CCY CONNECT APRIL 2022 EDITION

A conversation with some folks in the church about "change" has led me to consider how we think and feel about change. Perhaps you cringe when you hear the word, resist the act of changing, or have made the statement that “change is a dirty word". I think most of us would agree that the consistently unpredictable changes over the past few years have left us ready for a little break.

One person I spoke with suggested change might be easier to accept if we substituted the word transform. I got a kick out of this; but I was also reminded the Bible is clear about transformation. 2 Corinthians 3:18 offers this promise:

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

I love the MESSAGE paraphrased version which reads…"And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him."

God is transforming us to look more like JESUS! This is the HOPE we have, share in, and declare to all we come in contact with that Jesus changes everything!

With Resurrection Sunday just a few weeks in front of us, you and I we have an incredible opportunity to invite someone to church. I feel certain stating that each of us knows someone who needs the hope that Jesus brings – that HE can transform!

My encouragement to each of you is to be praying about who you might invite to church on that day – April 17th. (And breakfast too before service!) Be encouraged also to connect with other believers so that you might be encouraged in your walk with Christ and be better equipped to point people to the transforming power of Christ.

I love the path God has Christ’s Church of Yukon on. Let’s shine brightly for Christ so that all may see Him in us!

Clay

Spring is here and Resurrection Sunday is just around the corner! It is the most significant celebration of the year for Christians, yet it's so easy to get caught up in all of the activity. Egg hunts, photo ops with the Easter bunny, and dying eggs distract us from the true reason we celebrate this special day. I must admit that I too find myself getting caught up in the moment, wanting to be sure to not miss an egg hunt. Then I remembered, while there is nothing wrong with doing those things, Landon and Mia need to learn why we celebrate Easter. I’ve put together a few things that I plan on doing this year to help them learn and thought I might share a few these ideas with you...

Landon loves to help cook! This year we will make Empty Tomb Rolls. These rolls provide a great prop to help explain the resurrection, while having fun and making memories.

How to make Empty Tomb Rolls

Start with your favorite homemade roll dough, store-bought crescent rolls, Rhodes frozen rolls, or whatever bread dough you prefer.

Form individual balls of dough, pressing each ball into a flat circle. Next, roll marshmallows (1 per roll) in butter first and then cinnamon sugar. Place the coated marshmallow in the center of the dough circle, pulling the edges of the dough around marshmallow. Seal the edges together to form a ball, roll dough ball in butter and cinnamon sugar, placing it in a greased baking dish or muffin tin.

Let the (not yet) Empty Tomb rolls rest for 15 minutes and then bake at 350ºF.

When you pull open a roll the marshmallow is gone! Use this opportunity to talk with your kiddos about the resurrection and how Christ’s body was no longer in the tomb. Just like the rolls have become sweet, so is the promise of eternal life for those who believe in him because He Is Risen!

Easter Egg Decorating

Another fun and very simple activity is egg decorating. Give each child a white crayon and have them draw a cross on their eggs before placing them in the egg dye. Once the egg is removed from the dye the cross will still be visible. Take this time to tell your kids how Jesus died on the cross for each of us.

These are just two examples of fun activities that can help us teach our kids big lessons!

Ms. Tori