​Hi RF Friends,
 
Today, we started off the morning, playing a fun game that helped us encourage each other. We then dove into our Bible lesson in 1 Kings 19:14-21 and 2 Kings 2:1-15. We took a look at a different sort of friendship between Elijah and Elisha. God knew Elijah needed help and directed him to Elisha. Elisha came alongside Elijah and stayed with him to the very end. Elisha knew the importance of encouragement.
 
Bottom Line: Friends encourage one another. Our kids are growing up in a world that can feel like everyone is out for themselves. God has a different way for us to live. God wants us to take time out to encourage others. Kids will find out how they can be friends who use their words and actions to build others up.
 
This is the 2nd week of our Bible Memory Verse Challenge for 2020-2021. It was awesome to hear the kids say their Bible verses again. The kids are off to a great start. This week’s memory verse is “Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT).
 
Blessings,
The RF team
Angie, Anita, Cheryl, Jessi, and Kristin

​Hello Reign Forest Friends!
 
In week two, we return to 1 Samuel 20 for one of the most famous friendships in the entire Bible: David and Jonathan. These guys went through a lot together. From making a promise to help each other to escaping the dangers of Jonathan’s own father, King Saul, they showed us exactly what it meant for friends to love each other.
 
Bottom Line: Friends love one another. Just like David and Jonathan, friends can show how they love each other by the way they care for one another and go above and beyond to help each other succeed. It’s this sort of love we experience through Jesus. We pray that kids will follow Him and learn how they can help their friends know how much they’re loved.
 
Memory Verse: “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you” (John 15:12, NLT).
 
Blessings:
The Reign Forest Team

The story of Esther titled “This Is Me” gave the children the opportunity to see how God had created Esther for a purpose and how Esther was used to bring about God’s plan to save the Jewish people.
 
The children practiced social distancing during REIGN FOREST by staying in their designated spaces.  The children participated in an activity where a volunteer pulled objects from a bag, and the group called out what the object was made to do.  The children also played a memory game called “If I were a King/Queen, I would ___________.”
Both of these activities were meant to help the children think about the special purpose that God has for each of them.  Following these activities, the children listened to the story of Esther on video.  Reign Forest ended with prayer requests and a time of prayer to thank God that He has a purpose for each child.  We prayed that God would give us the courage to do what He wants each one of us to do.
 
Reminder:  Reign Forest Bible Memory Celebration Party is on August 30 during our regular Reign Forest time on Sunday morning.   Anyone who still has verses to say can say them this Sunday, August 23, or send them by video or text to Anita Wenrich.  
 
In Christ,
The Reign Forest Team

Hi Reign Forest Friends,
 
Our theme for the month of Augst is Creativity: Imagining what you could do because you were made in God’s image.
 
This Sunday, we kicked off this series in Genesis 1-2:3 as we help kids discover something about the beginning of the universe. Looking around at creation, one can’t help but notice God’s creativity. From nothing, God spoke the universe into existence. No detail left out; creation gives us the brilliant creativity of a God who is big enough to create the world and personal enough to love us no matter what.
 
Bottom Line: There’s no limit to God’s creativity. We pray that kids will start looking at the world more closely and notice God’s amazing creativity. From the uniqueness of animals to breathtaking landscapes throughout the world, not to mention the expansive universe filled with solar systems galore, we want kids to discover the wonder of creation and how it shows us how awesome God is.
 
We invite your child(ren) to join us on Sunday, August 30, during Reign Forest for our Bible Memory Verse Challenge Celebration. We will be celebrating everyone’s hard work with memorizing Bible verses. It is so important for us to learn God’s Word, store it in our hearts, and take it with us wherever we go. As Psalm 119:11 states, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” This year definitely posed some challenges with COVID-19 and church closing for a while, but we are very PROUD OF EVERY CHILD whether they memorized one verse or all 30. Prizes (gift cards of their choice) will be awarded to each child that memorized all 30 verses, and small prizes from the treasure box will also be awarded to the children who reached a 5 verse interval. During our celebration, we will continue to practice social distancing, and all treats served will be individually wrapped. Attached is a list of all the memory verses this past year if your child(ren) would like to memorize any more before the celebration.
 
