“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.”  ~ Galatians 5:22-23

Kid Zone celebrated their first “Theme Day” of the year on Sunday, October 30. The focus was on the Fruit of the Spirit. Through experiences at different stations; worship, games, discussion, and snacks, together we learned about a different kind of fruit that the Bible calls, “The Fruit of the Spirit.”  Children were taught that when we ask Jesus to live in us, His Spirit stays with us and He will give us some of this special fruit. As we grow and learn about Jesus, the Spirit will give us more and more fruit. We can try to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, but the Spirit will give us the kind of gifts he wants us to have.

Music time was the perfect opportunity, as we gathered the Preschool through 6th grade students together, to experience JOY and learn that only God can give us the kind of happiness that makes us joyful!  Here's an observation from one of our Kid Zone leaders who shared how they were blessed.

“I was touched by the worship I  witnessed in the younger grades (K-2) when they joined the "big kids" in the Lodge. Some let their bodies move to the music and truly worshiped God with their whole being, swaying to the music and singing very loudly.  It is a freedom that sometimes gets lost as the kids mature, and become more self conscious that others may be watching.  But it is a lesson for us all, and I, too, am reminded that this is the way God wants us to worship him.  Like a child.  The younger kids may think it is a treat to come up by the big kids, but I think we all have something to learn from the young ones, too!”  ~ Christy Wierda

We also talked about the PEACE we have when we know that all our sins are confessed, and that God forgives us. Students in 3rd - 6th grade wrote letters to Calvary's servicemen, thanking them for the peace they bring to our county. The morning ended by enjoying apple and pumpkin goodies, where we focused on GOODNESS and SELF-CONTROL. The children heard that the only true goodness we have is the goodness of God living in us. Self control means to be in control of what we say and do.

It was a fitting time to celebrate God's goodness through His harvest blessings. I think the students and teachers enjoyed a little break from the regular Sunday morning routine.

~ Story by Lisa VanderZwaag