Indoor Alternative for "Trunk" part of Trunk-or-Treat

Tonight, Friday, October 31st at 6:00 PM is North Shore's Annual Trunk or Treat Celebration.  For those of you who were planning on decorating and stationing your "trunks", if you would like an alternative indoor location that can be arranged.

Due to the cold weather and winds, we realize that to many people standing outside will not be as fun as usual.  North Shore will be setup to allow indoor stations instead of outdoor "trunks" for those who desire.  Please contact Kevin Murphy at kevin@superiorstate.net or text at 715-923-0951 if you'd like to be assigned an inside location so that we can plan appropriately.

We encourage all who can attend to help fill the parking lot (and now halls) of the church to provide a safe / fun environment for the children that will be out and about tonight.

P.S. - Don't forget there will be chili and an indoor inflatable too.

KdMo! Update

    Wow... What a year we have had so far!! We have seen some MAJOR increases in number as the year has gone on. We have been holding close to 40 kids, 3 years to 5th grade, every week!!
     We have been having a blast learning about Gods love for us, and practical ways for us to live out the lessons we have been learning. Every night, the kids walk away with a Compass Point (a catchy slogan to help remind us what our mission is for the week) and a Memory Max verse, complete with hand motions and everything.
    We have also been breaking down into smaller groups each night, as usual, to really help drive the point home and give the kids an outlet to ask questions and seek advice or examples of how the principles we are learning about actually look in real life.
    Thank you so much, North Shore family, for the continued help and support in making this program run as smoothly as it does. We are always looking for more people to join our team and help support the volunteers that are already involved. We need all types of people to make this might run. If interested, please come see me and we can talk about what may be a good fit for your personality and willingness!! :)

     Once again, to all my volunteers, you are seriously the best. I don't know what I would do without you. Actually, I do know, and it wouldn't be pretty. Without you I would be stretched too thin. I so appreciate and need each and every one of you so desperately. And so do these kids. Each one, a different personality that may be a better match with you than anyone else. You matter. These kids matter. I believe God is so excited by how we love on these kids. Please keep praying for more and more blessings and growth to come.

So, come see what Wednesday nights at Kidmo! are all about!! We would love to see you and I know you would be blessed to see how God is working through our church body to show these kids His love for them.

In Christ,
Allisen Shawver
KidMo! Emcee

There Is Still Time Left to Sign Up for VBS!

VBS starts tonight (Sunday) and there is still time to get your kids signed up.  Just sign up from the link below to register.

REGISTER HERE

There's an App for That!

Having a secure children’s check-in system is an essential element in providing a safe place for kids and peace of mind for parents. But yet many child check-in systems can be overwhelming and difficult to use, making it hard for both parents and organizations using these systems. That’s why North Shore Church chose KidCheck, offering both ease and ease of mind with a system that doesn't compromise safety and security.

In fact, KidCheck is bringing secure children check-in systems to a whole new level with their new mobile app! KidCheck has been deployed to MOPS and Wednesdays at the Shore, will be used for our upcoming Vacation Bible School, and soon will be making its way to Sunday mornings.

The new KidCheck Mobile app for iOS and Android makes the system easier for parents to use. Using KidCheck parents can:

• Designate who is and is not authorized to pick up children.
• Upload photos of children and guardians for added security
• Add medical and allergy alerts and notes
• Receive text message notifications at check in or in case of emergency

Screenshots

If you have not yet created a guardian account for your children please visit http://kidcheck.com or download the KidCheck app from iTunes or Google Play.

Gotta Move!

North Shore Church is having Vacation Bible School from Sunday, August 17th thru Thursday, August 21st. The program will run from 6:00pm - 8:00pm each evening. If you have children/grandchildren please set these dates aside. If you know children who could use a little encouragement, let them know about the program. If you are interested in volunteering contact Allisen Shawver or Christy Casale.

About Gotta Move!

Gotta Move! is a Vacation Bible School curriculum designed to give children a biblical understanding of what it means to be a Christian and walk with God. Through each lesson children will see that God provides everything we need to be close to Him. However, He does require a response - having faith means we Gotta Move! 

