Pastor Al Paulauski, From Your Pal Pastor Al

Pastor Al Paulauski

From Your Pal November 2008

"Living Intentionally"

     It's been said that one of the greatest problems parents face is the breathless pace at which we live our lives. Our overloaded lives are a product of the many roles we've assumed. Most of us have responsibilities associated with children, parents, spouses, neighbors, church members, just to name a few. Most of our responsibilities are by nature good. Yet, unmanaged, they can cause our lives to spin out of control and do great damage to our most important relationships: Our relationship to God and our relationships in our families.
It's with this in mind I would like to ask you a few questions. How would you live your life if you had just one month to live? What would you change about your family life? Would you invest more time in your career, or would you spend your last moments on earth nurturing your family relationships?
     One of the greatest benefits of this "one-month-to-live-lifestyle" is deeper, more authentic relationships, especially with your kids. The type of lifestyle forces you to be intentional about spending relational time with your kids. It reduces superficial communication and encourages authenticity. It values being together and communicating love and encouragement today, rather than putting these off to another "tomorrow." And these things, probably as much as anything else you do as a parent, are what your children need and want the most.
     Parents who choose to live intentionally, receive a priceless gift. They are empowered to make tough decisions about letting go of commitments with lesser importance. They understand that skimping on family relationships in order to save the world is an empty goal. They are able to carve out time to nurture their relationship with God. And they understand that every moment invested with their family helps to build a lasting legacy that can endure for generations.
     Fortunately, most of us aren't going to die in the next month. We have many years ahead of us. Yet, living the one-month-to-live lifestyle helps us to refocus our priorities, motivating us to make each day matter. If we do so, we're more likely to live regret free. And you'll never have to say, "I wish I had taken the time to…"

November Happenings

Youth Convention
Friday-Saturday
Nov. 7th-8th
Grand Rapids

We will be leaving the church promptly @ 3 pm. If your son/daughter needs to get out of school early please use the "request to be excused letter" in the youth convention packets. Students will need to bring money for 3-4 meals. If your teenager hasn't signed up but would like to it is $75. Please see Pastor Al immediately if you're interested.

Fine Arts
Practices and preparation is now under way for next year's Fine Arts Festival which will be taking place March 20-21 in Grand Rapids. Fine Arts Festival is a program specifically designed to help students begin to discover and cultivate different spiritual gifts/talents God may have given them to be used for him. It's not too late to sign up and get in on what's going on. There is no money due until the beginning of February. If your teenager is interested, or you would like more info, please see Pastor Al or Lana as soon as possible.

Craft Fest
This year's craft show is Saturday, November 8th and once again the proceeds will go to support 876 Student Ministries' summer missions trip in 2010. This is a great way for your son or daughter to earn some easy money. If they would like to get signed up to help, please have them see Pastor Al.

Coming Soon
Winter Escape
Friday - Sunday
Feb. 6th-8th
Hillsdale, Michigan
It's time to start promoting our 2nd annual "Winter Escape". This is our winter retreat that we are putting on annually. This is an incredible opportunity for your teenager to get away from the business of their world and seek God. It was awesome last year and is sure to be even better this year. This year's trip will cost approx $110 a student but will cover everything they need. We are asking for a deposit of $40 by Sunday, Nov. 30th to hold their place. See Pastor Al for more details.