Read Isaiah 55:12

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you

shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." 

 What have you learned from our theme verse this year? 

Verse of the Week: John 1:14

Read  John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Children are far more likely to understand the Gospel of grace when they see us demonstrating it toward them.
 What are ways you can extend Grace to your kids this week? What are ways you can extend grace to your husband this week!?

 

Verse of the Week: James 1:19-20

Read James 1:19-20

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

  Is it easy for you to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”? Or do you tend to be “slow to hear, quick to speak, quick to anger?” 

Verse of the Week: Proverbs 31:10-31

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      Read Proverbs 31:10-31 

      10 An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11  The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12  She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

13  She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

14  She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from afar.

15  She rises while it is yet night

and provides food for her household

and portions for her maidens.

16  She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17  She dresses herself with strength

and makes her arms strong.

18  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19  She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20  She opens her hand to the poor

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21  She is not afraid of snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

22  She makes bed coverings for herself;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23  Her husband is known in the gates

when he sits among the elders of the land.

24  She makes linen garments and sells them;

she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25  Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

26  She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27  She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28  Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29  “Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

30  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31  Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.

What are the traits of this woman that you admire? Are there any that you need help with and could work on this week? 

Verse of the Week: James 1:2-4

  

      

      Read James 1:2-4 

      2 Count it all joy, my brothers,  when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

      When you are going through hard times what can you do to remind yourself that trials build maturity and dependence upon Christ? 

      How do you find joy in the hard times? 

Verse of the Week: Matthew 6:6-15

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Read Matthew 6:6-15

      But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11  Give us this day our daily bread, 12  and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

      If you have not memorized the Lord’s prayer, try to memorize it this week (vs 9-15). What does the Lord ’s Prayer mean to you? 

Verse of the Week: Matthew 28:11-20

Read Matthew 28:11-20

11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Verse of the Week: Matthew 28:1-10

Read Matthew 28:1-10

1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

If you believe this is true...What does this mean about God? You? The World? 

Verse of the Week: Matthew 27:32-66

Read Matthew 27: 32-66

32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

55 There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

If you believe this is true...What does this mean about God? You? The World? 

Verse of the Week: Matthew 27:1-31

For the next 4 weeks we are going to ask the same questions for each scripture reading. If you have been doing the If:Equip bible study this will be familiar to you. (for more info on If:Equip click here) Each week we will ask “If you believe this is true…What does this mean about God? You? The world?” We will be reading through the Easter story, the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What better time to really ask ourselves “if I believe this is true what does this really mean?”

Read Matthew 27:1-31

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

If you believe this is true…What does this mean about God? You? The world?

Discussion Group Leader Roles

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates a growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Shows sensitivity to and an understanding of the needs of mothers of preschoolers.
• Shows warmth and acceptance to women from every background, demonstrating discretion about the personal lives of others.
• Able to be deliberate and organized about planning social events.
• Shares her testimony comfortable with others on appropriate occasions and knows how to lead another to Christ.

Positional Responsibilities:

• Committed to praying for the women placed in her small group.
• Facilitates discussion during group time (Try and keep is positive).
• Calls each woman in small group prior to each MOPS meetings to:
• Listen and build friendships (always willing to listen).
• Provide business and answer any questions.

• Attend monthly group leader meetings.
• Prepare and organize a social calendar for your group, with two activity per month.  Make social activities a priority. 
• Pray for an opportunity to share Christ with a non-believer, and take it when it comes.
• Understand and support/participate in MOPS activities (Spa Day…).
• Coordinate meals for moms in need (guidelines is four meals per event)
• Promote an atmosphere of safety and confidentiality for your group.
• Be available to the moms in your small group, help them connect and feel comfortable.
• Recognize birthdays within your small group.
• Call the moms if they miss a meeting, send them a newsletter or papers that were handed out at the meeting.
• Pray for your co-leader, you are their support!

Verse of the Week: 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

When we are weak & when we fail, God is strong…and so is His Grace. How can you exalt God in your weakness this week? 

