Dear Families,

I want to make sure you know about our upcoming Family Mission Trip during the Cherokee, Cobb, and Fulton Spring Break. We will be going to St. Simons Island and we will work with local mission organizations there. We work in the morning, and then have free time in the afternoon to either go to the beach or explore St. Simons! The mission work is pretty simple, so that even young children can participate. It’s a wonderful trip and such a meaningful time for families to serve together, and we’d love to have you join us.

Trip Details:

Cost: Adult (12+): $335, Child (3-11): $235, Family Maximum Price: $1200 (Children 0-2 are free)

Food & Lodging: Epworth By the Sea

Dates: April 4-8, 2016

Times: Meet at Epworth By The Sea Monday April 4 in the afternoon and leave for Atlanta the morning of April 8.

To register, click on the link below:

Register Here!

Blessings,

Carrie

Carrie Weatherford

Director of Children and Family Ministries

Roswell Presbyterian Church

carrie@roswellpres.org

Dear 5th Grade Parents,

My name is Julianne Shirek and I am the Director of Middle School Ministry here at Roswell Presbyterian Church. I am so excited that your student will soon be a part of the Middle School Ministry! Summer will be here before we know it, and I want to let you know about some great opportunities for your student to get plugged in.

We will be going to a camp called Student Life. It is June 7-11 and located in Lookout Mountain, GA on the campus of Covenant College. Activities include fun games, team-building activities, a talent show, and sports tournaments for those who are interested. There is also time for students to just hang out and spend time with one another. Each morning and night, they will be able to worship and hear God’s Word, which is the core of what this camp is about. Students will most definitely have a ton of fun, but it is also a special opportunity for them to grow in their faith!

We will also be going to Chattanooga for our Chattanooga Mission Experience! This trip is June 27-July 2. We will be working with a ministry called Widow’s Harvest, and the students will get to help fix up houses, roofs, yards, etc. Giving students the opportunity to serve is truly life changing. This trip has been a favorite among students in the past, and I’m sure it will be great this year as well!

The price of each trip is as follows:

·         Register by January 31, 2016: $425/trip

·         Register by March 6, 2016: $450/trip

 If you sign your student up for both trips, you will receive a 10% discount on each trip. Your spot is reserved with a $100 deposit. You can sign up online at www.ryex.org.

I would absolutely love to have your student join us on one or both of these trips. I know God will do some amazing things. Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns about these trips, or about the Middle School Ministry in general! You can also visit our website at www.ryex.org!  

Julianne Shirek

julianne@roswellpres.org

770-649-4520 (Direct line)

All 4th and 5th graders are invited to a fun (and free!) lunch with the RPC pastors January 31, 2016 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP by emailing Mem Belser at mem@roswellpres.org to sign up by Thursday January 28, 2016.

Happy New Year!

onCore begins this week! We are excited for a new term and hope you are too! Wednesday Night is onCore Spirit night, so wear your t-shirts!

If you have not registered, there is still time! Just click on the link below and let us know you'll be joining us! 

http://www.roswellpres.org/children/oncore

THE RESULTS ARE IN!!!

For our Elementary Advent Mission Project, we have been collecting loose change to raise money for our mission partners in Kenya. Our gifts will support a Christmas party for the children who live at the Jitegemea Children's Home and School. In just three weeks, we raised $202.56. While each grade did an amazing job, our third grade students won the competition and will celebrate with a doughnut party during Sunday School January 3, 2015! 

Thank you for your generosity and support for our mission partners!

Advent Mission Project

This Sunday December 13, 2015 is the LAST Sunday to give to our Elementary Advent Mission Project! We have been  collecting loose change to raise money for our mission partners in Kenya. Our gifts will support a Christmas party for the children who live at the Jitegemea Children's Home and School. There will be jars out in the Elementary hallway labeled by grade level for your child to put in their change this Sunday. The grade who collects the most change will win a doughnut party in January.

In just two weeks, have raised $134.21 and third grade is in the lead! Thank you for your generosity and support for our mission partners!

Advent is Upon Us! During Advent, we wait expectantly to celebrate the birth of Christ. As we wait, we reflect on the amazing gifts God has given us through Jesus, gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love. It is exciting to remember that the God of the universe loves us so much that He would send us His only Son Jesus through whom we are able to receive such divine gifts.

During Advent, we reflect on each of these gifts through the lighting of the Advent wreath. Last week in Advent Family Sunday School, we talked about the origin of the Advent Wreath, discussed what each candle represented, and made our own family Advent Wreaths. I hope you will hang up your family Advent Wreath and continue talking with your children about Advent at home, and if you were not able to attend Advent Family Sunday School, I still encourage you to talk about Advent and the true meaning of Christmas with your children. 

One great way to do this is to designate one day during each week to do an Advent devotional together as a family. To guide you, here are four short devotionals that include scripture, questions, and prayers you can read as a family for each week of Advent. 

Advent Week One (this week): HOPE

Scripture

Read Psalm 39:7 as a family.

Questions

What kinds of things do you hope for?

What does it mean to have hope in Jesus?

What is one way you can spread the hope of Jesus to others?

Prayer

God of hope, as we begin Advent, we can get carried away with decorating, parties, and presents. Lord, help us to keep our focus on you and to remember that you are hope of the world and the true reason we prepare and celebrate. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Advent Week Two (begins 12/6): PEACE

Scripture

Read Isaiah 9:6 as a family.

Questions

What do you think it means to have peace?

When is a time you have felt peace?

Why do you think we call Jesus the Prince of Peace?

Prayer

God of peace, sometimes our actions are not peaceful. Help us to quiet our minds, mouths, and bodies, to be still and invite in the peace that can only come through You. Guide us in all that we say and do, that we may show Your love and peace to those around us. Amen.

Advent Week Three (begins 12/13): JOY

Scripture

Read Luke 2:10 as a family.

Questions

Have you ever experienced joy? Share that story.

What is the joy we celebrate at Christmas?

Do you think we can celebrate the joy of Christmas all year? How?

 Prayer                                                                                                                                                   

God we know that some days, we do not act like there is anything to celebrate. Turn our eyes upward and outward, focusing not on ourselves, but on you! Fill our hearts with joy we pray. Amen.

Advent Week Four (begins 12/20): LOVE

 Scripture

Read Romans 8:39 as a family.

Questions

Who do you love?

How does it make you feel that because of Jesus nothing can separate us from God’s love?

How can you show love to others?

Prayer                                                                                                                                                        

God, creator of Love, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to show us unconditional love, a love that can never be taken away and a love that will never end. May all that we say and do be done in love and to the glory of Your Holy name. Amen.