Operation Christmas Child Photos from November 2012

FREE Mom Conference---Online!

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Steering Team 2013-2014

As MOPS 2012-2013 is winding down (only 3 meetings left!!) we are looking towards next year!

We have some openings in the Steering Team for next year as some of the current members' kids are aging out of MOPS. See below for next years theme, as well as the list of steering team positions and openings.

The theme for next year is........

             A Beautiful Mess: Embrace Your Story

Addressing the felt needs of moms through this theme:
Moms live in messes. The toys, crumbs, and spit-up are their natural surroundings. Moms often feel like a mess. They are exhausted, under-showered, and hormonal. Their past and present circumstances and decisions can leave them feeling inadequate for God’s love and purposes.
A Beautiful Mess — reminds moms that beauty can come out of their difficult spots. The grime of mothering young children brings the beauty of motherhood. The bruises of life can bring God’s redemption.
Embrace Your Story — reminds moms that their past, present and future can be used for good. God knows where each of us has been, where we are today and has set in motion where we are headed.

Theme Verse:

Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation)

For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Official Steering Team Positions:

Coordinator

Publicity

Discussion Group Leader---Opening

Hospitality---Opening

Creative Activities---Opening

Service---Opening

Finance---Opening

Moppets---Opening

Steering Team members can do one or more position or share a position with someone else. If none of these appeal to you specifically but still want to be involved let us know. We have been known to "create" positions. We have a great time planning the year and if you are on the steering team you get a say in what out topics for the meetings are!!

Repurposed: A one day women's retreat.

Repurposed: A one day women's retreat.
Saturday April 6th, 2013
New Life Assembly of God
720 Avon Rd, Sparta WI

From the Brochure:
As women, we are pulled in so many directions as our world creates a culture of busyness. This one day retreat for women ages 11 and up was birthed out of the vision to see women take one day out of their lives to come together in unity for the purpose of nuturing friendships with each other and most importantly spending time with God. We realize that it's not always possible to go overnight to a conference or retreat because of family responsibilities and finances and believe those should not be reasons that women don't enjoy an opportunity like this. We hope you consider joining us for "Repurposed" on April 6th.

Things your registration will include:
workshop sessions
information centers
a free lunch provided onsite
prayer ministry
a fun photo booth
giveaways.
Sorry but their will not be childcare provided for this event.

Schedule
8:30-9:30 Registration
9:30-10:30 Welcome and Worship
10:30-11:30 Workshop I
11:30-12:30 Workshop II
12:30-1:30 Lunch (provided)
1:30-4:00 Worship and Main Speaker Session

Worship: Render
Render worship comes to us from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN. This worship team is made up of students from North Central and they lead worship weekly at the student led chapel called Render. The inspiration for the name Render is from the scripture found in Matthew 22:21 "Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but Render unto God what belongs to God." The Render team has a heart for ministry in service as well as worship and we are very thankful for their willingness to do both for us for this retreat.

Speaker: Diane De la Santos
Since 2003, Diane has served as executive director of City on a Hill, an urban ministry center in the heart of Milwaukee, America's 4th poorest city. Diane left her position as VP of Public Affairs for a large health care system after 20 years to respond to a calling to full time ministry.

In 2006, she sold her home and moved into the old hospital campus that houses City on a Hill.

In April of 2012, Diane was given the Wisconsin Hero Award by the state's First Lady Tonette Walker for "her life of sacrificial giving and her extraordinary service as Director of City on a Hill."

As a young women, before giving her life to Christ, Diane was a single mother living in poverty. She now has two adult children and three granddaughters. Diane's other ministry experience includes developing the guest services program for a large church, leading a women's small group ministry and teaching Christian conflict management and adult Sunday School.

She has a passion to see parents walking in covenant with God and raising their children for Christ. She is also deeply committed to encouraging Christians to serve the poor and oppressed, and practicing racial reconciliation as a testimony to the world the power of the gospel.

Cost:
$40 before 3/30
$50 after 3/30
$25 student -with ID
Payable by cash or check to NLAG-New Life Assembly of God

For more information contact Sue Williamson at mrswilly04@hotmail.com

Bible, Devotions and More!

