Hello, beloved church family. I hope you have been enjoying another glorious Colorado summer! Over here at Sonshine Patch Preschool, things have been pretty quiet once we fixed the sidewalk, removed a dead tree, and waxed the floors. Now that that's all taken care of we are starting to get everything and everyone else ready for a new school year! Teachers will be returning to work next week for meetings, orientation, and professional development. Over several days, classrooms will be set up, and walls, bulletin boards, and cubbies will be colorfully decorated, ready to welcome all our students!! Our preschool will hold a Back to School Night on Thursday, 8/29, for families to come meet teachers, find classrooms, pick up Welcome Packets, and ask any questions about the year. At this time, I would like to invite anyone interested in helping us provide cookies for this event. We will thankfully accept any homemade or store-bought cookies to the refrigerator in the B.O.B. multi-purpose room kitchen before Aug. 29th. I would also like to bring your attention to an opportunity to support our ongoing Scholarship Fund. Over the many decades, our school has been blessed and supported so well by First Pres. That support comes in the form of love, prayer, maintenance, and finances. I continue to be encouraged and inspired by the generosity of our church family! Through donations to the Scholarship Fund, families who couldn't otherwise enroll in preschool have been blessed to have their children placed in our quality, faith-based program. We have seen children faced with hardships such as low-income homes, broken families, or in the foster care system now thriving in our classrooms under the tender care and education of our dedicated staff. We exist to nurture young hearts and minds, prepare for kindergarten readiness, teach the Bible and the Good News of Christ, encourage exploration and imagination through play, and unconditionally love everyone who walks through our doors. We have seen God's faithfulness as He provides for our needs and equips us to serve. I am truly honored to have been called to this role here at Sonshine and look forward to how the Lord will use me, you, our teachers, board, parents, and the community to make a difference for eternity. With heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support, Daisy Chell, SPP Director

As we are greeted by lovely cool weather, I'm delighted to share that we are one month into our school year. September has been full of teachers and students settling into classes and routines. The halls are bursting with life and love. Even with the most fun and best program around, some children still have a hard time at the beginning feeling comfortable in a new environment. I'm incredibly proud of each of our staff for their flexibility and compassion to help support children during a difficult transition. We are also deeply grateful for the support we have received for our Scholarship Fund. We know that the donations that come from the apples on the Giving Tree will bless children in our community and give them an opportunity for quality education. The faithfulness of FPC is a beautiful testament to all that God is doing here in this place. I continue to see how the Lord builds and provides for us each year. As we put our trust in Him, there is much to look forward to! Teachers are busy leading lessons and activities, helping students grow in all areas of development. Every day, I see children growing in social-emotional skills as they work to make new friends, practice sharing and taking turns, explore things big and little on the playground, paint, read, build, write, count, sing, and pray. I can only imagine the joy our Father must have spending time with his precious children every day at preschool. What a gift to continue to serve here at Sonshine Patch Preschool. Daisy Chell Sonshine Patch Preschool Director

"Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight". These precious and familiar words were sung as Sonshine Patch Preschool friends and family gathered to light our huge Christmas Tree. During the past weeks everyone has been learning and growing so well as we prepare to celebrate the miracle of Christmas, the birth of our Jesus, God with us. After a special Thanksgiving feast with staff, students, and families we began to center lessons and activities on this Christmas season. It was a joy to see the children make ornaments for the tree as parents and teachers, with the help of our friends at DMEA, strung lights from top to bottom. We sang carols and read from the Word of God how to be the salt and the light, then came indoors for cookies and hot cocoa. Last week we all walked across the street to visit our neighbors at Montage Creek Living Center. Each of the classes performed Christmas songs, poems, and fingerplays for the residents. We are very thankful that we have the opportunity to teach our students about ministry and being a part of our community. Our school was also able to purchase new bicycles this month, which has been a wonderful gift to the children! These days we are working very hard to get ready for the Christmas Program! We are excited for families and friends to come and see how well the children have been doing. We also are finishing up December with our wreath fundraiser. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year such a success. Our preschool thrives because of the tremendous amount of love and support we receive from our church family! We couldn't do this without you and are truly grateful for your care over the many decades. You can join us in praying for each child and family that walks through our doors. We ask that God would use us at Sonshine to minister to those in our community, teaching the truth about the love, hope, and peace our Savior brings. We ask for protection from illness and harm and that the Lord would continue to strengthen staff and teachers with wisdom, encouragement, and patience. We pray that your faith will increase and that especially during this season, your hearts be full of joy. Wishing all our friends and family a very merry and bright Christmas! Daisy Chell Sonshine Patch Preschool Director

