God's Gift...Mission Christmas

We will not be adopting a family this year for Christmas. Instead we will be participating in God’s Gift. God’s Gift is a program I have adopted and tweaked from my church. Megan and I are taking our tithe and giving every FCA student 5 dollars to bless someone in need. You are essentially taking God’s money and using it to bless someone in need. This is not my money, this is God’s money.

It is up to you to decide who/how you are going to bless someone in need. You can take God’s 5 dollar bill and combined in with your own money, or another family member, or another member of FCA. It’s completely up to you. You can do almost anything with the 5 dollars. You can bless someone all at once, or separate the money in several blessings. Remember, this is God’s money.
Some examples of what you can do: buy food for a homeless person, buy any kind of warm clothing for a person in need, buy a gift for a child in need, some churches have Christmas trees with gift needs attached to the tree; buy one and give that gift. You can take God’s 5 dollars and buy cooking supplies and bake a cake for a neighbor. Buy coffee for a neighbor. Take a meal over to a friend. Use the money to help a neighbor fix something. Anything and everything goes, as long as there is a need to bless someone. Please try not to buy something for your family unless there is a tremendous need for that person.

Please feel free to remind the person you are blessing how much God has blessed you and that God loves them. When you are finished with God’s Gift I want to hear about it. Every person will HAVE to write, or type me a letter telling me how they used God’s money to bless others. I will be expecting this letter when we get back from Christmas break, or before.

Have a great time blessing others. Get in the Christmas spirit and remember your Saviors birth.

Zachery reads Psalm 123

Zachery chose this passage because he likes how it keeps us focused on God, and not on anything else.

I lift my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. Like a servant's eyes on His master's hand, like a servant girl's eyes on her mistress's hand, so our eyes are on the Lord our God until He shows us favor. Show us favor, Lord, show us favor, for we've had more than enough contempt. We've had more than enough scorn from the arrogant and contempt from the proud.

Questions:
1. What does it mean to lift up your eyes to the Lord?
2. What does it mean by servants staying near their master?
3. Are we suppose to be like that?
4. How does God show us favor?
5. Has anyone been made fun of? If so what can you do about it?
6. Remember God is good, sometimes blessings are difficult, also, he doesn't grant wishes.

Caden Reads Psalms 27:1-4

Caden chose this passage because is shows us that no matter what we have nothing to fear because God is with us.

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumble and fell. Though an army deploy against me, my heart is not afraid; though war break out against me, still I am confident. I have asked one thing of the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple.

Questions:
1. Who do you fear?
2. Should you fear anything?
3. Why shouldn't we fear?
4. What happens to our enemies?
5. Where do you want to live forever?

Jackson Reads Psalms 98:4-9

Jackson picked this Psalm because is shows us how to worship Christ. How to be grateful for Christ's love.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth; be jubilant, shout for joy, and sing. Sing to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song. With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn shout triumphantly in the presence of the Lord, our King. Let the sea and all that fills it, the world and those who live in it, resound. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly.

Questions:
1. What does it mean to shout to the Lord?
2. What is a lyre?
3. Why do we need to shout triumphantly?
4. Can river and mountains clap?
5. What kind of judge is Christ?

William Reads Proverbs 13:1-4

William did a knock out job reading explaining Proverbs 13.

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a mocker doesn't listen to rebuke. From the words of his mouth, a man will enjoy good things, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence. The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one opens his lips invites his own ruin. The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.

Questions:
1. How come we must listen to our parents?
2. What is rebuke?
3. What does it mean when the author says the one who gaurds his mouth protects it?
4. Are you a slacker?
5. What do you crave?
6. Are you fully satisfied?

No FCA this week 9/30/11

Donuts with Dad is this Friday 9/30/11, so we will not meet. Have a great time with your dad. See you next Friday when William shares a Proverb.

Psalm 23 Read by Jack

Jack did an amazing job of reading and discussing Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff - they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

Here are some of Jack's questions

1. What is a shepherd?

2. What are quiet waters in our life? What aren't quiet waters?

3. What are dark valleys?

4. What is the right path?

5. What is my cup overflows?

Psalms 100 Read by Logan

Psalms 100:1-5
Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with Joyful songs. Acknowledge that the Lord if God. He made us, and we are His- His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

Questions asked by Logan
1. What does it mean when it says we are the sheep of his pasture.
2. Is the writer talking to all people, or just the Jews?
3. What does is mean when He says His faithfulness endures for all generations?
4. Thanksgiving doesn't mean enter his gates with a turkey.
5. What does is mean to come before Him with Joyful songs?

Welcome to a new year of FCA

This is going to be a great year of FCA. I've met with our 6th grade leaders and they are pumped up about leading the school through Psalms and Proverbs. I opened the year off with a basic introduction of Proverbs 1 and Psalms 1. Last week we read Psalm 145:8-11

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, Lord; the godly will bless You. They will speak of the glory of Your kingdom and will declare You mighty.

God is good to all. He doesn't jump on us when we make a mistake. He is full of lovingkindness. He has compassion for us. He isn't selfish. Everyone will praise Him, whether now, or when they are gone. He is full of blessings. We will glory to God always. I hope this verse will stay with us the entire year.

Next week Logan will walk us through Psalms 100.

If you would like to help out with snacks on Friday morning please speak with Mrs. Frisby during FCA.

FCA will return the Friday!!! 9/2/11

FCA will return this Friday in the MPR at 7:30 in the morning. Can't wait to see everyone!!!

No Carwash for Christ. Rain, Rain, Rain!!!!!

Pray and Play 6/4/11

Pray and Play will happen this Saturday from 10:00-12:00 in the Riverview parking lot. If it is sunny outside we will have great time. If it's raining outside we will postpone the date to early next school year. Crazy weather!!!!!! HELLO it's June. Last year it was around 95 degrees. Crazy!!!! PLEASE bring towels if it's game on...Please!

