TFT: New LEFC Kids’ Library
September 20, 2026
Youth Group and Roots Resumes Tonight!
Our Youth Group and brand new Roots kicked off last week. Plan for your 4th-12th graders to join us at 6:30 tonight at the church. Parents, come along and join in on our adult class, meeting at the same time!
Fall Retreat Early Bird Deadline is TODAY!
Our fall retreat is coming up in just under a month on October 16-18! We want you there! This is a great opportunity for your family to get away with the LEFC family and enjoy fellowship, teaching, and more. Registration is open! Register your family now to take advantage of our Early Bird discount of $5 off, running through today only. Join us for a great weekend!
See You At The Pole: This Week!
All are invited to join West Branch’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes for a time of prayer at the school’s flagpole. Students will meet at 7:10am on Wednesday, September 23rd. Adults, please park at Gethsemane, walk to the flagpole, and join the kids as they pray for their school.
Family Discipleship Surveys
On Back to School Sunday or in their mailboxes, families received a short survey about family discipleship in their homes from our Family Ministries Team. This survey is intended to give us a glimpse into what discipleship looks like in the homes of our families so that we can most effectively tailor our efforts and ministries to meet your needs. We have only gotten a few of these back. We desire to get input from as many of our families as we can so that we can draw accurate data from them. If you have not yet returned yours, please return your completed survey to Jordyn Skacel’s mailbox, or fill out this digital version. If you need a replacement paper copy, they can be found in the clear wall file above our kids check-in station. We appreciate your cooperation!
Fall Retreat Theme
We are excited to announce the theme of this year’s Fall Retreat! During our two sessions on Saturday and Sunday mornings along with breakout sessions on Saturday afternoon, we will be digging into “Hard Work and Real Rest.” Come join us as we explore what it looks like to diligently work and take time for rest.
Tiny Theologians Advent Resource on Sale!
Believe it or not, Christmas is coming quickly! Currently, Tiny Theologians has one of their advent resources on sale for $10 off! ABC’s of Christmas is a card set designed to highlight various pieces of the Christmas story through one letter each day. Each card provides a simple definition of the featured word (or phrase) and conversation prompts to get your family talking. The Skacel family has used this resource for a few years now, and has enjoyed reading one card each night at dinner. Kids in elementary grades and under would be the ideal audience for these, but every member of the family can benefit from the discussion that is prompted by the cards. Order yours today to take advantage of this sale and familiarize yourself with them before December 1st!
This Week’s Challenge: Praying For Our Schools
As mentioned above, this year’s See You at the Pole is this Wednesday. Early in the morning, students, teachers, and community members will gather at the flagpole to pray for their school. We encourage you to consider attending if you’re able, but if you’re unable, you can pray from anywhere!
This week’s challenge is to spend some time praying for our schools. Whether your kids attend one of our local public schools or not, there is great value in joining to pray for students, faculty, and staff. Pray that teachers would be effective educators of students, leading them not only to learn their subject, but to grow in wisdom and maturity in all areas of life. Pray for support staff as they serve practical roles to keep schools functioning smoothly, pray for administrators to make wise decisions that have a positive impact on students, and pray for the students. Pray that they would diligently work at their studies, benefit from those who are pouring into their lives, and avoid the peer pressure that can sometimes creep in. Pray most importantly for doors to the gospel to be opened though avenues such as FCA, Christian staff and students, and our own church’s efforts to strengthen connections with the school.
“Jesus Brings Truth” Kids Bible Class Devotional
You have free access to a family devotional based on the curriculum our kids are studying each week in KBC! It’s called “The Gospel Project at Home.” Today’s Bible Study is “Jesus Calmed a Storm” (Volume 9: Unit 25: Session 3, and the devotional can be found at this link.
Visit the Family Ministries page on our website for information about how to access The Gospel Project at Home for the first time.
And for Dessert…
Our recommendation for family discipleship this week is a visit to the recently upgraded children and youth section of the church library.
Over the last several months, our hardworking Facilities Team and Church Librarian have teamed up to improve the space dedicated to kids in the LEFC library. We asked librarian Heather Mitchell a few questions about the new Kids’ Library:
Q. What is new in the new section?
A. There are lower shelves, more shelf space, new books, book stands to highlight books, and new cushions for kids to sit on the floor and look at books.
Q. What is the benefit of the new approach?
A. Hopefully the kids’ section is now more visible, more accessible, more fun, and more comfortable.
Q. What kind of books are in the children and youth section?
A. All kinds! We have books to help children and youth and their families grow in knowledge of and love for the Lord, his people (the church), our neighbors, the world, and his creation. We have Bible story books, picture books, board books, illustrated Bible study helps, famous (or not so famous) Christian biographies, church history books, devotional books, fictional stories, picture books and novels, graphic novels, and more!
Q. Is this section just for children and youth?
A. No. I have an especial delight in picture books and will often be found reading them myself! I also love the biographies written for youth because they are so accessible, surprising, and fascinating. Adults of all ages should feel most welcome to check out any book that catches their eye!
Q. How long can books be checked out for?
A. There is no limit, but I will check on you after a year! And remember that if you love a book, someone else might love to read it, too.
Q. If anyone has questions about resources, how can they get in touch with you?
A. I’m usually in the library on Sunday mornings or at the front of the auditorium. You can also email or text me with questions. My contact information is in the church directory. Don’t forget that you can also always check the library catalog online.
What a great free resource for our LEFC families!
We hope your family eats it right up.
Jordyn Skacel, Director of Family Ministry
Matt Mitchell, Pastor