Blessings,
 
The RF Team
Anita, Angie, Cheryl, Jessi, and Kristin

Hello Reign Forest Friends,
​
We finish the month and this series in Revelation 21:3-5a with something John wrote towards the end of his life. John’s been exiled to live out his life alone on a remote island for prisoners. While he’s there, he has a vision of a future that’s more wonderful than we could ever fully understand. But we do know that God is making all things new. And because of Jesus, we get to experience life forever with God.
 
Bottom Line: Following Jesus will turn out greater than you can imagine. Because of their developmental stage, it’s hard for kids to imagine life that lasts forever. Our prayer is that through this lesson, they’ll catch a glimpse of what life can be like when we follow Jesus. Not only is God with us now, but we’ll be with God forever. We may not understand it all, but we can have faith that it will be absolutely amazing!
 
We had a great time in Reign Forest on Sunday.  Our conversations (or should I say “stories” that lead to more rabbit-trail sharing) were lively and entertaining.  After our sharing time and prayer requests, we were able to get our two introductory activities completed.  These activities were geared toward our theme of FOCUS - one activity used our eyes to focus, and the other activity allowed us to use our mind to focus.  This was wildly amusing!  Sadly, however, we ran out of time before we could watch our video.  As we were dismissing, I promised the children that I would forward a link to their parents so they could watch the video at home.  My hope is that you’ll have an opportunity to catch the story behind July’s FOCUS: Take a Closer Look theme on Faith (Trusting in what you can’t see because of what you can see).  Below is a recap of the story and the link to watch the video.  ENJOY!!
 
https://cloud-cdn.thinkorange.com/individual_file_previews/Orange_Store/Curriculum_Subscriptions/252_Kids/Basic_Media_Package/curriculum/202007/04_252Story/Week_4/02_2007_252_Story_W4/02_2007_252_Story_W4.mp4
 
Thanks for allowing us to spend time with your children in Reign Forest!!
 
Have a great week!
 
~The Reign Forest Team
 
On a personal note, I want to express my sincere appreciation for Lisa and Jill.  We have been serving together in Reign Forest for many years on the 4th Sunday and I wanted to say THANK YOU for all you to do to support me and the children during our time together.  You are a blessing!!  I love you, ladies!!  ~ Jessi

​Determination: Deciding it’s worth it to finish what you started.
 
Hello Everyone! This week we look at Acts 3:1-4:21 for a Bible Lesson- Go the Distance! (Peter and John are taken to the Sanhedrin)  We see that Jesus’ mission isn’t going to be that easy. Peter healed someone in the name of Jesus and caused quite a stir. Peter and John used this moment to share the message of Jesus. Soon though, the religious leaders arrested them and had them stand trial. Peter and John showed determination. They made it clear that no matter what happened to them, they would continue sharing Jesus with others.
 
Bottom Line: Keep going even when it gets tough. Even when we follow Jesus, we’re not promised an easy life. We are promised that God will be with us. Just because a situation we face is difficult, doesn’t mean it’s time to give up. We pray that kids will learn to lean into the power of God to find the determination they need to keep going.
 
Memory Verse: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9, NLT)
 
Next week, our last memory verse for the season will be given.  The REIGN Forest Team encourages you to keep sending your verses in by video either by text or email to Anita Wenrich @ 1(717)475-8455 OR ajwenrich@dejazzd.com. Today there is a fun activity/object lesson included for you and your children to try out. We trust you are all doing well!  It will be so good to see you all again!!! 
 
Peace and Joy through Jesus!
The Reign Forest Team
 
Note to Parents:  Sadly, although the time for meeting together as a church is getting closer…the children will not be able to meet for Reign Forest or Sunday school for an indefinite time.  This is due to social distancing recommendations and to keep everyone safe. For now, continue to send in your verses by video. Some of your children are due a gift for the 5 verses they have said…we will be sending them a small gift in the mail soon!

