Weekly News | 8.8.25

Sunday's Passage is the Parable of the Serving Master

Read Luke 12:35-40 slowly.

Picture the scene. How do you imagine it?

What do you find curious about this passage?

The start of school for many families in our community has arrived. This likely comes as no surprise, but a significant number of disciples at our church are children and youth! Children and youth play an important role in our community, whether or not they live in our households. Children point us back to what the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt 18:3; Lk 18:15-17). As we head toward the Garden and youth ministry kicking off, we wanted to take some time to highlight how God is at work in the Garden and Youth Ministry. 

Reflections on the Garden
Briana Hayes– Director of Children’s Formation

Over the summer, our Garden volunteers gathered around tables to share their hopes for their classes; the ways they hope to see the kids in their classes grow in faith, the joys and the challenges of serving the youngest among us. It was a rich time, reminding me that providing developmentally appropriate programming for children is essential; it allows them to grow in faith and formation alongside their peers. Additionally, space for the adults of COTC to worship, pray, and listen attentively is also crucial. Still, there is also something incredibly valuable about time spent worshiping together as one church family, from the youngest among us to the oldest. As we head into Fall, my prayer is that when we gather together to worship, the Lord will remind us of our call as the spiritually mature members of our congregation to pass on our spiritual inheritance, our precious gift of the knowledge of His grace, and God’s Big Story to the children among us. This happens as we sing alongside children on Sundays and as we join hands with them during the Lord’s Prayer; it also happens through volunteers serving in the Garden. If you’re interested in serving COTC or learning more about the Garden, reach out to me. Oh, and did I mention that serving as a Garden volunteer and getting to know the kids of COTC can be really fun? 

Reflections on Youth Ministry
Reid Langehennig– Director of Student Formation

Between Youth Group, Gospel Reading Group, and Catechism, COTC middle and high schoolers are offered a unique opportunity to grow in their faith journeys! As I reflect on what I hope to see in the type of high school graduate who has gone through the Youth Ministry at COTC, my prayer is for a young adult who knows their deep worth and belonging found in Christ Jesus. A person who knows their Bible and has their hopes set firmly on the foundation of God’s love that is always moving towards them. One of the primary ways we believe this type of formation can happen is through empowering adult volunteers to walk alongside our youth. Our volunteers love these students and know how to prayerfully hold their hopes, losses, and doubts while modeling a life of walking with Jesus. Middle and high school are such a huge opportunity to see students’ faiths grow and develop. It is truly an immense joy and privilege to witness students fall further in love with Jesus and grow as disciples here at COTC! If you have questions about Youth Ministry at COTC, feel free to reach out. 

We invite you, as the church, to pray for our children and youth, that the Good News of Jesus would take hold of their hearts and that they would live a life marked by the grace that has been so freely extended to them!   As many of you prepare to send kids back to school, we wanted to share a prayer written by our very own David Taylor in Prayers for the Pilgrimage a collect For Children Going to School: 

Dear Jesus, you who promise to be with me always, I pray that you would be with me this day as I go to school; bless my going and my coming, bless my learning and my playing; protect my heart from fear, keep me safe, and give me good friends, so that I might experience the fullness of your joy this day and evermore. I pray this in the name of Jesus, the One who loves me from head to toe. Amen.

It is a joy to know and serve your kids! 

Grace and Peace,
Briana Hayes & Reid Langehennig