Back by popular demand is Parents’ Night Out which will be February 10th 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!

I loved it. I’m so grateful for my time at LFBC. LFBC has an annual Christmas tea, and I look forward to it each year.  Last night, I spent an hour seeing precious faces that mean so much to me. I have so many memories with each of them. This was the church that really took care of me, prayed for me, fed me yummy meals, and just truly loved me. They walked with me when Chris had his terrible accident. The entire church celebrated with us when we announced our engagement and filled the pews at our wedding.

As I sat at a table and looked around the room, I thought how good it felt to be home. The lessons I learned prepared me for where I’m at today. This precious church was placed in my life only for a season but will always have a special place in my heart. Sometimes I think we don’t realize how far we’ve come or what we’ve learned unless we look back and reflect on where we came from. This is what I’m thankful for today!

Look at our Happy Helpers in the picture! God made us to help each other. Our memory verse for preschool is from Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and loving to each other.” The Bible lesson Sunday was from Ruth. They learned about Boaz. Boaz was a Happy Helper because he helped Ruth to find food for her family. I love this picture of our 3-year-old classes making bird feeders to help birds find food in the colder weather!

Our elementary students learned that God gives us Peace. Through a relationship with Jesus there is a Peace that’s amazing. g45 students were asked to write down something they are afraid of and need God’s peace. As I read over their thoughts, some of them were real issues that have been heavy on my heart all week: divorce, sickness, passing CRCT, grades, and death, to name a few.

Good News Club at Grayson Elementary has exploded. I’m so proud of our Graystone Kids inviting their friends to the club. We had 5 more children get forms today and that would make 50 kids in 5 weeks to join the club! I thought I’d share some pictures with you from the club. The children are having a great time and we need more help! Please let me know if you can give of your time on Tuesdays, even if it’s just once a month! We need lots of help!

Have a wonderful weekend. I’m looking forward to next week and I’m sure your children are too!

• Christmas Program is December 18th and dress rehearsal is December 17th. Make sure you pick up music CDs at check-in stations throughout the children’s area. Students in 1st-5th grade will have practice again this Sunday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the g45 room. We want everyone to participate!

• Baptism Class is Sunday following the 11:00 service. We will have a class for children. Please e-mail katie@graystonechurch.com to sign up.

• Parent Child Dedication will be December 11 at both services. We will have a class on December 4th. You can e-mail me to sign up at katie@graystonechurch.com Childcare and lunch will be provided.