Thursday, August 28, 2014

Back to School Night Highlights

Our annual Back to School Night was a huge success!  Our gym was packed and our campus was hopping - praise God!

There were three very memorable activities that happened at Back to School Night:
  • First, the PTF sponsored a welcome back family picnic.  What a blessing to see so many new faces fellowshiping with familiar ones!  This year we are welcoming 22 new families and 34 new students.  The PTF cooked hot dogs and provided a cool beverage while our families brought side dishes and dessert - no one left hungry.
  • Second, our welcome back gathering was very informative.  Parents, students, and staff all gathered in the gym to hear from various ministry leaders.  We heard from the PTF, Auction, Booster Club, Music Conservatory, and Technology Student Association on how parents can get involved this year; CCS has a place for everyone to get plugged in.  This was the also our maiden voyage for live streaming!  If you were not able to physically be in the gym, we brought the gym to you.  Our stream is saved on highschoolcube.com.  You can go to the High School Cube website and type in Conestoga Christian School or click on the following link: http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/conestoga-christian-school-back-to-school-night-358492.  I love technology!!
  • Finally, Owen Watkins, the chairman of our Board of Trustees, shared the state of the school.  Owen gave a condensed version at Back to School Night because he made a video for everyone to see; the video will be posted on our website shortly.
This is going to be a great school year.  Keep in mind the Scripture passage Owen shared at Back to School Night, I Corinthians 12 . . . "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

Monday, August 25, 2014

First Day

I have just seen the last parent leave the parking lot and all of our students are in their classrooms; the first day of school has officially begun.  We had a wonderful "Back to School Night" last Thursday, but nothing beats having all the kids here today.

I find it appropriate that the devotion in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers for today is titled The Fruitfulness of Friendship.  Oswald refers to John 15:15 where Jesus tells us that He no longer calls us servants; He calls us friends.  Just two verses earlier, in John 15:13, Jesus tells us that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend.  Jesus is the epitome of what a friend is; He gave His life for us on the cross.  Because of Christ's example, because of His sacrifice, because of His love - we can know love!

It would be awesome this year if every student, staff, and parent had the mindset of Christ and thought of others more than themselves (Philippians 2:3-11).  Please join me as we pray to that end.  God is going to do something great this year at CCS; let's join together as the body of Christ and praise Him as the year unfolds and we see His majesty.