Dear Live Oak Family,

        Thank you for supporting the Tree House Club’s bake sale. Together, we raised over $1100.00 that we used to purchase 5 Goats, 8 Chickens, 1 Pig, 10 Fruit Trees, 1 Education For One Child, 1 Pack of School Supplies, 1 Sheep, 1 Rabbit and 1 Donkey. Those gifts could potentially change the lives of entire villages of impoverished children and families. Praise God!

But, the gift recipients aren’t the only ones experiencing change. This project has affected the THC children, too. They have been enlightened about the problem of global hunger and empowered to make a difference. Families spent time baking and connecting together during this busy season, children emptied their entire piggy banks, hosted lemonade stands and did extra chores to raise money to help people they may never know in this lifetime. I so appreciate Casey Morrow for initiating and coordinating this effort. It was a blessing to all of us.

I’m looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in the lives of families in 2011 and I want to invite you to be part our team! Be transformed as you are used by God to help evangelize and transform the lives of children and families right here at Live Oak. There is a place for YOU on our team…

God bless you and thank you for your prayers and support of the Tree House Club children’s ministry.

Jeannette Gist

Director of Children & Family Ministries  

                                  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From The Gist Family!

Bake Sale For World Vision!

---

 

 

Dear Tree House Club Parents,

 

Over the next few weeks, your kids will be learning about poverty as well as other countries around the world.  We will be using a World Vision curriculum written for school age kids to provide hands-on opportunites for participants to understand the issues surrounding world hunger.  The curriculum is designed to help young people understand the causes of world hunger, to know they can make a difference in the lives of hungry children, and to take some easy steps to help others.  We need your help with one easy step.  We are asking that Tree House Club families spend some time as a family baking.  We are going to sell what each family bakes at the Christmas Program on Friday, December 17th.  The Tree House Club kids will then use whatever profit we make to spend on gifts through the World Vision gift catalogue.  The profits will be divided among the classes, and the kids in that class will decide what they want to give.  For example, one class may decide to purchase a goat for a family in Africa.  This is a great opportunity to make a difference as well as teach our children the value of generosity.  We hope it will also be a blessing for your family to work together.  So, begin thinking about what you'd like to bake.  More information will be coming your way regarding when to turn in the baked goods, etc.  Thanks so much for your participation!

 

Humbly,

 

The Tree House Club Volunteers

All God's Kids Special Needs Ministry

Dear Parents,

       Do you know someone with a child in their family who has special needs? I recently learned about a prayer and support group for moms of children with special needs. This group also has a parent's night out and a VBS for special needs children. It was started by a mother of a child with autism. She is a beautiful sweet soul. I know you will love her. Please pass her information along to anyone you think could use it.
Stacy Poteet at 795-5201

Blessing-
Jeannette Gist

Operation Christmas Child! Packing Party Nov. 21st

www.samaritanspurse.org

We will have a packing party in our classrooms this Sunday, November 21st.

Bring your gifts...

 Toys (small cars, balls, dolls, jump ropes, yo-yo's, paper, pens, markers, books) Hygeine items (toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap, comb, washcloth) hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights with extra batteries, Personal notes- You may include a personal note to the child and a photo of yourself or family. (If you include the name and address the child might write back!)    

We will pack our boxes and pray for the children who recieve them.

Christmas Program

It's Time To Get Ready For The Christmas Program! Read On...

  

Dear Parents,

We are so excited about our children’s Christmas musical this year!  It is called “Tails From the Manger.”  It will be on Friday December 17^th at 7:00pm.  If your child is still interested, we will begin rehearsals on Sunday November 7^th.  We will rehearse every Sunday evening (omitting the Sunday before Thanksgiving) from 5:45pm-7:15pm until the week of the program.  That gives us five rehearsals and one dress rehearsal to put together a wonderful program for our Lord!  Please double check your schedules and let me know ASAP if this schedule works for you and if your child wants to participate this year.  If so, I will make a practice CD for your child to take home, and it will be ready by Sunday, October 24th.  I will hand out scripts and assign parts during our first rehearsal on Sunday, November 7^th.  I will also need some contact information from you.  Please provide the following information, tear off the bottom portion and leave it with Jeannette Gist or any of the Tree House Club greeting team, and I will get in touch with you soon. 

*The last day to sign up for the Christmas program is Wednesday, November 3^rd * (the week of our first rehearsal).

Thank you!         
Kristy Barnett                          loccdrama@suddenlink.net
                                                (806) 441-0580
                                                                                                                                     

Child’s name:                                              Parent’s name:                                                                  

Phone #:                                 Grade:                       Email address:                                                     

Are you able to provide your child’s costume?        Yes                    No                 (More details to come soon – kids will be dressed as stable animals – costumes will just need to provide the audience with an idea of what animal your child is, no major work/details required).

