January 20, 2006
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Today was ‘Release Day’ at our little church. Pastor Gregg brought 12 children from the elementary school just down the road back to the church to teach them about God for the next hour and a half. It looked as if the children ranged from 1st to 6th grade. Our rural elementary school allows the children to be released an hour or so early from school on Thursday for religious training. Isn’t that amazing? Especially in California???
Today was the first time I’ve helped with ‘Release Day’. The children were very ‘active’ to say the least, so another Sister in the Lord and I helped serve the snacks and then served as crowd control during the flannel graph story. The Pastor had given the children a memory verse for the week so they all had a chance to repeat it. They chose Christian songs to sing. They also spent time reviewing the 10 commandments. I was surprised at how many children knew the commandments and even knew which number they were.
I thought of Pastor Greg and his patience with these children. They talked when he talked and answered when they weren’t supposed to yet he remained calm and loving with them. He drives nearly 40 minutes each week to teach these children about God. Some would think it was beneath them but this Pastor takes it seriously. It was such a blessing to watch God’s Word being hidden in their little hearts at such an early age.
Comments (14)
Oh, that is wonderful that this is still allowed in your area! I bless you for helping and pray God will bless all those involved. Even tho’ it seems that sometimes the children are so roudy, they’re not listening, they get more than we think. The Seed is being planted in their little hearts and God will honor that! God bless ~E
That is amazing. I’ve been studying books about diabetes again. I read one today that you might like because it talks about prediabetes, “Stop Diabetes” by Gretchen Becker. The subtitle is 50 simple steps you can take at any age to reduce your risk of Type 2 Diabetes. I got it at my local library. Basically it’s a lot of ideas how to get yourself to move more and eat less. But it has some good information on prediabetes.
Wow! I lived in California for four years…I never knew of that in the area where we lived (Fullerton). What a blessing! Thanks for sharing that with us…With much love and many prayers, Paula
RYC: about what the occation was— Sister in law Rose had a birthday on Christmas DAy. She is down from Pa. with her husband Nel. and staying the week with Mom. She is the only one of us Yoder women who does not live in the area. So….when she comes we like the excuse to eat out.
Release Day. That’s a new one. You’ll never know how far-reaching teaching like that will go. Bless you for helping out.
How can we go about finding out if our state allows a Release Day? Wisconsin This would be great evangelistic work.
When I was a little girl here in NY, my church hosted “released time”. It was the same concept… Today, Child Evangelism Fellowship will help churches get into local schools for a similar ministry.
Our church has Sunday School every Sunday Afternoon in a housing devlopment. Much the same as you are doing on Thur. I’m to provide the snack for the next 4 Sundays. I made molasses cookies for the Sun. They will not forget what they learn. Doesn’t the Word say His Word will not return void.? That is a great comfort to my heart.
Yes, Fullerton isn’t too far from los Angeles. It is in Orange County and near Buena PArk and Anaheim. We lived there four years, but I am originally from Texas and have been back here for 12 1/2 years. I have never heard of this awesome evangelism tool being used here in Texas. This truly is wonderful!!!!!! On another note, is RYC reference your comment? Love in HIM, Paula
I read several things, including this book about the glychemic index and I’m trying to use that information in my diet. I have tried using honey in my tea instead of the Splenda and my BG #’s are still good. I use a very little bit, but I’m glad to reduce the amount of Splenda I’m using. She is encouraging you to have fun with your exercise and to think of lifelong changes you can make in your diet. I don’t know if I learned anything new, but it was more reinforcement of ideas I’ve already read about. She is a diabetic herself.
I pray you are having a great start to your week…Just stopping by to say I am thinking of you this day and praying you are filled with HIS wondrous peace and joy! With much love and many prayers, Paula
(((Our rural elementary school allows the children to be released an hour or so early from school on Thursday for religious training. Isn’t that amazing? Especially in California??? ))) Wow! What a blessing! Thanks for coming by and commenting. We just watched the Gates of Splendor documentary on Sunday night. Amazing! Many blessings to you!
It was neat to hear from the other side of the country! Blessings on your day.
I hopre my hubby is “O.K.” His heart rate is too low too much of the time.