Makenna Vickers, a Sunday School student at the New Life Foursquare Gospel Church in Petersburg, was recognized at the Sunday morning worship service (Jan.17th) for learning and reciting all 27 books of the New Testament in the Holy Bible.
"We are so pleased that our church has young people like Makenna who are so eager to learn about our Lord and Savior through studying the Bible," said Pastor Warren Anderson of New Life Foursquare Gospel Church. "This will serve her well as she continues to study and learn God's word."
Makenna, daughter of Danny & Loretta Vickers, is a straight A student in Fourth grade at PORTA Central and lives in Petersburg with her family. While her entire Sunday school class is working on learning the books of the Bible, Makenna decided to move forward on her own and learn them all. She recited all of the New Testament books, in order, on Sunday morning before the entire congregation and then received her Certificate of Achievement.
In addition to learning the books of the Bible, her class is also becoming proficient at finding and reading scriptures in the Bible. They have just started a short series on Noah and the Ark and the Fruits of the Spirit.
"I love my Sunday school class," said Makenna. "I've learned how to pray to God and how to read his word. There is so much to know and I'm happy to be learning all about God and Jesus."
Breanna and her brother Braden Vickers, both Sunday school students at the New Life Foursquare Gospel Church in Petersburg, were recognized at the Sunday (Jan 24th) morning worship service for learning and reciting all 27 books of the New Testament in the Holy Bible.
"These children are following the Bible's instruction set out in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.," said Pastor Warren Anderson of New Life Foursquare Gospel Church. "As they learn how to use their Bibles they are building a foundation where they will be able to defend the hope we have which is, God sent his son so that those who believe in Him shall be saved."
Breanna and Braden are children of Danny & Loretta Vickers and reside in Petersburg. Breanna is in the Fifth grade and Braden is in the Third grade at PORTA Central. Their Sunday school class has been working on learning the books of the New Testament since the middle of December.
"I've been learning about Jesus for a long time." said Braden. "It has been really interesting and now I know all the books of the New Testament."
Their class will finish up its series on Noah and then present a short and creative program to the entire congregation on Sunday morning, along with a special song about Noah and the Ark.
"I'm enjoying learning about Jesus," said Breanna. "I'm happy to be at the Foursquare Gospel church and I'm proud that I've learned the books of the New Testament."
FOURSQUARE KIDS LEARN NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS
Jenny & Neko Daley, Sunday school students at the New Life Foursquare Gospel Church in Petersburg, were recognized at the Sunday morning worship service for learning and writing out all 27 books of the New Testament in the Holy Bible.
"As the children's Sunday school class learn the books of the Bible they are also learning the truth found in 2 Timothy 3:16 which says, 'All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;' " said Pastor Warren Anderson of New Life Foursquare Gospel Church. "The zeal that these young people are demonstrating, in learning more about God, is a blessing to us and a testimony to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
Jenny & Neko Daley are the children of Dawn & Steve Watson of Petersburg. They are the grandchildren of Mary Bennett of Petersburg. Jenny is in Fourth grade and Neko is in the First grade, both at PORTA Central.
"My Sunday school class is fun." said Jenny. "We learn about Jesus."
Their Sunday school class has been working on learning the books of the New Testament since the middle of December. Throughout that time they have accomplished learning the Fruits of the Spirit, memory verses and Bible stories such as Jacob's ladder. They have just completed a series on Noah and will begin a more intense study of the life of Jesus while he was on earth.
"I like to come to Sunday school because I learn about Jesus," said Neko. "Have a good day peoples."
FOURSQUARE KIDS PRESENT NOAH & THE ARK
the Bible account of Noah & the ark with pictures and scriptures.
They also presented a song about Noah. It was enjoyed by all.
FOURSQUARE KIDS REACH GOAL
Jordan Vickers completes the goal of the children's Sunday school class at the New Life Foursquare Gospel Church in Petersburg. He was recognized at the Sunday morning worship service for learning and reciting all 27 books of the New Testament in the Holy Bible. Now, all six students in the children's class of grades first through fifth know the books of the New Testament and have received their certificates.
"Jordan developed sort of a rhythm when learning the books of the Bible and says them faster than anyone I've ever heard before, and gets them right every time," said Pastor Warren Anderson of New Life Foursquare Gospel Church. "Matthew 22:29 says, 'Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God."' We plan to give our students a solid foundation so that they will not be in error but instead will know the Scriptures and the power of God. Learning how to handle their Bibles is a big task but very worthwhile."
Jordan is the son of Danny & Loretta Vickers and resides in Petersburg. Jordan is in the first grade at PORTA Central.
"I am learning a lot and it wasn't easy but I got it done." said Jordan. "We have fun when we learn about Jesus and we are learning more every time we come to church."
