​¹ “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father —and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life —only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
John 10:1-18

 

https://youtu.be/edqO3611fQY?si=ay76ekAHwcq8XBvW

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In some ways, Family Ministry is simply the new church word for Children’s Ministry. Functionally, much of what we do is no different than what we’ve always done. We want to disciple children in the way of Jesus.
Philosophically, however, the shift to Family Ministry is born out of our desire to partner with families and set them up for success as they continue the conversations that we start as a church. Today’s families come in all shapes and sizes. But we acknowledge something that all modern American families share in common–we’re all busy; maybe too busy! Children today are involved in more extra curricular activities than ever before. Rather than compete with your busy schedule and make church activities one more category on your list of weekly activities, our desire is to partner with parents to help them continue discipleship at home as they go from school, to the ballfield, to dance, to meetings, to dinner, to bedtime, and whatever else they have scheduled, before doing it all again the next day. 

How do we do that? We start the conversation on Sunday mornings and equip you with resources to continue the conversation at home. Each week we send home a devotion sheet with a few conversation starters. Mealtimes, car time, and bed time are some of the best times for these conversations. When you’re not sure where to focus with your children, consult the guide that we provide.

 

There’s a lot more to it, but that’s the basic idea. If you have any questions, send us an email, and we’ll set up a time to chat. 

9AM VOLUNTEERS, please arrive by 8:45am
10:30AM VOLNTEERS, please arrive by 10:10am

FAMILY EXPERIENCE – Sara Locario
     General Improvements, Check-In, Environment
FAMILY MINISTRY ADMIN – Kennedy Parrish
     Scheduling, Data Organization, Policies, etc. 

FAMILY EVENTS – Caitlin Lail
     Family Outreach Events, Family Enrichment Events

     Curriculum Prep, Curriculum Admin, Family Devos

     Tech Solutions, Procurement, Odds & Ends 

 

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Join us and bring a friend for “A Sweetwater Family Christmas,” December 22, 10:30am. We’re making our regularly scheduled worship service a festive gathering for the whole family, with live animals, sweet treats and hot cocoa, live music, and “Buddy time.”
The birth of our Savior is “good news of great joy for all people,” and we’re exited to celebrate it with you!

 

Join us Tuesday evening for a traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service, 5pm, December 24th. 
We won’t keep you long, but would love for you to join us as we reflect on the birth of our Savior and the true meaning of Christmas. 

This week of local missions is sponsored by the Sweetwater Student Ministry. All are invited to join us as we reach out in the name of Jesus!

 

 

THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY IS STUDENT SERVE WEEKEND!

This is an opportunity to serve your church family and to earn a $100 toward the 2024 Student Summer Camp at Lake Yale, July 2-6. 

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If students need to complete their 5hrs to earn the $100 credit toward camp there are a couple more opportunities this week. 

 

 

CAMP REGISTRATION IS ACTIVE. THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 30. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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We will be doing some work on our own church campus, helping a family move, helping at the home of some of our church members, and serving in our own food pantry. 

Students will be assigned to a specific project upon arrival. 

All students will be accompanied by at least 2 adult leaders, and will serve with a group of 2-5 students. 

 

 

We will meet at the Fellowship Hall on the South Campus, Saturday, 5/18, 10:00am (please be on time). 
Upon arrival we will assign to groups and prepare for the day. We will depart to serve by 10:45am at the latest. 

 

12pm – Sunday
On Sunday, after church, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall on the South Campus for a quick lunch and will depart to serve no later than 12:30pm. 

 

Students should be picked up between 3:00pm & 3:15pm on both days. 

 

 

Students will make their own lunch with the sandwich items provided, before we set out for the day, along with chips and a drink. For those who may be familiar with it, this is similar to what we’ve done on Student Mission Trips. 

 

 

Students must register, using the link below, and serve for a minimum of 5 hours in order to earn a $100 credit toward Summer Camp. While we would like students to serve on both days, we understand that may not be possible. See the update above for additional serving opportunities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Verse 1: Steven Musso]
I just want to speak the name of Jesus

 

Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

[Verse 2: Charity Gayle]
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus

[Chorus: Charity Gayle & Steven Musso]
Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

[Verse 3: Charity Gayle, Charity Gayle & Steven Musso]
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus