 March is banging with stuff to do. Easter is on March 23 this year. Does anyone think that is a little early for Easter other than me? I’m praying the dump of snow that we normally get at that time will pass us by this year. The Volunteer Banquet is always a blessing to the over 700 volunteers in the Grace Church body. This is a time to celebrate the hard work of the workers who make the ministry happen everyday. We look forward to seeing you there on March 9. Eggstravaganza is set for March 16, on Palm Sunday. This is preceded by the volunteer info meeting and lunch from 1:15-2:00 p.m. in the resource room of Grace Kids. Spring Break is the next week, March 17-21, and will be a great one as well. We will probably make a few outings happen for this time.
 In April we have the return of the Pastor Bob Yandian All Church Conference called “Back to Basics.” We can’t wait to meet all the new faces in ministry and all the people who are influenced by our world renowned pastor.It is going to be an awesome time. Grace Christian Schools is having their annual Grace Race in Hailey Creek Park. This is a very fast race and the biggest fundraiser for the Christian schools. The 3rd Annual 31 and Son date night is set for April 25. This is one of my favorite nights of my life. We haven’t changed a lot of things about this event because it is such a special time.
We are taking May off completely to get geared up for VBS. It is going to be one amazing time. May is very busy for everyone with kids because of baseball seasons and school letting out. It’s really hard to schedule events with families when the focus is on taking a vacation and also being free from the daily routines of school. Trust us as a ministry. Don’t schedule events for kids in May. Give them a month to anticipate the summer and get in the routine of going to bed late and sleeping in. Boy, I wish we could sleep in. Ooops! Did I say that? Mother’s day is on May 11. Don’t wait until the then to celebrate your mothers. Everyday is mother’s day my friends.
June is hot! It’s a busy month for all churches and children. We are focusing more on the year as a whole, not just seasons. We have cut away a lot of activities this year to really focus on volunteer recruitment and also to allow room for our major church events to have maximum participation. No Camp Slip and Slide this year. Father’s Day is on June 15. Don’t get your dad a tie. Booo! Boooo! A new grill is a nice idea, or a new driver for his golf clubs. A new Hummer is nice as well; just a thought. The 2nd Annual “Mommy and Me” Preschool Play Date is scheduled for June 21. It’ll be great. This is an opportunity for mommies with young children to get together to talk and let their children play in the water, eat and take a nap. Children really love 5 things at this age. They love God, snacks, naps, bugs, and mommies. On June 29, we will be doing our Independence Day celebration. We’ll have a lot of games and water things to do. It’s an all out eating festival as well, so fast lunch on that day and come give your appetite a work out. We have one of the best firework shows in the whole state. It’s awesome. We have estimated to see in between 3000-4000 people here for the celebration.
In July, the fifth member of the Conn home is due to arrive. We are having a girl! It’s going to be a whole different house with 2 little girls and a 4 year old boy at the home. Dear Lord, I pray blessings on the Conn house in Jesus name, amen. VBS is going to be the week of July 15-18. Our curriculum this year is a great one called “Jerusalem Marketplace” The Holy Land experience. We are going to have a huge can food drive for a local ministry. All the children will be broken into 12 tribes of Israel and they will each bring can goods for a total tally at the end of the week. We will take a few weeks off to recover and also to regroup before going to Dry Gulch on July 27-31. We always celebrate my birthday, which is the July 29 at camp. Not much will change this year either.
August is going to be devoted to kids going back to school. On August 14, kids go back to school. Parents are thankful and the kids are remorseful for the most party. We will cruise right into September. The Hero and Princess Date Night is September 19. I love this night the most of all our events! Last year there was such a sweet spirit about all the little princesses and daddies. Dinner was awesome! The rose ceremony was very moving and the dodge ball game was one of the funniest things I have ever seen.
October is getting a little chilly and it is perfect time for a campout. The 2nd Annual “Wild at Heart” (father and son campout in Sapulpa) is scheduled for October 3. This is a great bonding experience for sons and dads. We go over the six stages of a man and also quality of living as fathers. It was small in numbers but mighty in power. Our biggest event of the year is always Hallelujah Party. It will take place on Friday, October 31, and is destined to be a great event.
November is recovery from the year and prep for the holiday season. No events in November. We will kick off the Christmas holidays with a Parents Date Night on December 5. This is an opportunity for the parents to go out and shop. It is a zero ministering time for us as a staff. We just enjoy the kids all night. We eat and play games, ride the carousel and watch movies. It’s a very fun night. Our Christmas outreach for the church is going to be on December 20. Our Christmas productions will be on the December 13 and 14.
This year is going to be a time to get back to the basics, regroup and refocus on the things we are great at, cut away things that we weren’t and dream to things we could do differently. I’m excited and we hope you are as well. God Bless you.
Always being molded and constantly being changed,
Pastor Jeremy Conn
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