As parents, we pride ourselves in providing for the various needs of our children—be they physical, economical, educational, social, or spiritual.  We do our best to give our kids the best.  Some might call it “spoiling”—we would like to think of it as good parenting. 

 

Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  But, how do we as parents move from being a benevolent provider in all manners of life for our children, to being more of an interested bystander?

 

It would seem that a good way to do this is to give children responsibility as they are ready.  That’s easy to say when they are young and eager to learn to tie their shoes, help with chores, keep their room clean, and perform those “duties” that are fun in nature—at  least the first time around.  But, what do we do as our children get older and we are faced with decisions about letting our kids go to the movies on their own, choosing their own bedtime, and getting the keys to the car?

 

Some of us would like to have a clear Biblical mandate on when kids can do what.  We would love to have chiseled in stone as to when our little girl can go to a sleepover at a friend’s house or when our son can go on a bike ride on his own.  Sorry, but there doesn’t seem to be direct answers to those concerns in Scripture.  God didn’t make it easy for us!

 

What God did do was give us Pentecost.  He gave the power of the Spirit to His people.  Jesus had gone to heaven, and the disciples and the other followers of Jesus were left on their own.  God sent them His Spirit to help them, to guide them, to give them a sense of purpose and direction.  These children of God did wonderful things through the power of the Spirit!

 

And so can our children!  That same Spirit of God comes to all of God’s children, be they young or old, and empowers them to do great and wonderful things.  God the Father has the unique ability and knowledge to give each of us spiritual responsibility at just the right times in our lives so that we can serve, grow in our own faith, and pass the faith along to others. 

This article was reprinted from the May 2007 issue of Family Matters, a parent newsletter published by the LutheranChurchMissouri Synod.

 

Dora Hyslop

Eight teams composed of 5th-8th grade students recently competed in the Academic Bowl.  The teams answered questions in the areas of religion, math, language arts, social studies, and science.  Each meet also involved a speed round which included general knowledge questions and trivia.  Congratulations to Zachary Kaiser and his winning team: Alissa Kane, Amanda Gutkowski, Brennan Zimmer, Greg Spletzer, Lauren Zehnder, Riley Kaiser, Joey Seder, and Andrew Kaiser!

Please feel free to join us as we worship as a school family on Wednesdays at 8:10 a.m. in the gymnasium. On May 21 a team from ValleyLutheranHigh School will lead our worship.  Then, on May 28, Mr. Laubsch and his drama team will lead our worship.  If you cannot be there, look for us on Channel 16 on Cable.

Thank you to all who helped to make this year’s Music Festival so successful.  A big thank you goes to all of the directors, accompanists, and parents who helped their musicians and soloists to prepare for this event. What a joy to witness all the God-given talent being used to His glory! What a pleasure to see all of our Saginaw area Lutheran students sharing their common love of music!

The kindergarten classes will be presenting their end of the year program on Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Come and share in what they have learned and accomplished this school year.

There will be no classes on Monday, May 26, as we join our country in paying tribute to those who have died protecting our freedom.

Achievement Test and Cognitive Ability Test results may be picked up in the school office for children in grades 1-8.

Twelve lunch days are left as of May 19!  The following guide indicates how much is needed in your child’s lunch account till the end of the school year:

Grades 1-3 ($1.75 ea.)    $21.00

Grades 4-8 ($1.90 ea.)    $22.80

 

Additional menu items:  Ala carte sandwiches (75¢ each); additional milk (30¢ each).  If you have any questions pertaining to your child(ren)’s lunch account, please call the school office.

Please note:  All outstanding balances, including lunch accounts, must be current in order to release final report cards.

We need five more volunteers to help with field day activities on Friday, May 23, from 10:30-3:00.  If you can help with this activity, please contact Karen Bender, Aaron Kern or Linda Reinbold at 652-6141.

On Friday, May 23, we will be having our 1st through 8th grade field day.  This event takes place most of the day on Friday.  Reminder: students must bring their own lunches that day as there will be no hot lunch served.  If it is a hot day, make sure that your child has a water bottle and has used sunscreen.  If it is cool out, please send jackets or sweatshirts. 

An event for this year’s field day will be building a pyramid out of the donated canned or boxed food from each Faith Family.  The food can be brought in at any time and placed in the designated area by the gym.  After field day is over, the food will be donated to the Saginaw Rescue Mission.  Thank you for helping others.

Friday, June 6, will be the last day of the school year.  Dismissal for bus riders will be at 11:45 and 11:50 for all others.

Thanks to Mary Jane Borchard and her crew of willing and dedicated workers. We also thank the many parents and members of St. Lorenz who donated items, made purchases, and gave of their time and energy working this event.  The sale raised over $4,700 to be designated for the additions to our playground equipment.  Thank you!

Thank you also to Stephanie Baarck and the “crew” that served spaghetti at this year’s P.T.L. Spaghetti Dinner.  It was a delicious way to prepare for the “Spring Thing” that followed. J We appreciate all the work that they did and all the donations of baked goods that were given.

