s no coincidence that Pastor Kevin’s message tied into some of the questions we tossed around on Wednesday night, God knew. They heard. 

These fun kids aren’t the future of our church, they ARE the church. Keep praying over their hearts. Pray for their hearts on fire. Pray for boldness, for purity, for discernment.

 

Make Every Week Count: Parenting, Grandparenting & Spiritual Mentoring Resources

Something to Read: I snagged this resource for families, it’s just one voice on this topic, but I still think it’s a valuable tool. Take some time to read this “Discerning Halloween” ebook by Philicia Masonheimer. If you want a printed copy, give me a shout.

Something to Listen to: It’s a country song, but the story it tells I think is fitting to all of the parents, grandparents and bonus parents… Jesus ‘Bout My Kids, Luke Bryan

Something to Follow: This was a fun find! Look at some fun outdoorsy-but-scripture-filled gifts on WildAndPine’s Etsy shop!

 

How Can You Pray? Prayer Requests and Praises from Roots Ministries

PRAY for our Adult Sunday School teachers! They diligently serve us in this capacity! 

PRAISE for all who walked against hunger in this year’s Crop Walk!