Children’s Pastor: Judy Basye

Program Assistant: Sandy Grillo

Administrative Assistant: Sharon Marlow

July2009

Calvary Community Church

815 W. Lathrop Road

Manteca, CA 95336

(209)239-1345

Maximize Your “Together Time”

Summertime is ideal for hanging out together and creating lasting memories. It’s also ideal for spending time with God and creating lasting faith. With the economic downturn, many families are now looking for ways to bond on a budget. Thankfully, fancy trips and high-tech gadgets aren’t required.

This summer, grow closer to each other and to God with these easy, practical ideas. Make the most of your family time, and have fun in the process. Then continue these habits long after packing away the flip-flops!

Family Mission Statements—First, pause to plan out your purpose as a family. Begin with short-term goals for your summer, letting each family member contribute. Then brainstorm big-picture, long-term goals. Ask: “What does our family stand for? What are our values, and how will we live them out?” Then have everyone commit to live according to your family’s mission statement.

On-the-Go Togetherness—Road trips provide family members with lots of undivided attention. Enjoy long conversations, play games, and sing along to Christian music. Pray aloud for residents of towns you pass and for rescue crews heading to accidents.

The Wonder of Worship—During the summer, add variety to your routine by worshipping at a different time. Try a new style of worship or visit other churches together. Take children to vacation Bible school at local churches, and invite friends to go along.

For a fun, convenient way to capture and share all your summer memories, visit www.groupsmilebox.com.

Ask God:

• To help you safeguard uninterrupted family time.

• To strengthen your family’s bonds.

• To help your kids value spending time with God.

Parenting Insights

Dr. David Anderson of the Youth & Family Institute offers these “Four Keys for Daily Living” to nurture faith life in the home:

• Caring Conversations—Listening and responding to our children’s daily concerns makes it easier to have meaningful talks about God’s love. We express that love to others.

• Family Devotions—Infusing caring conversations with “God-talk” elevates them into devotions. We find God in our everyday experiences.

• Rituals and Traditions— These identify who we are and tell a family’s stories. We bless and pray for one another and have bedtime rituals that include God’s presence.

• Family Service—This isn’t an obligation but a loving, grateful response to God’s love for us. We live our faith.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product.

Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies

Movie: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (July 1)

Genre: 3-D Animated Action-Comedy

Rating: PG (for some mild rude humor and peril)

Cast: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott

Synopsis: Big changes are in store for this series’ lovable characters. Mammoths Manny and Ellie are expecting a baby, and Manny wants everything to be perfect for the little one’s arrival. Sid, wanting a family of his own, steals some dinosaur eggs. He gets trapped in an underground world filled with dinosaurs who survived extinction.

Discussion Questions: What are the biggest changes you’ve faced in your life so far, and how have you handled them? Why does God put people in families? Why do you think he chose your particular family for you? Think of a time you’ve made a poor choice out of jealousy: What consequences did you face as a result?

What Music Is Releasing

Artist: Jonas Brothers

Album: Lines, Vines and Trying Times

Artist Info: This pop boy band, known for its wholesome image, gained popularity through the Disney Channel. Heartthrobs Joe, Kevin, and Nick are professed Christians who wear purity rings.

Summary: In their fourth album in four years, the brothers rebel a little to tackle teenage angst, despair, and heartache. The album contains an assortment of musical themes and lyrical metaphors. Two wholesome songs (“Fly With Me” and “Keep It Real”) are targeted to younger fans. “Poison Ivy” tells of a toxic girl who’s hard to resist. “Paranoid” addresses all the stress and noise young people face.

Discussion Questions: Does growing up excite or scare you, and why? What might help you cope with the emotions and pressure? Think of friends who have positively or negatively influenced you: What is each person’s appeal, and how can you benefit from or resist that influence?

What Games Are Out

GAME RATINGS KEY: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+)

Culture & Trends

What’s happening right now that may affect your children and family:

• Experts say the recession is to blame for a current baby bust. New census figures show a steep decline in the number of U.S. children under age 1.

• Hot items at this year’s American International Toy Fair included value-priced products, board games, and toys that promote “functional creativity” (such as cardboard dollhouses and fire stations that children can color).

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Quick Stats

• In a poll of more than 800 parents, 30% say they let their children play with fireworks. Another 12% say their kids play with “just sparklers.”

(KeepKidsHealthy.com)

• Children ages 14 and under sustain about 45% of all fireworks-related injuries.

(cdc.gov)

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Independence Day

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Bible Day Camp Safety & Security Meeting

Work Day for Volunteers

9 a.m-Noon

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Bible Day Camp Work Day for Volunteers

12:30 p.m-1:30 p.m.

Bible Day Camp

4-7 p.m.

Bible Day Camp

4-7 p.m.

Bible Day Camp

4-7 p.m.

Bible Day Camp

4-7 p.m.

Bible Day Camp

4-7 p.m.

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