MOPS Meeting summary from March 21^st, 2013

Speaker: Carol from Bible Study Fellowship International (LaCrosse)

Carol works with BSF out of LaCrosse and is the teacher for the weekly bible studies. She came and spoke to us on different bibles, devotionals, talked about the importance of giving your kids the gift of your holiness, pray for your children, and how a good strong marriage is a huge gift you can give your children. She brought many different bibles and devotionals for us to look at and she gave a brief description of what they were, who they would be good for, etc. She recommended starting journals for each of your children; write down things, daily/weekly/yearly about them and your walk with them with Christ, start when they are young, so by the time middle/high school comes along there is quite a bit in there. This is a good tool to use, when they are struggling with or having a hard time grasping your love for them or have low self-esteem. Maybe your words will get to them, all the things you wrote for them as a child.

The website is BSFinternational.org. She hosts weekly bible studies in Onalaska on Wednesdays 9am-10:50 (school year only). Onalaska United Methodist Church. (the location of the studies change each year) ALL are Welcome, all ages are welcome. They have free childcare. There are infant bible studies up to adult bible studies. All groups cover the same stories on the same days. They are finishing up one story now and will begin the life of Joseph on April 10^th. Please check out the website or talk with Sarah Mesmer for more information. Sarah attends these weekly and I believe Bobbie Evans does as well.

How to start reading the bible?

Good places to start are John, Mark, Psalms.

How to read the bible?

Keep your eyes fixed on your hope, we are foreigners in this world, just passing through J God is preparing a greater place for us.

Read to KNOW God. Read each passage and ask how does this help me KNOW God? What is God telling me about Himself? Why did He want us to know this?

Studies show kids in America now days do not know the bible stories, READ them to you children start young, as infants even. Picture books, reading the word to them, sing the word, bible songs in the car. Children are like SPONGES and they can handle more than we think they can in regards to God’s word.

The bible is ONE story Jesus/God’s plan/redemption is talked about from beginning to end (Genesis to Revelations)

Get a journal, write things down as you read.

Start with Psalms for your prayers, pray the word back to God, share your emotions with him.

Our goal is to increase our love for God.

Recommendations on Study Bibles

Carol recommended if you have a study bible or you choose a study bible to let God teach you. Read the bible passage and let it “marinate” for a day, try to draw your own sense of what it means, the Holy Spirit will guide you to it, then the next day read the commentary and see how it compares to what you thought. Don’t be anxious to let other peoples thoughts/commentary take over when you should be absorbing what those words mean to YOU.

Devotional/Book/Workbook Recommendations from Carol

Experiencing God (Blackaby)

First Steps for the New Christian-workbook, looks at the foundations of the faith. (Carol mentioned she wished it had a different title and that the book was very good!)

The Attributes of God (Tozer)

Raising your Children for Christ (Murray)

Jesus Calling (Sarah Young)

Into the Word-workbook (Lotz)

Hinds Feet on High Places (Hurnard) for kids/girls 10-12 years old.

Stream in the Dessert (Cowman)

Bible Recommendations from Carol

Parallel Bible (Zondervan): This bible has the NIV on one side of the page and The Message (contemporary) on the other. This is a good beginner bible. Teens and newbies enjoy this version.

NIV (1984): a common favorite, good beginner bible. NIVr is a revised edition and a lot of very modern changes were made to this bible, use caution when choosing this one.

The Daily Walk Bible (Bruce Wilkinson): Weekly devotions and prayers are included.

Bibles for Women

Bibles for Moms

Thompson Chain Reference Bible (while reading a passage it will list another scripture in the bible that relates to that topic and that one might have another one listed, so you can chain your way through a specific topic in the bible, such as purity)

Bibles with a concordance in the back is great. You can look up a certain word in that (death, anger, joy) and it will list many passages where this is talked about in the bible.

Comparative Bible: is a bible with different translations in one.