Our days this autumn have been so delightful. Our preschool is full of bright children and enthusiastic teachers. During this season we have spent time enjoying the crisp, cool outdoors and learning about apples, seeds, and pumpkins. At the end of October we had a special Fall Festival with Trunk or Treat and yard games. The staff and children were invited to dress up in fun and silly costumes. Many family members came to help set up and facilitate the activities for the day. One parent even brought a fire truck for the children to experience! As we enter November we are spending time this week having Parent/Teacher Conferences, meeting with families to discuss student progress and goals for the year. It's always nice to connect with parents and foster those healthy relationships. Looking ahead, we have our Tree Lighting scheduled for November 28th. Children will be working on making ornaments to hang and staff and families will help organize stings of light for the huge tree by the playground. It's likely we will have some help from the guys at DMEA again this year. It's hard to believe how fast the year is going and that the holidays are just around the corner. We've already done very well with our annual Christmas wreath fundraiser. We expect orders to arrive the last week of November/first week of December. I'll be sure to call you when it's time to pick up your special item. Thank you to many of our church families who continue to support our school. We look forward to the approaching Advent season and a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We continue to praise Him for his great care and provision over these many years. With excitement we look forward to the many ways God will continue to bless us as we serve Him. Our prayer is that He would help each of us to grow in knowledge and in grace, becoming more and more like Him. Thank you all for your love, support, and encouragement. We wouldn't have Sonshine Patch without you! In His Name, Daisy Chell Director Sonshine Patch Preschool

Happy February! Love is in the air here at Sonshine Patch Preschool. During this month, we saw classes celebrate by making and sharing Valentines. We spent time learning and talking about God's great love for us, how we can show Him love, and how we can show love to others. Festivities included quite a bit of hearts and cookies as well. I stand in continued awe as I get to see firsthand the many riches of Christ's love fill these sweet halls. Every day, our darling children engage in different learning experiences and activities. Our prayer that they grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus is the foundation of our school. And He has been so faithful! This month also saw Preschool Literacy Day. This event welcomed parents into the classrooms for reading stations and a special walkthrough story book of Green Eggs and Ham. Our parent committee planned and organized things so that the pages of this beloved book could come to life in the big room. The students were able to experience trying real green eggs and ham accompanied by a goat and a boat, and a fox and a box, and a mouse and a house, and a train and in the rain. It turns out most of the kiddos DO like green eggs and ham! Another special part of our school that you may not be aware of is that we have Chapel once a week. This is a time set apart for all of our classes to come together for songs of worship, prayer, and a Bible story or lesson. I am thrilled to share with you that this month, we held our regular Chapel in the sanctuary, where things were led by Mrs. Alaina Quinn, the Children and Family Ministry Coordinator! What a gift to be able to partner this way with our church family. Staff, students, and parents were blessed as truth, hope, and love were shared from the pulpit. We want to say a big thank you to Alaina for teaching us new music and sharing lessons of faith! Lastly, I want to share with you that we have kicked off our spring fundraiser, Project Pi. This event aligns with the mathematical number pi, often "celebrated" on March 14th - 3.14. We sell raffle tickets for $3.14 each until our school assembly on Thursday, 3/13. Three winners will be drawn to receive pie and family-themed prizes. The highest-selling student from each class will also get to pie a certain someone in the face (me, it will be me!) We thank you in advance for any support you may want to provide for this fun event. Again, I see the Lord's bountiful provision and guidance each day here at preschool. We desire to continue serving our community with quality care and education. We rest in His great care as we journey onward. In all things, may we give Him all glory and honor. Daisy Chell Director Sonshine Patch Preschool