Day 1: His Grace, Our Obedience (Genesis 6-7)

God created us to be near to Him. Children will see the difference in how God made man compared to every other living thing in creation. They will also look at the story of Noah in a new way and see how he walked with God even though no one else in his generation did. Children will learn that we are only able to be close to God through His grace and the favor He gives us. Our response should be to walk in obedience. 

Day 2: His Word, Our Commitment (Joshua 1 & 3)

On this day children will see how God showed the world His mighty power through the Israelites. Even though they were a special group of people chosen by God, He expected them to show their commitment to Him and His Word. Just as the Israelites were responsible to take the Word of God with them to the Promised Land, we as Christians should be committed to knowing Scripture so we have it with us wherever we go.

Day 3: His Son, Our Response (John 1)

God had provided the perfect place for Adam. During the time of Noah, He washed away all of the sin outside of the ark. He provided the Israelites with His Holy Word and great men of faith to lead them. However none of these things could eliminate the power of sin. It was only through the sacrifice of God’s Son that we could be saved from the penalty of sin forever! Jesus gave glory and honor to God through His life, death and resurrection. Children will learn that by walking with Jesus, they too can bring glory and honor to God.

Day 4: His Forgiveness, Our Repentance (Luke 15:11-32)

God is faithful to forgive our sins when we come to Him in repentance. By studying the parable of the lost son, children will see the similarities between themselves and the prodigal son. They will review the seriousness of sin, how it hurts God, and will learn about living in the freedom and joy of forgiveness.

Day 5: His Spirit, Our Trust (John 14)

God has given the Holy Spirit to those who trust in Him. Children will hear what Scripture says about the power and promise of the Holy Spirit living in them. As they learn the fruits of the Spirit they will learn what it means to allow the Spirit to produce fruit in their lives. The gospel will be clearly presented on this most important day.

KidMo is a HIT!!

Well, we just finished our fourth week of KidMo and it has been a blast!! The first week was an exciting time of discovery (for both the kids AND the volunteers) and we all made it out UNSCATHED!! WOOHOO!! We have now really gotten into a great vibe and flow to the night. Both the kids and the Team Leaders are enjoying the new "small group" times, which allow the kids some more personal times with the leaders, and they get to fill out prayer request cards that the leaders pray over throughout the week. They also get to really ask questions and go through the Bible Lesson in greater detail. You can really see a change in the way the kids are acting, and I think it is because they are creating more personal relationships with the "grown-ups". We have also changed the division ages of the kids, which has enabled us to more properly divide the chaperones. We have seen a drastic difference in the kids attitudes AND volunteer energy levels by the end of the night, both on the more relaxed side of things.

I do want to take a minute and thank Kevin Murphy for all of his guidance and elbow grease in getting this new curriculum off the ground with barely any need for tweeks or changes. If you have been a part of this curriculum at all, you know the countless hours of planning, organizing, printing schedules, and setting up the gym that he puts into this. From all of us, Kevin, thank you for all the work you have done and continue to do.

Also, to all my volunteers, I cannot express how much your smiling faces and eagerness to help allow me to survive Wednesday nights. There are days it is really hard for me to muster up the strength and energy to get to church, but I know that, once I get there, I will have the support and love from all of you to make the night a success. Your prayers for energy are always felt and I am forever grateful for your support.

Church, we have a great thing going here. We need your support and prayers more than ever. I am hoping to do a major "Bring Your Friends to KidMo" night in the future, but I will need physical support and volunteers to make sure we don't over burden the volunteers we already have. Please be in prayer about potentially helping out in the future and let me know if this is something you could do. Very excited to see the level of participation and excitement from ALL the kids that come!! They love all the different parts and, most importantly, they are learning, memorizing, and applying Gods and Word to their lives!!

Please keep praying, believing, hoping, helping, loving on these kids. Their spiritual future is being shaped and I am so excited and honored to be a part of that :)

Allisen Shawver
Coordinator/ EmCee of KidMo!

KidCheck Registration Coming Soon!

In an effort to streamline our registration processes and improve overall security for all our children's programming, North Shore Church is partnering with KidCheck to provide the management and process of such activities.

