WCS Blog

Busyness

Monday, April 29, 2019

What business at WCS lately!!

Last week was Christian Education Week. What a blessing it is to have a Christian school where God is the center of everything we do. It was so great to see so many parents at the Picnic lunch on Wednesday. The children couldn't wait for your to come and with special lunches! The weather even cooperated and we were able to eat outside. What a blessing all you parents are to our students! Thursday was Grandfriend's Day and wow, what a lot of grandparents came to visit with their grandchildren. It is so much fun to watch the children and their grandparents interact with each other. The love they have for each other is so evident. What a blessing our grandparents are to our students!

This week, we are having our first ever, Celebration of Learning. The teachers and students have been busy learning, working, and polishing for this Wednesday evening event. The children are super eager to show off what they have been learning at school. Some of the learning on display will be about plants, 3D shapes, self portraits, living and non living things, simple machines, severe weather and natural disasters, legends, poetry, medieval structures and reports, healthy living, Sustainability presentations, art, and structures. We hope you will be able to see how amazing our Creator God is through our celebration. See you all on Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00!!

N. VanAndel

Posted by admin @ 01:46 pm

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Tuesday, April 23, 2019

CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM Christian Education Week 2019

Each school year Christian Schools International (CSI) designates a week to be Christian Education Week. Christian schools are established to glorify God, to recognize the lordship of Christ over every square inch of creation, and to nurture and equip students to become the next generation of those who answer the call to advance the kingdom of God across the globe. Christian Education Week is a time to remember the sacrifice of those who founded our schools and the continuous sacrifice of those who sustain them. It is also a time to reaffirm our commitment to advance God’s kingdom in the places we serve. Jesus’ ministry was singularly focused on the coming of the kingdom of God. Jesus said that the kingdom has ‘come near’, ‘is at hand’ or ‘is here’. The worldview of the schools that are part of CSI recognizes that the kingdom of God is here now. It is a present kingdom, not a kingdom that awaits us after we die. The kingdom advances when the people of God act like kingdom citizens and when God’s shalom bathes our schools, homes, and churches. Jesus empowered his disciples to open the door so all may enter. The kingdom of God is an unstoppable force. Jesus won. God’s kingdom is ever advancing. Our Christian schools are places where the good news is shared, where the next generation of disciples is being prepared for service, and where citizens of his kingdom are being equipped. Jesus teaches us to seek it: to put the kingdom first in our lives and in the lives of our children. That is the mission of the Christian school and the reason to celebrate God’s gift of Christian education today. The writer of Matthew focuses on the kingdom theme throughout the Gospel. Jesus tells and illustrates that Kingdom citizens love God above all. They seek to put obedience to God first. Kingdom citizens understand that kingdom living requires unmatched sacrifice and commitments that the world could never understa nd. They realize that kingdom living is a worthy calling along the difficult paths of life. Give thanks to God today that he has given us Christian schools as places to advance his kingdom and that he has given us the good news of his ever advancing kingdom to bring hope to the world. It is to glorify his name that we are called to kingdom citizenship. We have reason to remember and to celebrate God’s blessing of Christian Education. (Source: csionline.org/articles/christian-education-week-2019) Carol Verbeek, Principal

Posted by admin @ 03:34 pm

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Palm Sunday

Monday, April 15, 2019

Yesterday, in my church the Sunday School students stood at the back behind closed doors waiting for their entry into the sanctuary at an appointed time. It is an annual occurrence on Palm Sunday that students wave palm branches down the aisles as a reminder what happened when Jesus was about to enter Jerusalem. It was in his day that Jesus rode into town on a donkey, and a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and cloaks across the road as they welcomed the Son of David. But what we, the adults in church, expected was not to be. Instead the students waved swords down the aisles as a reminder to us of what kind of Saviour the Jews were expecting. The crowd wanted a Saviour to deliver them from the hands of the Romans. What they received instead is a Saviour who could deliver them from their sins.

As we approach Good Friday and Easter take time to reflect on the message that Christ came into the world to be a Saviour who delivers us from our sins. It is a "lifesaver" (to use a word we heard at the Volunteer Tea this morning) that our students can hear that consistent message each year, each week, and each day at Woodstock Christian School. They can proclaim that "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Have a blessed Good Friday and Easter!

G. Hiemstra

Posted by admin @ 02:25 pm

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Monday, April 08, 2019

Springfest: Spring & Community

The snow has melted. Mud is drying. Birds are singing and building nests. Lawns are being raked and gardens cleared. Snow pants and winter boots are cleaned and stored. It's spring! For those in agriculture, construction, and other weather- dependent businesses, things are ramping up with new lists of jobs to do. One of the sure signs of spring at Woodstock Christian School is SPRINGFEST! If you've been in our front hall in the past few weeks, you would have seen signs, loads of bizarre (bazaar) bottles, and heard the excitement for this event mounting. This past Saturday, all the planning for this spring tradition culminated in a beautiful community event. We have a long history of bazaars and auctions and "-fests" at WCS, and each year and each event again, I thank God for blessing us with an outstanding supportive community. What do we mean when we include "Community" in our tagline at WCS? The idea of community comes from the sense of responsibility we have for each other. In the Bible, God encourages us to take care of each other while following the word of the Lord. We recognize the importance of maintaining connections with others to ensure a thriving community. Our desire at WCS is to create places of belonging. When there is opportunity for conversations, for good food, to sit and eat together, to meet new people, catch up with people not seen in months - or perhaps years, to play together, to engage in friendly competition, to be together because we love and support Christian Education - what a blessing! To the planners and volunteers, to those who generously donate for our various project and events, for all who attend WCS events - know that you are appreciated for your support and as community builders. We thank God for all of you!

C. Verbeek

Posted by admin @ 02:37 pm

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Change Your Perspective

Monday, April 01, 2019

Are you ready to change your perspective?

What are some of your routines? What is something you always do each morning? Or what about an evening routine? Maybe even your prayer life or Bible reading has become routine. Are you feeling stuck in a rut, or running on autopilot? Are you finding yourself doing the same things again and again without even thinking about it anymore?

A few minutes into the sermon on Sunday our pastor challenged us to change our perspective - literally! A few moments later the entire church was relocating themselves in new places in the sanctuary! There were lots of laughs, giggles and maybe a few interesting looks. Once settle in our new place I must admit it felt strange but, also got me thinking.

Isn't life like that. We are used to sitting in the same spot, singing the same songs, talking and hanging out with the same people; just going about things that are comfortable. God doesn't call us to live a comfortable life - He wants us to reach out and step out. This coming Saturday we as a school community will gather for the annual SpringFest. It is going to be easy to mingle with our familiar people, hang out with those we feel comfortable or have things in common with. But, I challenge you to take this opportunity to change your perspective. Take time to meet someone new. Talk with someone who looks unfamiliar, someone who in fact may be a total stranger! Remember, Jesus himself hung out with the tax collectors, Pharisees, with the children and the widows. You will be amazed at what opportunities God will provide you with to share His love with others if you are just willing to change your perspective.

April 2019

Busyness

Palm Sunday

Change Your Perspective