King James Version

Devotional/Books/Videos recommended from Sparta MOPS moms

52 Things Kids Need from a Mom by Angela Thomas

The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie OMartain

Hurry Less Worry Less for Moms by Judy Christie

The Busy Mom’s Devotional By Lisa Bergen

Manna for Moms by Megan Breedlove

Dinner Table Devotions by Nancy Guthrie

Blessings Every Day by Elena Kucharik (for kids)

So that’s in the Bible? (B&H Publishing)

Parenting with Scripture (Durbin)

What’s in the Bible? Video Series by Phil Vischer

Hearts at Home 2013!!!

Here are some reminders for the Hearts at Home Conference 2013 in Rochester MN.

It is November 8th and 9th, 2013.

 

We can officially register for our conference starting in May.

 

Some of the speakers will be Anita Renfroe, Karen Ehman, Kathy Koch, and Candace Cameron.

  

This year the sweet suite will go to the group that brings the most New Attendees. 

 

So spread the word and if you have any questions please see Karen Carney or any MOPS Steering Team member for more information or check out this link--->> Hearts at Home 2013

 

Have a blessed day!

MOPS meeting Thursday March 21st

Join us at GBC for another great MOPS meeting...Thursday March 21st 6:30pm

Tonights topic will be Bibles and Devotionals....which ones are right for you and your family!

We will have two qualified speakers there to help explain the differences and help you figure out which one fills the need you have for it.

It should be very informative!!

Resource List from Date Night Meeting

Here is a list of the resources that were recommended at our "date night" MOPS meeting. 

 

1.  "Real Marriage"   Driscoll

2  "Hot chocolate for couples"   Cindy Sigler Dagnan

3.  "Love and Respect"   Eggriches

4.  52 ways to Have Fun & Fantastic Sex:   Penner

5.  Power of a praying wife":  Stormie Ormarian   (Karen Carney has this book and will lend if desired)

6.  Song of Solomon - Bible

7.  Laugh your way to a better marriage.   Mark Gungor

 

It was a great night with great easy and cheap ways to spend some time with your hubby!

 

Guesstures at MOPS!

Our last meeting started out with a fun game of Guesstures!

Date Night Pictures

Here's some pictures from Date Night!

Looks like fun was had by all!

Date Night!

Don't forget about DATE NIGHT!!!

Friday, March 8^th from 5:30-8:00 there will be FREE childcare available (for MOPS of Sparta members only) at GBC.

Meeting March 7th

Our next meeting is March 7th.  We will be watching a video and having discussion about Family Spiritual Foundations.  So important!  Come ready to learn so new ideas to add to what you are already doing and often more importantly come ready to share what you are doing in your family!!!

 

 

Our First Meeting is almost here!

Join us Thursday September 20th

at Gospel Baptist Church from

6:15 - 8:00 pm.

 

This years theme can mean many different things to everyone. We challenge you to think about what this years theme means to you, at this point in your life.

 

We cannot wait to see past MOPS moms and get to know new MOPS moms.

Our first meeting will be our "Warm Up" if you will, get to know your Steering Team, we'll have some fun conversation starters to get to know the other moms, and most importantly answer the question "What are you plunging into this year?"

 

My children are a gift, a reward from the Lord, and I will enjoy them. ~Psalm 127:3



Join us Thursday September 13th from 5:30-7 pm

at Gospel Baptist Church for our

 

2012-2013 KICKOFF PARTY!!

 

Fun for the Whole Family!

Moms, Dads, and Kids are invited to stop by

and see if MOPS is for you!

 

Join us for supper and yard games!

 

Meet & Greet with current and new MOPS moms!

 

Bring a mom who is new to MOPS and

you'll both be entered into a drawing!

 

For more information email

Coordinator Sarah Curtis at

MOPSofSparta@gmail.com

MOPS of Sparta's 2012-2013 year
will be starting SOON!!

We will be meeting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month starting Thursday September 20th at
Gospel Baptist Church from 6:15-8 pm.

 

Our theme this year is
"Plunge: Love as if your life depended on it".

We are very excited for this overall theme and cannot wait to take the Plunge together with you as moms!
 

Childcare is provided if you need it. You do not need to be a member of Gospel Baptist Church or any other church to join our group. ALL MOMS are welcome and encouraged to attend! Membership cost is $23.95 for the year.

To become a member of our group please email our
MOPS Coordinator Sarah Curtis at
MOPSofSparta@gmail.com or (608)215-4063