The PTL is looking for someone who would like to serve as secretary.  For all you parents who send your children to St. Lorenz, this is an excellent opportunity to give back to the school through your service.  If interested in learning more about this position, please call Tom Meyer at 652-3337.

Please check the lost & found for any missing articles of clothing, etc.  All items will be donated to charity after June 6.

Our 8th grade students will graduate on Wednesday, June 4.  The service will take place at 7 p.m. in the church.  You are invited to join us as we mark this milestone in their lives.

You are invited to attend the final Junior High Band concert on Monday, June 2, at the Riverplace.  The concert begins at 6:30 p.m.

An 8-session class August 4-14 will be offered for students entering Grades 3-8 next fall who find math frustrating or just “didn’t get” a particular skill during the school year.  The program provides both an individual program in skills work and fun group activities.  The class will be held in the morning—specific times yet to be determined. Contact Mrs. Block in Student Services at mblock@stlorenz.org or 652-6141.  Registration forms available at the school office.  The cost for the program is $60.  Registration deadline: June 1. 

Track Events

May 17 - Regional Meet at Valley Lutheran, Field Events 9 a.m. and Running Events 11:00 a.m.

 

May 31 - State Meet at ValleyLutheranHigh School

The last scrip orders for this school year will be placed on Monday, June 23.  Scrip orders will resume on Monday, August 4.

Thank you to all who participated in the scrip survey.  Your comments and opinions are greatly appreciated as we work to improve the scrip program.  If you haven't turned in your form yet, you may still do so by dropping it off in the school office.

 

Petsmart has joined the list of participating retailers in the scrip program.  They will offer $25 gift cards with a 4% discount.  Home Depot is offering a bonus discount through June 6, and Burger King is offering a bonus discount through May 30.

At noon on Friday, June 6, any current 6th, 7th, or 8th grader can go with our Youth Ministry to Kokomos in Saginaw.  We will meet at the Rock after school is dismissed.  Participants are asked to bring a sack lunch.  We will provide beverages and snacks.  Tickets go on sale before the beginning of school starting Monday, May 19.  Ticket sales will be May 19-23 and 28-30.  No tickets will be sold on Friday, June 6.  Cost is $15.00 and any checks should be made out to St. Lorenz Youth Ministry. Students will return to the Rock by 4:30 p.m. and should be picked up at that time.  Permission slips will be available on the Jr. High wing bulletin board for 7th and 8th graders and in the classrooms for 6th graders.

 

For those interested, the Youth Ministry will again offer a morning of food, fun, and games for the newly graduated 8th graders on June 6.  It will begin with breakfast at the Rock at 9:00 a.m. and continue with a morning of activities with Mr. Anderson, our St. Lorenz Youth Director and the Senior Leadership Team.  At 11:00 you will be treated to a pizza lunch.  All of this is at no cost to the Youth.  Our Youth Committee would like to welcome them to the high school Youth Ministry with this activity day.

Has the attack on the cross and Luther's rose made you want to learn more about religious freedom in America?  Would you find it interesting to know how attorneys from the top Christian legal defense group are winning cases just like Frankenmuth's?  Do you have the desire to meet and talk with the author of the book "Rediscovering God in America?"  If these things are of interest to you, you should attend the 2008 FRC Action - Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C.  Members of the St. Lorenz Christian Citizenship Committee will be on-site to help you find your way around, make connections, meet authors for book signings, and answer all your questions.  Held September 12-14 at the Hilton Washington, this forum drew world renowned headliners in 2007 - including 9 of the 11 presidential hopefuls - and 2,400 attendees.  Speakers already confirmed for 2008 are Chuck Colson, Gary Bauer, Dr. Bill Bennett, Newt Gingrich, Alan Sears, and Tony Perkins.  All 2008 presidential candidates will also be invited.  Go to www.valuesvotersummit.org to learn more or call Darrin Urbytes.  Cost of registration is $95.

We will spending the day with our faith teams beginning about 10:30 A.M.  Please send along a sack lunch for an outdoor picnic.  To prepare for a fun day, children may choose to bring a water bottle and/or sunscreen.  We encourage the children to bring dried goods to build food pyramids.  The collection will go to Saginaw Rescue Mission.  Each team will be discussing a specific color or indicator for their team.  Your child may choose to find this color in the closet to bring team spirit.   

Kindergarten Program  Tuesday, May 20 @ 6:30 p.m. in the school's gymnasium.

Results from this spring's achievement tests are available to pick up from your child's homeroom teacher through Friday, May 9th. After that time, the results will be available in the school office.

Students will continue to read for the value  of 2 points each week.

Eighth graders, parents, and special friends are reminded to reserve Tuesday, May 27, for the 8th Grade Awards Night.  We will recognize those eighth grade students who have achieved in the areas of:  Academics, Athletics, Music, and Service.  The program begins at 7 p.m. in the Dining Hall.

Step 1: Look at the words.

Step 2: Say the words.

 

 

 

Our 8^th grade class will be traveling to Washington, D.C. from October 29 through November 2. Please include this group in your prayers for a safe, educational, fun-filled trip. Thank you!