Children

Heritage Children's Ministry

Heritage is the children's ministry at King of Glory, occurring every Sunday morning during the Celebration Service for ages 1 to 10 years old. Children are encouraged to worship with their families, then are dismissed during the sermon for a time of energizing music, puppets, skits and relevant teaching.  The current teaching series is on worship, led by Eliza Fine. This letter to parents addresses our vision for this season:March 2010

Greetings Heritage Parents!

After much prayerful consideration, I am sensing the LORD would have us spend a focused time on cultivating worship in the hearts of our children. Worship will always be a priority at King of Glory and in Heritage. I believe we are in a season that He is calling us to be intentional in instructing our children in worship and providing opportunities for them to encounter the Presence of God.

In the later part of 2009, I read a book by Reggie Joiner called, "Think Orange". There is no way I can properly unpack the book in the context of this letter but the general idea is merging two separate influences, church and family, together for greater impact.

Yellow: "bright lights"... lampstand (symbolically represents church) and Red: "warm hearts"...loving relationships (representing family)

Yellow + RED = ORANGE

Joiner questions, "What if the solution for the next generation is neither yellow nor red? What if the answer is both blended in a new and radical way? What if the church and the home combined their efforts and began to work off the same page for the sake of the children?" (p. 25)

I've been seeking the LORD... "How can we King of Glory (Heritage) and Families (Home) intentionally join together to have a greater impact in the lives of our children, particularly in the area of worship?" I believe He has revealed some "next steps":

• ARROWS (5-10 yrs.) I will be leading during March and April, focusing on Worship. There will be instruction from the Word, as well as, providing opportunities to apply what we are learning immediately in class. We are also encouraging, partnership in our homes during the week and intentionally nurturing participation in corporate settings such as Sunday Worship Celebration, Facedown & Care Groups with the wider Family of God.

• Heritage Worship 1 CD We are providing a Worship CD for each ARROWS family. It is a compilation of 14 songs ranging from Praise, Worship, Soaking and Instrumental. These are the songs I will be using for our ARROWS Worship time. They flow from an "outer court, inner court, to holy of holies" & Selah. Consider playing the CD frequently in your homes to allow opportunity for the songs to build in your children's spirit. Encourage your children to have personal "worship" times and be intentional in having regular Family Worship times. These are great ways to cultivate awareness of His Presence in your home and opportunities for your family to grow in worshipping Him together.

• Communication My desire is to be in regular communication with you on what's happening in ARROWS, with suggestions of how you can partner with us at home.

• Welcomed As always, you are welcomed to join us in ARROWS to participate in what we are doing. There is something quite valuable in learning together as a family. We also continually want to encourage you to worship together as families, not only at home but also in corporate settings. Feel free to join the Heritage team up front where there is plenty of space!

• Think ORANGE! Let us all grow together in not only thinking ORANGE but also being intentional about creating ORANGE.

One final recurring thought I have had while writing this letter...  ORANGE is good but a cord of three is even better!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls... Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12) and that third strand of course is the LORD. "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of host. (Zechariah 4:6)

Rejoicing in Jesus and His Everlasting Love!
Eliza Fine
thefinefamily@earthlink.net