Bethlehem Connect April 2018 | Page 7

children, Youth & Family Looking Ahead Children ECHO (MTKA) Echo is our expression of Sunday school that embraces the noise and movement of children during worship. Echo gathers in the Narthex during a portion of the service so that we are growing in faith all together and within earshot of the same story. If you find Echo distracting, we invite you to sit toward the front of the sanctuary. Family Sunday School - 2nd graders with parents April 8 &15 during 9:15 or 10:30 am Sunday School Second graders and their parents will gather in the Cinema during their Sunday School hour and learn about the Lord’s Prayer. We will learn together more fully the meaning of this prayer that Jesus gave us. On April 22, the 2nd graders will lead the congregation in The Lord’s Prayer during Worship. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! Register today! Why send your child to VBS? Vacation Bible School introduces children to our foundational stories and showers them with God’s unconditional love in an engaging and creative environment. Kids make great friends, look up to passionate teenage mentors and learn from trusted and trained staff. Music, games, skits, treats and crafts are just a few ways VBS emboldens all kids to grow while having fun. Mark your calendars! MPLS: June 25–29 Merry Christmas! VBS: A Summer ADVENTure! MTKA: July 9–12 Get Lost! VBS From the Youth Team... On Sunday, March 11, Bethlehem member and Washburn High School graduate Harrison Korblick Jay shared his personal and very new story of pain, struggle, and awakening, and the hope that AA has brought to him and his family. He spoke about how alcoholism and addiction is a diagnosable disease no different from cancer or diabetes, what the signs are, and how we get help. It was a powerful day and we are so grateful for his courage and strength. Please consider joining us for our other two speakers in the spring series. All speaker series events are open to the whole congregation and the wider community. Programming for Children: April 22 – Family Sunday School, What's Next? 9:15 or 10:30 am at Minneapolis Campus (5th & 6th grades) Programming for Youth: May 6 – Communion Bread Making (MTKA) Meet Soren in the kitchen 9:30-10:30 am to bake delicious communion bread for the month. Come, bring a friend and let’s bake! For more information on each of these events, visit bethlehem-church.org/events. Summer 2018 Opportunities This summer, there are many exciting opportunities for children and youth: Youth • Israel/Palestine: June 17-27 (10th-12th) • MPLS VBS Volunteer: June 25-29 (6th-12th) • Camp Amnicon: July 8-13 (7th-12th) • Serve Boldy: Chicago: July 22-27 (7th-12th) • Green Lake Bible Camp: July 29-Aug. 3 (7th-12th) Children • MTKA VBS: June 18-21 (4 years-5th) • MPLS VBS: June 25-29 (4 years-5th) • Green Lake Bible Camp: July 29-Aug. 3 (1st-6th) For more information, please go to our website or pick up a brochure at the hospitality desk. Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones But Words Dehumanize Me Wednesday, April 11, 6:30-7:45 pm, Sanctuary Allegra Smisek will talk about the possible connections between dehumanization through language and the prevalence of sexual assault in the United States, as well as steps we can take to educate the next generation to create a safer and more inclusive society. Unpacking Jerusalem Sunday, May 6, 10:30-11:30 am, Harrisville The status of Jerusalem is one of the key negotiating points for Israeli/Palestinian peace talks. Join Nicole Hark for a discussion about Jerusalem's importance beyond the historical or tourist-based, and the ripple effect of the US recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. More information and speaker's bios available at bethlehem-church.org/events. Smash! Bang! Clink! Bring your pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to crash in the offering pot in each Sunday School classroom. We also enjoy “quiet” offering: bills and checks. During April our noisy offering will go to Vacation Bible School scholarships. 7