You are Invited/Baptized in His Love

We started a new series in Amplify called Foundational Truths. These are the truths that make up what we believe and as Christians it's very important to know what the Bible says! Two weeks ago we learned what Salvation is. We learned first of all that we are loved. We have a loving Father who cares for us so much! He is love. Fathers here on earth may make mistakes but God is the perfect Father. He does what is best for us and He loves us perfectly. Next we learned that we are forgiven. Sin separated us from God but because He is a loving Father and He wants a relationship with us, He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sin. He took our place and because of that we can be forgiven and have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Last we learned that we are God's child. I John 3:1 says, "See how great a love the Father has for us, that we should be called children of God." When we receive the Father's love and forgiveness we become adopted into His family. (Romans 8:15) God is the King of Kings so that makes us a royal prince or princess. As a prince or princess we get everything that our Daddy has - called an inheritance.

Our royal princes and princesses made bracelets or keychains with words like "princess" "chosen" or "loved" to help them remember they have a Heavenly Father who loves them so much.

This last Sunday we learned about Water Baptism. Baptism does not make us saved. Salvation is a free gift and we don't have to earn it. But we get baptized after salvation in obedience to Jesus and to follow His example (Mark 16:16, Matthew 3:13-17) It is an outward expression of the change that has taken place on the inside of us. It is saying we believe Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose again. It's saying that we are dead to sin and alive to God and it's saying that our spirits will live on with Jesus because we have eternal life. In place of our regular church service, we will be having a Baptism Service on Monday, September 17th at 6pm at Sue Yeroshefsky's mother's house. For directions or if your child is interested in being baptized, please contact Pastor Harry or Sandra Copen.

Who's My Neighbor?

This was an exciting week in Amplify Children's Ministry. Friday evening we had guests, Pastor Marcus and Bobbie Abernethy from Kidz Dominion with us for our Shift Children's Service. We had a fun time and enjoyed funny skits, games, music, and hearing the Word of God in an exciting way.
Sunday morning our kids filled the altar during praise and worship waving flags! They did this on their own - no one asked them to or prompted them. It warmed my heart to see them praising God. I thought how happy it must make Him to have His children praising Him. The kids also served in the church service by being greeters and taking up the offering.
We finished out our series, "Kids Serve" with a lesson on The Good Samaritan. We watched the story on video and learned that when God says to love our neighbor He means everyone. Our neighbor is the one in front of us and our neighbor is the one the whole way across the globe. It is whoever is in need, whoever we can help, and whoever we can show love to. A true follower of God doesn't just say they love, but they show love. We ended our class by praying for our neighbors in other countries who have needs. We prayed for Zimbabwe - that God would show the people there His love and meet their needs since they live in extreme poverty. We prayed for Somalia - that God would reach them and provide for them because many are dying of starvation. Finally we prayed for Syria - that God would give them peace and protect the people because they are in a civil war.


Following is a link "Stop for the One" This video shows the heart of God. Iris Ministries is a wonderful organization that bears so much fruit. If you are interested in donating or sponsoring a child visit their website for more information.  www.irismin.org

Families Serving

Continuing our series, "Kids Serve" today we learned ways we can serve as a family. We learned about Joshua and how he declared, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:14-18) Joshua told everyone who'd listen about the amazing things God had done and then he told the people that there's no other god he and his family would serve.  Like Joshua and his people, your family can decide together that "we will serve the Lord."
Kids got into groups of "families" and thought of creative ways they could serve others as a family unit. Whether helping an elderly person with their groceries, welcoming a new family to the neighborhood, or giving to those in need, there are always ways we can serve. This week look for opportunities your family can serve those around you. 

In our time of soaking, we talked about what it's like to have our best friend over for a sleep over. We look for ways to entertain them and pay special attention to them. We wouldn't think of inviting them over and then ignoring them. Well, when we are in God's presence we can "entertain" Him as our special guest as well.  When we pay special attention to God and love Him it is like a sweet aroma to Him. (Ezekiel 20:41) He also loves getting presents from our heart. On gift bags around the room were written "Praise" "Worship" "Hunger" and "Thankfulness" Each child spent quiet time at each station, bringing their "gifts" to God and spending time with Him. It was a beautiful time of soaking in God's presence.



Our kids have learned what it is to serve in our community by collecting school supplies and clothing for the Union Rescue Mission. This morning a few volunteers prayed over the items, asking God to bless each person who would receive them and that they would know His love.

Next week kids will be serving in our church service upstairs as greeters as well as taking up the offering. We will also be doing promotions for those students moving up to a higher level class in children's church. Please be there with your students. We will be presenting them with certificates for their achievements. 

