Wednesday, September 30, 2009

H1N1 and A Healthy Church Environment


The H1N1 virus has arrived in Willmar. We want you to know that we take our responsibility for your child's safety seriously. Please join with us in making our church facility a safe environment for all children!


We are taking the following precautions in our preschool areas:

1. Equipment, countertops, an toys are sprayed with disinfectant after every service or childcare event. Toys that have been in kid's mouths are placed in a separate bin and washed in our church dishwasher making them once again safe and sanitized.

2. We are monitoring volunteers and children for signs of illness and asking them to go home if signs of sickness exists.

3. Volunteers are asked to wash their hands before they hold children.

4. Hand sanitizers will be sotcked up in each of the early childhood areas for parents and volunteers to use.

5. Volunteers need to find a replacement and notify Pastor Noelle if they are sick (and stay home, please!)


Reminder: We politely request that all parents strictly adhere to our Sickness Policy to maintain the health of all of our children. We ask that no child be brought to church who has these symptoms within the past 24 hours:

fever,
cough,
sore throat,
runny or stuffy nose,
vomiting,
diarrhea


Additional steps for you and your family from the Centers for Disease Control:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also helpful.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

4. Try to avoid contact with sick people.

5. Practice good habits such as healthy eating, reducing stress and being active.


For additional information visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/ (Centers for Disease Control)

http://www.hearlth.state.mn.us/ (Minnesota Department of Health)


If you have any questions concerning our policy, please contact Pastor Randy or Pastor Noelle at the church at 320.235.2529. Thank you.


Sunday, September 27, 2009

Elijah At Mount Carmel

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel did not lead the people of Israel to follow God. But, Elijah knew who the true God was. Read about the challenge that Elijah made between the false prophets of Baal and Elijah in 1 Kings 18. God answered Elijah's prayer in a powerful way!

Elijah challenged the people to make a decision and choose to put God first. God has blessed us with many things, but we should never love those things more than we love God.

Take a few minutes and read these verses:
Deuteronomy 6:14,15 & Luke 16:13 & Mark 12:30

Putting God first is something we need to do "on purpose."

Today, are you able to "give God 5"?
5 minutes of prayer
5 minutes of Bible reading
5 minutes of praising Jesus

There are all kinds of things we can do each day, and many of the things are good things, but we need to make sure that we are taking time each day to put Jesus first!

Monday, September 21, 2009

God's Great Love

We had a wonderful weekend with Sandy Noe from Louisville, Kentucky. She spoke with us about L.O.V.E. and what it really means to love Jesus.

L - stood for Longing to be with him. Do you want to spend time with Jesus? Do you look forward to being with him when he comes back to take you?

O - stood for obedience. If we love him, we will obey him. John 14:15 records Jesus talking about that. Take a look.

V - represented "vital signs." When a person is checked by a doctor, there are vital (that means "important and necessary") things that need to be checked. A person's heart is always checked. We need to not only check our physical health, but our spiritual health. Is there anything in your heart that will make you spiritually ill? That needs to be cleaned out of a person's heart.

E - reminds us that we will live eternally with Jesus. His love is everlasting. We will get to live with him forever. And he wants to be your Lord and Savior and forever friend.

Take some time to talk with Him today! He loves you!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Hero - Queen Esther!

This Sunday we continued our series on Bible Heroes. These people found themselves with big problems. But, they all also held onto the fact that God would not leave them.


They remembered Deuteronomy 31:6. Do you remember it?


Mordecai was Esther's cousin, and he often encouraged her to do what was right! The word "encourage" means, "to put courage into another."


Jesus wants us to encourage each other too. By what you say, you can help others stand strong.


Is there something you can say to encourage your mom?

Is there something you can say to encourage your dad?

Is there something you can do to encourage your brother or sister?


God wants you to be strong and courageous, and he also wants you to help others be strong and courageous too.


This week, take the time to read the book of Esther. It's only about 6 pages long. It's an incredible true happening in history that is still celebrated today by the Jewish people. It's not a fairy tale. It was totally real.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Courage

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

No matter where you go...no matter what happens...know that you can trust God.

Daniel found out that was true. He was taken as a captive to another land, was forced into a training school, and still did his best to obey God. Because of that, God helped him through the hard times. (You can read about that in Daniel chapter one.)

As you head into a new school year, there may be some surprises that happen. You may even go through some challenges. Be like Daniel. Have courage! God is not going to leave you nor forsake you. You can trust Him to help you and guide you.

Read more about Daniel and his encounter with the lions in Daniel 6.

God bless you!