We've moved!

We have set up a new Facebook page where we distribute updates and news about both the AWANA and CitRUs programs at Westside Baptist Church. Please visit www.facebook.com/WestsideChildren and "like" our page! This blogger site will no longer be in use.

Early Bird Registration for 2013-14 Now Open!

Early Bird registration is now open for AWANA in September 2013 - June 2014. The registration fee for the whole season is $35, and does not include handbook and uniform. If you register before Jun 22, 2013, you will enjoy an Early Bird discount of $10. The order form for handbook, uniform and other materials will be available in July as the new AWANA catalog comes out. Please fill out the Early Bird registration form (download form for returning clubber / download form for new clubber) and return it to us with a cheque of $25 payable to Westside Baptist Church on or before June 23. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Alan (604-266-5602 / alan@westsidebaptist,.ca). Thank you very much! Blessings, AWANA @ Westside Baptist Church P.S. The registration for our Children Summer Camp is also open now! Please check out http://wbcchildrensc.blogspot.ca for more details!

Children Summer Camp - Registration Now Open!

The Children Summer Camp at Westside Baptist Church is now open for registration! The camp will be from July 1st to August 23rd, 2013, Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 3:30pm. We are very excited to welcome children from preschool to grade 3 to join us for songs, story time, arts & crafts, games, outdoor activities, playground time, cooking lessons, special shows, field trips, and so much more! Children can sign up on a weekly basis. The fee is $125/week. For more information, please visit http://wbcchildrensc.blogspot.ca/ or contact Grace Ng. Don't miss out!

Awana Worship Service - June 22, 2013

Dear Awana Parents,

In just a few weeks, the 2012-13 Awana season will come to an end. The last Awana meeting this season will be on June 7, 2013. Some of the clubbers are now trying very hard to finish their handbook before the end of the season, and we are really touched by their great effort.

On Jun 22, Saturday at 6:00pm, there will be a special Awana Worship Service. During the service we will hand out the various awards for our clubbers. We would like to invite all the Awana parents and clubbers to attend this special event to celebrate together a very fruitful year at Awana. Please mark it down on your calendar! If you cannot attend, please let Pastor Alan know in advance so that we can send your child's awards to you through other means.

Thanks very much for your support to the Awana ministry in the past year. Hopefully we will see you again when Awana restarts in September. We will send out information about registration very soon. Also, during the summer months, we will have full-time day camps for children every week in July and August. Please check back often as details will become available very soon.

PS. There will be no club meeting on May 17 (the Victoria Day long weekend). Club meeting will resume on May 24.

Sparks Family Follow Up

We learnt that the Israelites followed God's instruction and built the Tabernacle while wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle also gave them comfort and reassurance that God was with them. Think of a time when your family was going through something sad --- when someone was sick or maybe when a pet died. Encourage your children that God was with your family then. Now think of a time when your family was happy --- like when a baby was born or when your child did well on a task. Let them know that God was with your family then too. Children understand concepts better when they can relate it to something tangible and concrete.

Sparks Follow-Up

Aaron was assigned by God to speak for Moses. Aaron later questioned Moses' leadership, forgetting that it was God who had chosen Moses. Aaron started wanting something (Moses' prestige and leadership role) that someone else had. He started paying attention to the wrong thing, giving rise to jealousy and sinful deeds.

God has blessed each of us with special abilities. God doesn't care who is the best speaker, or the fastest runner, or the smartest student. God only cares about his children, and how his children do their best for Him. As a family, pray about how each family member can each use the special abilities to do your best for God. Then plan at least one way to follow through in using your special abilities in ministry this month.

Spring Break

There will be no Awana meeting on March 22 and 29. See you again on April 5!

P.S. We raised $520 for International China Concern last Friday. I'm very impressed by the kids' generosity!

Donating Awana Shares to support Orphans in China

At every Awana meeting, clubbers will be awarded with different numbers of Awana Shares for their excellent performance in learning and in games. Each clubber may be rewarded no more than 2 Awana Shares in each meeting. Every 4 to 5 weeks, the clubbers will have an opportunity to redeem their Awana Shares for little gifts at the Awana Store. Awana Store will be opened again this coming Friday on Mar 15, 2013.

