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Likely by the time you’re reading this, school is officially out for summer! For some of us it has felt like summer for a bit, but for our school-aged church family members today is officially the day! I’m praying for safe, healthy, fun and spiritually fruitful summers for you all!

We’re not far away from the departure of our Jr. High Youth Roots headed to the National Jr. High Youth Conference at Juniata College! The group will leave on Friday, June 20th and return on Sunday, June 22nd. On Sunday you’ll join us as we pray the team off during our worship service. Before our June 20th departure, make sure to stop by the Gathering Area and jot some notes for the attendees. You can put postcards, cards or even small treats in the attendees “mailboxes” hanging on the wall. I’ll deliver “mail” before each worship service. There are cards and postcards available for your use in the Gathering Area or you can provide your own.

The Sr. High Youth Roots headed to their conference in Montana have their first fundraiser for their conference on Monday, June 16th. Mark your calendars to visit Son’s Ice Cream between 6 and 9pm, and mention our group. A percentage of the nights totals will go towards our trip!

Next week also includes the Disaster Relief Picnic (Thursday, June 19th) at Alan and Pam Platt’s home. The meal is by donation, in support of the Brethren Disaster Relief efforts. The same evening includes the Women’s Summer Social event at the home of Vickie Kreider. A busy night for the church family! 

This week is the last call for any individuals interested in getting baptised this summer. The Baptism service will be held on Sunday June 29th in the Sanctuary, immediately following the worship service. This Sunday is the 5th Sunday of the month making it our next “Every Generation Sunday.” In lieu of a combined Sunday School activity, we’ll celebrate the proclamation of faith of those being baptized and then share a meal in the Family Life Center after the service. Those with last names A-K are to bring a hot dish/main dish and those with last names L-Z are to bring a dessert. 

The combination of the rain and the sunshine are making for some great growing days for my garden. This year it is filled with mostly cutting flowers as my sister and I are trying to make a little business out of a hobby. I was grateful for another weekend home to be able to continue some work there as well as spend some time in my kitchen! Before my weekend kicked off, I had the privilege of sharing about Family Ministry with the ANE District Ministry Formation Group. Thanks to Mary Etta and Bob Kettering for the invitation to come and share with this group of ministers in training! 

 

What WE’RE Learning This Week: A nugget of what our Lil’, Youth and Adults Roots heard this week

Our Family Theme: Knowing God

Our Root Text: Psalm 19:1–14

Verse of the Month: Psalm 23:1

How Every Generation Lives This Out: Discuss as a family… God’s Word is true, unchanging, and without error. Why are those attributes important?

 

What I’M Learning This Week: Sharing what I’m reading and listening to lately

I’m prepping a Sunday School lesson for our Jr. High Youth Roots in preparation for the National Jr. High Conference. We’ll spend Sunday growing in confidence with the conference’s key passage - Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” 

I’m enjoying this project as I’m looking back at all of these notes in my Bible from FAMJAM last year. It was so fun to journey through the book of Philippians together! Being in some of these notes is making me so excited to spend time with all of you for a whole weekend in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount! 

Anyways, Philippians 4:5… “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” As I looked into the word “gentleness” a little bit more, I found a lot of different answers to what the original language actually means. One source says that the original language translates more closely to “moderation,” “fairness” or “patient.” Another source says this word translates better to “express an active deal with others.” Interestingly, this word is different from the gentleness we know in the Fruit of the Spirit. Additionally, different words are used in different translations as you look into the verse. 

Paul says the world should KNOW your joy (Philippians 4:4) and your gentleness. It is something that others should experience through their relationship with you. Simply, Paul’s saying responds like Jesus. Look beyond the law to show fairness, mercy, patience and justice to others. 

Living like Jesus in joy (4:4), gentleness (4:5), peace (4:7) and all that Paul lists out in Philippians 4:8 is backwards to how the world defines each of those things. That’s evident in how tricky it is to translate the original language of “gentleness” in this verse. All of FAMJAM this year will be exploring Jesus’ call to live in this upside-down, backwards kingdom. A “kingdom that flows in reverse.” I have a lot of room to grow in this gentleness that Paul is talking about here. I’d bet that’s the same for a lot of us. “The Lord is near” (4:5), Lord help me be diligent in pursuing your way of gentleness.

 

Make Every Week Count: Parenting, Grandparenting & Spiritual Mentoring Resources

Something to Read: Been hearing some podcast interviews with this author about “Slow Burn: The Work and Wonder of the Wait” and now it’s definitely on my to-read list!

Something to Listen to: Here’s a new worship song I’m enjoying right now… Fruit Takes Time by SEU Worship

Something to Follow: Check out this AWESOME summer at-home discipleship tool! Bible Bootcamp Old Testament: The Case of the Coming King includes podcasts, coloring pages and activities as kids hunt for Jesus in the Old Testament stories.

 

How Can You Pray? Prayer Requests and Praises from Roots Ministries

PRAY for safe, fun and spiritually-fruitful summers!

PRAISE for great teachers, administrators and staff who helped make great school years for our Roots Kids!