 LightShine Preschool
Jesus Is Preparing a
Place for Me to Be
with Him FOREVER
Heaven
John 14; Revelation 21
In John 14, Jesus comforts His disciples after they learn of His impending death and departure. He assures them of the promise He is making and likens it to the workings of the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony to explain why He is leaving and how He will return. He said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:1-3). Jesus often uses the metaphor of a bridegroom and his bride as a way to describe the relationship between Himself and the church. In ancient Jewish traditions, when a man was to be married, his father would choose the bride for his son. If she accepted the proposal, the bridegroom would then begin to prepare a place for her in his father's house, where he would bring his bride to dwell with him. The betrothed woman would wait with the oil of her lamp burning as a symbol to her groom that she was faithfully waiting for his return. Once the father of the
bridegroom saw that all of his son's preparations were completed, he would send the groom after his bride for the completion of the wedding ceremony. Today, Christ Jesus is preparing a place for us to dwell with Him in His Father's house. We too must wait faithfully, knowing He will return and bring us to Himself, where we will dwell with Him for all eternity. TruWonder HomeFront: Preschool |
 Infant Sunday Morning
Jesus Is My SHEPHERD
Good Shepherd
John 10:1-21
Jesus is my Shepherd. The context in which we find John 10:1-21 helps us understand that Jesus was making a rather radical declaration by the way He phrased the statement, "I am the good shepherd." There was incredible contention between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders of the time, who
were seeking to have Jesus killed. Jesus was pointing out His divine origin and their hypocrisy-both of which made them furious. The book of John mentions several occasions when Jesus' life was in danger.
Jesus, being a man, made Himself out to be God (John 5:18, 10:33). This message is crystal clear in the book of John. In fact, there are seven statements by Jesus in which He used the name of God (I am) for Himself. These are known as the seven "I am" statements:
"I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). "I am the light of the world" (8:12). "I am the gate" (10:9). "I am the good shepherd" (10:11). "I am the resurrection and the life" (11:25). "I am the way and the truth and the life" (14:6). "I am the vine" (15:5).
In this Good Shepherd passage, there are two of these "I am" statements. In this greater context, we can see that this isn't just an analogy where Jesus is saying we're like sheep and He's like a shepherd. He's explicitly claiming to be God by speaking these words. And He's risking death by making such statements. This perhaps helps us understand even more clearly what Jesus
means when He says that He lays His life down for His sheep. He not only gave His life, but He was constantly risking His life.
NEW! TruBlessings HomeFront: Infant
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FREE monthly magazine gives parents hands-on resources to create fun, spiritually forming times in their home - even in the midst of busy lives, making it easy for parents to shape vibrant faith in the lives of their children.
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Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA 2014 Summer Camp HERE
Please join us before camp starts to get all your questions answered and let your child check things out to get ready for a summer of fun. Parents and campers are welcome.
Saturday, May 10 | 10AM-NOON
Here at Norcross First
SESSION DATES
Kick-Off: May 23*
Session 1: May 27-30**
Session 2: June 2-6
Session 3: June 9-13
Session 4: June 16-20
Session 5: June 23-27
Session 6: June 30-July 3**
Session 7: July 7-11
Session 8: July 14-18
Session 9: July 21-25
Session 10: July 28-August 1
Wrap-Up: August 4 & 5
*located at Fowler Y
**4-day week; No camp on holiday
Children attending camp here will be dropped off & picked up HERE
Traditional Camp ages 5-10: Campers will have fun participating in a variety of activities including: outdoor games, group sports, arts & crafts, swimming weekly at the Fowler Y, and so much more.
All Sessions
Explorers: ages 5 & 6
Adventurers: ages 7-10
MEM: $143 PRO: $159
Math & Science Camp ages 5-13:
This camp will focus on the fun aspects of how math and science shape the world
around us. Each week, we will partner with the professionals at Engineering for Kids� of Metro Atlanta to provide a workshop with a curriculum that focuses on Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.). Campers will also participate in traditional camp activities and swim weekly at the Fowler Y.
