A liturgy for changing diapers
In honor of all of our new, or about to be new, parents, I wanted to share this liturgy with you from a favorite book of mine, "Every Moment Holy", which is a collection of liturgies and prayers for everyday life. Whether you're in the thick of diapers, or hanging on by a thread for school to end, be reminded that even in the parts of parenthood that are the most unseen, and that can literally stink the most, God is, indeed, at work - through you.
💞 Pastor Erin
💞 Pastor Erin
Heavenly Father,
in such menial moments as this--
the changing of a diaper--
I would remember this truth:
My unseen labors are not lost,
for it is these repeated acts of small sacrifice that--
like bright, ragged patches--
are slowly being sewn into
a quilt of lovingkindness that swaddles this child.
I am not just changing a diaper.
By love and service
I am tending a budding heart that
rooted early in such
grace-filled devotion,
might one day be more
readily-inclined to bow
to your compassionate conviction--
knowing itself then as both a receptacle
and a reservoir of heavenly grace.
So this little act of diapering--
though in form sometimes felt
as base drudgery--might be
better described as
one of ten thousand acts
by which I am actively creating
a culture of compassionate service
and selfless love to shape
the life of this family
and this beloved child.
So take this unremarkable act
of necessary service, O Christ,
and in your economy
let it be multiplied into
that greater outworking of worship
and of faith, a true investment
in the incremental
advance of your kingdom
across generations.
Open my eyes that I might see
this act for what it is
from the fixed vantage
of eternity, O Lord--
how the changing of a diaper
might sit upstream
of the changing of a heart;
how the changing of a heart
might sit upstream
of the changing of the world.
Amen.
Written by Doug McKelvey
in such menial moments as this--
the changing of a diaper--
I would remember this truth:
My unseen labors are not lost,
for it is these repeated acts of small sacrifice that--
like bright, ragged patches--
are slowly being sewn into
a quilt of lovingkindness that swaddles this child.
I am not just changing a diaper.
By love and service
I am tending a budding heart that
rooted early in such
grace-filled devotion,
might one day be more
readily-inclined to bow
to your compassionate conviction--
knowing itself then as both a receptacle
and a reservoir of heavenly grace.
So this little act of diapering--
though in form sometimes felt
as base drudgery--might be
better described as
one of ten thousand acts
by which I am actively creating
a culture of compassionate service
and selfless love to shape
the life of this family
and this beloved child.
So take this unremarkable act
of necessary service, O Christ,
and in your economy
let it be multiplied into
that greater outworking of worship
and of faith, a true investment
in the incremental
advance of your kingdom
across generations.
Open my eyes that I might see
this act for what it is
from the fixed vantage
of eternity, O Lord--
how the changing of a diaper
might sit upstream
of the changing of a heart;
how the changing of a heart
might sit upstream
of the changing of the world.
Amen.
Written by Doug McKelvey
Illustration by Ned Bustard
camp registration
Kid's Camp registration has moved online and is due by May 21st!
Kid's Camp at Camp Oakridge is June 9-13, for 3rd grade grads - 6th grade grads.
Please register your child below as soon as possible so I can gauge how many counselors we will need.
Kid's Camp at Camp Oakridge is June 9-13, for 3rd grade grads - 6th grade grads.
Please register your child below as soon as possible so I can gauge how many counselors we will need.
happening in may
Wednesday night classes are wrapping up on May 21st! To celebrate a great year, PreK will enjoy an inflatable, and Elementary will have a "Minute-to-Win-It" competition. We will enjoy Kona Ice after church!
Join us!
Join us!
Our 5th and 6th graders will be performing a special song on the chimes for Father's Day!
Rehearsals are on Sundays at 10:05 in the Elem. Pink Room.
If your child is interested in playing, please contact Katie Aldridge ASAP at 405-206-4966.
Rehearsals are on Sundays at 10:05 in the Elem. Pink Room.
If your child is interested in playing, please contact Katie Aldridge ASAP at 405-206-4966.
