“BRB,” he said as he gave me a hug and dashed out the back door. “C U soon,” I said back, spelling it like that in my head as I spoke. Like knowing the code to gain entry into the tree fort, having this shared language felt empowering. I mean, I know LOL means “laugh out loud” and not “lots of love.” (And that’s an important one, because giving your child an affectionate LOL in front of his teammates after a tough loss would be scarring.)

But more than just not wanting to mortify our kids in front of their friends, we don’t want to be shut out from their most significant form of communication today. As we strive to protect, educate, and empower them, we need to not fear the technology that could threaten to divide us. Knowledge is power here, so it’s best to have a basic understanding.

Along the way, we must keep in mind that it’s not the devices but the hearts of our kids that keep us up at night. Is he making good choices? Is she seeking affirmation in the wrong places? These are timeless concerns for parents. We want to help our kids to live in the light. When kids have knowledge of God’s love for them, they’ll have the power to shine in even the darkest of places and make choices for our never-changing God in this quickly-changing digital world.

Ann Diaz Loveland, Colorado

Online: Knowledge is Power

There is a song that I remember singing at my home church as a kid. It’s a simple song, but one that has really stuck with me. It says:

Lord, make me like You. Please make me like You. You are a servant, make me one too. Oh, Lord I am willing, do what You must do. To make me like You, Lord. Please make me like You. Whatever You do Lord, please Lord make me like You.

Sunday night, I was reminded of this song. In the Connections Service, Tori Walker led us in a Hymn Sing. (If you missed it, it was fantastic!) During the service, Tori challenged us to pick a song for the new year that might be our motto for this year. Something we live by.

This song immediately came to my mind. A few years ago, this song was on my mind and I was then challenged by its words. What might it mean for me to resemble the Lord? I know one thing…I desire to be a servant of my Lord. I hope you do too!

I pray your 2014 will be filled with opportunities that cause you to look and act in ways more like our Lord.

Serving together,

Pastor Trey

January 2014 Your Connection to Central Children’s & Family Ministry

From Pastor Trey

Central Church of the Nazarene • 12600 W. 87th Street Parkway • Lenexa, KS 66215

Trey Brooks, Pastor to Children and Families • tbrooks@kccentral.org • 913.541.2600 • www.kccentral.org

Family Worship January 5 will be Family Worship Sunday. Family Worship is a time for you to worship alongside your kids and for your kids to worship alongside you. The next Family Worship Sunday will be February 2.

Lead Team Lead Team Meeting will be Sunday, January 5 from 4-5:15 PM in the Kids’ Center. For your calendar, Lead Team Meetings are February 9 (due to the Super Bowl), March 2 and April 6.

Quizzing Beginning January 5, Quizzing will meet from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Kids’ Center. Our next district quiz will be held Saturday, January 18 at 9 AM at College Church in Olathe. For more information, contact David Green at dgreen052@gmail.com.

Sundays @ 5:30 If you aren’t involved on Sunday evenings, I hope you will consider finding a place to plug in, whether that’s Sidedoor Service (Student Center); Connections Service (Sanctuary); or Adult Sunday School. Also, there are small groups available for 6th-12th Grade and Children’s Ministry for newborns-5th Grade.

Mom Connect If you are a mom of a baby or a young toddler and looking for a group of moms to connect and share with, Mom Connect is just for you. This is not just for new moms. Experienced moms are welcomed, too! Mom Connect meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month from 7-8:15 PM in Room 103. January’s Mom Connects will be January 8 and January 22. For more information about Mom Connect, contact Candice Brooks at candicebrooks1@gmail.com.

Preschool Pals Preschool Pals, a monthly playgroup for parents/guardians of preschoolers, has its next meeting on Monday, January 20 at Kaleidoscope Family Art Session at Crown Center (2500 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108). Join us at 10:30 AM for fun and invite a neighbor. Arrive at least 20 minutes early, sessions are free and are first come first served. Future dates include February 17 (Storytime and Crafts at Corinth Square Learning Tree) and March 17 (Oak Park Mall Play Area).

Special Event w/Brian Holman Men’s Ministries is inviting everyone to attend their special event on Saturday, January 25 at 10:00 a.m. Join us for inspirational guest speaker, Brian Holman, a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds. The Sidedoor Band will provide music. A chili lunch will follow in the Fellowship Hall. More information is available at the Welcome Centers.

3rd & 4th Grade District Lock-In Central is hosting the district lock-in on Friday, January 31 at 7 PM to Saturday, February 1 at 8 AM. Your 3rd and 4th grade students are invited to attend. This is an awesome time for your kids to meet others from across our district! To register, go to www.kcdistrict.org and click on the “Events” tab and the “3rd & 4th Grade Lock-in” tab. The cost is $20 per student. If you’d like to come as a sponsor, please let Pastor Trey know.