Thank You From Pastor Chuck!

OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH. All month long we have been surprising Pastor Chuck with notes, cards and pictures to let him know how much we love and appreciate him. Today, we got a letter from Pastor Chuck. Please share this with your child as your family considers ways to pray for and bless our pastor and his family this month.

Dear Tree House Club Kids,

 

Thank you so much for decorating my office with the amazing pictures, messages, and words of encouragement!  You are the best!  Every time I look at these cards I am reminded of how special each of you are to God, and of how blessed we are as a church to have you!

 

I love you and am very thankful for you,

 

Chuck

 

THC Family-Connect

Dear Parents,
   
       This week, in the THC, we talked more about being "fisher's of men." We are doing this series as the adults have been doing the "What in the world is going on?" series. Our curriculum team felt this was a good topic to tackle because we should always have a sense of urgency about being "fisher's on men" -especially as we look at "What in the world is going on" today. But, the subject matter covered in this particular adult series was just a little too tough to cover topic by topic with elementary aged students.    

Your Family-Connect assignment this week is to pray together every night for a week. Pray for those you know who are seeking Jesus. Pray for those you know who aren't seeking, but need to be. Pray for God to use your family to point them to Christ.

 Is there a family you are already thinking of, in particular, that you need to be praying for? Pray about inviting them to church or to our Trick or Treat Tailgate party. We love to have fun in the Tree House Club. But, the REASON we plan fun events and services is so that people can find Jesus here. Parents, help your children to remember the Why and the Who in the midst of all the "what" we do, here at Live Oak.

Your children's memory verse this week is Matthew 4:19. Write it in chalk on your sidewalk. Write it in shaving cream on your table or counter top. Write in in sand with a stick.

Love in Him,
Jeannette

   

PARENTING CONFERENCE

October 28th
7:45-2:45
Cost $10
Lubbock Civic Center
This is a No-Brainer! You gotta' attend this conference!
For More Information Go To
http://www.buildingstrongfamilieslubbock.org/
Or Call... 806-795-5437

Parenting Quote

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they
are always watching you.
Robert Fulghum
What are your children seeing when they look at you?

Family-Connect

This week, our verses include
Matthew 6:33
Psalm 37:4
Deuteronomy 5:16
Proverbs 3:6

Write verses on index cards and tape on mirrors in bathrooms. Use those minutes brushing your teeth to learn God's word.

Lead a talk with your children about how your family can give up one simple thing- (1 trip to Starbucks or McDonald's) and redirect those resources to God's work. Talk to your children about the ways that investing money in Kingdom-work echoes into eternity. Long after the sugar and caffeinne high of a caramel machiato wears off... or so I've heard... :)
(For those of you who don't know me, I have wasted the better part of my children's college funds at Starbuck's.) I'm working on that...

Have a great week! Don't forget to comment on our blog about your experiences in "family-connect."

Love in Him,
Jeannette

Parent Advisory Board Meeting

The Parent Advisory Board Meeting will take place immediately following the First Wednesday service October 6th. If you would like to serve on the THC P.A.B. please contact Jeannette at jeannetteg@live-oak.org.

Happy Birthday Live Oak!

hApPy 17th BiRtHdAy LiVe oAk!

    We will only have 1 service October 17th.

We'll meet at 10:17 am for one hour and seventeen minutes...

10:17 on 10/17  for one hour and seventeen minutes... Are you smellin' what we're cookin'? 

Come ready to par...TAY Tree House Clubbers! We'll eat cake and participate in traditional birthday party games and activities as we celebrate all that God has done over the past seventeen years.   

  

Trick Or Treat Tailgate Party

October 31
4:30-6:30 pm
It’s time to let our lights shine and bless our neighbors! Plan to bring your neighbors, friends and family to Live Oak’s "Trick or Treat Tailgate Party!”

Small Groups- You are invited to participate in the chili cook off!

Moms & Dads, Grandmas & Grandpas, Single Folks, Couples, College Students, Professionals, Youths, EVERYONE! You are invited to set up and manage games and activities at your vehicle or tents- tailgate style! (Live Oak has games and activities you are welcome to set up and run.)
Games that we own include…
ring toss
milk jug ring toss
sack races
spoon and egg races
duck pond game
Contact Jenny in the Acorn Club to borrow any of these.

Here are some other ideas for booths you might want to get and run…
tatoos
face painting
hay rides
bouncy jumpers
crafts
photo area
cupcake or candy bar walk
kids karaoke

*Live Oak’s Trick Or Treat Tailgate Party is early enough that you can come play with us and still go trick or treating with your family and friends.

EVERYONE is invited to participate in the pumpkin carving contest. Prizes will be awarded.
Prizes will also be awarded for the following…
Best Costume (NO SCARY COSTUMES PLEASE!!!)
Best Family Group Costumes
Best Small Group Chili Recipe