TSC MOPS

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

THE
CHRISTMAS TREE
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child. (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend. (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord. (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth. (Matt. 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation. ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant. (Phil. 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me. (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God. (Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God. (2 Cor.1:21- 22)
I am assured all things work together for good. (Rom. 8: 28)
 I have been chosen & appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
 I belong to God 
And that is who He says I am. How about you?

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace…”
Numbers 6:24-26

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL MY PEEPS!!!

2011-03-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Fun ideas to help teach your kids about Easter!

Veggie Tales DVDs:

An Easter Carol

'Twas the Night Before Easter

Resurrection Eggs:

Celebrating the Easter Season

2011-03-31T11:30:00.000-07:00

by Lynne Thompson

He is risen, He is risen indeed! It’s Easter. Time to celebrate that triumphant morning when our Savior rose victorious from the grave. According to the New Testament, during the Jewish Passover season, Christ was tried for treason by Pilate, the Roman appointed governor, and then by Herod, King of Judea, and again by Pilate, before being sentenced to death on a cross. Though declared innocent by the authorities, Christ was crucified and laid in a sealed and guarded tomb. But on the third day He rose from the dead, with the power to save mankind from their sins. This event is commemorated every year in the spring as a holy day for Christians around the world.
Yet, according to author Kim Wier, co-director of Engaging Women Ministries, Easter was never intended to be just one day. "For most families, including Christians, God gets an hour on Sunday, and we get the rest of the day to hunt eggs and feast on sweets." Wier is quick to point out there's nothing wrong with traditional Easter celebrations; it's just that those in themselves are not enough.
"The shame isn't that we are celebrating Easter Day; it is that we are missing Easter Season. It's like scraping off the icing without realizing you could have had cake too. That may be hard for most of us to comprehend in our culture that prizes a hurry-up and move-on attitude. But God, who specifically called his people to times of annual celebration and festival, did so because seasons of celebration accomplish significant things in the lives of His followers."
How about your family? Ready for some cake? Try these faith-filled activities that go beyond Sunday morning as you usher in this Easter season.

Ages 0-3

Help your little ones stuff hollow plastic eggs with one chocolate heart, because Jesus came to give us a new heart toward God. Then allow your little one to hand them out to friends, neighbors, or people you meet during the day. You might include a note inside with the passage from John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." – Jesus

Ages 4-7

Hold a neighborhood egg hunt, but award the large basket filled with candy for whoever finds the one empty egg, representing the empty tomb. When the child finds the empty egg he or she must call out, "He is not here he has risen, just as he said." Be sure to conclude the hunt with an Easter story on the lawn. I'd recommend The Parable of the Lily, by Liz Curtis Higgs.

Ages 8-12

Sometimes the greatest joy is in the giving. Visit a nearby hospital or retirement home and greet one of the residents with a fresh Easter lily. You may want to attach a card with some encouraging words about the hope we have in our risen Lord.

Age 13-18

Children this age might enjoy a surprise field trip for a sunrise service at the park or a nearby lake. Be sure to bring a Bible, hymnbook or maybe even a guitar for a worshipful early morning celebration.

All Ages

Since there are many new visitors attending church for the Easter service, make a point to greet and invite someone to lunch afterwards. Then remember to make plans to sit together next Sunday at church.

Wonderful Weekend for Women

2011-02-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

Wonderful Weekend for Women

A weekend of Laughing, learning, worshiping and rejoicing!
Where: First Baptist Church Columbia
When: March 11 -12
Cost: $50 plus $7 if you want lunch on Saturday
Go to the website to download registration forms:
www.thefirstfamily.org/wonderfulweekend

The speakers/guests will be: The acclaimed musical:Women who Dare to Believe with Bonnie Keen and Nan Gurley. Singer Tammy Trent, artist Joe Castillo and Pam Tebow!

Also a new feature this year as well. Wonderful weekend for Young women! (for girls 14-22)

Register FAST because it WILL sell out this year!!!

SEEDS FAMILY WORSHIP

2011-01-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

I just ran across these videos on a blog and they ROCK! Seeds Family Workship takes great bible verses and sets them to great music. After listening to them, God's word will be hidden in your child's heart - and your's. The CDs are available on iTunes or can be purchased on their website www.seedsfamilyworship.net. Also, on the website you can download free memory verse checklist and memory cards...

Teaching your kids the Spiritual Significance of Christmas

2010-12-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

by Kim Kankiewicz
It's hard not to be captivated by gifts and glitter this time of year. Amid the toys and trimmings, how can you teach your child the true meaning of Christmas?

