1000 N Entrance Ave Kankakee, IL, 60914

(815)933-1000

June 2014

It’s summer, which means kids are out of school and schedules and rou-tines go out the window. Kids stay up later, sleep in longer, and look to you to fill their days with stuff to do. As our summer schedules relax, it’s easy for kids to fall into this slump. They’re not engaging their brains as much as they were during the school year. And while breaks are healthy, it’s not always good for kids to com-pletely disengage for months at a time. According to research, kids typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer. Coinciding with the dropoff in aca-demic activity, your kids’ faith growth can also fall into a summer slump.

Church activities can be less structured during the summer break. And summer vacations and schedules may mean families aren’t attending as regularly. But there’s good news! The effects of the summer slump are less pronounced in kids whose families intentionally en-gage their kids with growth opportuni-ties—whether it’s library visits, art clas-ses, or simple nature walks. Keeping your kids engaged translates into their spiritual growth, too. Intentionally involv-ing your kids in faith conversations, sharing your wonder at God’s creation while camping, or simply praying to-gether daily will keep their spiritual minds sharp and expanding. You’re the #1 influencer in your kids’ spiritual lives; take the summer as an opportunity to keep learning—and growing—together.

Avoiding the Summer Slump

POWERSOURCE ASK GOD:

1. To help you connect with your

kids over the summer.

2. To show you areas where you

can grow as a parent.

3. For opportunities to let your kids

expand their responsibilities.

TEACHABLE MOMENTS

Honoring God This month, we celebrate dads. Here’s a project to help kids show their appre-ciation for their Heavenly Father. Gather art supplies such as paper, markers, or paints. Have family mem-bers each draw or paint a picture of something he or she is thankful to God for. Take turns sharing your pictures and explaining why you each chose that picture. Then discuss these questions: • What does it mean that God is our heavenly father? • Why does it matter if we’re thankful for what God gives us? • What are other ways we can show our thankfulness to God? Close by praying, “God, thank you for being our heavenly father, and for all of the ways you have blessed us. Amen.”

Intentional Engagement

So how can you integrate intentionality into your family’s summer routine? Here are easy ideas to choose from. Some may be things you’re already doing, but with an added twist, can be a great time of growing closer together and closer to God.

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”—Proverbs 22:6

Start a family book club. Take turns selecting a book; then meet weekly to discuss it. While you do so, weave in questions and discussion about faith and how it shows up in the book. Perhaps a character exhibited Christian be-havior, or someone’s selfish moti-vations led to a downfall. This idea is a good excuse to wade into the books your kids are read-ing and interested in. You can grapple with principles in the book or explore challenging concepts together through thoughtful con-versation. A family book club has the added benefit of keeping your kids read-ing over the summer, helping to stave off the summer slump. In addition, many libraries offer free summer reading programs. Teach your kids life skills. One of our main jobs as parents is to raise kids who can function once they leave the nest. So use the summer months to teach kids skills they’ll need in life. Here are possi-bilities: cooking, laundry, cleaning a bathroom, sewing, creating a grocery list, simple budgeting, basic repairs, yard maintenance, maybe even ironing. Teaching kids these skills will take effort, but once they’ve learned, you can integrate them into their normal chores. You’ll save yourself time in the long run and teach your kids self-sufficiency.

Adopt a neighbor. If you have a neighbor who’s elder-ly or a single parent, that person might be struggling to keep up with yard work. Consider tasking your kids with helping out by going over once a week to pull weeds, water, or plant flowers. (After you ask the neighbor for permission, of course.) You can talk in the even-ing and discuss what they experi-enced that day and why lending a hand to others is something Jesus wants us to do. Quick Ideas • Sign up your kids for a Christian summer camp. Many camps have scholarship programs available, so don’t hesitate to ask if money is an issue. • Take your kids to vacation Bible school. Each day, ask your kids what they learned and talk through practical ways to live that out. • Go for a hike. Look for and talk about God’s creation. • Have a movie night. Look for biblical truths you see—and don’t see—in the film. • Invite your kids’ friends over for dinner and games. Your family might be one of the only stable influences in a kid’s life, and your home could be an oasis.

MOVIE Title: How to Train Your Dragon 2 Genre: Action, Adventure, Animation, Fantasy Rating: PG (for adventure action and some mild rude humor) Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett Synopsis: Viking hero Hiccup and his dragon Toothless have discovered a cave full of wild dragons—and a myste-rious Dragon Rider. Soon they find themselves in the middle of a battle to keep the peace in their kingdom. Our Take: The first film was surprising-ly great—and highly successful. The hero used his mind more than his brawn, and that’s a great example for kids who might not feel as athletic as their peers.

MEDIA MADNESS

ArtistAlbumArtist Infospeaker, and spokenYouTube video “G.O.S.P.E.L.” has garnered millions of views. SummarytracksLecraeWebb. Our Take:a talented hiploves Jesus is difficult. Propaganda has toured with Greg Stier and Dare2Share, so he knows how to relate to kids. But he doesn’t water down his gospel message. These songs can be a great jumpingfor discussion.

