Summertime!

WARNING: When one changes daily routines, like in summertime or getting a new job or going on vacation, daily Bible reading can suffer. What is your Bible reading plan and who is going to keep you accountable?

WHAT DO YOU REFLECT? I thought about this when I went downtown with Timothy seniors recently. We saw what is probably the most famous "mirror" in America: Cloud Gate, better known as the Bean. It reflects the crowds of people, Chicago buildings, the sky. What does your life reflect? Do you reflect the light of Jesus Christ?

Ephesians 5:8-10, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."

Location: Millennium Park, Chicago

 

Senior Chapel, VanderBill Homeroom, Summer Challenge

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPELS

Tuesday: The annual Senior Chapel. All the seniors sat on the stage while we watched a slideshow of pictures past and present of the seniors. Thanks to Emily for putting together the presentation of over 255 slides! To close the chapel, the teachers formed a circle around the seniors for prayer. Mr. Rink, Ms. Park and Mr. Lindloff led the prayer-time.

Thursday: Summer Challenge 2013 (with 9-11 grades). Students were randomly called on to let everyone know what they are looking forward to this summer. I then had a short talk that included a tree picture contest, service projects, and most importantly, how to approach exams as a Christian. The video below shows the presentation slides used.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPEL

Mr. VanderBill's homeroom. Mr. Gesch and four 7th graders led the singing (see video below). There was a skit about the importance of God's Word in our lives. Then Mr. VanderBill talked about how the Bible should occupy a central place in our summer. Just as certain supplies are necessary for camping, the Bible is necessary for life.

NEW BIBLE READING PLAN FOR THE SUMMER

On the upper ride side of this blog there is a link for the TC Bible Reading Calendar that has summer readings from the wisdom literature portion of the Bible (Psalms through Ecclesiastes).

Location: Timothy Christian Schools

 

Small Groups, Special MS chapel, Media Class

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPELS

Tuesday: Small Groups. All students met with their same small groups from our similar chapel in April. One of the issues discussed was ways to grow spiritually this summer.

Thursday: Mr. Pelt's Media Class. The theme verse for the Media Class was Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will." The class talked about and showed us some of the videos they created.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPEL: This special chapel included 4th through 8th graders. It was led by Dr. Hoeksema and musically by Mr. VanderNaald. A number of 8th graders used their musical gifts to lead on the worship team.

NEXT WEEK

High school Tuesday: Senior Chapel. Thursday: Summer Challenge

Middle School Wednesday: Mr. VanderBill's homeroom

Location: Timothy Christian Schools

 

Burkholder, Faith CRC Worship Band, Sheetz

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL CHAPELS ON THURSDAY

Pastor Greg Schuringa and the worship band from Faith CRC led the middle school chapel and then the high school chapel. Students got out of their seats and moved toward the front for a wonderful time of worship.

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPELS

Tuesday

Justin and Jenny Burkholder brought the call to missions into focus. As many know, Mrs. Burkholder will be leaving her Spanish teaching position at the end of the school year. She and her husband will be sharing the love of Jesus and planting a church in the main garbage dump area of Guatemala City, Guatemala. A whole community/economy has developed in this area. The Burkholder's spoke about how God has worked in their lives up to this point and how they are being called to take this next step of faith. How is God calling you to respond to his grace and meet the needs of the world? Follow them on the web, www.burkholders.org, or on Facebook, facebook.com/jjburkholder.

Friday

We ended the school week with an afternoon chapel. This chapel was actually a make-up chapel from when there was no school due to the "flood day". Nick Sheetz shared about the importance of feeding on God's Word and then living life with purpose...God's purpose for you.

NEXT WEEK:

High School on Tuesday: small groups. Thursday: Mr. Pelt's media class

Middle School on Wednesday: special singing chapel for 4th through 8th grades.

 

Hymns, Strauss, VanderWal

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPELS

TUESDAY: We had our third hymn chapel of the year that featured the same five hymns. Student musicians helped lead our time of worship. A jazz band ensemble played Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. The chamber choir lead us in How Great Thou Art. A string ensemble created the perfect mood for When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. We then sang The Solid Rock. We ended with Be Thou My Vision, featuring a woodwind ensemble. Check out the video. Special thanks to Ms. Salvatori, Mr. Pelt and Mrs. Lanenga.

THURSDAY: Mr. VanderWal, TC '02 alum and current 6th grade teacher, spoke. Using various Bible passages and stories from a recent 11 month missions trip, Mr. VanderWal challenged students to be serious about their commitment to Jesus and to look beyond themselves to the needs of others.

MIDDLE SCHOOL WEDNESDAY: Miss Strauss led us in a chapel exploring the voice of the world versus Jesus' call. The call is to follow Jesus' example of dying to self in order to truly live. She showed a video and shared a few stories to drive home the point.

NEXT WEEK

High School Tuesday: Mr. & Mrs. Burkholder (an offering will be taken to support their missions work)

Middle & High School on Thursday: Faith CRC worship band

Location: Timothy Christian High School

 

Two Nationally Known Speakers & a Band

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPELS

Tuesday: The Indiana Wesleyan University wind ensemble. To me it seemed more like a full band with its 60+ members. They began with reciting Psalm 150. One of the most recognizable pieces they played was selections from Les Miserables.

Thursday: Mawi Asgedom spoke. Students said that he was one of their favorite speakers of the year. This Ethiopian refugee and his family fled his country for Sudan in the late 70's. They ended up in the western suburbs of Chicago. Mawi graduated from Harvard University. He has spoken to over 1,000,000 students, been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, and shared a stage with Colin Powell and Angelina Jolie. He challenged students to accept who they are and to set goals. He inspired us all.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPEL/ASSEMBLY

On Thursday Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee spoke to the middle schoolers in a special assembly. She gave them all pipe cleaners to play with while she talked, and challenged them to use entertainment/screen technology in moderation and a godly way. The students gave Dr. Dodgen-Magee rave reviews. I, along with many others, attended her three hour talk at Faith CRC on Thursday night. The three hours flew by. If you are interested in finding out more, her Facebook page is regularly updated with recent news & research about screen/entertainment/technology. CLICK HERE

NEXT WEEK

HIGH SCHOOL: Tuesday: Hymn Chapel, Part 3, Thursday: Kevin VanderWal

MIDDLE SCHOOL: A homebase chapel

Location: Timothy Christian Schools

 

Band, By the Hand, VanDenBerg homeroom

HIGH SCHOOL CHAPEL

Tuesday: The student-led band's last time leading us in worship this school year. Thanks to Alex, Hayley, Ben, Liz, Keenan and Jack!

Thursday: Erika Johnson from the organization By the Hand spoke. Erika is the manager for volunteer recruitment. She brought along a By the Hand graduate who shared her testimony. The TC students that you see in the photo have volunteered in after-school tutoring there. The proceeds from the May 17 Variety Show will go toward purchasing a smart board for this ministry.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: Miss VanDenBerg's homeroom led chapel. The theme was Transformation in Christ. See the video below to get a flavor of this creative chapel!

NEXT WEEK

High School Monday: wind ensemble from Indiana Weslyan College; Thursday: Mawi Asgedom

Middle School on Thursday: Technology speaker, Dr. Doreen Dodgen-Magee

Location: Timothy Christian School