AWANA and G-FORCE - Two Dynamic Children's Programs!! We have two outstanding Children's programs here at our church. First, I want to tell you about AWANA. The scriptural foundation of the AWANA program is found in second Timothy 2:14. It says to… "present yourself Approved to God as Workmen who Are Not Ashamed".
AWANA is a program for children and Youth designed to teach Bible verse memory, game skills, competition, teamwork and team spirit. Workers in AWANA experience the joy of seeing youngsters grow in the Lord through Bible based lessons and activities. May 1 is the date set for the "Grand Prix" model car race, and "End of the year" awards presentations. Current workers, led by our new Commander, Byron Henson, have done an outstanding job of leadership this year. You will not want to miss the excitement of the car races and the presentation of awards.
The second great program is G-FORCE. G-FORCE is a group Sunday School program that tells bible stories using costumed actors, and powerpoint visuals. Children can't help but get involved when they are exposed to the action. Our Children's Division Sunday School leaders are Janice Lanford, Janice Boles, Harry and Charlette Stroup. Our Sunday School Director is Carol Rodgers. I talked to some of the teaching team after a recent session, and although exhausted, they said it is definitely worth the effort when you see the response and interaction from the kids, and the impact it has on them as Christian decisions are being made. Each series of these Southern Baptist Lifeway lessons runs for eight weeks.
Janie Medlen, our Children's Minister, said she is excited about the prospects of using G-FORCE on a year round basis. If you are interested in using
your talents to assist in either of these super programs, just let Janie know. God will bless you for it. Grandpa Dick p.sThis Year Grandpa Dick has
hand crafted probably the finest AWANA car ever built by human hands.: Check out pictures of the car, called "Greased Lightening", along with some
others, posted on the church web site; columbusstreet.com, Senior Moments page.

What about the Others ? OK ! OK !, Last month we mentioned Jonathan Sadler, Jennifer (Taylor) Mykytiuk, Mike Rowland, Stefanie (Rodgers) Rowland, and Michelle Rowland as adult workers that are children of church members and products of our church’s children and youth ministries. A few of you have called, e-mailed, or caught my arm at church to ask me “Hey, what about so and so”, or “You forgot to mention so and so”. So this month more of them will be featured. This is recognition of your children that have grown up in our church and have found a place of service. If I miss someone, let me know. Joy Adams-nursery, DaShonda and Ebony Antee-AWANA, Beth Bicknell-nursery, Pamela Crandell-orchestra, Kelly Ernst-nursery, Krystle Garcia-AWANA, Kathy Gonzales-nursery, Carissa and Veronica Gonzales-Bible School and AWANA, Robin Graham-AWANA, Leslie Hartnett-nursery and AWANA, Garrett Henson-AWANA and orchestra, Amber Henson-AWANA, Elizabeth Hicks-orchestra, David Hill-Ushers, Paul Hill-building and grounds, Kurt Hill-orchestra, Joy Hill-nursery, Caleb Hill-AWANA, Kam Lewis, Women’s ministry, Hailey and Paige Isaacs-Youth Council, Casey Johns-office, Janie Medlen-staff, Phil Medlen-Budget and Finance, Sarah and Jamie Miller-AWANA, Erin Stroup-nursery, Mary Van Dyke-nursery, Kayleen Wilhite-AWANA, and Susanna Ward-Orchestra. Many of you have children serving other churches, which is wonderful. They received their training here and are serving God in their special way in other places. God’s heart is touched by each one that has either served Him here or gone out from this place to serve Him. It is scriptural, you know. ( Mark 16:15. ) Grandpa Dick

Get on Before the Train Leaves the Station Sometimes a TV show makes you stop and think. “Joan of Arcadia” is such a show. The story line is about a teenager named Joan, a student at Arcadia High School, who talks with God almost daily. In a recent episode, Joan is guided by God to help spruce up a community center building. Although she can’t see the benefit of her efforts, in the process of doing the work she 1- Helps a talented but introverted student artist to come out of her shell and use her talents, 2- helps her older brother get back together with an old girl friend, and 3- helps her younger brother to see that working on a project is more important than getting praised for it. This reminds me of the wonderful people of our church. So many are doing God’s work using skills and talents HE has given. Many of us never actually see any positive results from our service to God. It’s hard to tell how your daily walk with God is influencing others. Here is a hypothetical example. You see a church parking lot light burned out, so you get a ladder, and get a new bulb, and fix the light. The next night a troubled man comes along and sees a paper in the street. Because the light is fixed and bright, he reads that the church is having a special service that night, so, being in a troubled state, he comes in, he hears the gospel preached, responds to the alter call and becomes a Christian. Seems far fetched - but God plans these things all the time. I witnessed a 10 year old invite a neighbor to the Franklin Graham crusade, and the friend was saved that night. People are often saved because of some one else’s obscure action. One thing is for sure. All we need to do is make the effort to use our talents. HE will use our efforts to glorify His work. If we do the work, God will provide the results, and our lives will be better for it. There is an unbelievable joy in serving God. I Timothy 6:18 says for us “…..to be rich in good works…so that we may take hold of that which is life indeed.” Are you using your talents for Him in a ministry? Opportunities abound. Our weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters are full of listings of ministries waiting for ministers. God is patiently waiting for you to climb on. It’s your move. The future is up to you. All aboard!!!! Grandpa Dick