“Striving to be like Jesus” for the sake of our children

To say that I am excited about this year’s ministry focus is an understatement. In the Bible we see Jesus demonstrate with words and actions that children are not to be dismissed or overlooked but lovingly cared for. They are to be valued, seen and heard in our midst.

As a church community, to be like Jesus with regard to how we view and treat our children means in part that in 2009 we will be looking for ways to...
- Enthusiastically celebrate the presence of children among us in new and meaningful ways,
- Lovingly care for children in safe & secured facilities,
- Creatively teach children and to know God & His word,
- Warmly and sincerely invite children into all aspects of our life together: our fellowship, our worship, and our Kingdom to service to the Lord, one another and our community.

I am eager to witness our commitment to be like Jesus become a reality. I hope and pray that God will be glorified as we strive, individually and as a church, to be Jesus to each of our children. I also pray that we will truly recognize that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.

On the Frontline - Westside Nursery

The mission of the Nursery and Cradle Roll Ministries is to

Teach our children to trust God’s love by nurturing them in safety and security.

Visiting other churches was kind of scary thing for me when I was a mom of infants and toddlers. I confess I made some pretty quick judgments about the churches based on my first impressions of their views regarding children. Whether or not they were child-friendly? Was the nursery clean? Secure? Appropriately attended? More often than not I chose to keep my children with me.

Guests to Westside are also asking the same questions. Perhaps keeping this in mind will help us be patient with one another as we make the changes necessary to affirm the value.

- Shelley Neilson

What’s Happening

January 18
Young Families Fellowship Potluck & Re-Gift Exchange
Family Life House
11:30 - 1:00

January 25
Nursery Workers Training
11:45 - 1:00
Light Lunch please RSVP.
New Pager Orientation
Safety Policies Presentation

January 30
B.L.A.S.T. - Details to come.

The Image of God

We are made in the image of God. As disciples, we desire to be conformed into the image of Christ.

It is a challenge to live from the image of God in ourselves, but this provides the ground for seeing the image of God in others.

When Christians commit to the wellbeing of children it is often because they understand that all children have been made in the image of God. They find the face of God in the face of each child.

Paraphrased from:
Seeing Children, Seeing God
Pamela D. Couture