HighGear Virtue of the Month: Forgiveness
This month we’re talking about forgiveness—(1) deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn’t have to pay. “Doesn’t have to pay” sounds pretty vengeful, doesn’t it? And, of course, Christians aren’t supposed to be vengeful. But don’t we think in those terms when people do us wrong? We want them to PAY for what they did, to MAKE IT UP to us, to GET WHAT THEY DESERVE, because they OWE us. Read more HighGear Virtue

Preschool & Elementary Small Group Registration for 2011/2012

Online registration for our small groups will open May 15th at 8:00 AM and will close on June 6th.  We require all children who are currently involved in a small group to enroll for the 2011/2012 ministry year

Because of the growth this past year and anticipating new growth, we will put a “cap” on registration for each hour of HighGear.   This limit will allow room for guests to get plugged in at 10:00 which is the hour that most new families visit.  Registration will be received on a first come, first serve basis.  We will offer online registration to make it as easy as possible to place your child in a small group. Parents, please be watching for an email that will go out the week before with greater details and a link where you will be able to register from on May 15th. 

6th Grade Crossover Luncheon
All current 6th graders and their entire family are invited to a special lunch in honor of celebrating their experiences in KidsPointe Ministry as well as preparing to enter the Center Pointe Student Ministry (CPSM).  Read more about the Crossover Luncheon 

JAM Days - JaM Days is a FREE – three day program tailored specifically for preschoolers (ages 3* to 5 years old). The dates for this event will be May 24th and May 25th from 9:30-11:30.  Read more about JAM Days

KidsPointe Worship Team Application
May is the month where we encourage kids who will be in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade in the fall to think about joining our KidsPointe Worship Team. An email has already gone out that explains the requirements and all the details.  Interested kids and returning worship team members should have their paragraph turned into Tammy Phillips by May 31st.  Please contact Tammy Phillips for any questions.

SUNDAY, MAY 22ND IS OUR LAST DAY OF SMALL GROUPS FOR THIS MINISTRY YEAR.

KidsPointe Volunteers are Appreciated!

Did you realize that a little word of encouragement can make a person’s entire day and that a huge dose of encouragement can make a person’s entire week?  It’s true!!!

May is a month where we typically show our appreciation for those involved in our kid’s lives.  In our local schools, teachers are honored with gifts, special lunches, and many words of encouragement from parents and children.  They work hard to teach our kids the academics that they will need throughout their life.

Our volunteers here at CPCC also deserve such appreciation and encouragement!!  They spend each Sunday teaching Biblical truths that make an eternal impact on the lives of our children.    Let’s shower them with appreciation by writing them a note of thanks, give a small gift certificate, or flower, or bake them some goodies!  Let’s pour out our love, encouragement, and appreciation to them for serving the Lord though children.

To all the KidsPointe Volunteers,
Thank you so much for your involvement in our ministry throughout this past year!  Your hard work and efforts are appreciated more than you will ever know!  You may never know what wonderful seeds you have planted in our kids this year.  We do know that our kids have been blessed to have you in their lives.  I hope that you have been blessed as a result of serving and loving Him through them!!  Thanks so all you do!

RECRUITING FOR 2011/2012 KIDSPOINTE VOLUNTEERS IS UNDERWAY!!  IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SERVE STARTING IN THE FALL, PLEASE TALK TO TAMMY, MANDY, OR AMANDA.

Why did God create us?
I have been asked several times in life (and once recently) why God created us?  Why would a loving, all-knowing God create mankind knowing our faults and the trouble we would face?  For what purpose would a God of grace subject us to the pain and suffering we all face, and bring on Him?  And if I answer, "For His glory" many see God as self-centered or even cold and cruel.  It seems a difficult question, at first.

Humor me for a moment and picture this...you live in a safe yet humble neighborhood of young families and some elderly, in a suburb of tricycles, 10 year old Honda Accords and push mowers.  A street with more strollers and training wheels than well running mini-vans but this doesn't bother your neighbors.  And the remnant of first generation owners to these homes enjoy seeing the children play next door so long as they don't trample my grass or petunias.