All Sessions
MEM: $174 PRO: $190Art Camp ages 5-13: Bring your campers
creative side to life in art camp this summer. We are proud to partner with Young Rembrandts to provide a great opportunity for young artists to improve their talents. The curriculum is designed to teach basic to advanced drawing skills, art techniques, and vocabulary. There will be new lessons taught each week in an environment that will bring out the best in every camper. You will see increased art abilities, learned skills, self-confidence, and self esteem. Campers will also participate in traditional camp activities and swim weekly at the Fowler Y. All Sessions
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LightShine Elementary
Jesus Is Amazed by GREAT Faith
Centurion's Plea
Luke 7:1-10
Today's portion of The Big God Story looks at the faith of a Roman centurion-a Gentile. Jesus offered salvation to everyone, as Paul wrote in Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Isaiah prophesied Jesus' mission to the lost Jews in Isaiah 49:5-6:
And now the Lord says-he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength-he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."
But now the emphasis became centrifugal (pushing outward). The early church was called to go out to the world to share His love. The Gentile mission was central to the book of Acts, the early church, and the church today. In fact, right before Jesus ascended to heaven, He told His disciples, "All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-19a).
God did not overlook the people He had originally chosen. He opened up the gift of His salvation to everyone through the death and resurrection of His Son,
Jesus. He remembered and loved everyone in the way that they most needed His attention and His love.
TruStory HomeFront: Elementary
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 Gwinnett Mothers of Mulitiples HUGE Consignment Sale 
THIS Saturday | 9AM-1PM
Family Life Center {cash or check only}
NEW {and} GENTLY USED ITEMS!
- Infant, children, maternity clothes
- Baby equipment
- Infant and children's furniture
- Children's toys
- Outdoor play equipment {and more!}
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 Vacation Bible School 2014
Monday, June 2 - Friday, June 6
THEME: SonTreasure Island (where Kids Discover God's Love) TIME: 5:30-8:30PM (Supper is provided) WHO: Rising Kindergarten through Rising 6th grade COST: $5/per {$6/per if paying online} Click here to Register for VBSRegistration open thru Friday, May 16. To Volunteer, Click HereNursery/Preschool VBS is open for volunteers' children, too! Once you're completed your Volunteer registration, you may click the "Register for VBS" link to pay your registration fee or pay in person to Karen Ahn.
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Children's Council Meeting
THIS Sunday, March 30
12:15PM
Room 133/135
A light lunch will be served. All Children's Council members are encouraged to attend. For more info, contact Karen Ahn: [email protected]
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 Outdoor Cleanup {families welcomed}
Saturday, April 5 | 8AM-Noon
Volunteers Needed To:
Help finish the flower beds, trim hedges and lay pinestraw. Please bring hedge trimmers and gloves.
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Easter Celebration | Saturday, April 19 10AM-Noon | Front Parking Lot
Learning stations will follow the story of Jesus' last week on Earth, music and dance performances, art display, toddler's area, inflatables {and more!}
NEEDED: Volunteers and candy donations. Bags of candy may be placed in the collection bin located in the Welcome Center Vending area. Please contact Karen Ahn to volunteer: [email protected]
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Wednesday Night Children's Choirs
Teeny Tykes {birth-3 years}
6:30-7:00pm in Room 11
Melody Makers {3-4 years}
6:15-7:00pm in Room 14
Chorister Choir {K-2nd Grade}
6:15-7:00pm in Room 12
Carol Choir {3rd-5th Grade}
6:15-7:00pm in the Choir Room
Bell Choir
Glory Ringers {3rd-5th Grade}
7:15-8pm in Room 5
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 Wednesday Kids Club ENCOUNTER
Age 3- Fifth Grade | 7PM
CLASSES: Art, Ballet, Bible Discovery, Crafts, Creative Movement, Worship Dance {and more!} For info, contact Karen Ahn: [email protected].
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The 5 Love Languages
of Children
Wednesday's
Room 211 | 7PM
Facilitator: Amanda Rodriguez Contact Wesley Maston to register: [email protected] | 770-448-4142, ext. 111
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