Why does an item float on the water? How do bees know where flowers are? Why are a mammal’s feet different? Creative Science Investigators is an excit-ing time for kids to discover that God is the star of creation as we investigate the answers to these questions!

During CSI we discover the wonder of God’s creation through special speakers, cool crafts, crazy games and wacky labs. Each day presents a specific segment of God’s creation and uses Scripture to reinforce God as the Creator.

We believe that as Christians we should not be afraid of science. The goal of CSI is to demonstrate that science actually points to a God of order who created our universe. We want to take that premise and use it to introduce children to their heavenly Father. Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

We encourage children to investigate by way of asking questions, because we believe that God is big enough to answer our questions. That is why we utilize hands-on labs as part of the CSI discovery process, so kids can discover answers for themselves about the mysteries of God’s creation.

Through CSI, seeds of God’s truth are planted for the future when children may encounter an alternative view explaining the world they live in. We pray that when that time comes, memories of CSI will prompt a thorough investigation that will lead to the discovery of the truth of God’s power and the warmth of His love.

One of the best things about CSI is the re-lationships that are built among children and their small group leaders - Godly people pouring into the lives of children.

Because of this philosophy and the fun setting we work toward, this is our largest outreach to children, and keeps getting bigger each year! It’s a lot of work and it takes a lot of people to help pull it off, but the result of introducing kids to their Creator and heavenly Father makes all of the work worth it.

Don’t wait to register your kids (or yourself as a volunteer). All registration received before May 31 will be entered in a draw-ing for free John Ball Zoo tickets.

Brian NixAssistant Pastor, Children’s

Sunday:

8:10am Birth to 4-years

9:40am Birth to 4th Grade

11:15am Birth to 4th Grade

6:00pm Birth to 5-years

WedneSday (September-May):

6:00pm Lumin8 Choir Practice 4-years to 6th Grade

6:30pm WOW 3-years to 4th Grade

Saturday:

6:00pm Birth to 5-years

ContaCt InformatIonCalvary Church: 956-9377

Joel ShankPastoral Representative ext. 5194jshank@calvarygr.org

Brian nixAssistant Pastor, Elementary Facilitator ext. 5053bnix@calvarygr.org

Shelly dunlapEarly Childhood Facilitator ext. 5083sdunlap@calvarygr.org

Carla Boon-JulienAdministrative Assistant ext. 5067cboonjulien@calvarygr.org

Min

istr

y Ti

mes

calvary church May/June newsleTTer

CSI Summer Event Coming Soon!

Mark Your Calendar!!May 29 Nursery is available for infants through two-year-olds; children preschool age and older are encouraged to attend the service with their family (activity boxes are available at the desk near Entrance N). If needed, room 254 is open for children ages three through five.

Crazy activities, exciting speakers and hands on labs are being planned for CSI 2011! Kids five years old (by December 1, 2010) through fourth grade are invited to come and learn about God’s amazing creation as we discover mind-blowing details about this year’s themes – wet ‘n wild water, super bees and mammal mayhem.

Start thinking now what friends you will invite, and mark your calendar for June 14-16, 9:30am-12:00pm. Register right now at calvarygr.org or pick up a registration form in the check in at Entrance K. All registration for CSI received before May 31 will be entered in a drawing for free John Ball Zoo tickets for the whole family (four families will win).

Kingdom Kids Team MembersPlease be sure to let your team leader know what your plans are for summer and fall.

Summer is vacation time, and the Children’s Ministry has quite a number of caregivers and teachers who take time off – whether for a week, or a month. Substitutes are needed for every age group, birth through fourth grade. Contact Shelly (sdunlap@calvarygr.org) at ext. 5083 to serve in nursery or preschool, or Brian (bnix@calvarygr.org) at ext. 5053 for elementary .Su

mm

er

Plan

s???

June 14-16 | 9:30 am–Noon

Super Bees, Wet ‘n Wild Water,

Mammal Mayhem

Discover that God is the Star of Creation

Spring recitalMark your calendars for Sunday, May 15, at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. Our children’s choir, LUMIN8, will be perform-ing their spring recital including all original songs: Bible Train, Illuminate, Child Dedication song, etc. and a per-formance of the James chapter 2 memorization (“Rote Radio!”) dramatized by Steve Trott and JP Gaylord just for the occasion!

Professionally pre-recorded CDs will also be available for purchase that night ($5 each) - Don’t miss it, and invite some friends to join you!

Join us in the Fellowship hall for a reception afterwards.

