Did you know that Our Savior currently hosts a morning-only early childhood program for toddlers (3’s and 4’s) and Pre-K (4’s & 5’s)?

As a parent and a pastor, I can confidently say that one of the most important developmental stages in a child’s life is between the ages of 3 and 5. Not only are they soaking up everything they hear and see (and mirroring it back to everybody they see), they are also building secure, trusting bonds with significant people and environments which shapes the framework for how they will experience life and faith.

Early Childhood Education (preschool) is not only a good framework for “moral education”. It is also pivotal in how young children see Jesus, interact with other trusted adults and authority figures, build friendships with peers, and learn how to discover and learn about the world around them.

As a proud parent of three kids who were significantly formed through Christian Early Childhood Education and a pastor of a ministry which includes a preschool, here are three reasons to either consider for yourself (if you are a trusted adult of a preschool-aged child - or soon to be one), cheer on and support our preschool, and why preschools like the one here at Our Savior, matters for our kids, their families, and our wider community.

Jesus-Centered Space
Preschoolers hear, see, and experience Jesus not only in age-appropriate and dedicated Jesus and chapel times, but in every area of discovery, play, and learning. From science and math to sharing toys and reading skills - Jesus is a part of it all. Not only does every child learn their ABC’s and 1-2-3’s, they also discover that Jesus is their forever friend who loves them unconditionally. The coolest part is when kids tell their parents about Jesus, ask them to read Jesus bedtime stories, teach them how to pray, and help others like Jesus helps others. Truly, Jesus becomes a part of the day and life of every preschooler - and prayerfully, their families and friends, too.

Kindergarten Readiness
Starting early with basic skills prepares littles to learn basic concepts that serve as building blocks for literacy, the arts and sciences, and the life-long joy of learning. Through age-appropriate curriculum, every preschool student will discover, grow, and learn:

• Social and emotional skills for everyday life and friendship
• Pre-Reading skills
• Introductory writing skills
• Foundational relationship skills between numbers and objects
• Observation and exploration skills related to the created, natural world around us
• Artistic skills necessary for creative expression through a variety of mediums
• Large and fine motor skills required for success in all areas of life

100% of our preschool students are at or beyond Kindergarten readiness standards.

Relational Nurture and Play
While minds can be formed through the learning of new information; hearts are nurtured through the non-verbal and verbal interactions with trusted adults. Preschool students at Our Savior spend time in small groups, large groups, and one-on-one groups with peers and adults outside of their families (sometimes for the first time). As they discover new people as well as connect and bond through play and interaction, the preschooler’s heart “catches” Jesus-like compassion, generosity, and care for all people. Through nurturing the heart and the mind, preschoolers learn to feel and express the fruit of the Spirit - joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Only through the trusted, nurturing, fun-filled relationships found in a preschool classroom will children experience “teachable moments” that will help them grow in body, mind, and spirit.

​​Meet our Preschool Team

​As Christians, we firmly believe that:

1. God provides all things, even without us asking for them in prayer, and 
2. God chooses to provide all things through people.

That means that apart from a miracle (which I believe is possible!), basic necessities for life such as food, clothing, safe housing and shelter, reliable transportation, and learning supplies are provided by God to all people through people.

I don’t know a whole lot, but I do know this - based on my conversations with our neighbors, friends, and community leaders, many families in Central Pierce County continue to worry about what the fall will bring in regards to unpredictable access to basic supplies like

• appropriate clothing and safe housing…
• adequate access to food…
• reasonable fuel costs…
• affordable healthcare expenses…
• reliable transportation schedules… 
• and stable employment.

A fear of lacking these basic human needs all contribute to a pervasive sense of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Yes, Jesus does say, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

You can read more about what Jesus says about worry here.

When Jesus enters reality, worry turns to trust; anxiety transforms to confidence; and uncertainty becomes security. And who is Jesus’ body - His hands, feet, and voice? 

The church… you and me… we are the body of Jesus for our neighbors… for each other.

​
That’s why the Back 2 School Fair on Saturday, August 20 matters. You can go to go.oslc.com/backtoschool to learn more about volunteering to be a part of being the body of Jesus by providing basic necessities for students and their families as they prepare to go back to school in September.

But, don’t take my word for it… here is what our school counselors are saying about how God is providing for people’s needs through you…

• I talk to a lot of kids that tell me they don’t have any crayons/markers/paper at home to use. Thank you for all you do for our community.

 

• We still [always] need some backpacks... The water bottles would be great, socks are always in high demand,  something families ask for- not expensive kinds, but anything like from Walmart.. We so appreciate everything!

 

• We are always in need of: Pencils, Pens - Red, Blue and Black, Highlighters, Paper, Re-useable water bottles would be AWESOME! Thank you so much, can’t tell you how much it helps our families.

