Special Features - Summer 2023

SUMMER READING SUGGESTIONS ~ Ana Avila

TEN WORDS TO LIVE BY – Delighting in and Doing What God Commands
by, Jen Wilkin

When you think of laws, do you see them as good or a burden?
I think in general, if we are honest, we see laws as a burden. But God in His mercy gave us the law so that we might delight in it. Jen Wilkin is a well-known author and teacher. In this book, she gives a fresh perspective on how the law is actually a blessing for not only us as individuals, but also for us in our relationships with others. This book is an easy read that will give the reader a new and different appreciation of God’s law in the Ten Commandments as a source of joy.

THE SCRIPTURES TESTIFY ABOUT ME – Jesus & the Gospel in the Old Testament
Edited by, D. A. Carson

Do you struggle with seeing the relevance of the Old Testament for us living in the 21st century? If so—then this is a great book for you to read. D. A. Carson has edited this book of 8 different essays written by 8 different well-known authors. Each essay is based on a passage from the Old Testament and how that passage testifies to Jesus. Carson writes, “There are treasures to be found in discovering what the Old Testament has to say about Jesus Christ.” Delve into these treasures by modern-day preachers and authors such as Tim Keller, and my personal hero, Alistair Begg.

THE STORYTELLING GOD – Seeing the Glory of Jesus in His Parables
by, Jared C. Wilson

What is your view of the many parables in the New Testament? This is a book based on the parables of Jesus. The author challenges the reader with the fact that these “sweet” stories expose far deeper truths about the awesome God we serve. Our Lord wants to connect with us through His Word in much greater ways than we can even imagine. The parables “reveal profound Spiritual truths about God, humanity, the world, and the future.”

Worship Song

You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
Exodus 15:13

Summer Fun ~ Allison Frassoni

2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ Butterflies

Materials Needed:

• White paper
• Ink dot paints or any paint will do
• Pipe cleaners
• Printer for printing the verse/ or you can hand write it
• Tape

Instructions:

1. Print or write out scripture for Corinthians 5:17 on white paper.
2. Cut out Butterfly shape (you can also print out a shape to use)
3. Have children use dot painters or regular paint and fingers to paint butterflies -- Dry
4. Fold pipe cleaner in half and twirl ends/ tape to back of butterfly as antennae

Little Feet Butterfly

Materials Needed:

• Paint -- colors of rainbow or favorite colors- and black
• Cute little feet
• Paper (White works best but you can use any color)
• Paper plate

Instructions:

1. Pour paint onto paper plate in desired pattern.
2. Dip cute little feet into paint pattern and press onto paper (you can use just one foot and dip twice to help with mess or go in both feet at once and go for it!)
3. Allow to dry, then paint the butterfly body and antennae in black.

Summer Backyard River Play

Materials Needed:

• Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
• Hose
• Rocks
• Toy boats, animals and miscellaneous things that are fun to play with in water. Think about things you may find in, or near, an actual river. Make it a fun scavenger hunt for the kids and have fun building the river as part of the activity.

Instructions:

1. Set up where you will place your river, somewhere with easy access to a hose. If you have a hill or incline it is great but it’s not necessary.
2. Lay our aluminum foil-- the thick, sturdy kind is best, or you will need several layers. Edge both sides to keep water contained in the “river.”
3. Place rocks randomly along your river.
4. Start hose and place at the start of your river path.
5. Add toy boats, animals and other items.
6. Enjoy watching the boats sail down the river and enjoy hours of fun with kids playing and interacting with their river creation.

Strawberry Jell-O Pie (two layers)

Materials Needed:

• Strawberry JELL-O Mix
• Graham cracker crust -- or regular pie crust (both work well -- depends on preference)
• Fresh strawberries
• Cool Whip (or if you are feeling ambitious Heavy Cream, lemon juice and cream of tartar to whip yourself)
• Canned whipped cream
• Water
• Corn starch

**Note – You must make this pie the day before for it to set up properly

Instructions:

**First layer

1. If using regular crust, pre-bake as you normally would for no bake pie. If using graham cracker crust -- store bought is easy, but if homemade: crush grahams, mix with melted butter and press into pan/refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Make Jell-o according to instructions on package & separate into 2 bowls while still hot.
3. In the first bowl mix in two teaspoons of cornstarch and then add sliced strawberries.
4. Pour into the already prepared crust and return to refrigerator as your first layer.

**Second Layer

1. Mix Cool Whip into the second bowl of still hot Jell-o mixture (if you made your own whipped cream, you would have whipped your heavy cream with 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar and a squeeze of lemon juice until soft peaks—then proceed by mixing whipped cream into second bowl of still hot Jell-o mixture).
2. Pour mixture onto the first layer/smooth and return to refrigerator overnight.
3. In the morning you can add additional canned whipped cream and small chunks of strawberries to decorate the top.
4. You can also easily cut strawberries into the shape of butterflies for an extra summer whimsy to add to top!
5. Serve Cold and Enjoy!