Policy Update
In an effort to reduce distractions and to keep our kids' minds and hearts available to the Lord, Shartel Kidz ministry is a now a "Phone-Free Zone". If your child enters the classroom with a phone, they will be asked to place their phone on silent and to put it in a designated place until class is over. If there is an emergency regarding your child, the teacher or Pastor Erin will contact you. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Erin.
this month in prek
Play and Worship
Story: Jesus Feeds 5,000 (John 6:1-15)
Bible Point: Jesus can do anything!
Bible Point: Jesus can do anything!
This month in elementary
May 4
Story: Jesus calls Matthew to be his friend (Matt. 9:9-13)
Bible Point: Jesus is our friend, so we are a good friend.
Bible Point: Jesus is our friend, so we are a good friend.
May 11
Story: Jesus heals a deformed hand on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6)
Bible Point: Jesus is bold, so we are bold.
Bible Point: Jesus is bold, so we are bold.
May 18
Story: Jesus brings a widow's son back to life (Luke 7:11-17)
Bible Point: Jesus is compassionate, so we are compassionate.
Bible Point: Jesus is compassionate, so we are compassionate.
May 25
Review/enrichment week
Shartel Kidz club
Kidz Club is working to earn a gym day on June 22!
30 points = Play time in the gym
40 points = Treat and gym
50 points = Gym, treat, and a pie in Mr. Mark’s face!
Ways to earn points:
1. Recite the monthly memory verses.
2. Recite the books of the Old and/or New Testament
3. Bring an offering.
This quarter our offering will sponsor a little girl who attends one of our missionaries' Christian schools in Honduras. Our money will go towards her tuition.
30 points = Play time in the gym
40 points = Treat and gym
50 points = Gym, treat, and a pie in Mr. Mark’s face!
Ways to earn points:
1. Recite the monthly memory verses.
2. Recite the books of the Old and/or New Testament
3. Bring an offering.
This quarter our offering will sponsor a little girl who attends one of our missionaries' Christian schools in Honduras. Our money will go towards her tuition.
ministry leader Spotlight
Name: Mitra Evans
Where do you serve? I teach the PreK/Kinder Wed. night class!
What blesses you about serving in Shartel Kidz?
One of my favorite things about serving in Shartel Kidz is working with the preschoolers and watching their eyes light up as they learn about God. Their curiosity, joy, and sweet little prayers remind me how simple and beautiful faith can be. It’s such a blessing to be part of their early faith journey—and to know that these moments may plant seeds that last a lifetime.
What would you say to someone who has thought about serving, but feels hesitant?
I would say—don’t let fear or doubt hold you back. You don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers—just a willing heart. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, especially in the lives of children. If you take that first step, you’ll be amazed how much you grow, too. There is so much joy in serving, and our kids need loving role models who will show up, listen, and share God’s love with them. You might just find it’s the best part of your week!
Thank you, Mitra, for the creativity and love you bring to our little ones each week! We love you!
Where do you serve? I teach the PreK/Kinder Wed. night class!
What blesses you about serving in Shartel Kidz?
One of my favorite things about serving in Shartel Kidz is working with the preschoolers and watching their eyes light up as they learn about God. Their curiosity, joy, and sweet little prayers remind me how simple and beautiful faith can be. It’s such a blessing to be part of their early faith journey—and to know that these moments may plant seeds that last a lifetime.
What would you say to someone who has thought about serving, but feels hesitant?
I would say—don’t let fear or doubt hold you back. You don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers—just a willing heart. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, especially in the lives of children. If you take that first step, you’ll be amazed how much you grow, too. There is so much joy in serving, and our kids need loving role models who will show up, listen, and share God’s love with them. You might just find it’s the best part of your week!
Thank you, Mitra, for the creativity and love you bring to our little ones each week! We love you!
Resource corner
Mitra (above) is also an accomplished musician, and has created lots of children's music! Listen to "Mimi's House" and enjoy fun, uplifting music! You can also follow her facebook page for lots of creative ideas of things to do with your little ones!
