Children & Families

O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old-what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. –Psalm 78: 1-6

The mission of St. Michael’s Ministries to Children and Families is to partner with parents to raise up girls and boys who know, love and follow Jesus Christ. This active and ever-increasing ministry is made up of children ages 3 months to Grade 5 and their families. We welcome your participation in this ministry! Below you will find listed some of the programs and activities for the children and families of St. Michael’s. To learn more, please contact Amy Smith, Director of Christian Formation, at 843-723-0603 ext. 7583 or by email at amy@stmichaelschurch.net.

Ministry programs and events include:

al adults

Sunday School Kick Off Slideshow

A Prayer for the Transformation of Hearts and Homes

I feel called to share the following prayerful response to scripture written recently by one of parishioners, Jeannie Lyles. The scripture comes from Jeremiah 32: 37b – 33:9. She shared it with me earlier this week and it has blessed me greatly. I pray that it will be a blessing to you as well.

I will bring them back and settle them in safety. (Jer. 32:37b)
Lord, please bring us back from discord, perfectionism, anger, hopelessness, feelings of overwhelming despair, business, bickering, jealousy and selfishness. Settle us. Settle us in the safety of Your peace. Settle us in quietness, unity and love. Settle us with joy and hopefulness. Bring us back to living in You.

They shall be my people and I will be their God. (Jer. 32:38)
Jesus, make us mindful that we belong to You. We are Yours. You have purchased us with the great price of your suffering and death. We are covered by the blood of the Lamb and clothed in Your righteousness so that we can truly be Your people and stand before our God. Be our God, let us have no gods before You. Take away our desire for things of this world and give us a heart to desire You and Your will.

One heart and one way I will give them. (Jer. 32:39)
Jesus, give us Your heart. Let us have hearts for one another. Give us hearts that love each other as we love ourselves. Give us peace and unity. Help us to have servant hearts. Let the goal of our lives be to hear You say, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”

That they may fear me always, to their own good and that of their children. (Jer. 32:39b)
Lord, make us fear walking without being in Your will. Give us discernment to always follow where you lead. For Your path is safety and outside it are many things to fear. Never stop being good to us. Give that blessing to our sons and daughters.

I will make with them an eternal covenant, never to cease doing good to them. (Jer. 32:40)
Your word is true. We can stand on Your promise that You will never cease being good to us. Lord, let each of us rest in that promise and know that the trials and tribulations of this life are ultimately to our good.

Into their hearts I will put the fear of Me, that they may never depart from Me. (Jer. 32:40b)
Keep us always under the shadow of Your wings. Sound the alarm in our hearts when we walk out from under that protection to follow our own path. Keep Your will ever in our minds that we need not fear being without Your guidance. When we fall and wander, call us back. Let us never depart from You. Nothing can separate us from Your love. Make us ever mindful of Your love.

I will take delight in doing good to them. (Jer. 32:41)
Lord, let us delight in Your blessings upon us. Give us eyes to see all your delightful work in our lives. Give us hearts full of thanksgiving that we may lead grateful lives.

I will replant them firmly in this land, with all My heart and soul. (Jer. 32:41b)
Yes, Lord. Make us firm in You. Make us to abide in You. Let us seek Your face every day. Let us seek Your will in all we do. Give us love to pour out on one another and those You send into our path. Let us bring forth fruit in Your name.

Call to me and I will answer you; I will tell you things great beyond the reach of your knowledge. (Jer. 33:3)
Lord, you are Emmanuel, God with us. All I must do is call out to you. “Jesus” is the only prayer I need. You are with me. You will answer me. Give me ears to hear you. Give me a discerning mind and heart to abide in Your will. Give me time to settle and quiet, and to listen. Give me strength to obey. You will not deny wisdom to those who seek it. Give me the knowledge great beyond the reach of my abilities. Then let me serve You with all strength given in Your power. Let all the glory in what I know, say and do be given entirely to You.

I will treat and assuage the city’s wounds; I will heal them and reveal an abundance of lasting peace. (Jer. 33:6)
Lord, there is none among us who is not wounded. I bear the scars of my own sin and the sins of others against me. These scars hold me constrained and make me fearful. They incapacitate me with overwhelming weariness when facing another challenge. But you assuage. You cover my wounds with your scared hands. With Your presence and Your touch my soul is quieted, my fear released, my burden lightened. You bring abundance. You give me Your peace that I may live an abundant life: a life of glory because of Your presence in the midst of my scars and brokenness.

Jerusalem shall be My joy, My praise, My glory before all the nations of the earth, as they hear of the good I will do among them. (Jer. 33:9)
Lord, in my brokenness be glorified. Your power revealed in my broken life is the evidence of Your might. What You can do in me can change the hearts of my family. What You can do in my family can change the hearts of our friends and neighbors. What you can do in St. Michael’s can change the hearts of our city. What you can do in this city can change the face of the earth. Let the transformation begin. Let it begin in me this moment, this day. Amen.
~ Amy Smith


 






 

 

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