 

• In our leader meeting, we were talking about supplies – what the district is providing vs what they need. Some of the needs that we don’t believe the district is providing are colored pencils and the binder dividers. If you magically come across a supply of these, can you please keep us in mind? Thank you so much!!!

Jesus provided our greatest need - forgiveness of all of our sins (meaning, we are made right with God!), a life of service and loving people like we are loved by God, and eternal life loving God forever. And we are given this, even without us asking for it. God chooses to provide all of it through His Son, Jesus.

Likewise, God provides all created things necessary for this life, even without us asking for them in prayer. We have such an abundance of resources in our world.

And, God chooses to provide all things through Him… His body, the church… you and me… we are the body of Jesus for our neighbors… for each other.

I once read that God doesn’t need your love and service - your neighbors do.

How true that is. . . it’s how God chooses to provide for every need in every place for every person.

Head over to go.oslc.com/backtoschool to be part of this year’s Back to School Fair.

Discovering, embracing, and living out Jesus’ call for our lives is a part of our future together as His church family.

But, what does it mean to “be called”?

Some might say it’s the “inner leading” that draws us to something. Afterall, Elijah experienced God’s “still small voice” calling him (1 Kings 19:11-13). 

Others might equate it to a combination of a clear purpose and learned skill set (Genesis 1:28, Deuteronomy 28:12-13).

Yet, Biblical tradition suggests that affirmation is part of the equation, too (Acts 6:1-15).

This Sunday, we will discover what the Bible says about “being called” and experience Jesus’ calling in an up front and personal way.

What are inner and external calls? I’m glad you asked.

Inner Calls are those still small voices. As author and pastor Craig Groeschel calls it, it’s the “it”. You know when you have “it”. You know when you don’t have “it”. You’re drawn to “it” and “it” energizes you. You have an inner drive and passion to do more of “it”. Simply put, “it” is what you love. There’s nothing physically proving you have an inner call. It’s largely subjective and personal.

External Calls are those which you tangibly and physically possess. They’re the positions you hold. They’re the roles that you fill. They’re the opportunities you seize. Life examples include parenthood, child, and grandchild. Professionally, you can be called as a teacher, auto worker, baker, butcher, or small business owner. Civically, you’re “called” as a neighbor, citizen, and friend. All these external calls can be proven by a certificate, contract, or agreement. They’re usually given by somebody or a group of people - not assumed or experienced “on your own”.

Let’s apply inner and external calls to what we’re doing on Sunday.

Our inner call begins long before we arrive at church or log onto oslc.com. It begins with a desire to gather together. God’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit!) motivates, energizes, and creates a desire for us to “go to church”. We then experience inner calls during silent prayer and reflection as we confess our sins - personally and quietly; as we join our hearts together during the scripture reading and prayer times; and during our sermon time. Through music, we also are inspired and stirred to sing soft or loud… verbally or silently… our song is a response to the inner call of God - the Holy Spirit’s work in us!

Our external calls are bold and direct. We remember our baptisms as we shout, “amen” in response to our invocation, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. It’s a resounding agreement that we have both an inner call of faith to be here (we belong!) and that we are present with God and one another. We then are directly told that we are forgiven. Signed. Sealed. Delivered to us on the cross. And the proof is that Jesus lives to tell us. We’re then invited (called) to Jesus’ table to share bread and wine with Him and each other. We are then sent with Jesus’ blessing to do Jesus’ work in our homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. You can’t get more direct affirmation than this.

This Sunday we will celebrate inner and external calls in two special ways.

• We want to affirm the 75 students and adults who have (digitally) signed an agreement to serve kids and their families at Vacation Bible School (VBS), next week. Their responsibilities are given, not assumed on their own. They’ve been equipped, and prepared to serve the over 200 kids and their families with the love of Jesus. They will have an opportunity to say, “yes, amen” to this “external call” during both services.

 

• And, Trevor. He will have an opportunity to share his “inner call” story during our message time. Afterwards, we will affirm (or commission) his “external call” to serve as a Director of Christian Education through a formal ceremony acknowledging his promises to serve in this capacity and saying, “yes, we agree that God is really working in and through him!”. We’ll then send him out with blessings as he transitions from Our Savior to his new church family in Georgia.

I want to end with this… Have you felt God’s “inner call” to something, or do you want to discover God’s “inner” call in your life?

If you want to discover/rediscover that call and clarify what that specifically means, perhaps your next step is talking with a coach. A coach can help you discover and live in your calling.

You can learn more at oslc.com/coaching and schedule a time with them by scrolling to the bottom of that page.

Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

​Descubrir, aceptar y vivir el llamado de Jesús para nuestras vidas es parte de nuestro futuro juntos como la familia de Su iglesia.

Pero, ¿qué significa “ser llamado”?

Algunos podrían decir que es la "dirección interna" lo que nos atrae hacia algo. Después de todo, Elías experimentó la “voz apacible y delicada” de Dios llamándolo (1 Reyes 19:11-13).