Games, Sites & Apps

Mario Golf: World Tour Mario is back in a new golfing game that fea-tures three unique 18-hole courses. The game includes numerous characters to use, un-lockable features, mul-tiplayer options, player challenges, and fun items to find. Rating: E; Nintendo 3DS

girlscouts.org/ forgirls This branch of the main Girl Scouts site provides numerous age-appropriate resources for girls. It also includes places to color and crate artwork and activities to increase community and self-esteem.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or you’ll make informed decisions about what your children

watch, read, listen to, and play.

MADNESS

A school in New Zealand stopped enforcing playground rules during recess. The result: a decline in rates of bullying, injuries, and vandalism, as well as an centration in class. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, unstructured play oudoors during the school day is just as important to student achievement as reading or math class. Ministry Magazine)

QUICKDoesn’t Add Up:

about two months

level equivalency in math skills over

the summer months. Kids from low

income families also lose reading

achievement levels, even though

middle-

gains in reading achievement over

the summer.

Learning Association

Engaged Dads:surveyed dads said they’re more ivolved with their kids than their own fathers were. Another survey found that 86% of dads spend more time with their kids than their dads did.(time.com

MUSIC

Artist: Propaganda Album: Crimson Thread Artist Info: Propaganda is a rapper, speaker, and spoken-word artist. His YouTube video “G.O.S.P.E.L.” has garnered millions of views. Summary: His new album features 13 tracks—including collaborations with Lecrae, Braille, Andy Mineo, and Derek Webb. Our Take: Hip-hop is huge, and finding a talented hip-hop artist who genuinely loves Jesus is difficult. Propaganda has toured with Greg Stier and Dare2Share, so he knows how to relate to kids. But he doesn’t water down his gospel message. These songs can be a great jumping-off point for discussion.

Games, Sites & Apps

girlscouts.org/

branch of the main provides

appropriate resources for girls. It also includes places to color and cre-ate artwork and activities to increase community

Super Why App This $2.99 iPhone and iPad app helps kids learn to read, with four different games that help them identify letters, learn sounds, trace and write words, and figure out rhyming words. Available in the App Store.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children

watch, read, listen to, and play.

Go to:Splinkyour family together spiritually. Through FREE weekly emails packed with ideas, Splink helps you and your famiconversation. Whether it’s making memories or having fun together, Splink allows you to capture those teachamoments to impress spiritual truths and life lessons on your kids. No matter where you are, there’s always time to Splink

CULTURE & TRENDS

A school in New Zealand stopped enforcing playground rules during recess. The result: a decline in rates of bullying, injuries, and vandalism, as well as an increase in kids’ con-centration in class. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, unstructured play out-doors during the school day is just as important to student achievement as reading or math class. (Children’s Ministry Magazine)

QUICK STATS

Doesn’t Add Up: Most kids lose

about two months-worth of grade-

level equivalency in math skills over

the summer months. Kids from low-

income families also lose reading-

achievement levels, even though

-class kids often make slight

gains in reading achievement over

e summer. (National Summer

Learning Association) Engaged Dads: Three-fourths of surveyed dads said they’re more in-volved with their kids than their own fathers were. Another survey found that 86% of dads spend more time with their kids than their dads did. time.com)

Go to: http://d6family.com/splink/

Splink is a simple way to link your family together spiritually. Through FREE weekly emails packed with ideas, Splink helps you and your family engage in conversation. Whether it’s making memories or having fun together, Splink allows you to capture those teachable moments to impress spiritual truths and life lessons on your kids. No matter where you are, there’s always time to Splink

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

1 Generations Service

Sunday School 9:00am

Children’s Worship 10:30am

Baptism Class 9-10am

VBS worker meeting 10am Back Yard

Gatherings 6pm

2

.

PrayerMeeting7:00pm

8 Promotion Sunday

Sunday School 9:00am

Children’s Worship 10:30am

VBS worker meeting 10am 222 – New 5th and 6th graders

9

Register for VBS at

church on Sunday or online

www.k3naz.org

PrayerMeeting7:00pm

15 Father’s Day

Pancake Breakfast Baptism Service

Sunday School 9:00am

No Children’s Worship

Music Camp Auditions 1-3pm

16

PrayerMeeting7:00pm

22 Sunday School

9:00am Children’s Worship 10:30am

VBS

6:30-8:30pm

23

VBS 6:30-8:30pm

PrayerMeeting7:00pm

VBS6:30-8:30pm

29 Sunday School

9:00am Children’s Worship 10:30am

30

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

3

Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

4

All-Family Mini-golf Night

Legends 6:30-8:00pm

5

Talent entry forms for 3City Talent Night due

June 8Pastor Debbie or Pastor

Brandon for a form.

10

Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

11

3rdCity Talent Night Diner:

$4 per Meal 5:15-6:45pm

Talent: 7-8:30pm Free

12

Last day to sign up for Music Camp Auditions.