In order to nurture giving to bless others as a virtue, we encourage the clubbers to "donate" their Awana Shares for charity besides getting gifts for themselves. Since September, we have already raised:

• $150 for Operation Christmas Child, a program that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of God’s unconditional love;
• $70 to purchase a agriculture startup pack for a third-world community through World Vision;
• $240 for the local Food Bank

At the coming Awana Store, we will provide opportunities for our clubbers to donate their shares to support the work of International China Concern, a non-profit organization dedicated to support orphans in China (You can learn more about their ministry at www.chinaconcern.org). For every shares our clubbers donated, a pre-arranged donor will give $10 for this ministry. If a clubber decides to donate all his/her shares, then each of his/her shares donated will be matched with $20. And if all the clubbers in a club donate all their shares, then each of their shares will be matched with $30.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact me or any of our Awana leaders.

P.S. Awana will not meet on Mar 22 & 29, 2013 during Spring Break and the Easter long weekend. We will resume meeting on April 5, 2013.

Sparks Family Follow Up

This week we learn that God can make what seems unworthy valuable: Jesus was rejected by the very same people He came to save. They deemed him unworthy. However, God raised Jesis from the dead and turned what man rejected into the Saviour of the world! God also desires for us to be people of value. Trust Christ as Saviour and our sins will be forgiven. We will have a new life and be part of God's family. As a family, talk about how we (as Christians) are all part of the family of God (Ephesians 2:19). Do we live the way God would want us to live?

Sparks Family Follow Up

This week we learnt how Joeseph interpreted Pharaoh's two dreams. Joseph was able to interpret dreams because God told him the meaning of the dreams. God was with Joseph. He had a special plan for Joseph and no matter who was mean to Joseph, God would work out His plan. Listening to God and doing what He tells us to do brings rewards. Our rewards might not be of this world and from this world, but our rewards, particularly those in store for us in Heavens, are guaranteed by God.

As a family, discuss the good thigns God has done for you. Do you know someone who is going through a difficult time? Do something for that person and their family. Maybe you'll also get an opportunity to share God's love with them.

Donating Awana Shares through matching program for Food Bank

At every Awana meeting, clubbers will be awarded with different numbers of Awana Shares for their excellent performance in learning and in games. Each clubber may be rewarded no more than 2 Awana Shares in each meeting. Every 4 to 5 weeks, the clubbers will have an opportunity to redeem their Awana Shares for little gifts at the Awana Store. Awana Store will be opened again on Feb 1, 2013.

In order to nurture giving to bless others as a virtue, we encourage the clubbers to "donate" their Awana Shares for charity besides getting gifts for themselves. In October 2012, we supported Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a program that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of God’s unconditional love. For each Awana Share donated, a pre-arranged donor gave $10 towards purchasing supplies for filling OCC shoeboxes. Our clubbers donated 15 Shares in total towards OCC, and successfully raised $150. In December, through similar arrangement, we raised $70 to purchase a agriculture startup pack for a third-world community through World Vision.

At the coming Awana Store, we will provide opportunities for our clubbers to donate their shares to support the work of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing food and related assistance to those in need. For every shares our clubbers donated, a pre-arranged donor will give $10 for this program. We hope to raise $100 for this program. We hope that the parents can talk to their children at home about this program and encourage them to donate their shares.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Alan or any of our Awana leaders.

P.S. Awana will not meet on Feb 8, 2013 during the Family Day long weekend. We will resume meeting on Feb 15, 2013.

Sparks Family Followup

The Life of Joseph (2)
God was Always with Joseph in His Low Points in Life

Joseph served in Potiphar's household but Potiphar's wife accused Joseph of things he had not done, and Potiphar threw Joseph in prison. While in prison, Joseph explained told the Pharoh's baker and the cupbearer what their dreams meant. When the cupbearer was released from prison, he forgot his promise to help free Joseph. Joseph stayed in prison for a few additional years.

Joseph's life has not been smooth. He was a God-honouring person but he had many low points in life. We were never promised a smooth path following God, but that God will be with us and protect us all along the way. Joseph didn't forsake God when life was not good; neither did God. Hanging on to God was how Joseph got through hardships in life.

2012-13 Season Schedule for Cubbies, Sparks and T&T

Please come back to this page often to check the latest schedule as details will be added when available.