Start a family tradition of reading the story of Jesus' birth. You'll find the account in the second chapter of the book of Luke in the Bible. Even younger children will understand much of the story, and their questions can lead to family conversations about the deeper meaning of Christmas.

Listen to and sing Christmas music that focuses on the reason for the season. Kids will never tire of "Jingle Bells" or "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and songs about Santa are part of the holiday fun. But the simple melodies of "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" and the exuberance of "Joy to the World" will have your children singing about the Christ child and the impact of his birth. Make these songs part of a family sing-along for a tradition your children will remember all their lives. Or try the Cedarmont Kids' albums Christmas Favorites and Christmas Carols.

Involve your kids in displaying a Nativity scene. If you're nervous about exposing your heirloom Nativity to little hands, check out Fisher Price's Little People Deluxe Christmas Story. Consider combining this tradition with reading the Christmas story, having your children place each figure in the scene at the appropriate point in the story.

Celebrate Saint Nicholas Day. The Wick family from Fort Collins, Colorado, gives Saint Nicholas Day gifts and leaves Santa out of Christmas Day to make a distinction between Santa Claus and the celebration of Christ's birth. Observed on December 6 in countries around the world, Saint Nicholas Day features a kindly old man who comes in the night to leave gifts in children's shoes. Miki Wick, a stay-at-home mom, suggests telling children the true story of Saint Nicholas and how he became associated with Christmas. You'll find this information on the St. Nicholas Center website.

Light the candles of an Advent wreath during the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Advent literally means "coming" and is observed in many churches in anticipation of Jesus' birth. The wreath includes four candles - usually three purple and one pink - that are lit in sequence throughout the Advent period. The first week, light one purple candle. The second week, light two. The third week, light two purple candles and the pink candle. The final week before Christmas, light all four candles. Light the candles as a family, and incorporate a song like "O Come, O Come Immanuel" or a reading from a devotional such as Let Every Heart: A Family Devotional for the Advent Season.

Attend a Christmas pageant or concert at an area church. Your holiday viewing is sure to include classics like Frosty the Snowman and A Christmas Story. Consider adding a live performance that emphasizes the spiritual significance of Christmas. Some churches encourage you to use onsite childcare for preschool-aged children, so check ahead to find a program that will keep your kids' attention.

Operation Christmas Child

2010-11-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

Groups will be packing shoe boxes at this Friday's meeting. These boxes will go to children in need all over the globe. What a beautiful way to spread the precious gift of hope of Jesus to children who may otherwise never have the chance to know his love. For more information about OCC visit www.samaritanspurse.org

POPS Event: RSVP BY FRIDAY NOV 5!!!

2010-11-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

Please RSVP for this event by Friday, November 5th! You don't have to bring your spouse to this event and childcare is FREE!! There will also be food and a time for fellowship. Lisa and Les will speak on teaching our children about finances and planning for the future at the POPS event. You don't want to miss it!!

MOPS Bake Sale

2010-10-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

Bring on the baked goods!! What a display MOPS made at our Fall Bake Sale at TSC. Thank you all so much for your hard work for this event.

**A special thank you to mentor mom Gayla for the OUTSTANDING chocolate cake the steering members enjoyed at our meeting Sunday night. Glad she included the disclaimer "this is not a health food" on the label. Too funny. Thank you Mrs Gayla!!

PINK ROCKS!!!!

2010-10-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

What an awesome time we had on Saturday at the Race For The Cure in support of our fellow MOPS girlie, Julie Whaley!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2010-10-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

A warm thank you to everyone who contributed cupcakes, party supplies or volunteered their time for the Hope Clinic Race. What a beautiful way to celebrate all of the precious babies who's lives have been saved. God's hand is over this ministry and we are blessed to be a part of it!!

First Meeting of MOPS/Fall 2010

2010-09-18T19:34:00.000-07:00

It was so good to see new and old faces at our first meeting of MOPS. A big thanks to everyone for a wonderful first meeting!!

Hot Mamas Run Wild

2010-01-24T19:31:00.000-08:00

We had a great time at the 5K Zoo Run Run this weekend. Seven of us showed up with some attitude to run for fun. We were told there was a costume contest, but judging by the looks we received, no one took that seriously. The Hot Mamas did win honorable mention for our tiger costumes and we had several photos taken of us. So keep your eyes out for us somewhere. Surely someone will use one of those pictures. Great job girls for the hard work put in so far and the accomplishment of finishing a 5K. Now on to the 10K in February!

Contact Jessica if you want info about running with us.