• Remember that on May 11, at 7:15pm in the Fellowship Hall, we will take a group photo of all children who have participated in the “James Gang.”This photo will be on a “Wanted” poster, and will stay in our Elementary hallway for years to come – and each child will receive a personalized certificate. Milkshakes will also be available for everyone!

• It’s still not too late to join! To be in the picture, you must: memorize James chapter 2 and complete 5 serving opportunities.

• Projects should be reported online at JamesGang.calvarygr.com.Complet-ing serving projects is as simple as helping children interpret things they do for others (shovel snow, share lunch, Operation Christ-mas ministry, etc.) as “putting faith into action!” as the book of James describes.

• Memorization is on the honor system.Parents, if you say your child has memo-rized to your satisfaction, ‘nuff said!

• Questions? Contact Joel Shank, jshank@calvarygr.org, 956-5067.

James Gang Poster picturereminderJamesGang.calvarygr.com

Kingdom Kids Team MembersNow is the time to sign up to serve at CSI 2011! If you have been part of the CSI team in the past, you know what a blast it is, and the impact it can have on kids for eternity. If you have never volunteered for CSI, why not consider it this year? We have many different places to serve: crafts, games, labs, nursery, preschool, security,

small group leaders and helpers. CSI is June 14-16, 9:00am-12:00pm. Register on-line at calvarygr.org and plan to attend Please plan to attend one of our trainings on either June 8 at 6:00pm or June 12 at 8:30am in Room 152. Any questions contact Zoe Carmichael (csi@calvarygr.org) at 822-8896.CS

I Tea

m

The human body has many parts, but the many parts

make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

… Our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. … Some parts of the body

that seem weakest and least important are actually the

most necessary.”(1 Corinthians 12:12, 18, 22)

 God, our Creator, has a

plan and purpose for every life.

Emphasize Acceptance for AllAccording to the National Organization on Disability, 54 million Americans have a disability. That’s one in every five people. And a significant number of them are children. Many churches now have special-needs ministries, and more kids with disabilities are being mainstreamed into school classrooms. That means your children likely spend time with kids they may consider “dif-ferent.” Use these tips to emphasize everyone’s worth:

Build relationships. Show your children that it’s okay to talk to people with disabilities and to treat them as you would treat anyone else. Introduce your-self to parents of special-needs children and discover what types of assistance they could use.

Clarify misconceptions. Children notice differences, so address their already-established stereotypes and oversimplified generalizations about groups of people. Watch and correct judgmental statements and actions. Be a role model by valuing diversity, celebrating individuality, and respecting differ-ences.

RESEARCH INSIGHTS

• About 90% of families with a special-needs child are un-churched. (pastors.com)

• According to various sources, divorce rates for couples who have a special-needs child are as high as 75% or 85%.

• In the United States, an estimat-ed 100,000 children are waiting to be adopted, and many of them have special needs.

Discussion starters

Discuss people’s unique needs by using these questions:

Why do you think God made people with different appearances, gifts, and abilities?

How do you feel and react to someone who’s different from you?

What’s the best way to respond when other people point out your weaknesses or flaws?

What types of things can we learn from people who are different from us? How can we get to know them better?

PoWerSourCe aSK God:

To help your children look beyond differences to see that God made every-one in a special way.

To give your children compassionate hearts and helping hands for people with special needs.

To show how you can assist families dealing with disabilities.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wenesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1Child Dedication

2 3

DC4K Begins

4 5 6 7

8 Mother’s Day

9 10 11Last Night of WOW

12 13 14

15

LUMIN8 Spring Recital

16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29Family Service

30Memorial Day Holiday

31

May 2011

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wenesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8CSI Training

9 10 11

12CSI Training

13 14 15 16 17 18

19Father’s Day

20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30

June 2011

Parenting Insightsfall re-reG-IStratIon: We will begin fall re-registration in July. Re-registration is necessary for all children who turn one by December 1, 2011, through chil-dren entering fourth grade. Thanks for helping us keep our database current!

dIvorCe Care for KIdS: If you are going through the unfortunate experience of di-vorce or separation, consider enrolling your children in the next 13-week course of DivorceCare for Kids beginning May 3 and running through July 26. DC4K runs along-side DivorceCare for adults. Contact Lou DeGraaf (ldegraaf@calvarygr.org) at ext. 3618 for more infor-mation.

creative science Investigators!

Calvary Church707 East Beltline NEGrand Rapids, MI 49525(616) 956-9377 | calvarygr.org