Are your kids ready to run?!? The Healthy Kids Running Series kicks off Sunday April 19th at 2pm!
The series has been in our community for years, but this the first season Sparta Church will host the races. We're so excited to use the beautiful property God has given us to  host these races.

The HKRS' goal is to motivate kids to lead a healthy and active lifestyle through a positive introduction to the world of running. There are five races (one a week for 5 weeks). Kids ages 2-14  years old  race age appropriate distances (see  below). At the end of the five weeks series, all kids will receive a medal for participating. In competitive division (ages kindergarten and up), the top finishers will be awarded a trophy as well.

Race Dates: 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17 at 2pm.
Races begin with the youngest racers first and all races will be completed before 3pm.

Thank you to our kids and families who joined us in worship this Resurrection Sunday!
In Psalm 8, David marvels that through the praises of infants and children, our God silences His foes.  When our kids join us in worship, it is not just cute- it's powerful! It was such a joy having our kids join us in worshipping our risen, victorious King!

Psalm 8

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?
5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Thank you to all of you who made this year's Egg hunt a success! We had a a beautiful (chilly!) day to share the joy of Jesus! IT was wonderful to celebrate with you all from our church family as well as those from our community. Please pray for the families for our community who joined us- that the Holy Spirit would use their time with us to draw hearts to Jesus. 

Jesus is alive! And we can’t wait to help you celebrate with the kids in your ministry. When Jesus died for our sins, He reconciled us to God, and then when He stepped out of the tomb, He defeated the power of death. This is the reason that we can have joy, no matter what’s going on in our lives. This was all part of God’s rescue plan that began in the Garden.

Our month begins with the worst day in history, when Jesus was crucified, followed by the very best day: when He rose again! Then we travel along with two friends on the road to Emmaus and experience their surprise and joy when the stranger they meet turns out to be Jesus. We discover the enormous job that Jesus gave to His followers, including us, before returning to heaven. And with the disciples, we witness the amazing arrival of God’s Holy Spirit at Pentecost, sealing the promise that Jesus gave to always be with us, and guiding and helping us every day. In fact, the Holy Spirit is constantly at work in the lives of Jesus’ followers, producing a harvest of joy (along with love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). Kids will discover that when we lean into the Holy Spirit, we can experience this joy that’s far deeper than mere happiness.

WEEK 2 - On the Road to Emmaus 
In Week 2, two Jesus followers travel the road to Emmaus on Sunday afternoon. While they tried to make sense of all that had happened—spoiler alert!—Jesus Himself joined them on the road. Though they didn’t realize it was Him, Jesus explained how God’s whole story fit together. And then, when He broke bread with them at dinner, they finally understood who He was!
This weeks Bottom Line "You can have joy because there’s a bigger story."

Hey dads! We have a really great opportunity to connect and grow with your son(s) this May! Join other dads and sons for a Father Son Weekend at Camp Orchard Hill May 15th-17th. Erwin Morales will be coordinating a group from Sparta Church.
For more info and to register click here.

Breakaway Day Camp is our 4 week summer day camp for kids ages 6-12 in our church and community! Each week (register up for as many as your like) is full of activity, energy and a daily Bible lesson. Find out more here.

One or our favorite family traditions is to make Resurrection Rolls- a tasty treat that helps us remember the story of Jesus' sacrifice and victory! Kids young and old enjoy preparing these and remembering what we're celebrating at Easter time!
 

The Jesus Storybook Bible helps show how every story of Scripture points us to Jesus.  This Bible has lots of online activities and resources to help you further the conversation with your kids.

Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years, Bible Gems has 52 different stories from the Bible. Each story ends with simplified verses or "gems" for memorization.  Descriptive language and colorful illustrations make this Bible Storybook engaging for young kids. 

Looking for a Bible storybook that goes in depth for older kids? The Biggest Story Bible Storybook is geared for ages6-12 years old.  It covers over 100 stories from the Bible and doesn't skip the harder stuff!

The NIV Adventure Bible is great for new and older Bible readers alike. The color illustrations and extra information are engaging and helpful. The NIV translation is helpful to encourage understanding. 

The CSB Explorer Bible for Kids is an interactive and educational Bible for kids ages 6-12.  This Bible comes in a variety of cover choices to appeal to kids while still giving "grownup Bible" vibes.  Charts, color illustrations, photos, timelines and more help kids dive into the story of the Bible. https://www.christianbook.com/explorer-bible-leather-light-teal-mountains/9781430082637/pd/0082637?event=AAI

Do you have a child with dyslexia or another reading challenge? The Grace Bible was created in partnership with 2K/DENMARK and Cambridge University, and  is designed to enhance readability for kids with all levels and varieties of dyslexia and other reading challenges.