2010: Off and Running (literally)

2010-01-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

We are off to a good start for 2010. We had our first meeting Friday the 15th and had a great morning. We were encouraged by Melanie Fell as she shared with us about spiritual training:

"Don't waste your time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. "
1 Timothy 4:7-8

Melanie reminded us that it is in the rest that we get stronger.

BAKE SALE
We participated in our Bake Sale at Thompson Station Church this weekend and collected $350. Great job ladies for all your baking, we had a few items left over which means we met our goal of having enough food to sell. This is one of our main fundraisers. The money will go straight to help give scholarships to those who want to join us and lower our dues.

RUNNING WITH THE ANIMALS
This Saturday, the 24th, some of us will run in the Zoo Run Run, a 5K race. Our running group, the Hot Mamas, is training for the Nashville 1/2 Marathon and this is our first step towards that. Good luck to all the runners and walkers in this fun event.

If you have any news to share with the group, send it to me and I will get it posted.

Have a blessed day, girls.
Julie

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T08:33:00.000-08:00

We hope your holiday is blessed with good times and good company, and may we all remember what this season is truly about.

Merry Christmas from your 2010 Steering Committee.

We sing too!

2009-12-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

We went to a Health Center in Franklin last week to bless the residents with some Christmas cheer. I don't know how blessed they felt after our presentation, but we brought at least a few smiles with our cute kids and candy canes. It was a good time for us just to be together and set an example to our kids of how we help others. And most of us have forgiven Will for cutting the music off in the middle of the song, except the poor folks who had to hear our singing. Next time, we hope you will all join us.

1st Annual Cookie Swap

2009-12-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

So Danica's fabulous idea of a cookie swap was intimidating at first to say the least. SIX dozen cookies? Are you kidding? Homemade and original? I think all the work and prep paid off, we had a great ton of fun last night. And at least I went home with a slight stomach-ache. Come on, there were a few odd numbers of cookies, so some were left on the table and needed to be consumed. This is just some of the fun stuff that we get to do to unwind together. We work hard all week being moms and then indulge in some good fun and chocolate.

Thanks for a great evening Danica. Well done.

Parade of Trees

2009-12-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

We finished out the year strong with a good meeting last week. We had lots of good food as usual and heard a great message from Leighann McCoy. We are always blessed when she speaks to us. Our MOPS group is also participating in the Parade of Trees at TSC. We worked on ornaments showcasing our kiddos and decorated the tree together.

Tot School

2009-10-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

We had a great speaker, Tonya, this past week who talked to us about creative, brain-boosting ways to engage your toddler and/or preschooler. I know I was very encouraged and left there with new ideas for playtime. We even played our plate/clothespin game that we made at MOPS and threaded some beads on pipe cleaners this weekend. And just like Tonya said, my 1st grader thought it was entertaining too. Here is Tonya's blog that will give you more information:

homeschoolorbust.blogspot.com

MOPS Bake Sale

2009-09-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend is our Bake Sale at Thompson Station Church. This is one way that we raise money for our group, and we ask each person to make 2 items.

Every item needs to be labeled with a price and “nut free” or “contains nuts”. Items may be dropped off at Danica’s house on Friday or Saturday (Oct. 2 or 3). Or bring it to church Sunday, Oct. 4 between 7 & 8 am. A price list is available upon request.

Better Together

2009-08-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for the first MOPS meeting of the 2009-2010 season on Friday, September 18, at Thompson Station Church from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. We are going to have some great speakers that will coincide with our theme "Life on Planet Mom" and of course, good food and fellowship with other moms!

If you plan to return to MOPS this fall, please make sure Beth or Jessica know ASAP. Your spot may be filled by a new mom if they have not heard from you by August 21st. A $20 fee is also necessary to hold your spot.

Please comment on the blog with a phone number or email address if you need any help and one of the leaders will be glad to help you.

The Summer of MOPS

2009-06-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

We have scheduled a few events that will take place consistently throughout the summer.

Donuts on the Deck: 8:30-9:30 am
On the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, we will meet at a member's house to enjoy a quick and easy breakfast together. We want and expect you to simply roll out of bed, grab your kids and meet us at the designated house for the week. Well, maybe brush your teeth, but other than that do nothing. Come as you are and we will eat donuts on the deck and let the kids run around together.

Fridays at the Park: 9:00 am (weather permitting)
On the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month we will meet at Harvey Park. You may want to put some real clothes on for this one, but just meet us to enjoy some free time.

We are excited about this new year of MOPS. Let's all get out there and fellowship with each other, make new friends, and of course wear the kids out so we can have a little peace and quiet after lunch.