Pray and Play was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

What a great event. There was around 80 kids who attended the event and about 10 or more parents. We prayed before playing Volleyball and Capture-the-Flag. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves throughout the day. We served Hot Dogs, Chips, and Drinks to all the kids, plus a ton extra to all the bikers and water loving bystanders. Thank you so much for all the help. Thanks Rob for cooking, Mr. Todd for the napkins and drinks, Mr. Orr for helping with the BBQ, Dave for the BBQ, and all the FCA families for your encouragement and prayers. If I forgot anyone...I'm so sorry. I hope this can be an annual event. I will post pictures soon.

Pray and Play

We are doing it again!!!!!!! Pray and Play will be May 21st from 10:00am to 12:00 pm at Todd Beamer Park. It's right next to Copper Hills on Maple and Plymouth. We will be playing volleyball, basketball, capture the flag, soccer, tag, and playground fun. While praying to our Lord and Savior. Hot dogs will be provided at 11:30. Please bring your own drinks. Snow cones are usually at the park for $3.00.

Everyone is welcome to come. We are planning on inviting the whole school. So bring your sun screen. See you at the park.

From: Jake, Noah, Elijah, Emilie, Trent, and Tanner

Hold on Acts, Let's Repent

We stopped Acts because the team and I wanted to review repentance. Some things came up at school and several people felt the need to repent their sins. Several kids came to me and asked what repentancc means. So, we decided to talk about it this week. Here is what we came up with. Mark 1:4 is about John the Baptist preaching a baptism of repentance and forgiveness Acts 2:38 is about Peter saying repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins Acts 13:38 through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed Acts 26:18 darkness to light, Satan to God, and recieve forgiveness of sins.

Acts Ch.21

This week Trent and Tanner reviewed Acts chapter 21. They discussed how Paul was warned by a prophet and his peers to not go to Jerusalem. And how Paul refused to listen, but rather he continued to speak the truth no matter where he traveled. Paul continued his journey to Jerusalem with several men, making a new vow to show the people he still believes traditional Jewish laws. When Paul finally reaches Jerusalem he entered the city temple. Immediately he was bombarded by people who hated him. The prophets were correct. Paul was almost beaten to death. When the Roman guards took Paul he asked to speak. Next week Elijah and Jacob will review what Paul has to say to the people of Jerusalem.

Acts Ch. 20

Noah, Emily, and Alex read, discussed, and asked questions about Acts chapter 20. They talked about the Passover celebration and Pentecost. They also discussed how Paul has gone through some serious hard times, and how he understands that he will go through more hard times on his road to Jerusalem. All three leaders understood the importance of this chapter. That you can never give up on what God has planned for you and that through tough times God will prevail.

Next week Tanner and Trent will discuss chapter 21. It's a mob of a time :)

No FCA on March 4th because of Muffins with Mom

Acts Ch. 16

This week we learned about how God can close doors, but He will never close all doors. He opened the door for Paul and Silas to teach men in Macedonia. They proclaimed the name of Christ boldly and were thrown in prison. We all know what happens when you throw a child of God in prison. Something supernatural happens. No exception here!!! At midnight Paul and Silas are praying and singing Hymns when an earthquake opens the cells and their handcuffs fall off. Last time I checked hang cuffs don't just fall off because you shake them. LOL. Because of this the security guard gave his life to Christ along with his whole family. It is great to see that God always has a plan even though you might not understand why.

1. Why do you think God didn't allow Paul to enter Asia?
2. Can we enter Asia now?
3. Has God ever closed a door on you?
4. What was up with that crazy girl yelling at Paul and Silas?
5. How would you act if you were put in jail?
6. What are you doing to become an Acts 1:8 kid?

Acts Ch. 14

This week the boys a.k.a. Paul and Barnabas head to Iconium, Derbe, Lystra, and then back to Antioch. They are preaching the gospel to anyone and everyone. Gender and race do not matter at all. Paul and Barnabas understand that the Holy Spirit can come upon anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. They start in Iconium, but find trouble immediately, so they leave before things get bad. In Lystra Paul heals a crippled man. They city erupts with gladness and wants to sacrifice animals to Paul and Barnabas, calling them gods. They both beg the men of Lystra to not forgo any sacrifices because they were used by God. They themselves did nothing. Soon the crowd changes and Paul gets stoned and thrown out of the city. When the disciples find him he gets up and heads back into the same town that tried to kill him. Paul Rocks!!!

Questions

1. Why are Paul and Barnabas traveling from town to town?

2. Who is hating on Paul and Barnabas?

3. Who healed the lame man?

4. Why did they call Paul and Barnabas Zeus and Hermes?

5. Why did they stone Paul?

6. Why did Paul return to Lystra after he was just left for dead?

7. They went back to all the places they preached, why?

8. How can you become an Acts 1:8 kid?

Acts Ch 12

This week in Acts James the brother of John is put to death by King Herod. After Herod sees that the Jews like what he did, Herod goes for the big dog, Peter. Peter is guarded by 16 Roman guards. While Peter is gone his friends PRAY for him. It is amazing what praying can accomplish. To the surprise of many Peter is released from prison by an Angel. This chapter shows us the power of prayer and how we should never give up hope.

Questions
1. Why did Herod what Peter in Jail?
2. Why do you think Herod assigned 16 guards to watch Peter?
3. Why did an Angel appear in Peter's cell?
4. Who did Peter report to first? Why?
5. Why were the people surprised to see Peter?
6. Would you have been surprised?
7. What does this incident tell you about prayer?
8. How can I become an Acts 1:8 kid?