Sports Camp is going to be awesome. The dates are June 4-7 so please mark your calendar. We are going to need EVERYONE to help!

Centri-Kid Camp is my second favorite week. It’s a time we take kids that have completed 3rd-5th grade and we go to Anderson University in South Carolina for a week! This year we are going July 9-13. I love kids’ camp. It’s so much fun and year after year I’ve seen lives change for eternity. I hope you’ll make it a priority for your children to attend.

Deposits are due this Sunday of $50. The total cost is $310. We will work with a payment plan. We don’t want anyone not going to camp because of the cost!

Children from babies – 5th grade are welcome to attend, and if you have a teen, they can help. We will have pizza dinner too! Our Preschool kids will have a puppet show and movie while Elementary will have games and a movie! It’s going to be so much fun. Plus, it’s a great night for you to be alone and enjoy your spouse! Looking forward to seeing you there!

This cost is $10/child. Please let us know if you have 4+ children.

Katie

Jenny Lesniak leads a team of wonderful volunteers who serve in our 4′s and kindergarten classes. But, she also teaches every week at 9:30. Melanie Jackson, a high school student, also serves every week at 9:30 and teaches children music and does crazy skits for 3′s, 4′s and kindergarten students. These children know about God and understand scripture because volunteers like Jenny and Melanie desire for kids to come to know Christ.

I want to invite you to become a part of our Graystone Kids Volunteer Team. We’ve grown so quickly and added The Village the last few months. Volunteers are so VALUABLE to our families and Graystone. Families come back to Graystone because their kids have fun! I invite you to observe one of our age groups on Sunday. See what it’s all about and how easy and fun it is.

Are you intimidated? Don’t be. Anyone can do it. Don’t think you have the time? You have the time. Just start off one hour a month. What will I do? Don’t worry, we’re having training February 12th.

You’re invited to impact a life of child. You’re invited to tell them about Jesus and how much Jesus loves them. You’re invited to change a child’s life for eternity. And, we need you! E-mail me at katie@graystonechurch.com for more information!

Back by popular demand is Parents’ Night Out which will be February 11th from 6-9 p.m. Make sure you register your child! Also, it’s hard to think about summer in the winter but Centri-Kid Camp registration has opened. Centri-Kid is an amazing opportunity for your child if they have completed 3rd – 5th grade. Registration forms are in the Frontroom and in g45.

We’ve got lots in store for your family so make sure you’re also joining us on Sundays!

This season is called “No Excuses.” The trainers do not want to hear any more excuses about why people have gained weight or haven’t exercised. The focus is how to get back in shape and do whatever is needed to reach their goals and become healthier.

Small Groups have been a hot topic at Graystone Church this week. Over the next few weeks you’ll have an opportunity to browse the catalogue. What is your excuse for not joining one? You know by YOU joining a small group, bringing your child to one, or making sure your teen attends GSM/Up & Out, that it will only push us on to knowing Christ more. We will become healthier in our relationships with Christ. What’s your excuse?

Let me give the reason why I join small groups (sorry this is a little long): When Chris and I started attending Graystone, we attended a few small groups to see what they were all about. We wanted to find people who were at the same place we were: young, married, no kids, people to go to dinner with, and actually talk to at church. We joined Kyle & Tiffany Hale’s small group which was great for us to get to know people and build community. When then continued being a part of small groups and meet Josh & Brandi Johnson. In fact, we’ve co-lead a group with them and have been in 2 additional small groups with them since.

Three years ago we didn’t know the Johnson’s. Last night, we dropped by their home to pray as they prepare for their first child. I left thinking, this is what small group and community is all about. We brought in the New Year with the Johnson’s, we watch UGA games with them, and we’ll be there to bring meals to them once they have a baby! We have sweet friends because of meeting them in a small group a few years ago. We depend on each other.

I’m so thankful I didn’t make excuses when I came to Graystone and joined a small group. The friendships I have made in small groups have been such a blessing.

I was so proud of our Graystone Kids yesterday. As I watched yesterday’s video again this morning, I felt like I had my own worship service in my house. The Christmas story never grows old. Our elementary children have prayed every week we’ve been together at practice that the program would change lives. I hope it reminded you to slow down this week, maybe it reminded you to invite someone to the Christmas Eve services, or maybe it reminded you that the Jesus that came as a baby and has totally changed your life.