Graduating 6th GradersNavy Pier

11am

17

Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

18

“Frozen” Night

7-8:00pm

19

Make sure you are registered for VBS

www.k3naz.org

24

Prayer Meeting 7:00pm

VBS 8:30pm

25 Kid’s Camp Registration and Payment

Due

VBS 6:30-8:30pm

26

VBS 6:30-8:30pm

Food Pantry Distribution

3:305:00pm

FRIDAY SATURDAY

6

Talent entry forms for 3

rd

City Talent Night due

June 8th. See

Pastor Debbie or Pastor

Brandon for a form.

7

Last day to Sign up for 6th Graders Navy Pier Trip

tomorrow!

13

Graduating Graders

Navy Pier Trip 11am

14

20

Make sure you are registered for VBS

www.k3naz.org

21

27

Food Pantry Distribution

3:30-5:00pm

28

Sunday, June 1 � Baptism Class 9 – 10 a.m. A question and answer time of exploring what it means to be

baptized and to help you and your child determine if they are ready for this milestone in their Christian walk. If your child has been growing in their spiritual knowledge of what God has done in their lives and has expressed an interest in baptism, and is in at least 3rd grade, please attend this class with your child.(Old secretary’s offices across from Culver)

� Generational Worship 10:30 service � Back Yard Gatherings – back yard fellowship around the town. Check church

bulletin or website for further details

Wednesday, June 4 � Family mini-golf at Legends, $5 per person, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Followed by refreshments on

the lawn.

Sunday, June 8 � Promotion Sunday – Children move to their fall school grade Sunday School class; those

entering 1st grade join worship time in Culver at 10:30; children who have turned 4 since January 1 move to Miss Carol’s 4 year old class and PreK/K Worship; those entering Kin-dergarten join Miss Joann’s Kindergarten class. New 7th graders meet Pastor Brandon outside the youth area at 9:00am.

� Preteen 222 5th & 6th grade & parents -Welcome to our new 5th graders – lunch at Pastor Debbie’s. Bring a salad; dessert; or vegetable & a lawn chair. Meat and drinks provided.

Wednesday, June 11 � 1st Annual 3rd City Talent & Diner Nite – meal served 5:15 – 6:45pm; Talent begins at

7:00pm. $4 per meal. Talent portion is free. Entry form to participate due by June 8th. See next page for printable form.

Friday, June 13 � Graduating 6th Graders Navy Pier Trip – Leaving church promptly at 11:00am and taking

the train to Chicago with Pastor Brandon and Pastor Debbie. What to bring??? Sack lunch & drink, $13.50 for train, $4 in quarters for bus, $10+ for food, and extra $$ for any shop-ping. You must sign up by June 8.

Sunday, June 15 � Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast – 8-10am in the Café Area. Adults $5 Children $3 � Baptism service, 10:30 a.m. in FLC; no children’s worship services, Nursery through 6th

grade. (Special infant and toddler sections in FLC will be set up so everyone can share in this special celebration)

� “Go, Go, Jonah” – musical auditions for solos and speaking parts, 1 – 3 p.m. in Culver – sign-up outside Culver no later than June 12 for an audition time & to pick up audition packet

Wednesday, June 18 � “Frozen” Night – wear a scarf or mittens to enter; enjoy frozen treats; crafts and the

movie in the FLC from 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 22- Thursday, June 26 � VBS begins – “Kickin’ it Old School”, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. through Thursday, June 26. Regis-

tration Sunday, June 8 and 15 in South Commons or online anytime.

3RD 3RD 3RD 3RD CITY CITY CITY CITY Talent Entry Form

Wednesday, June 11, 7-8:30pm Supper 5:15-6:45pm $4 per person

Name_________________ Age ____ Ph # _________________ Talent _________________ Media needed: YES NO If yes, what type? Projector MIC DVD CD Other Other_____________ How many people in your act? _____

Names of other people in your act: _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ Please return to Pastor Debbie or Pastor Brandon no later than June 8.

PRINT AND BRING

TO CHURCH

When is the trip? July 11-14, Friday to Monday

Where is the trip? VanBuren State Park, South Haven, MI, about 2 hours from here

How do I reserve a site? Go to http://www.michigan.gov/stateparks We are in site 133.

We are beside the playground.

---If you desire, chose a site nearby so we can share tables, campfire area, keep the noise to

one central location

What do you do on an All-Church camping trip?

Besides having fun, making new friends, enjoying wonderful fellowship & eating great food?

Some people chose to:

� go shopping at the quaint shops in South Haven

� go to the beach (campground is at Lake Michigan)

� play games – table games or volleyball

� ride bikes

� take a nap

� read

The days are not structured, other than a Sunday morning worship service.

What about meals? We will have a potluck supper each evening; breakfast and lunch are at

your campsite, or in town.

Pick up a brochure at the Children’s Welcome desk for more information.

Application packets (with all information) are Application packets (with all information) are Application packets (with all information) are Application packets (with all information) are available available available available

at the Children’s checkat the Children’s checkat the Children’s checkat the Children’s check----in counter.in counter.in counter.in counter. Registration and Registration and Registration and Registration and

payment due to Pastor Debbie by June 25thpayment due to Pastor Debbie by June 25thpayment due to Pastor Debbie by June 25thpayment due to Pastor Debbie by June 25th