Kids Serve

Today was the start of our new series entitled, "Kids Serve."  This series is so valuable and important to teach to our children because a life of serving is how the Father wants us to live - to serve God and to serve others. Jesus said He came not to be served but to serve and give His life for us.  (Matthew 20:28)


We had a child volunteer to clean some blocks from the nursery. He came up very excited and ready to help and as he did I handed him a pair of scissor and told him to go ahead. He gave me a blank look as did the rest of the kids. Then I handed him the right tool for the job - some disinfecting wipes. This illustration demonstrated that God has gifted us each with our own special talents that He wants us to use. Scissors are great for cutting but not so great for cleaning. We need to use the special talents that God has given us to serve Him and others. Pastor Harry talked about how the church is like a body.  We each have a function and a purpose. Each part is important and necessary. (I Corinthians 12:12-31)

In our soaking time we learned that our hearts are like radios. We need to be tuned into God to be able to hear what He is saying to us. So many distractions come in and cause static.  These distractions (like television, games, friends, etc.) aren't necessarily bad things but when we spend too much time on them it keeps us from spending time with God. He is constantly talking to us. We just need to get our hearts tuned into Him and hear what He wants to say to us.

Amplify kids serving by making cards to encourage someone.

*Amplify is still collecting school supplies and clothing in good condition for the Union Rescue Mission. We want to serve our community by meeting the needs of the people.  The last date to turn in donations is August 26th.

Amazing Accomplishments

We ended our series on the Ten Commandments this week with "Do not covet" or, to be content with what God gives us. We each shared an accomplishment that we were most proud of and shared what it would be like if someone else accomplished the same thing...but did it better. We discussed that God made us each different, with different gifts. No one else is quite like us - and that's a great thing! We can concentrate on what God has given us, and not wish we were different.  We should also rejoice with others in their accomplishments so we took turns encouraging each other and sharing what gifts God has given each person.


Our next series is entitled "Kids Serve" and we will be learning how God wants each of us to serve Him and others. One way to serve is to give. Throughout the month of August, Amplify Children's Ministry will be partnering with the Union Rescue Mission of Cumberland to collect school supplies and clothing that is in good condition. These will be distributed to kids before the start of the school year so if you would like to help, please turn in your donations to Pastor Harry or Sandra by August 26th.  Kids will receive points this month for participating in activities of serving within the church, community, and even  in helping another nation! We are excited to teach Amplify Children about serving God and giving to others.


We also officially promoted Jess Binnix to the youth group. We are gonna miss her in Children's Church but are excited for her to grow into all that God has for her! Sunday evening we presented her with a Student Bible and certificate.

Big Lie, Little Lie

We started this Sunday with a game in which we read through some different scenarios and the kids decided if they were "big lies", "in-between lies", or "little lies".  Of course the  connection that we made at the end is that, to God, a like is a lie - period. There are no big lies or little lies.  And because God is a God of truth, we tell the truth no matter what.  We should be gentle and kind while telling the truth, sharing the truth with love, but God expects us to tell the truth every time.

Next week is the last week of our series on The Ten Commandments. Students have been memorizing the commandments and will recite them to their teachers this coming Sunday in class for points, so take an opportunity to go over them with your child.


Also, please remember to support the youth and children with our upcoming Shift Event. See Pastor Harry or Sandra with any donations or if you would like to help in any way. This event is  not only to stir something in our students, but to reach out to the kids and youth in our community as well so let's get the word out!

What is God saying?

Prophet Kevin Smith came to speak to our Amplify Kids this week about hearing and obeying God's voice.  Just as we can recognize a familiar friend's voice without even seeing them walk in the room, we can know and recognize God's voice the more we spend time with Him and get to know Him.  He wants to speak to us but we must be willing to take time to listen. God puts people in our lives to tell us things. Our pastors, leaders, and teachers are put in our lives to lead and guide us. They can help us to hear what God is saying. The more we grow in God, we still need the leaders God has placed in our lives, but we can begin to hear God for ourselves. When God speaks to us we must be willing to follow Him. Once we step out in faith, the Spirit will lead and guide us but we must be willing to take that step of obedience.


At the close of our service, Prophet Kevin prayed over each child and spoke into their lives. There were words of healing, encouragement, and freedom.  God has big plans for the children at Kingdom Victory Church and it was awesome to hear what He has in store for them! There are future plans, but He also has plans for them now and He wants to use them now! The greatest miracle this week was the miracle of salvation! We had a boy freed from hurt and anger and he gave his heart to the Lord!