Hello Friends, I was thinking the other day how tough it is to give thanks when something goes wrong. How can I give thanks when something doesn’t make me happy? How can I give thanks when I lose my toy? How can I give thanks when I get a bad grade on a test? How can I give thanks when I get sent to time out? How can I give thanks when I get bucked off a horse? How can I give thanks when my friend is sick, when my brothers and......

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Hello Friends! Just a couple of days ago, we celebrated a specific holiday that honors all those who have served our country. They either served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Space Force. For some of us, we get the day off of school to celebrate this holiday and our parents get the day off as well. Do you know the name of the holiday we just celebrated? That’s right! Veterans Day! I was doing some research on Veterans Day and this is what I found out:......

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Hello Friends! Can I share something with you? Nobody else knows this about me. But while growing up, I never liked brushing my teeth. I used to put my toothbrush under the faucet with the running water to convince my parents that I brushed my teethe. When they went to the bathroom to check my toothbrush, it would be wet like it would be when I actually brushed my teeth. There was something about getting the toothpaste out of the cupboard, getting my toothbrush out of the cup, putting the toothpaste on......

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Hello Friends, Do you remember what we talked about last week? Let me give you some hints: there was a tool box, some tools, a Bible, and a flashlight….That’s right! We talked about how God provides us with the right tools so that we can let His light shine. And this light is not just for us, but it is a light that is meant for everyone. Well today, we are going to talk about something that might cause our light to go out. You might be thinking Satan. But there is......

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Hello Friends! I was thinking the other day about what Jesus said to his disciples many years ago. After telling the disciples about all the people who deserve to be blessed–to be given the gift of happiness–Jesus, in Matthew 5:14, says this, “You are the light of the world….” And then I thought about some of the tools that I have in my tool box. Do you have tools that you use to help your parents or siblings out? In my toolbox, I have a hammer that helps build things, a level......

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Hello Friends! With Halloween approaching fast, I’m sure we are all excited to dress up in our costumes and eat all the candy we can get! What are you dressing up as for Halloween? I think this year I am going to dress up like a pumpkin! I bet you’re thinking that I am going to go as a Jack-o-lantern that has big eyes, a triangle shaped nose, and a mouth filled with fangs. That does sound pretty scary. But I am thinking of going as God’s pumpkin….the God-o-lantern! In order to......

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How many of you have done something that you have gotten in trouble for? How many of you have gotten in trouble by your parents for picking on your brother or sister? Have many of you have gotten in trouble for not sharing your toys or for taking toys from someone else? How many of you have gotten in trouble for doing something that your parents told you not to do? While growing up, I have seen a lot of people get in trouble. I saw Jonah get in trouble by God......

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On Sunday, we came together at Jesus’ table to share a meal. This was no fancy meal: there weren’t any mashed potatoes or salads or casseroles or sandwiches or even desserts. However, this was an important meal. As a matter of fact, this meal is what we call in the church “The Lord’s Supper” or “Holy Communion.” And what made it even more important, was the notion that as a Church–throughout the world–we had this meal together. During this meal, we gathered at the table–which has a spot for you and me–and......

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Through the month of September, we are going to focus on the organization “Our Conference, Our Kids” which was created by our very own Bishop Frank Beard. In honor of Bishop Frank Beard, who is undergoing eye surgery in both eyes and is on Sabbatical until January of 2022, all churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference are asked to take up a collection to give to this organization. During our Kid’s Message, the kids travel through the sanctuary collecting a “noisy offering” which will be sent to Our Conference, Our Kids......

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Through the month of September, we are going to focus on the organization “Our Conference, Our Kids” which was created by our very own Bishop Frank Beard. In honor of Bishop Frank Beard, who is undergoing eye surgery in both eyes and is on Sabbatical until January of 2022, all churches in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference are asked to take up a collection to give to this organization. During our Kid’s Message, the kids travel through the sanctuary collecting a “noisy offering” which will be sent to Our Conference, Our Kids......

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