November 30, 2011
Dear Parents,
Check out the
series we are in at DSM (7th-12th) this month. Last Sunday Phil Alsup, leader of our 1822 ministry, was our guest speaker. He introduced our series and gave us the background on the name "Emmanuel." This week John Warnock, Dogwood's Director of External Ministries will be teaching on why Jesus came.
As for our 6th grade group, this coming Sunday we'll be talking about Spiritual Disciplines and specifically about
Fasting. We have a VERY interesting fasting plan that we'll be doing
from DEC 4 - 11 that you'll want to ask your students about.
During this busy time of year, we want to encourage you to help you student stay connected. An integral part of their spiritual growth comes from community, Bible study and worship with their peers. Let them take a break from Christmas shopping or homework and join us Sunday night at 5:00 pm.
Looking forward to this Sunday!
Dogwood Student Ministries Staff
November 16, 2011
Dear Parents,
Some exciting things are happening with DSM right now. After 4 weeks of studying how to view and handle our money and possessions God's way, we're putting knowledge into action!
We have two Christmas Projects. First, the 7th-12th grade c-groups are each sponsoring a teenager from Save R Kids Children's home in Guyana - one of our strategic ministry partnerships. Students have the opportunity to provide Christmas presents for these teenagers that not only have little possessions, but are without family to call their own. Please encourage your student as they buy gifts for their sponsor teen! A group of Dogwood members will be traveling in December to deliver the presents to Save R Kids!
Our 6th grade students have a goal to raise $1000 to be able to provide Christmas for a family in needing living in our area. So far they have raised a little more than $500. They will all take a shopping trip to Target in December to purchase gifts for this family.
We hope you will join us in reminding your children that we love because he first loved us. We model Christ's example for caring for the orphan and widow in their distress.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dogwood Student Ministries Staff
November 1, 2011
Dear Parents,
Not only are you learning more about money God's way, your students are, too! We are in the midst of a series called
Financial Peace of Mind: Student Edition. Students are hearing personal testimonies from their group leaders and are having a chance to study what God's Word says about money and possessions. Two weeks ago we looked at the secret of being content and found the answer in Philippians 4:13, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Christ is the source of our contentment! Last Sunday we talked about a budget and looked at what the Bible says about tithing, saving and managing our money.
I encourage you to take this opportunity as a family to discuss what God is teaching you about money and possessions. You may not realize how much your habits, behaviors and philosophies related to money will impact your children for a lifetime. Why not start training them now?
We are praying for you!
Dogwood Student Ministries Staff