Also recognized Sunday was Makenna Vickers and Jenny Daley. Both Makenna and Jenny were presented with Certificates For Perfect Attendance for attending all Sunday school, Sunday morning worship service and Sunday evening worship services in January.
In addition to the class learning the books of the New Testament; they have learned how to pray; learned memory verses and learned the Fruits of the Spirit. Their goals for February include learning more about Jesus; the Beatitudes and learning more about each of the 12 apostles. Their class has begun the study of the life of Jesus while he was on the earth. They learn Old Testament Bible stories during Children's church on Sunday morning. Sunday evening is a time for music when the children learn gospel songs and enjoy praising the Lord through music.
The Foursquare Gospel Kids took their love for Jesus on the road on Valentines Day (Sunday, Feb 14th). They practiced the Fruits of the Spirit that they have been learning about in Galatians 5:22-23 when they spent the afternoon at the Prairie View Care Center nursing home in Lewistown, IL.
Neko and Jenny Daley, along with Makenna, Braden and Jordan Vickers delighted the residents at the home with their energy, enthusiasm and songs. Love and joy for the Lord shinned on their faces as they sang praises to the Lord. Some of the residents even raised their hands with the kids and sang along to their favorite song, Our God is an Awesome God. The residents responded with a rousing round of applause.
"This is wonderful that these kids want to come here and spend time with us," said Ruth, a long time resident. "They bring life right into this home and it is just great!" She gave them all candy before they left.
This was the first nursing home visit the children have made as a group and they are looking forward to returning. This nursing home is one of the ministries of the First Baptist Church of Bath, IL where Stan Lowe, of New Life Foursquare Gospel Church in Petersburg, and others are helping out with their nursing home ministries until the church finds a full time pastor.
"James 1:27 reminds us to visit the widows in their affliction," said Pastor Warren Anderson of New Life Foursquare Gospel Church. "These children shared their time with the residents in Lewistown as a Christian outreach and should be an example to us all."
The New Life Foursquare Gospel church is scheduled to provide every Sunday afternoon service in the month of April at the Menard Convalescent Center. The children are looking forward to being a part of those services and they are working hard to learn some new songs.
We sometimes forget that many Christians live in nursing homes. These Christians need fellowship with believers and encouragement. While we always pray that our words or actions can plant a seed in someone's heart, who is not a believer, we never want to forget that life can be very lonely in a nursing home and it is a place where the Fruits of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control -- can always be appreciated and welcomed.
The Foursquare kids were awesome!!! They showed love by going, and to one another by being polite and courteous. They were full of joy in the Lord and they were peaceful and patient. Their goodness, kindness, and faithfulness shone light a bright light as some of the residents talked with them and shook their hands. The kids were gentle with these fragile adults who were so grateful to have this Christian fellowship with children.
Their faith abounded as they sang Praises to their Lord and they displayed self-control as they minded their manners. It was a blessing to all.
March 2010
The Foursquare Gospel Girls Breanna Vickers, Makenna Vickers and Jenny Daley presented a dynamic skit on Sunday morning (March 7th) that demonstrated the importance of using the Bible to settle disputes. The creatively designed skit was written solely by the girls using their first memory verse - John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
"The girls did an excellent job of demonstrating 1 Peter 3:15 which says to, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." said Pastor Warren Anderson of the New Life Foursquare Gospel Church. "We are very proud of them for how they have grown so quickly in the Lord to be able to understand the importance of teaching others what it means to believe in Jesus."
Adults as well as children learned from this skit. It was a simply designed presentation that carried the secret to solving all of life's problems and troubles which is to turn to the Bible for the answers. It reminded us to learn how to handle the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 -- Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.)
It demonstrated boldness, which we are reminded of at Acts 4:29 -- Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. The skit displayed the use of all of the Fruits of the Spirit at Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faith and self-control), which the Foursquare kids have been learning about.
Watching the girls reminded onlookers of Matthew 21:16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read," 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"
Three of our Foursquare Gospel Kids - Makenna Vickers, Jenny and Neko Daley -- achieved perfect attendance for the month of February. This includes three services on Sunday, with Sunday school, Sunday morning worship service and Sunday evening worship service. These children showed determination, commitment and a love for the Lord.
"Watching these children develop a real love for the Lord, as they learn the word of God, is a blessing," said Pastor Anderson. "The children are eager to learn and quick to put what they learn into practice. We could all take a lesson from these children as they are a example to both their classmates and adults."
They were all presented with Certificates for Achievement on Sunday morning. Makenna and Jenny said they want to start a collection of certificates and have set themselves a goal to achieve perfect attendance for every month of the year. They both received certificates for perfect attendance in January.
MAY 2010
JUNE 2010
Jenny Daley, Makenna Vickers and Breanna Vickers received perfect attendance certificates for the month of July 2010. Jenny now has 8 months straight (Dec of 2009 - July 2010) of perfect attendance. Good job Jenny.
