Posts with the category “kids-families”

Often an Advent calendar is used to count down the days until Christmas by opening a box and discovering an ornament or something that helps you focus on the Advent journey. A reverse Advent calendar focuses on giving something instead of receiving – a Christ centered idea indeed – since Christmas is all about God giving himself to us as a baby.The idea behind a reverse Advent calendar is simple. ...  Read More

Parenting kids into adults through middle school, puberty, and high school demands a whole new level of motherhood. Our kids are changing. We are changing. What worked before doesn't work anymore. The decisions they make have real consequences. It's painful to see them differentiate. It's amazing to see them grow. It's all overwhelming. Gain connection and support alongside other Moms of Teens wit...  Read More

By Stacy KutzFamilies and Youth Director What is your VBS story? As I am planning Vacation Bible School, I find myself reflecting back over my personal history with VBS. I remember days filled with singing songs, playing games, making crafts, eating silly food, and learning about God. My husband Dan fondly recalls the rigorous memory work program he participated in at West Side’s VBS. Starting in...  Read More

By Stacy KutzFamilies and Youth Director I was thrilled when Pastor Laurie asked me to lead a discussion last Sunday during the middle hour about West Side’s desire to be an intergenerational church. As I was preparing, I realized that from the start we needed to define the difference between multigenerational and intergenerational church.Many of us grew up in multigenerational churches. Churches ...  Read More

Hi, I’m Erika and you will normally see me somewhere with the kids on Sunday mornings!I grew up attending West Side, participating in Sunday school and VBS. And I went to school in the Arbor Heights/ White center area. I went to college at the University of Idaho which was a bit of a culture shock after attending Evergreen High School, though I enjoyed the small-town atmosphere. I’ve always loved ...  Read More

In a year that's been plenty scary, this much is clear: Pandemic Halloween will be different than regular Halloween. Many traditional ways of celebrating are now considerably more frightful than usual, because now they bring the risk of spreading the coronavirus.Accordingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines on how to celebrate Halloween safely. No big surpri...  Read More

Recently I came across an article about the value of having family table conversations. It reminded me about a talk given by Freda Ricord at one of my first MOPS meetings. She encouraged MOPS moms (and dads) to take advantage of our time around the table to “feed our children’s bellies AND feed their souls.” Meaning, be intentional with the time you have when your kids are happily eating and bring...  Read More

(From www.group.com; Parenting Christian Kids Newsletter) After a summer of “freedom” and relaxed rules, September’s return to school and schedules often poses a challenge for children. On top of that, 2020 has been filled with new restrictions and limits that are tough for everyone to comply with and comprehend.As the pandemic drags on, kids are likely to have more questions about why they need t...  Read More

As parents of young children, most of you have a plethora of things to worry about—from milestones to worries of the future. However, 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." Use this season in your life, letting your child know the many ways that God provides for your family! God loves and cares about you and your child!ENGAGE:Pray this Scripture o...  Read More

We are grieved. As a ministry and as parents, we grieve the painful consequences of prolonged racial division and inequality in our country. We recognize that all parents are created uniquely by God, and it hurts us to see that our fellow parents are being made to feel less because of their skin color. God will not stand for racism, and neither should we.Parents, please know that now more than eve...  Read More

In Luke 10:25, a legal expert asks Jesus about the path to eternal life. Jesus tells him to follow the two greatest commandments—love God and love your neighbors. Yet the man presses for more detail, following up by asking “And who is my neighbor?” (verse 29). Then Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, teaching that neighbors can be anyone, not just people who look, act, and believe as we...  Read More

I was looking through picture albums over the past few weeks. Joshua and Jess are expecting and I’m going to be a Nana (or Mimi? feel free to vote) in a little over a month! Anyway, we were planning a slide show for a virtual shower and I needed to send pictures of Joshua. I got caught up in the memories and a simple project took me hours!I, like many of you I’m sure, took pictures of my kids stan...  Read More