We will go live with KidCheck on March 5 for KidMo, and MOPS on March 11, once those programs have stabilized we will integrate KidCheck into Sunday activities. It is important you create your account prior to launch.  If you haven’t already created your free account online, please do so by going to go.kidcheck.com, selecting “Sign-up” and then “I’m a Parent, Guardian”. Follow the link “set up your free login account”. 

You can create your account from the comfort of home, it’s simple and will only take a few minutes. Creating your account prior to the launch date helps us have a smooth transition, and helps your first check-in go faster so you can get on your way. 

Benefits for Parents 

Child Safety
• Easily create and update a list of who can (and cannot) pick up your children
• Upload photos of children and guardians for added security
• Provide medical and allergy information and alerts

Secure Information

• No one sees you or your child’s information until you check-in
• KidCheck uses the same secure data technology as banks to keep your information safe
• KidCheck never asks for personal identification such as Social Security numbers, credit cards or banking information, and never sells the information we do gather

Convenient
• Speedy check-in - simply input your 10 digit phone number
• KidCheck is web-based, so you can access and modify your account from anywhere
• Text message notifications when your child is checked in and out, or in case of emergency

Control
• You’re in control of your account information so you know it’s correct and up-to-date
• Create and update your free account from the comfort of home
• You choose the photos you want to upload

Create your free KidCheck account at go.kidcheck.com. Signing up is easy and only takes a few minutes!

CHANGES TO DISCOVERY CLUB COMING SOON!!

Discovery Club is really getting into the swing of things here at North Shore Church!! We have many adults who are so giving of their time, treasures, and talents to make sure we are well cared for and most of the kids we see are coming every week. We have some exciting news though... we have a curriculum change coming up!! This is so exciting because it will free up our volunteers to spend more time loving and praying for the kids that have been entrusted to us, and less time dealing with the prep for lessons and activities!! God is really blessing the leadership with some clarity regarding the next steps here, which is such a blessing. More details to come as we figure out specifics, but as we do that, can you continue to pray for the leadership, kids, and volunteers?? We can definitely feel them and thank you for taking the time to pray for us and these sweet kids. 

Church, this is the future. Pray for them. Nurture them. Love on them. We are growing, which means we are being entrusted with MORE precious souls. We don't know and can't imagine the potential we have to positively impact our community just by dishing out some grace-covered truth to these kids. We don't know who these kids will grow to be and what kind of impact they could have on the community, state, or nation!! 

Love to all my volunteers. Couldn't do this without you :)

Allisen

P.S.- If you feel you may be called to help out on Wednesdays or maybe in another area, please don't hesitate to reach out to me or the office. We would love to get you plugged in somewhere until we fond your niche :)

Discovery Club Wrap-Up

    Wow!! What a fun a and exciting trimester this has been!! So many new faces, kids and volunteers!! I am so very proud and thankful for everyone who has helped out with this ministry. I am very proud of what we have been able to let God accomplish through all of us. The kids have been working on some new songs, as well as being very transparent during out prayer time at the beginning of each night.

     Parents, I am so thankful for all the hard work you do. Thank you for bringing your kids here during Wednesday's at The Shore. Thank you for investing the time in their spiritual maturity. I know this is a sacrifice for you in your week.

     Please be praying for us during this break, for any growth that needs to happen as leaders and as a !ministry. Pray we are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in any changes or tweakings that need to happen. Be praying for sweet rest for our volunteers. They love on your kids so hard when they are here that is completely empties them. This break is much needed and cherished for lots of us.

    I have a list of memory verses that were handed out to all the parents on our final night of the term. Please read over those and work on memorizing them with your kids during the break. If you come up with any fun ways or memorization, please let me know.