​Hello Reign Forest Friends!
 
In week two, head to Acts 2:1-41 and find out how the disciples would have the strength to keep going and tell the world about Jesus. As the disciples were gathered together, the Holy Spirit came upon them and empowered them to preach with boldness. Peter preached the message of his life, and over 3,000 people put their faith in Jesus.
 
Bottom Line: God gives you what you need to keep going. When it comes to determination, kids might feel like they’ll never have enough of it to finish what they start. Thankfully, this isn’t something we have to face alone. We can rely on God to give us the strength we need to keep going.
 
Memory Verse: “For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NLT)
 
Thank you to everyone who is still working hard on memorizing the Bible verses. Continue to feel free to send Anita a video (717-475-8455 or email ajwenrich@dejazzd.com) of your child(ren) reciting a verse. We love to receive these!
 
See the attachments for a fun activity.
 
Blessings:
The Reign Forest Team
Anita, Cheryl, Jessi, Angie, Kristin

​Hi Reign Forest Friends!
 
Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe! I miss everyone!
 
Our theme for the month of May is Determination: Deciding it’s worth it to finish what you started.
 
This past Sunday, we would have looked at Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:50-53, and Acts 1:1-11 as we help kids discover more about the final moments of Jesus’ life on earth. Before He went back to His Father, Jesus gave His disciples a huge mission: tell the world about Him. The message of Jesus was for everyone, and it was their job to get the word out.
 
Bottom Line: Keep going even when it seems impossible. A lot can seem impossible to a kid. From learning to tie their shoes to reading paragraphs out loud in class to memorizing those multiplication facts, kids will face all sorts of moments when they feel like everything is too hard, too big, or too long to finish. But that’s where God comes in. We pray that kids will start to understand that no matter what they face— impossible or not—they can trust God to help them through it.
 
Attached is an activity that might be fun to try this week.
 
Thank you to everyone who is still working hard on memorizing the Bible verses. Continue to feel free to send me a video (717-475-8455 or email ajwenrich@dejazzd.com) of your child(ren) reciting a verse. I love to receive these!
 
Memory Verse: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NLT).
 
Blessings!
Reign Forest Team
Angie, Anita, Cheryl, Jessi, and Kristin

​Hello Reign Forest,
 
We hope this message finds you all safe, healthy, and well.
 
In Luke 24:13-35, we find two followers of Jesus on their way to Emmaus. From what we read, it seems they were sad and confused by Jesus’ death on the cross. Little did they know that Jesus was walking with them. He explained how Jesus’ death was the answer to years of God’s promises to the Israelites. They were shocked when they realized that this person was Jesus. They ran back to Jerusalem to tell everyone about what they had just seen.
 
Bottom Line: There’s always more to discover about God’s plan. What we help kids understand about God is important. We get to lay a foundation of faith that will set them up to keep learning about God as they grow and mature in their faith. We pray that kids discover that, through Jesus, God has a unique plan for their life, and as they follow Him, they’ll start to see where that plan will take them.
 
Bible Verse:  Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow (Psalm 25:4). 
 
Have a blessed week!
 
~The Reign Forest Team

​Hello Reign Forest Friends!
 
For week two, we celebrate Easter. We’ll see through John 18:12–20:23, how Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection makes it possible for us to have a forever relationship with God. Jesus humbly gave Himself for us as the ultimate sacrifice to rescue us from the consequences of our sin.
 
Bottom Line: Jesus put us first. This is what Easter is all about. Jesus put us first. He gave up everything He deserved to rescue us from the consequences of sin. Jesus conquered death and is alive! We hope that kids leave with a clearer understanding of how much God loves us and wants to have a relationship with us through His Son.
 
Memory Verse: Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love (Ephesians 4:2).
 
Blessings:
The Reign Forest Team
 
Activities and God Time: see attachments.