Friday Faith Builder

Has your family been enjoying the Olympics? The Olympics provide a wonderful opportunity for us to learn about other cultures, races, ethnicities, traditions, and rituals. We all too often get wrapped up in our own little, personal world and forget at some level that we are each part of a much bigger picture and plan.


Choose an Olympic event to watch as a family. Bring some kind of map, whether it is on paper or a computer. Find the countries represented at the event. Learn about the foods the people eat and what days they celebrate. Listen to the music from the country. Choose one or two competitors to research. What are their stories and the stories of their families? What has it taken for them to be able to compete? What will they return to when they go back home?

Throughout the year, volunteer in areas different from where you live. Spend time in homeless shelters and food pantries. Attend cultural events at museums and parks. Sponsor a child from a different country. Show compassion and care for those different than you. Travel as you are able and explore new areas and places.

As we embrace the larger world, our children will begin to understand that the world is bigger than them. That they can make a difference. That they can be people of peace and hope. Share God’s love with the world and the world will be a better, brighter home for all.

-Pastor Lisa

Friday Faith Builder

Last week two of my daughters (who are 12 and 14 years old) participated in the church’s youth mission trip to downtown Kansas City. We had reviewed the packing list several times, and even as we were backing out of the driveway I said, “You have swimsuits? Shower bag? Bible? Sleeping bag and pillow? They responded “Yes” to each item—even saying they had blankets and pillows when I asked about the sleeping bag.

I dropped the girls off at the church where they would be sleeping, gave them hugs, and headed home. Twenty minutes later, my phone rang. I knew it was the girls and I chose not to answer it. However, I listened to their message right away. “Mom—my sister forgot her swimsuit and I forgot my sleeping bag and pillow. Can you bring them down to us, please?”

I did not respond. I wanted the girls to have some time to figure out their situation on their own. Six hours later, the phone rang again—I answered and heard the same information—however not the request. I asked, “So what is your plan?” I was pleased to hear they had one—and it didn’t involve me bringing anything to them. (They knew better than to ask me again because my answer would be “No.”)

Sometimes it is hard to let our kids make mistakes. We want to help them out. We want to protect them. But they need to learn how to solve problems and do things differently the next time around. Pray for God’s guidance as you parent and pray that we all, young or old, can grow from our mistakes.   

-Pastor Lisa

Friday Faith Builder

One of the highlights of our New York City mission trip was worshiping at a Jewish synagogue. The service we attended was filled with singing in the Hebrew language. Though we did not understand the words, we did understand the spirit. The congregation was filled joy and gratitude towards God.

About halfway through the service, the rabbi identified us as a visiting group and we were asked to join him at the front. He spoke briefly on the importance of accepting and loving one another and understanding our differences. He spoke of us as part of the family of God and asked the children to bring forward cups of white grape juice for us to drink as a symbol of sharing our faith with each other. He also asked the congregation to sing a song of blessing upon us. We were all very moved by this amazing act of hospitality and love.

How does your family seek to understand those of different faiths? Do you know how they pray and worship? What traditions or rituals do they honor? What are the basic theological beliefs? What is the history of the faith? What special days to they celebrate and why?

Build relationships with those of other faiths. Seek to understand and love. Be people of peace and hope. Reach out to all.

-Pastor Lisa  

Weekend/Friday Faith Builder

The Friday faith builder is one day late so let's make it the weekend faith builder!

I love celebrations—birthdays, holidays, graduations, anniversaries—any milestone is celebration-worthy in my mind!  And yet, why wait for a milestone to celebrate?  What if this summer, we each took at least one day to celebrate life!  God has given us an amazing gift in the ability to use our senses of taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight to experience this incredible world around us—so let’s give thanks and enjoy!

Choose a day to celebrate.  Then as a family, talk about how could you use all of your senses to rejoice!  You might choose some favorite treats to create and eat.  What games or activities could you do that would be fun for everyone?   Do you have some music that everyone enjoys listening to—or playing yourselves?  How about seeing balloons, colorful confetti and God’s creation?  Would you want to invite any friends to join you in your celebration?

Through the year consider bringing moments of celebration into everyday life.  Bring home a bouquet of colorful balloons on a dreary day.  Learn how other cultures celebrate and choose one to join in on.  Throw a party for the first day of fall or spring and give thanks for the seasons God created.  Throw a surprise party for someone who may not have family around.  Celebrate efforts and not just accomplishments regarding school performance and activities.

Commit to celebrating life! And have fun!

-Pastor Lisa 

Friday Faith Builder-5th Grade Mission Trip To NYC



This past week, eight of our KiDS COR fifth graders each brought one parent along to share together in our very first mission trip to New York City! Wow—were they all amazing! We filled our days with opportunities to grow in knowing, loving and serving God and others.


