Article Archive
Summer with Southwood Kids!
Some of my fondest memories growing up come from summer time as a child. Growing up on the East coast of South Florida has it’s summer advantages. There were many an evening we would picnic at the beach and play frisbee as the sun went down. Inviting friends was often a part of such outings. Whether at the beach, on the… [more]
Hey Day
Once in a land to the South which was good
Sat a town on a hill, in the midst of a Wood
With grass and the sounds of “honk honk” and “moo moo”
And a loud loud alarm that would go “woo woo woo.”
Where through most of the year they’d sit still as if ice
Except for some jokes when they’d laugh once or twice.
Sundays in Student Ministries
Student Ministries believes experiencing and expressing grace is the best way of advancing Christ’s Kingdom in the lives of students. Sunday mornings are essential in expressing grace through Kingdom environments.
Southwood Kids! (PreK-6th grade)
With all that is changing, much stays the same. As Southwod partners with… [more]
expressing grace in student ministries
I am on a ministry high. I just went to eat ice cream with a student and we talked about her summer, her fight with her boyfriend and how hard it is to trust God when life hurts. This is one of those moments when only these words seem to fit my mood: praise Jesus from whom all blessings flow. Every student I’ve spent time with is a massive sinner… [more]
VBS 2011
Spring is in the air: short-sleeve shirts and bright sunny skies, longer days as creation blooms. For many, it is a time to look forward to the hot break of Summer. For the few, it is a time to prepare for a different kind of school. Vacation Bible School. Just the thought of it makes my heart race a little faster and my adrenaline pump. If there… [more]
meet Niña Banta
“Wait a minute … I thought Niña was already on Southwood’s staff.” Such a statement is certainly understandable given her extensive involvement in corporate worship and Children’s Ministry. But it wasn’t until April 18th of this year that Southwood member Niña Banta actually joined the staff as Director of Creative Arts. This newly… [more]
Glimpses of Worship Among our Children
From the gummies to the grammies, God’s people are called forth to render the joyous praise due his name! Corporate worship is what we are talking about here in particular and it’s expression among our children on Sundays. God created us for worship and not only in the “here and now,” but for all eternity. As parents, we have the opportunity… [more]
the beauty
You can’t ask someone to write for Branches on the topic of “The Beauty” without being again attacked by my adversary with the question, “Who are you to write about the glory of a woman?” I ask myself this question an awful lot, especially given that I am a broken man but living in the midst of a home swimming in estrogen! That is the exact… [more]
more blessed to give
What is Operation Christmas Child? This ministry of Samaritan’s Purse (led by Franklin Graham) partners with churches all over the US to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. How is this done? —with shoe box… [more]
Moving Forward
There’s definitely a buzz in the church office these days, with the staff sharing the excitement of the rest of the congregation about the arrival of a new senior pastor. Adding to this excitement is the fact that by God’s grace Southwood has weathered a lengthy transition period and even moved forward in many areas for the sake of the… [more]
the view from over here
One Director’s highlights on this year’s VBS journey
Southwood’s VBS was June 14-17, 2010. It has been two weeks since the vast voyage ended….has Southwood recovered? Here are some highlights from this year:
•This was my fourth year to Direct and/or Co-direct VBS at Southwood. This year Mary Ivy Cost… [more]
Pastor’s Note
A Visible Demonstration of the Gospel
“You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” These words from James 2:18 are a shot between the eyes that help remind us all that faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead (verse 17). Those are strong words…
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Jr. High Edge
June 26-June 30
Come to the Edge, the greatest Jr High summer camp ever! Get ready for your minds to be blown at the best week of your summer. We will travel to Lookout Mountain on the campus of Covenant College in Chattanooga, TN. There will be great teaching from the word of God, worship music, fun skits and games, and great fellowship!…
[more]
Operation Christmas Child
Take a box. Fill it. Bring it back. Deadline November 15th
Serving through giving and the power of a simple gift; that is what Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Project is all about. If you are not familiar with it, this is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, a ministry organization led by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Samaritan’s…
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Pastor’s Note
How big is your world? No, I’m not talking about the global statistical markers of population (6,790,062,216 July 2009 est.) or space (510.072 million sq. km). I’m talking about how our engagement with the world lines up with the church’s marching orders from Jesus found in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples… [more]
Harvest HeyDay
Sunday, October 25th from 3:00-5:30
Though Southwood is a relatively young church, several great traditions have already been established in our church’s short history. One of the greatest of these traditions is the annual fall festival, now known as Harvest HeyDay. What is Harvest HeyDay you ask? Take all of the good things that…
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Ordination, Hardly Ordinary
Ken Stuart is almost as excited about his ordination as he is St. Patrick’s Day! September 6 will celebrate the culmination of long hours of study, tests, and oral examinations in preparation to be ordained into gospel ministry as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), our denomination. His ordination service will be… [more]
the many faces of bill harritt
Bill Harritt is widely known across the church as Director of Junior High Ministry. Bill began his tenure at Southwood in May 2005 and quickly found his place among our seventh and eighth graders. Bill is leaving Southwood and moving to St. Louis, MO mid-August to begin his studies towards a Masters of Divinity at Covenant Theological Seminary. Bill’s… [more]
Our PreK & Kindergarteners Impacting Others Abroad
What can PreK and Kindergarteners do to impact those in other countries for Christ? Buy them baby chicks of course! And that is exactly what our Kids Worship PreK and K kids did this December. Through Samaritan’s Purse, our children were able to purchase baby chicks for a family in a poverty stricken country for egg production… [more]
Operation Christmas Child Hits New High With Southwood!
For years, Southwood has participated in Samaritan’s Purses’ Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Project but 2008 marked an all time high for Southwood’s involvement! It is an easy thing to fill a shoe box (or shoe box size plastic container) with goodies such as hard candy, a flash light, socks, coloring book, small toys,… [more]
Teaching the Wee Ones
Do you remember the first time you experienced the Word of God? Picture eight one or two year olds gathered around a table, legs trying to reach the floor but not making it, listening with rapt or divided attention, hearing about God. The Word is planted early in our little ones’ hearts on Sundays. From the time they enter the nursery, our… [more]
The Power Behind Powerlab
Why would two women who have children (and one on the way), husbands, and home projects volunteer to commit several months of time to plan Vacation Bible School (VBS)? Many people will remember the long, humorous emails from Leah Treen or the detailed opportunities to serve from Michelle Sullins during last fall’s Southwood 300. Leah (LT) and Michelle… [more]