     Gonna enjoy the break, but also miss your kids. Give them hugs for me on Wednesday nights <3

Love and blessings to all,

Allisen Shawver
Discovery Club coordinator

Discovery Club Update

We have seen a HUGE climb in numbers this year in Discovery Club!! Praise God!! As we are getting used to these new numbers, our fearless volunteers have been such a blessing to these kids. Carrie Grinsteiner experienced her first time serving and did a wonderful job. We have had some great times in Games as well with human foos ball (thanks to Kevin Murphy), tennis practice (thanks to Peter Kurtz) and lots of fun with balloons and relays (thanks to Brian Fowler and John Plong). We have stretched our creative muscles in Skills with Andy Fendryk, Nancy Mullins, and Lisa Albrecht, creating posters, shirts, and decorated gourds. Our teachers and chaperones have done an amazing job in Doscovery Club and Scooters (pre-k)with the lessons, activities, skits, and bible verses. The kids are also learning some fun songs you may just hear during a Sunday service ;)

Thanks for all your support of this program. When you give to the church, you are investing in the eternal futures of these kids. Thank you for allowing our volunteers and myself to serve the kids of North Shore in this way. If you want to join us and see what all the fuss is about, let me know and we can get you in a postion that would fit your comfort level. I will say, the sacrifice of time and energy is a little daunting sometimes, but God shows up and blesses me so much through these kids. Because of my sacrifice, God can show me more of Himself than I would be able to see if I was working in my comfort zone. Blessings to all!!

Allisen Shawver
Discovery Club coordinator

Discovery Club Update!!

We had a FANTASTIC first night back to Discovery Club on the 18th!! We had some new faces and got to reconnect with our friends we may not have seen in a while. The kids enjoyed a snack, some songs and prayer time, then we split up in our age groups and our wonderful volunteers took it from there!! It was fun to see some of the kids move from our preschool program to the Discovery Club. They were very excited to be with the "big kids"!!    

Our Discovery Club teacher, Bill Verschay did an excellent job teaching about how we are fearfully and wonderfully made, the memory verse of the night being Psalm 139:14. Andy Fendryk lead the Skills section of our night, which consisted of making our attendence posters for the year, as well as answering the questions "Who is God?" , "Who is Jesus?", "Who is the Holy Spirit?", and " Do I believe God loves me?". These questions started some great conversatoons and made the kids stop and think about what they believe. I am trusting God will grow in their hearts in a big way this year. Brian Fowler was our Games leader, and boy did he have some fun in store for the kids!! If you attended our Adult Bible Study groups, I am sure you heard the kids in the gym
.. along with Brian's amazing whistling abilities. (Brian may have to start helping me get the kids quiet EVERY week ;)!!)

Our preschool program was headed up by Judy Demein and Cindy Verschay, who did an absolutely amazing job teaching and loving on those little ones.


I am so incredibly thankful for all of the volunteers who gave their time and talent to this night. If you saw me on Wednesday, you can probably tell that I wouldnt be able to do this by myself. I am so excited to see how God is going to use North Shore to impact these kids lives and, essentially, His Kingdom!!

I so appreciate your prayers and continued loyalty to our kids.

Allisen Shawver
Discovery Club Coordinator

SEPT 25: CRAZY HAIR NIGHT!!
OCT 2: TACKY NIGHT!!
OCT 9: PAJAMA NIGHT!!
OCT 16: BACKWARDS NIGHT!!
OCT 23: BRING A FRIEND NIGHT!!!

Discovery Club Starts September 18th!!!

We had a blast at VBS (52 kids, 25 Bibles given out, 2 salvations, and a TON of fun memories!!) but now it is time to get ready for DISCOVERY CLUB!! This year, we will be Discovering Gods Love. This curriculum will lead us into a deeper knowledge of Gods love for us. I can't wait!!!

Also, we will be bringing back THEME NIGHTS!! Feel free to dress up in the nightly theme and have some fun!! You may even see some of the grown ups dressed up!! Here are September's themes:

September 18th- RED AND BLUE NIGHT!! ( Kick the year off right in Club Colors!!)

September 25- CRAZY HAIR NIGHT!! ( This one is always a blast!! :))

If you have something special from which you think these kids would benefit and are looking for a ministry in which to serve, DISCOVERY CLUB IS FOR YOU!! Our volunteers are amazing, but there is always room for one more :) Please feel free to talk to our volunteers to find out more, or come talk to me if you think this may be a good fit for you. It is not a weekly commitment and there will be a meeting during which we will equip you to do this job with excellence. You can also shadow someone to see if this is a good fit before you commit. We would love to have you.

CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU SEPTEMBER 18TH!!!

Allisen