For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 092318

Thursday Night Supper Ministry

We had a great turnout at our Cross+Gen event last week and we want to keep the momentum going!  Our expanded Thursday night supper ministry continues each Thursday from 5:30-7:30 pm.  Everyone’s invited to attend as we share food, fellowship and resources for Jesus to engage us for the fall Pentecost season.  Ten different households will provide supper for ten consecutive Thursdays sharing the recipe for the centerpiece dish being prepared.  Swing by after work, stop in before choir rehearsal or Bible study, or just come enjoy the fellowship!

While RSVP’s for the dinner are not necessary, it’s very helpful for planning purposes.  There’s even a button to indicate you plan to attend each week.  Hope to see you Thursday!

Not to Be Served, But To Serve is the theme for our fall Pentecost season.  Even if you can’t make it to the Thursday night suppers at church, resources are available for you to use with your family or friends throughout the season.  Weekly recipe cards are available at the Information Center or available for download  here: FFST Fall Pentecost Content 9-23(1)

Holy Trinitywill be providing a meal for the families at the YWCA Family Center on Saturday, October 6.  We will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs.  You may help by serving food or by making a donation for purchasing the food.  If you make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to Holy Trinity and mark the check or envelope for the Y-Center.  If you are interested in serving, please arrive at the Y-Center (900 Harvey Court, Columbus, 43219) by 5:00 pm.  Any questions, please contact Chris Pryor.

All middle-school students are invited to participate in a lock-in at Holy Trinity beginning at 4:30 pm Saturday, October 6 and wrapping up at 10:30 am on Sunday, October 7.  Here’s the schedule:

• Meet at church to carpool to the Y-Family Center for service project
• Back to church for interactive Bible study and games
• Midnight pizza party
• Conclude with catechism class on Sunday morning

Please contact Pastor Steve for more information or to let him know you’ll be there!

The WELCA Bible study begins Tuesday, September 25 at 10 am in the church library.  “Repentance” is the theme of the fall Bible study.  “Turning to God Time after Time” begins the series.  Plan to join us in the church library for an interesting hour of study and discussion.  All are welcome.

Following is a brief recap of the minutes from the August 2018 Church Council meeting:

• Sanctuary artwork accent lighting is nearing completion.
• The bulk of the new kitchen and music office construction should be finished by August 18.
• Parking lot light project is undergoing approval by the UA zoning committee.
• Surplus construction budget will be used to paint and add carpet to Grace Hall per July’s council approval.
• A motion was approved that the construction contingency fund be used to fund the proposed library/nursery facility swap contingent on approval by the library ministry.
• A motion was approved to invite liturgical artist Scott Parsons to Holy Trinity for the artwork dedication.
• The four trustee congregations for Jacob’s Porch will be Advent Lutheran Church, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. An invitation is pending for Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
• Pastor Steve will remain on the resource team of the Bishop’s Advisory Council.
• Holy Trinity church and preschool staff participated together in their first team-building event at the home of Pastor Steve.
• Vacation Bible School 2018 was a great success with more than 85 people participating.
• Income and expenses are within expected estimates for this time period.

Several times in his letters, the Apostle Paul talks about the Body of Christ and the gifts that God has given his stewards who are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).  As we serve together with fellow members of the body, let us give thanks to the giver of the gifts, as well as the gifts.  God gives and the believers employ them for God’s glory and the building of the Kingdom.  For more information on stewardship, please contact Max Buban.

Have you ever heard someone remark about an early childhood program – even ours, perhaps – “All the children do there is play”? At good early childhood programs there is a lot of play – and there should be!

Years of research on children’s learning and development document the many benefits of play for children’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and language development. Children at play are actively involved in creating themes, exploring and establishing environments, solving problems, and developing shared understandings.

Children play in many ways. They play independently, sometimes near each other but with each child engrossed in his own activity. They engage in what is called “parallel play, ” perhaps using each others’ toys or even talking, but not coordinating their play. They also play cooperatively, organizing roles and scenarios for group play. As they get older, children are capable of more cooperative, coordinated play. But all kinds of play are valuable.

As kids play with each other, they learn to see other children’s points of view and begin to become more empathetic and caring. They come to understand customs and rules in their own culture and to appreciate those of others. They learn to use language in new ways to describe their play and to interact with others. And in play, children develop their muscles and coordination.

Adults support children’s play by providing space, opportunity, and materials. We set up areas where kids can play without fear of damaging furniture or injuring themselves. We make sure that they have the time to choose and to become engaged in their own play activities. And when we provide them with simple, interesting materials – no newfangled, expensive gadgets required – kids take it from there.

Play is fun. But it also is serious business that pays big dividends to its eager, young investors.

For a printable PDF version of this week’s newsletter, please click Engaged Weekly 091618