We learned about immigration as we visited the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Tenement Museum, a place where immigrants came to live after they were accepted into America. We cleaned up a couple of community gardens, delivered Meals on Wheels (actually they were Meals on Foot ), worked in a food pantry and prepared a meal for 400 people at a soup kitchen.

The group listened to people’s stories of becoming homeless and how they are working their way out of homelessness. We visited the World Trade Center site and the Museum of Jewish Heritage to learn about the horrors of hate and the hope that comes when people seek to understand and love one another. We were warmly welcome as we worshiped in a synagogue and a church in Harlem.

We spent time at the Church Center for the United Nations where we learned about the importance of being involved in both charity and justice efforts as we serve others. We also were visited by the top official of the United Nations World Food Program who taught us to share the story of freerice.com, a website where anyone can play games and earn grains of rice for people around the world.

We thank God for this amazing opportunity to grow in our faith, and as we return home to Kansas City, we will be exploring ways to build relationships and serve here, as well. We feel blessed to have been a part of this journey.

-Pastor Lisa

Friday Faith Builder

With kids out of school, more hours of sunlight, and activities winding down, summertime brings about a whole new rhythm.  You might be planning on spending time at the pool, library, museums, parks, and traveling.  You might have several arts and crafts projects tucked away, outdoor games and play dates planned.  How about spending time focusing on your family faith life?  Could you create time for an additional time with God this summer?

You might get involved in a charity and volunteer somewhere.  Consider helping neighbors, community service people, or those in need. Sing or listen to music that is cheerful and uplifting. Find a new praise CD and learn a new song or two. Pray together as a family and by yourself.   Retell Bible stories you hear in church. Create a craft project and share it with someone who is lonely.  Cook a meal or bake a treat and bless someone else with it.  Invite people to your home for a time of fun and fellowship.  Spend time outside at different times of day and night. Thank God for the beautiful creations in this world. Continue to attend worship and KiDS COR.

You will have many opportunities to praise God and grow in your faith as a family this summer.  Pray that God will help you enjoy every moment!

-Pastor Lisa

Friday Faith Builder

Wow!  Summer is here!  Do you have plans to spend time with family and friends?  How about one-on-one time with your kids?  Do you and your family have fun and creative ideas of how to spend time day-to-day for the next few months? 

If you have yet to think about what fun moments and activities your family might share together, consider asking everybody for a few ideas.  Also, talk about how much screen time your kids will be given this summer.  Young people spend an average of seven hours and thirty-eight minutes every day between computers, cell phones and television--that totals 53 hours a week!  A good number of those hours could be used in creative pursuits, serving opportunities, and sharing quality time.

Read, play a game, or design a craft instead of watching TV.  Turn off cell phones during meals.  Leave the computer off for an evening or two each week and take a walk or visit a neighbor.  When you are in the car, leave the stereo off and talk, sing, or play silly car games. 

This summer, tune out the TV and tune into God and one another.  Remind your kids that God can always be accessed anytime and anywhere.   Pray and ask God to help you all use your time wisely and celebrate summer!

  

Pastor Lisa

Friday Faith Builder

One of my favorite Bible verses is Colossians 3:12 which states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”


The phrase “clothe yourselves” stands out to me as a vivid image of how God wants us to dress—and live. Once in a while, when I remember, I try to imagine the different parts of my outfit as the qualities God wants me to clothe myself with. When I put on my shoes, I think of humility. When I put on pants, I think of patience.

What might happen if we all began thinking this way? What if kindness, compassion and gentleness were as important to us as our tops, jewelry and dresses? What if we put more thought into the way we treated others than the way we look toward others?

As you work on this, encourage your children to do the same. When you pick out clothes for the next day, have fun naming the items “compassion,” kindness,” and “patience.” Ask your kids if they put on their clothes and God’s clothes for the day. Remind them they might need to add a layer of humility or gentleness once in a while.

Use your imagination with this verse. Apply it to your daily living. And have fun!

-Pastor Lisa

Friday Faith Builder

I had the joy of visiting my brother in New York City this past weekend. I was reminded once again of the importance of taking care of ourselves as people and as parents so we can then take good care of others.



Of course, the directions on the airplane to “take care of your our oxygen mask before helping your child” is a familiar phrase to those who travel. Though it may seem selfish, in fact, is quite the opposite. We can care most effectively for others when we have been taken care of and others will benefit immensely when we treat ourselves as the valuable, precious creations God designed.


How, in a crazy, busy life do we do that? Here are some ideas—incorporate those that are meaningful to you. Doing something for yourself is better than doing nothing—so start with one and see how life goes.


Exercise, Read, Pray, Laugh, Spend time with friends


Enjoy family, Create, Be in nature, Worship, Play with pets


Paint, Solve puzzles, Drink water, Eat fruits and veggies


Sleep, Dance, Play a sport ,Take a class, Do nothing


These are only a few ways you can take care of you. Discover and add your own! Remember you are a child of God and deserve to be cared for, too! Your children will be blessed as you do.


-Pastor Lisa