Also, our Juniors Retreats (for youth groups with students in grades 3-6) will be underway in just a couple days: November 17-19 and December 1-3. Please pray for the kids who come to these retreats, that they might understand God's relentless love for them and claim their identity as his precious children.

Mark your calendars now for Spring 2007 Retreats. We'll be having a Mother/Child Retreat April 27-29, a Women's Retreat May 4-6 and a Father/Child Retreat May 11-12, all at SpringHill Michigan. Look for more details coming soon!

Serving Others with the Gifts God's Given

It can be easy for kids to think of service as drudgery or obligation rather than privilege and fun. How do you turn their attitudes around?  Ephesians 4:11-13 talks about how Christ served by giving himself to his disciples (and to us!) and about how he equipped his followers to serve - by using their gifts. When we use our gifts to serve, we are giving ourselves according to how God specially created us. In this way, service becomes an expression of our very purpose for being! Consider each of your child's gifts. How could you help them use these gifts to serve others and build up the body of Christ?

If your child is artistic... create a special card for a shut-in or sick neighbor
If your child is musical... spend a night as a family caroling in your neighborhood or at a nursing home or hospital
If your child is athletic... volunteer with a sports program for special needs students or help a struggling teammate practice their skills
If your child is social... serve a meal together at a homeless shelter and spend time showing love by engaging with the guests
If you child is great with little kids ... see if you can serve together in your church nursery or with a Sunday school program

The opportunities for service in our communities are endless! Check with your church, local school or Salvation Army to see what the needs are in your community. Also, be sure to look at the Doing Good Together website (reviewed below) for other service ideas. And don't forget to send us your ideas! How does your family serve together? We'd love to know and share your suggestions with other SpringHill families! Please email us!

The Nativity Story (rated PG)
This new feature film to be released December 1, 2006, chronicles the life of Mary and Joseph as they travel to Bethlehem. Reviewers are calling it a "dramatic" and "compelling" portrayal of the miraculous pregnancy, arduous journey and history-defining birth of Jesus. Although it's a story we've heard in every possible way, this new film suggests an epic, visually stimulating, deeply human and highly emotional take on one of the greatest events in Christianity. Consider seeing this film as a way to enter the advent season with your whole family. (The film has been given a PG rating for some violent scenes; it may not be appropriate for young children.)

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.
-Edmund Burke

So two good things will result from this ministry of giving-the needs of God's holy people will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
-2 Corinthians 9:12 (NLT)

Many of us want to show our children how to serve God by helping others, but we don't always know how to do this. In this article from Christian Parenting Today, "Give a Little Bit," mom, writer and kindergarten teacher Amy Veits shares practical ways to open your child's heart and hands through simple acts of service.