Steering Leadership Roles

        As the Coordinator, you set the tone by preparing your leaders, planning your meetings and welcoming moms.  You help develop your MOPS groups' story and want every mom's story to include knowing Jesus.

   As the DGL Team Leaders, it's your responsibility to train and encourage Discussion Group Leaders to ask those great questions and lead those transparent discussions. Create a safe place for them while they create that same kind of place for moms in your group. 

As the Finance Leader, you can do magical things with a calculator and a few spare minutes. Spreadsheets make you happy and your group reveres your way with numbers. You keep the group, and it's leaders, on track.  

 You are a Hospitality leader.  Hugs and brunch may be your native language. You know that a cozy atmosphere and a yummy meal have the power to heal. Good food, cute decorations are what you do. The moment a woman walks through the door of your MOPS group she feels that you have created a place especially for her. The tone you set welcomes women and keeps them coming back!

      As the Publicity leader, your creative efforts and sparkly words help to spread the word about all of the fun to be had at MOPS. You also help spread the vision of MOPS throughout the church that supports your MOPS group. There are moms who are secretly hoping for a group of women to share life with so get out your mega phone and make someone’s day.  

     You are a Service leader, making the world a better place one project at time. Your gift to your group is making connections between need and plenty. Each of your efforts to ease the suffering of another changes the world in profound ways.   

You are a Special Events Leader; you welcome each woman with a warm smile.  The tone you set is one of love and acceptance.  Your zeal for life promotes a fun atmosphere for all MOPS moms.  You are the fun guru helping sponsor family fun activities for your MOPS group.  You organization skills are put to the test every year as you put together the annual MOPS Spa Day.

       You are a MOPPETS leader, Kids are some of your favorite people and you believe that the best lessons involve play dough and finger paint. Letting kids know that God loves them makes your day. 

        As the Creative Activities Leader the local craft store is on your speed dial and you thank God every day for the invention of Modge Podge. Creating comes naturally to you and you thrive on finding new ways to help your MOPS group make beautiful things together. 

For more information on all of the positions please click here. 

Verse of the Week: Ephesians 2:8-10

Read Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Grace is a gift of God. How have you seen this in your life?

Verse of the Week: John 8:12 & 1 Peter 2:9

Read John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Read 1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

What does it mean to follow Jesus out of darkness?

Verse of the Week: John 6:35-51

Read John 6:35-51

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them,“Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

What does it look like for Jesus to be our “bread of life” and the only thing that satisfies?

Verse of the Week: John 14:1-7

For the next couple of weeks I will be pulling our verse of the week scriptures from the If:Equip bible study. This is a daily study that is sent to your email with a short scripture reading, questions to journal and a short video to watch. For more information and to sign up for the If:Equip emails click here.

Read John 14:1-7

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Do you trust Jesus to be your everything? Are there places you don’t trust Him with?

Verse of the Week: Psalm 139:1-6

Read Psalm 139:1-6

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.  You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

What do these verses mean to you? What do they say about God? 

Day MOPS Happenings

We still have another week until our next MOPS meeting. So while we wait I thought we could look back on all the fun we had during the first semester.

September 

The first meeting of the year we made name tags.

Here are some of the beautiful creations.

Our second meeting in September we had Kirsten Harbeck come talk to us about Car Seat Safety.

Did you know that 1 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly? Click here for the Colorado state patrol's car seat FB page for a list of upcoming car seat safety events. 

October 

We made cute make-up/snack bags for our purses. 

One of my favorite meetings of the year is the Mentor Mom panel. We are so blessed by our mentor moms and thankful for all of their encouragement and mommy knowledge. 

Marcia Mains, Sheryl Dahm, Jill Matthies, Jaye Kaufman, Adele Westfall, Robin Otterstetter

November 

"You Pick 2" was our first meeting in November. To check out all the information and pictures from the meeting click here.


The next meeting we made cute dangle earrings. 

December 

Our Christmas Tea was so beautiful! Thank You Wendy for sharing with us! 

I hope everyone had a great first semester. What was your favorite meeting? What are you looking forward to most about the next semester?