This Sunday, immediately after the second service, Melanie Bowick and our Noah’s Park Nursery Ministry are having an appreciation lunch for all their volunteers and their families. I can not over emphasize just how important this Ministry is here at Coastal in sharing and experiencing LIFE with the world around us. There is nothing more important to a young family than their children. And there is no Ministry – it’s environment and people – more important than the Nursery. It is not simply babysitting. Yes, it provides a safe place for babies to go so parents and guests can hear God’s word and the gospel undistracted. But it is also a place of love and prayer and worship and teaching. For many this is their first exposure to Jesus. Did you hear that? Their first exposure to Jesus. Wow! We can not say thank you enough to all our volunteers in this Ministry.

Melanie has done a great job leading this Ministry – scheduling, encouraging, calling, serving, organizing, cleaning, loving, and praying. She is a Team Player and a Team Builder. At this lunch, however, she is passing the Noah’s Park baton on to Jennifer Schroder. Melanie is going to be moving to Coastal Kidz, our 1st-5th Grade Ministry. Knowing both of these women, I’m quite confident they will continue to serve and lead with excellence.

Speaking of the Nursery environment – we’re hoping to replace the windows in the Nursery very soon – a project long overdue. As you’ve probably noticed, they’re in pretty bad shape (a piece of plywood covers part of one window). New matching vinyl replacement windows, wrapped and installed are approximately $325 each. We have six in the Nursery, one in the Kitchen and two in the Welcome Room that need to be replaced (basically the 9 windows on the back of the building). If you would like to help purchase a window or take care of the whole thing, earmark your check “Windows” and give accordingly on Sunday or here online.

Matthew 19:14, ”Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”