This Sunday the Orange Plaza Car Show is coming to town! If you’ve never been to it, you’re in for a treat. There are cars, food, games, and more. Plan to hang out downtown after church and support local charities.
Parking will be tight, so arrive at church a little earlier than normal.
Jesus calls us to make disciples, teaching them to obey all that He has commanded. That’s what we do every week in children’s ministry.
On Sunday, we heard a testimony of how children’s ministry changed one young lady’s life. Read Natalie’s testimony below.
Good morning!
My name is Natalie. I'm a college student now, but back in the day, before we had all this fancy Grove stuff, I was one of the original children in our children’s ministry. And let me tell you, it made a difference in my life.
Pizza parties. Goldfish. Crafts. Bible lessons. My time in the garden was not only fun, but also spiritually enriching and impactful. I can still remember. I look back on those Sundays and see how God used my teachers and all of their efforts to plant the seeds of faith. I know not everyone has fond memories of being dropped off by your parents into a pen of crying kids, but I do. Let me share why.
First, I learned new things in children’s ministry. While sometimes it was just a repeat of what I heard at home, sometimes you just need another voice. Or goldfish.
Children’s ministry sparked a curiosity and thirst to learn more about God in me. And this continued as I grew older. My small questions about Jesus have turned into bigger questions. And the answers are leading me to pursue truth and understanding and, from this, I’m experiencing a joy that, in some ways I can trace back to the lessons I learned out there in the garden.
Second, the lessons themselves. I really appreciate how everything our children’s ministry teaches is grounded in the Bible and centered on Christ.
One lesson that I remember in particular was where we were learning about the attributes of God. We were going through the alphabet and each week we introduced a new word that described God. I learned new words such as Yahweh and omnipotent through these lessons. And while the lessons were filled with crafts, activities, and goldfish, they really have made an impact on my faith.
Anyways, I remember learning (for example) about how God calls himself a jealous God. That he wants our worship for himself. This still sticks with me and I regularly think back to it. It is still changing how I think about the Lord, even while a college student.
One last thing I’m grateful for as I think back upon my time in the garden. It was the love I was shown by the church. The care and attention I was shown by the volunteers made a real impression upon me as a little girl. I felt blessed to be loved by the whole church…not just some of the church but the whole church.
This was an invaluable lesson for me. For as the church loved me, I was being taught that even more so, Jesus loves me. In fact, the relationships I had with some of my Children’s Ministry teachers have continued. They don’t offer me goldfish anymore, but instead I enjoy their friendship and mentorship and fellowship. I think this may be the most underappreciated part of why we do Children’s Ministry. For if the Lord blesses the Grove, many of today’s teacher-student relationships will turn into deeper relationships in the years to come. I am so thankful for the effort they put into sharing the gospel with me as a child and continue to nourish now as an adult.
Our children’s ministry not only offered me Jesus, it gave me a love for the local church.
This is why I’m happy to serve in our children’s ministry, even when I’m only back for a few weeks on break. There are a lot of kids out there. And what you are doing out there is making a difference in here among the new grown-ups like me.
So thank you. Thanks for missing sermons to share Christ with the children and to teach them that the happiest place in Old Towne Orange is the church.
We hope and pray that God does for more kids what He’s done for Natalie.
Will you join us in our passion to spread the joy of Jesus to the next generation? Contact the church office and we’ll get you all the information you need to serve.
This year’s May Parade is Star Wars themed. Put it on your calendar and plan to come make a memory with our neighbors in our beautiful city.
Consider volunteering as a simple way to enjoy the event and build relationships with your neighbors.
Every year our pastors join with pastors in our denomination from the southwest United States for a regional retreat. There’s prayer, teaching, singing, fellowship, business meetings, and even some good-natured competition. The retreat is hosted here in Orange County this week.
We’d like to ask you to pray for their time together. Here are a few things to cover:
Ask God to give grace to Pastor Eric as he leads.
Ask God to give the pastors unique opportunities to minister to each other.
Ask God to grow the friendships of our region’s pastors.
Ask God to use this meeting to further the gospel through planting and strengthening new congregations.
Ask God to bless their families while the men are away.
We gather every Sunday to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed. God's Word is preached and the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts. We expect to encounter God and be equipped to better serve him each week.
Thanks to all who missed the sermon because you were serving during the service. We are grateful for you and couldn't have done it without you. Enjoy listening to the recording.
How should I measure success?
When have I done enough for God, my family, and the church?
What do I do with my feelings of failure?
These are the questions the women of Sovereign Grace are addressing at their Spring seminar this weekend. Our women’s ministry director, Kirsi, will give a brief teaching. There will be prayer, discussion, and a meal. It’s a potluck brunch.
Ladies of all ages are invited.
Twice a month we gather in homes throughout the city to know one another, grow with one another, and serve one another. The Bible is filled with “one another” commands: Love one another. Pray for one another. Speak truth to one another. Bear one another’s burdens.
Small groups are our strategy for equipping you to do “one another” ministry.
Our church loves small groups. And the warmth of relationship we experience in this church has been fostered in these smaller meetings. So if you’re new to the church and wondering what the next step to connect is, join a small group.
There’s more info here. Contact our office if you want to talk to a pastor.
Jump in with a few people who love God and would like to get to know you and help you love God as well. Join a small group.
The Old Towne Joggers are pounding the pavement every Wednesday morning for a short run in our neighborhood. We end each run with a cup of coffee. It’s a simple way to make connections in our city. If you’re a runner (or want to be), join the joggers early next Wednesday morning. Details and email sign-up are available here. You can also follow them on Instagram to stay updated. Email Dustin with any questions.