Sep 14 Meeting #1
Sep 21 Meeting #2
Sep 28 Meeting #3

Oct 5 Thanksgiving weekend - No club meeting
Oct 12 Meeting #4
Oct 19 Meeting #5 - Awana Store open
Oct 26 Meeting #6

Nov 2 Meeting #7
Nov 9 Remembrance Day weekend - No club meeting
Nov 16 Meeting #8
Nov 23 Meeting #9
Nov 30 Meeting #10 - Awana Store open

Dec 7 Christmas Break - No club meeting
Dec 14 Christmas Break - No club meeting
Dec 21 Christmas Break - No club meeting
Dec 28 Christmas Break - No club meeting

Jan 4 Christmas Break - No club meeting
Jan 11 Meeting #11
Jan 18 Meeting #12
Jan 25 Meeting #13

Feb 1 Meeting #14 - Awana Store open
Feb 8 Family Day weekend - No club meeting
Feb 15 Meeting #15
Feb 22 Meeting #16

Mar 1 Meeting #17
Mar 8 Meeting #18
Mar 15 Meeting #19 - Awana Store open
Mar 22 Spring Break - No club Meeting
Mar 29 Spring Break - No club Meeting

Apr 5 Meeting #20
Apr 12 Meeting #21
Apr 19 Meeting #22
Apr 26 Meeting #23 - Awana Store open

May 3 Meeting #24
May 10 Meeting #25
May 17 Victoria Day weekend - No club meeting
May 24 Meeting #26
May 31 Meeting #27

Jun 7 Meeting #28 - Awana Store open

Sparks Family Follow up

The Life of Joseph (1)
Joseph's brothers sold him to slavery out of jealousy

Last week we introduced our new Bible character, Joseph. The main address is on the topic of jealousy. While sometimes we feel jealous towards others, it is our choice not to let jealousy roll into something bad. Instead of making a sour comment or doing things to hurt others, we can choose to congratulate others. It is hard, but it is the right thing to do.

See you in 2013!

AWANA Cubbies, Sparks and T&T will take a break during December. The club meeting will resume on January 11, 2013. Have a nice Christmas holiday!

Donating Awana Shares through matching program for World Vision

At every Awana meeting, clubbers will be awarded with different numbers of Awana Shares for their excellent performance in learning and in games. Each clubber may be rewarded no more than 2 Awana Shares in each meeting. Every 5 weeks, the clubbers will have an opportunity to redeem their Awana Shares for little gifts at the Awana Store. Awana Store will be opened again on Nov 30. In order to encourage giving to bless others, we encourage the clubbers to "donate" their Awana Shares for charity besides getting gifts for themselves. In October, we supported Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a program that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of God’s unconditional love. For each Awana Share donated, a pre-arranged donor gave $10 towards purchasing supplies for filling OCC shoeboxes. Our clubbers donated 15 Shares in total towards OCC, and successfully raised $150. At the coming Awana Store, we will provide opportunities for our clubbers to donate their shares to support the work of World Vision. For every shares our clubbers donated, a pre-arranged donor will give $10 for this program. We will use the money collected to purchase farm animals from the World Vision Gift Catalogue to give to needy people in the third world. The farm animals will provide sustainable food and income sources to struggling families. We hope to raise $200 for this program. If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact me or any of our Awana leaders.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Prayer, Trusting God, and Letting Go

A great article from the blog of "What's in the Bible?"

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How to Talk to Your Kids About Prayer, Trusting God, and Letting Go
by Lisa Strnad

This has been a difficult week… and it’s only Wednesday! My husband and I have had appointments with the medical specialists who have evaluated my son these past six weeks, in order for us to get his IEP (individualized education plan) written by next week. Doctors, speech therapists, psychologists, and autism specialists – all with their own take on where my son fits into some unrealistic bell curve. Ugh!

Discussing the educational, social and pragmatic needs of my child – someone who I know so well – with people who have made 90 minutes clinical observations, can be a difficult thing to sit through. It has caused me great anxiety and yet I say I trust that God will lead us in the right path. I pray so often about this one area of life, that I sometimes wonder if God has the patience to keep listening. Of course I know He does, but when does the asking part of prayer need to be channeled into the trusting part of prayer?

I ask this, not because I know the answer, but because it’s an area where I fall drastically short. I sometimes wonder if I prayed correctly, if I used the right words in my prayer, if I remembered to ask for forgiveness before asking for the desires of my heart? Religiosity of the past has definitely had its negative affects on my overall ability to just give whatever it is to God, and then trust that He’s got it…all of it.