I’m so proud of our preschool kids. My favorite were the ones that yelled, danced, talked, or played on the riser but they all looked cute. Thanks to Max Wilson, Max Inlow, Allison Fry, Gracie Maddox, and Ian Rogers for telling us the Christmas story. During our play for elementary, Beth Anne Brice, Mack Newbern, J’Lynne Conway, and McKenzie McCrea worked hard to memorize their lines and did an awesome job. Plus, Pat Ball and Rusty Knight completed our play and our kids loved them. The first time they practiced with us, the children couldn’t keep their eyes off of them. Everyone that had a solo and speaking part did great!

I couldn’t have done Sunday without tons of help. The staff helped tremendously with their area of expertise. Thanks to parents who practiced with your children, sang songs over and over in the car, and brought them to practice. Thanks to volunteers who served Sunday in the rooms so we could have the program. Donna Rector and Cathy Schuster were behind the scenes with our children along with many volunteers who helped kids line up, collect bells and just pray! Thanks to Julia Howes and Melanie Jackson who taught preschool songs each week. Candace Lane and Kelli McCrea were my right hands again this year and I’m so thankful for their friendship and help each year. To everyone involved, thank you!

So, are you coming back? When you come back on Christmas Eve, who are you bringing with you?

If you had a family member that couldn’t attend or just want to watch the program again, click here. E-mail me at katie@graystonechurch.com if you’d like us to make you a DVD.

Here are a few reminders:

• The Christmas Program is for all children ages 3 – 5th grade. They do perform at both morning services.
• Parents with preschoolers will take their child to their usual room and check them in. They will sing at the beginning of each service. Once they are done, they will be escorted back to their rooms. You may pick them up after they sing at the 11:00 service.
•  This SATURDAY is a mandatory dress rehearsal for everyone participating.
• Children ages 3 – kindergarten will meet 9-10 a.m. and we will have a Birthday Party for Jesus following the practice.
• Children in grades 1st-5th will meet from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and we’ll give them a Christmas snack as they are leaving at 1 p.m. We know you have a busy weekend so we’ve cut out lunch to make it easier for our parents. Even if your child hasn’t been to Sunday night practices, we still want them to participate and come on December 17th!
• 1st-5th grade kids can pick up shirts on Saturday. Wear the shirts with jeans or overalls on Sunday. Preschool kids can wear Christmas attire.

Let me know if you have questions!

• The Christmas Program is for all children ages 3 – 5th grade. They do perform at both morning services.
• Parents with preschoolers will take their child to their usual room and check them in. They will sing at the beginning of each service. Once they are done, they will be escorted back to their rooms. You may pick them up after they sing at the 11:00 service.
•  December 17th is a mandatory dress rehearsal for everyone participating.
• Children ages 3 – kindergarten will meet 9-10 a.m. and we will have a Birthday Party for Jesus following the practice.
• Children in grades 1st-5th will meet from 11 – 1 p.m. and we’ll give them a Christmas snack as they are leaving at 1 p.m. We know you have a busy weekend so we’ve cut out lunch to make it easier for our parents. Even if your child hasn’t been to Sunday night practices, we still want them to participate and come on December 17th!
• 1st-5th graders are practicing this Sunday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. If they have a speaking part or solo, it is very important for them to attend.
• What does my child wear? Preschool wear Christmas attire. T-shirts are on sale for $8 for elementary students.

We will be taking t-shirts orders for our elementary students for the Christmas Program. E-mail me at katie@graystonechurch.com if you need to reserve your shirt in case you’re out-of-town. For a calendar of events this month, check out Jonathan’s blog here.

And last but not least, Invite your friends! So many people around us need to hear the message of Jesus. It will truly be the best gift they’ll get all year (and I’m not being cheesy).

At Christmas we celebrate that God did send His Son Jesus. Advent is usually four Sundays leading up to December 25th. I think advent season is a fun way in your home to teach your children about Jesus and the reason we celebrate Christmas. Day 1 of the season began yesterday but you’re not too late to take advantage of this FREE resource.

Don’t get concerned about feeling like you’re a terrible parent if you don’t participate or if you skip a day. Use this resource at your leisure to share Christ with your children. Parents often ask me for devotionals kids can read and this is what I would recommend for the next 4 weeks. It has Bible verses to go along with it. This encourages me to take a few moments away from the crazy holiday season and focus on what’s most important!