Next door to you sits a humble home...a starter home for a young family.  The family numbers five... currently.  The mother stays home, the father a young manager who prioritizes his family.  You see them routinely taking walks together, dad throwing ball with his son and  jumping rope with his daughter while mom draws rainbows and family portraits that leave chalk stains on their clothes until they can find time to meet the washing machine next week. Mom and dad make life work on a budget and enjoy one another's company, in-love in a way that is unassuming but also comforting to you.  The warmth you feel in a conversation with either of them is subtle but undoubtedly abounds in their home, especially at bedtime with hugs, mooches, prayers and teddy bears. Yes a family who is often overlooked but never under admired.

Suppose one afternoon as you drag two cans to the curb you run into the dad doing the same, in an obvious hurry. He smiles as he heads back inside to tell you..."Katie is expecting again!". His eyes slightly gleaming as you see more of his teeth through a smile than you've seen in a while...and you've seen many.

How do you feel in this moment?  What emotions or thoughts stir within you?  Who among us would say to this man..."Dear Eddie, what a selfish person you are.  Do you not watch CNN and Dateline? Do you not know that this world is full of bad things and trying times?  Why would you even think to bring another child into this world, in this time, in this place and with these people?  Who gives you the right to bring life?  What purpose is their in having this child?  Surely no good will come of this."

No. Our thoughts are of joy and feelings of envy. Envy because we know the home this child has will come home to is one of love, humility, grace and warmth. A family of strength and tenacity will produce children of the same. We envy the home this child will join, with a kind of longing that makes us wish to be kid again, skinned knees, flat basketballs, grass stained shirts and all.  None of us questions their motives with any validity. For why did you have children?  What purpose was their in your formation of their lives?  Even still, why did your parents have you?  To love I supposed. To be fulfilled as a family together.

And so this is the way of God. Out of deep need to love and draw others into a home of all homes. A home where we all long to awake in the morning and lie down at night.  A home that makes all other homes pale in comparison.  A home where all boo boos are healed to never return...ever. And SLEEP, sleep like we've never had before. Not because the bed could swallow you for years without regret but because the presence of true, undying love, grace and compassion resides in our room as we breath deep. A home where this greatness and goodness are the purpose and not us...comforting in a way we didn't expect.

If God created us for ourselves the question of why He did so is valid.  But we exist for God not He for us. Our existence is found purposeful in Him, a fact that eludes most of us.  How much simpler life would be if we got it.

HighGear News
April kicks off a new virtue, that of humility. We’ve defined humility as putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve. It’s natural for kids to think “me, me, me.” God designed babies and small children to be concerned about themselves: they demand attention when they need something. Otherwise, they wouldn’t get what they need to thrive.  Read more about this month's virtue...

OVATIONS, April 10th at 4:00 PM
This fantastic, free event is for all KidsPointe and Student Ministry Volunteers!!!!  You give so much to our students and their families…. now it’s time for you to be filled up with encouragement, inspiration, and refreshing energy!!  This night will be a huge party in your honor and you don’t want to miss this!!!!!  Awesome food, great videos, free t-shirts, worship led by Mosteller, and a surprise musical number you’ll be talking about for a while!!!  You may even want to bring your video camera!!  Babysitting will be provided by reservation only.  Don’t forget to RSVP from your email invitation. 

Easter Sunday, April 24th
All Elementary children will be combined in HighGear in our upstairs 456 HighGear room on Easter Sunday.  HighGear will be offered at 10:00 and 11:30.  We will have extended worship and a large group lesson.  There will be no small groups offered this day.  There is no OverDrive offered on this day as well!   Any elementary child attending the 8:30 service will worship with their parents in the adult worship service. All nursery and preschool classes will be offered as usual on Easter Sunday.

Save the Date

April 10:  All 3rd graders visit the upstairs HighGear during their HighGear hour.  6th graders visit Student Ministry at 10:00.  There will be no 6th grade small groups this day in HighGear.

April 10: Ovations at 4:00 PM

April 24, Easter:  No OverDrive this day.  HighGear offered at 10 and 11:30  for all elementary kids in 456 HighGear room without small groups.

April 24: Registration for JAM DAYS opens online

May 1st: Last “Review Day” for 456 HighGear kids

May 1st: Footprints Baptism Celebration at 3:00 in adult worship center

May 9th:  Elementary Small group registration opens for the 2011/2012 school year online

May 13th: Preschool Trike Day at 10:30

May 22nd: Last day of HighGear small groups

May 22nd: 6th Grade CrossOver Lunch for 6th grade families

May 24 – 26:  JAM DAYS

May 29th:  No Elementary Programming this day