Exodus 14:15 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”

Like many of you, I know my kids see me praying. We pray and worship together as a family. We pray over each meal. We pray for intentions of our friends and family members. But do my kids see me TRUSTING that God now has this need which I have specifically asked Him to take? Not always…

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Think back to when you were a kid. Did you ever worry about your dad getting you home safely on a long car ride? More than likely you were able to fall fast asleep in the back seat of the car, fully trusting that your dad would take care of you? And the next morning, you’d wake up in your bed, having been carried in by one of your parents.

As adults, it’s sometimes so difficult to let the worry, fear, and control go. But that’s the child-like trust that God wants us to have in Him. God’s Word is my reminder that the Lord is truly my strength. In Him I can take refuge! His grace is surely sufficient, because I am so weak in every way!!

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

I know that the Lord has wonderful plans for my son. He is much more than a clinical diagnosis or a educational plan. I will continue to advocate for him the rest of my life, if that’s what God has in mind. In my mental weariness, I will seek the refuge of my Father, who I really do trust with all of me heart.

If you struggle with giving the needs of your heart to God, you aren’t alone. Remind your children that it’s okay to wonder if God hears their prayers. It’s okay to come to you with questions or even doubts. In helping guide them, you will help yourself and heal any doubts that you too may be struggling with. It’s so important to get back into Scripture and refresh your mind and spirit about the truth… YES, God has your back! He knows the desires of your heart! And He wants to bless you, His child!

About the Author: Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributing writer to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She works freelance in Christian Media, specializing in writing, promotions and marketing. Lisa lives with her husband and their two sons in Nashville, TN.

Sparks Family Follow Up

Bible lesson: Lot chose the best piece of land when Abraham gave him the choice to choose. It was a bad choice because Lot chose to live next to two bad cities with a lot of evil influences. He later moved into one of the evil cities and allowed himself to be affected by their evil way.

Parents: Talk together about making good choices, choices that show kindness to other people. Also talk about staying away from things that tempt us to do wrong --- for instance, playing with kids who consistently make bad choices. Do a family project that shows kindness to someone else---the Operation Christmas Child is a perfect project.

Sparks Family Follow Up

Theme: What is Faith? Faith is the opposite of being in control

Abraham, A Man of Faith Abraham, a wealthy man, packed up his possessions and family and left his hometown for a place that God sent him to but Abraham didn't know the location or anything about the new land. With faith, he let God lead on. Faith is the opposite of being in control. Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of God, meaning we give up our plans and follow God's plans instead. Parents --- share with your kids some of the surprising things that have happened in your life. What would you have done differently if you knew those things were going to happen? What can families do to help each other through life when we don't know what will happen next? What are some things your family can do right now to be prepared for whatever life may bring? Saving money and buying helmets may prevent some surprises, but life will always bring something new your way. The only thing that can truly keep you prepared is knowing God's Word and having faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Are your family's priorities reflecting that truth?

Donating Awana Shares through matching program for Operation Christmas Child

At every Awana meeting, clubbers will be awarded with different numbers of Awana Shares for their excellent performance in learning and in games. Each clubber may be rewarded no more than 2 Awana Shares in each meeting. Every 5 weeks, the clubbers will have an opportunity to redeem their Awana Shares for little gifts at the Awana Store. Our first Awana Store will be opened this coming Friday. Yet in order to encourage giving to bless others, we will also provide opportunities for the clubbers to "donate" their Awana Shares for charity.

In October, as Westside Baptist Church is promoting Operation Christmas Child (OCC), we will also support OCC at Awana. Operation Christmas Child (OCC) brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of God’s unconditional love. Operation Christmas Child was started in 1990 by Dave Cooke, a Welshman who felt moved to deliver gifts to Romanian orphans after seeing their living circumstances on television. In 1993, Operation Christmas Child grew and was adopted by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization run by Franklin Graham. To date, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed over 94 million shoe box gifts worldwide. Each shoe box gift is filled with hygiene items, school supplies, toys, and candy, is given to children regardless of gender, race, religion, or age. You can find more information about OCC at http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/Operation-Christmas-Child.

This Friday at Awana Store, we will encourage the clubbers to donate their Awana Shares to fill OCC shoeboxes. For each Awana Share donated, a pre-arranged donor will give $10 towards purchasing supplies for filling OCC shoeboxes. We hope to raise $300 to buy supplies for shoeboxes. Then in a meeting in November we will let the clubbers help pack the shoeboxes. I hope that parents can help explain the concept of this matching program to children at home, and encourage them to donate some or all of their Awana Shares instead of just getting gifts for themselves.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact Pastor Alan. Thank you very much.