Finish Strong

Greetings Parents and Students!

Well we are now, as they say, on the final stretch! Just 3 weeks left now until the end of school. I remember when I was young my grandfather used to always say:



That about sums it all up! :)

My prayer is that we finish strong these last three weeks, both academically and spiritually. Between now and the end of school there will be lots of events, field trips, assignments, projects, etc., but in the midst of the hustle and bustle may we also remember to be very intentional to be faithful to finish well. Colossians 3:17 reminds us, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord." This is good advice at anytime, but especially as we conclude the school year. May we finish strong, and may we honor God both in word and deed!

Greetings to each of you,

With only five weeks of school left and the weather becoming nicer the challenge for all of us is to finish strong! That is my goal and to that end I’d appreciate your prayers as we cover some very important material over the course of these last several weeks.

In 6th grade, we finished up Unit 8 (Paul’s first missionary journey) and will be beginning Unit 9 (Paul’s second missionary journey) this week. We also took the Unit 7 test and grades are posted in ALMA along with all other course work grades in Bible. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

In 7th and 8th grades, we finished up Unit 7 “Between the Testaments” with the Unit Test. Grades are posted in ALMA along with all other course work grades in Bible. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. We will also be giving class time to various “hot” topics that the students want to discuss. I have found that in several instances we have had really thought-provoking discussions that had to be ended prematurely due to time constraints so my hope is this will allow for extended and more in-depth discussions. Please feel free to contact me with any topics that you feel would be helpful to address.

Please also note: The 4^th Quarter Project was assigned on Friday, and the DUE DATE IS MAY 31^ST. This project has two components: 1) An individual portion worth 100 points and 2) A group portion worth 50 points. The students will have the next three weeks to work on this project. Time will be given in class to work on it each day (May 14-18^th individual portion), (May 21-25^th group portion) and then May 29^th-31^st (group presentations). My goal is to allow for most if not all of the work on this project to be completed during class with little if any work having to be done outside of class time. This will also afford me the opportunity during class to give feedback to the students both on their individual and group portions.

Finally, our memory verse for this week is Psalm 86:11 and for next week Psalm 1:1-2.

This week’s memory verse: (Quiz Tuesday May 15^th)

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11

Next week’s memory verse: (Quiz Tuesday May 22^nd)

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

Blessings in Christ,

Mr. Holmes

Dear Parents and Students,

Greetings to each of you!

As I shared with the 8th graders, we are now on the "home stretch" for the school year. Last Monday, April 22nd was the first day of the 4th quarter. With this in mind, 3rd quarter report cards were handed out on Friday, April 26th. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

In 6th grade, we are finishing Unit 7 where we began studying the book of Acts and discussed Pentecost and the events surrounding the birth of the Early Church. We will now be continuing in the book of Acts and studying the first missionary journey of Paul.  This is very engaging material and the students have been asking lots of questions which has led to some great class discussions!

In 7th and 8th grades, we will be concluding unit 7 and our studies of the 400 year time frame between the Old and New Testaments. This unit has led to some very fruitful and engaging discussions as well. It’s been exciting to see how the hand of God worked through the events of history during this time in order to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus.

For all grades/classes, I have felt led by the Holy Spirit to spend time in class discussion on several verses which I have also assigned as memory verses over the course of multiple weeks (see below). I sense God wants to speak to the students about the vital importance of having a heart that is transparent before Him. I appreciate your prayers over the course of this next week as we continue to discuss and apply these verses.

Last week’s memory verses:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. – Hebrews 4:12-13

This week’s memory verses:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” – Jeremiah 17:9-10

Next week’s memory verse:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23

As always, please feel free to contact me.

Blessings in Christ,

Mr. Holmes

Blog post April 8, 2018

                                                                             

Dear Parents and Students,                                                                                                                                                        

Greetings to each of you,

As we return from Spring Break, I feel so blessed to have the privilege to invest in each one of our students. I thoroughly enjoy the class discussions that we have and I hope that they may even carry over to further discussion with you at home!

Beginning Monday, the 7th and 8th graders will start Unit 7 which covers the 400 year interval between the Old and New Testaments, sometimes referred to as the “Silent Years.” However, God was not silent during these years as we’ll study and discuss over the course of the next two weeks. Please refer to the two-week Bible planner attached to the email I sent for specific passages we’ll be discussing as well as the upcoming memory verses for the next two weeks.

The 6th graders will start Unit 7 which covers the events of Pentecost and the book of Acts. It is exciting reading and I’m looking forward to going through it with our students. Please refer to the two-week Bible planner attached to the email I sent for specific passages we’ll be discussing as well as the upcoming memory verses for the next two weeks.

Please know that my goal for the students is to teach not just what the Bible says, but what it means, and how it applies to our daily lives. In my experience as a pastor, I have found that most of us struggle with how to work out the truths of the Bible in our everyday lives. I believe God wants us to study His Word not to know ABOUT Him, but to know Him. As Paul wrote in Phil. 3:10, “I want to know Christ,” – not I want to know about Christ.