Less than one week after launching, the Bible App for Kids from YouVersion has been installed on more than one million unique devices around the world. It's amazing how God has already been using the Bible App for Kids to connect children with the story of God’s love. Here’s what just a few of the people who have downloaded it so far are saying: “My 4 yr old LOVES the #BibleForKids. Thanks so much for helping to grow in him a love for the Word!”—Angela

“Walked in on my son tearing up as he watched Jesus die on the cross on @BibleAppForKids. Praying for the call on his life this morning!”—Wade

“Using the new Kids Bible App with my nephew & I’m fighting tears back from his excitement and seeing him grasping what he’s learning.”—Desirae

“3 girls on 3 different devices ALL using the @BibleAppForKids!!! They can’t get enough!”—Liz

“Just downloaded the @BibleAppForKids. It’s so beautiful and so cool! What an experience!”—David

Part of the Bible App for Kids’ early success came from being visible in app stores. Over the weekend, the Bible App for Kids reached as high as the #2 overall free app for iPad, #3 overall free app for iPhone. It was also the #1 free app in the Kids or Education category on iTunes, Google Play, and the Amazon App Store. Climbing so high on each of these lists means that potentially millions of people who otherwise wouldn’t even know it existed will now see the Bible App for Kids when they’re browsing for new apps to install.

The Bible App for Kids is specifically designed to help children connect with Bible stories not just once, but again and again. And it’s the creator's sincere prayer that exploring the Scriptures will help millions of kids discover a lifelong love for God’s Word.

DETAILS New Bible App

DETAILS (Continued)

Dates to Remember

January 1: No Evening Ministries

January 5: LEAD Team Meeting

January 8: 7-8:15 PM—Mom Connect

January 18: 9 AM—District Quiz

January 20: 10:30 AM—Preschool Pals

January 22: 7-8:15 PM—Mom Connect

January 31: 7 PM—3rd & 4th Grade Lock-In

TEACHABLE MOMENTS Sometimes the Internet brings out the worst in people. The negativity can be contagious (but so can positivity!). Illuminate how true this is for your family with this simple activity. First, discuss the following:

Why do you think people treat each other differently online?

Explain who you think can be hurt by such activity and why.

Then read together Matthew 5:13-16 about how we are to be the salt and light of Jesus in our world.

How is posting something nice or encouraging online like being salt and light?

Then gather around a computer screen and locate some public discussions. Try a Facebook fan page of a reality TV show or a news story from a site that offers a comments section, such as aol.com or your local newspaper. Then post a series of sincere, uplifting comments. Return an hour later.

What impact did your comments have on others? On yourself?

Dinner at the Castle Is there a daughter, granddaughter, niece or friend of your daughter who is special in your life? Perhaps a preschooler, elementary student, middle school student, or senior high student? You, the father or father-like figure, are encouraged to invite them for an evening you will not want to miss on Friday, February 7 at 6 PM. It will include dinner at a table reserved just for you and pictures to captivate the evening. This is a great opportunity to extend invitations to other fathers and father-like figures not a part Central. The cost is $10 per person (max $30 per family). Tickets will be available Sunday, January 5 through Wednesday, February 5 in the Ministries Marketplace or by contacting the church office at bcrow@kccentral.org.

Kids’ Christmas Compassion Project Report We have been raising money for our friends in Cuba. Over the past 8 weeks, Early Childhood has raised $64.18 and Elementary has raised $752.61.

Mark Your Calendars…

Making the Most of Marriage How much fun can marriage be? Join us Sundays @ 5:30 PM in the sanctuary for Making the Most of Marriage. From February 9 – March 2, we will be looking at 4 topics: Designed To Be Different; Where Have All The Flowers Gone?; Looking For Love In Two Special Faces; and Enjoying The Journey. Each week, Pastor Trey will facilitate a conversation with a couple in our church and a video with Dr. Kevin Leman. You and your spouse will not want to miss this time of making the most of your marriage!

Adult Sunday School

Parents, are you looking for a Sunday School class to join? Below are the times and locations of Central’s Adult Classes.

9 AM Classes 10:30 AM Classes

Strong Foundations Room 100-A Connect Room 100-A Koinonia Room 100-B The Rock Room 100-B La Vida Nueva Salon 100-C Journey Room 100-C Bible Study Room 108 Salt and Light Fellowship Hall Stage Newly & Nearly Wed Fellowship Hall Stage Disciples Adult Fellowship Area InFocus Room 228 Exploring Faith Room 229 In His Steps Adult Fellowship Area

5:30 PM Classes

Emmaus Road Room 100-A Bible Study Room 108