Otros podrían equipararlo a una combinación de un propósito claro y un conjunto de habilidades aprendidas (Génesis 1:28, Deuteronomio 28:12-13).

Sin embargo, la tradición bíblica sugiere que la afirmación también es parte de la ecuación (Hechos 6:1-15).

Este domingo, descubriremos lo que dice la Biblia acerca de “ser llamado” y experimentaremos el llamado de Jesús de manera directa y personal.

¿Qué son las llamadas internas y externas? Me alegra que hayas preguntado.

Las llamadas internas son esas pequeñas voces tranquilas. Como lo llama el autor y pastor Craig Groeschel, es el “eso”. Sabes cuando tienes "eso". Sabes cuando no tienes "eso". Te sientes atraído por "eso" y "eso" te da energía. Tienes un impulso interno y una pasión para hacer más de "eso". En pocas palabras, "eso" es lo que amas. No hay nada que demuestre físicamente que tienes una llamada interna. Es en gran medida subjetivo y personal.

Las Llamadas Externas son aquellas que posees tangible y físicamente. Son los puestos que ocupas. Son los roles que cumples. Son las oportunidades que aprovechas. Los ejemplos de vida incluyen paternidad, hijo y nieto. Profesionalmente, puede ser llamado como maestro, trabajador automotriz, panadero, carnicero o propietario de una pequeña empresa. Cívicamente, eres “llamado” como vecino, ciudadano y amigo. Todas estas llamadas externas pueden acreditarse mediante un certificado, contrato o acuerdo. Por lo general, los da alguien o un grupo de personas, no asumidos o experimentados "por su cuenta".

​Apliquemos llamadas internas y externas a lo que estamos haciendo el domingo.

Nuestro llamado interno comienza mucho antes de que lleguemos a la iglesia o iniciemos sesión en oslc.com. Comienza con un deseo de reunirse. El Espíritu de Dios (¡el Espíritu Santo!) motiva, energiza y crea el deseo de que “vayamos a la iglesia”. Luego experimentamos llamadas internas durante la oración y la reflexión en silencio mientras confesamos nuestros pecados, personalmente y en silencio; mientras unimos nuestros corazones durante la lectura de las Escrituras y los tiempos de oración; y durante nuestro tiempo de sermón. A través de la música, también somos inspirados y motivados para cantar suave o fuerte... verbalmente o en silencio... nuestro canto es una respuesta al llamado interior de Dios: ¡la obra del Espíritu Santo en nosotros!

Nuestras llamadas externas son audaces y directas. Recordamos nuestros bautismos mientras gritamos, “amén” en respuesta a nuestra invocación, “en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo”. Es un acuerdo rotundo que tenemos un llamado interno de fe para estar aquí (¡pertenecemos!) y que estamos presentes con Dios y unos con otros. Entonces se nos dice directamente que somos perdonados. Firmado. Sellado. Entregado a nosotros en la cruz. Y la prueba es que Jesús vive para decírnoslo. Luego somos invitados (llamados) a la mesa de Jesús para compartir el pan y el vino con Él y entre nosotros. Luego somos enviados con la bendición de Jesús para hacer el trabajo de Jesús en nuestros hogares, lugares de trabajo, escuelas y vecindarios. No se puede obtener una afirmación más directa que esta.

​Este domingo celebraremos los llamados internos y externos de dos formas especiales.

• Queremos afirmar a los 75 estudiantes y adultos que han firmado (digitalmente) un acuerdo para servir a los niños y sus familias en la Escuela Bíblica de Vacaciones (EBV), la próxima semana. Sus responsabilidades son dadas, no asumidas por sí mismas. Han sido equipados y preparados para servir a los más de 200 niños y sus familias con el amor de Jesús. Tendrán la oportunidad de decir “sí, amén” a esta “llamada externa” durante ambos servicios.

 

• Y, Trevor. Tendrá la oportunidad de compartir su historia de "llamada interna" durante nuestro tiempo de mensaje. Posteriormente, afirmaremos (o comisionaremos) su “llamado externo” para servir como Director de Educación Cristiana a través de una ceremonia formal reconociendo sus promesas de servir en esta capacidad y diciendo: “sí, estamos de acuerdo en que Dios realmente está trabajando en y a través de ¡a él!". Luego lo enviaremos con bendiciones mientras hace la transición de Nuestro Salvador a su nueva familia de la iglesia en Georgia.

Quiero terminar con esto… ¿Has sentido el “llamado interior” de Dios a algo, o quieres descubrir el llamado “interior” de Dios en tu vida?

Si desea descubrir/redescubrir esa llamada y aclarar qué significa específicamente, tal vez su próximo paso sea hablar con un entrenador. Un entrenador puede ayudarlo a descubrir y vivir su vocación.

Puede obtener más información en oslc.com/coaching y programar una cita con ellos desplazándose hasta la parte inferior de esa página.

Créame, no se decepcionará.