I share this with you for two reasons: 1) So we can pray and partner together to ask God to bring this to fruition in each one of the students’ hearts and 2) because life transformation is hard work (whether you are in middle school or well into your adult years!) Please know that my heart’s desire and motivation is to challenge the students to study God’s Word so that they will be changed by it.

As always, please feel free to contact me anytime.

This week’s memory verse:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

– Hebrews 4:12

Blessings,

Mr. Holmes

Blessings to each of you!

I want to again express my gratitude for the kind words of encouragement and support that I have received from so many of you over the course of the last several weeks. I know it has been an adjustment for all of us but your understanding and prayers are much appreciated!

The 6^th graders are continuing Unit 6 on Jesus’ resurrection that we began last week. We have had some very wonderful class discussions going over the workbook materials. You may have noticed that rather than have the students complete the workbook pages on their own outside of class I have had them working on them in class together. I think this will lend itself better to getting the most out of the workbook materials as I am able to explain the lessons as they complete them rather than having them work on them on their own outside of class time. 

The 7^th and 8^th graders are continuing Unit 6 on prayer that we began last week. We have had some very fruitful class discussions on prayer AND ALSO began praying as part of our class time together. My desire is not just to teach about prayer, but to give them opportunities to pray. For some students, I suspect this may be a bit of a stretch but I was so proud to see them boldly pray to God. My hope is that they will become comfortable with praying “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests,” (Eph. 6:18).

We also continue to spend time daily in God’s Word. This last week the students spent 30 minutes over the course of the week in personal study of a certain segment of Scripture. What was really exciting was having them share with the class on Friday what God has spoken to them through studying His Word that week! Again, my desire is that they will learn to hunger for God’s Word as they experience the power of spending time with Him on a regular basis.

Finally, the students spent time memorizing selected verses of the Bible. Please know that my goal is not only for them to memorize the words but also to understand the meaning and context so God can apply it to their lives here and now. God’s Word is “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” (Hebrews 4:12). That is why we memorize it. 

Thank you for your prayers. Also know that I am praying for you. If there is anything specific you’d like me to know and/or pray for – don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

~ Mr. Holmes

March 17, 2018

Dear Parents and Students,     

                                                                                               

Let me begin by expressing my apologies for the time it has taken to get this blog written. I had wanted and intended to write it last week but due to the learning curve I have experienced since beginning on March 1^st, I was unable to get the chance. Thank you for your patience and understanding as I try and get up to the speed.

I want you to know that it has been a pleasure to serve you as the ECS Bible school teacher and I can’t thank everyone enough for their encouragement, support and prayers. What a wonderful group of administrative staff, teachers, parents and student we have here at ECS!

With regard to Bible class, the 6th graders just finished reading and discussing the events leading up to and including Jesus’ crucifixion and death. We had quite a discussion just this last week with regard to what Jesus endured on the cross (both physically and spiritually) and I know many of the students were impacted by the events of the Passion Week. The next two weeks leading up to Easter we will be working through Unit 6 which deals with the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection!

The 7^th and 8^th graders began a new unit dealing with prayer. This has provided for several in depth discussions on prayer, including fasting and the relationship between prayer and faith. I have been challenging the students to spend more time with God in prayer as well as fasting (not necessarily from food but other areas of sacrifice – such as social media!)

I also want you to know that I have the students studying pre-selected passages of the Bible, and journaling about them. They have 30 minutes set aside in class throughout the week to do this and then have the opportunity to share with the rest of their classmates what God has said to them. My hope and prayer is that this will give them both a love for God’s Word and a hunger for more of God!

Please also know that I am praying for each of the students and their families. If there is anything specific you’d like to me know and/or pray for – don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

This week’s memory verses:

6th – The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8

7^th/8^th – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Blessings in Christ!

Mr. Holmes

Greetings from Mr. Holmes

Greetings!

I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me expressing your appreciation and support as I step into this new role as ECS Middle School Bible teacher. As I told the students last Thursday, Mr. Webb has very big shoes to fill. We all love and appreciate Mr. Webb very much. My prayer is that God will help me to follow Mr. Webb's example of faithfulness and love.

A few quick facts about me: I have been married for 25 years to my best friend Laura. We have three children. Elise is 20, Sydney is 18 and Ty, who is a 6th grader at ECS, is 12. Before coming to ECS I served as a pastor for 20+ years with a majority of those years (18) at Rochester Life Assembly of God. I also serve as a mentor at ECC's School of Ministry and I teach as an online adjunct professor for Northwest University. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Bible and Theology from Global University and a Master's Degree in Ministry Leadership from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. 

I am very excited to have the privilege to join the wonderful team of admin staff and teachers at ECS as well as get to invest in the wonderful students we have here. I ask for your continuing prayers as we learn and grow together through the course of the rest of the school year. Please feel free to email me or give me a call with any questions you may have.

As you can imagine, I expect it will take me a bit of time to "get my feet underneath me" so I ask for your patience as well. I want to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this season of transition and adjustment for all of us. For now, I don't plan on making too many changes to the teaching plans and processes Mr. Webb had in place. I will do my best to keep you informed as we move forward.

Blessings in Christ!

Mr. Holmes