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you, a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 James and I both have hearing issues, which can be a bit tough. Even so, we remind each other how important it is to laugh about it. We even have a funny saying in our home: There are three "loving" words we say to each other all the time. "What'd you say?" For example, if I say, “I didn’t feed the dogs,” he might think I said, “I did feed the dogs,” missing the little word “n’t.” It might not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to a big misunderstanding. After all, hearing is super important for any relationship. Without good communication, things can get frustrating. We’ve talked a lot about how to get better at listening. We’ve thought about getting closer to one another, not talking from across the room, upgrading our hearing aids, being patient, not giving up, double-checking what we hear, and trying to see the best in the other person instead of getting easily upset. Listening to each other is a challenge, but when we do, our relationship is really sweet. Do you listen to God? Do you hear that gentle voice in your heart? Do you spend some quiet time just listening to Him? Oh, let me tell you, there’s nothing better than hearing His voice. Another scripture that comes to mind is: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they will follow me.” (John 10:27). When we listen to the Lord, we know what He wants, and then we can follow Him. If you don’t hear Him, you might miss out on getting to know Him better and following Him. As we draw closer to the Lord, let’s all strive to improve our listening skills. It’s a worthwhile endeavor to listen attentively and to have sweet fellowship with our Lord.

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Isaiah 6:5 Yesterday, my family and I were fortunate enough to witness a magnificent hawk perched on a shepherd’s hook in our yard. This bird was far more than a common sparrow or hummingbird; it was a sight to behold. We couldn’t resist rushing to the window, pausing everything to admire this extraordinary creature. He was only a few feet away, and it was a moment of awe and reverence as we stood and gazed upon this colossal, beautiful bird. If we can appreciate nature, shouldn’t we also look upon the Creator who brought it into existence? Isaiah, a prophet, witnessed God in His temple, surrounded by angels singing “Holy, Holy, Holy”. Isaiah’s fear and reverence were profound. I can’t help but wonder if the 20th-century church has become too casual with God. I wonder if He would reveal Himself more in our church services if we were awestruck by Who He is? If an earthly king entered our church, we would hold him in high regard and be respectful to a mere man. But what about God Almighty? Another way I look at the fear of the Lord is in these examples: I respect fire enough to avoid putting my finger in the flame, yet I love its warmth. As I grew up, I learned to be respectful to my father, yet I loved cuddling with him. On the other hand, am I too afraid to walk in the woods because I might see a bear, or too scared to cross the street because I might be struck by a car? Do you have a healthy fear and reverence of the Lord? Sometimes I wonder if we are too flippant with the God of the Universe. Or are we scared of this Loving God? Our Lord deserves our full attention. Let us pause, be in awe, and offer our reverence to the Lord this Sunday. Perhaps He will reveal Himself to us as we worship together, as He did for Isaiah. Wouldn't that be magnificent!

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns ---Philippians 1:6 James and I have been diligently working for years to transform our yard into a breathtaking sanctuary. We’ve planted a diverse array of plants, including grasses, wildflowers, succulents, roses, and vegetables. We’ve even set up garden boxes filled with vibrant flowers and vegetables. Our ultimate goal is to create a haven for birds, butterflies, and hummingbirds. We’ve made significant progress, but there’s still much more to accomplish. Every morning, I find solace on our front porch, watching the orioles and hummingbirds flit gracefully around the flowers and grasses we’ve cultivated. It’s incredibly satisfying to witness the realization of our vision for our property. However, on one side of the yard, I feel overwhelmed by the unfinished tasks. Instead of the beauty of flowers and lush vegetation, I’m confronted with wheelbarrows, holes we’ve dug in the dirt, weeds, and scattered tools. This past week, during my prayer time, I expressed my frustration with the slow pace of progress. I yearn for James to go fishing so that he can take a break from all this work, and I eagerly anticipate sipping tea on my front porch, savoring the beauty of the finished yard we envision. I was reminded that when I’m grateful, praising Him for His goodness, and eagerly anticipating the completion of our labor, I find contentment. Conversely, when I fixate on the dirt and weeds, I feel weary and grumpy. Oh, how I eagerly anticipate the day my yard is complete! But even more so, I eagerly anticipate the return of our Savior when our labor is done, and I can worship Him perfectly, overflowing with gratitude for who God has made me in Christ! Philippians 1:6 reminds us that the work God initiated in us will be completed when Jesus returns. Jesus’ words on the cross, “It is finished,” echo the labor of love God has for us. Although, for now, we’re still a work in progress.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. Psalm 33:1-3 My daughter sometimes reminds me of how we used to sing and dance in the kitchen when she was a little girl. Back then, we’d listen to the Christian Radio Station (KJOY). Nowadays, we can listen to music anytime, anywhere. Just turn on the music and let loose! This Psalm starts by inviting us to sing and shout with joy. It also suggests playing instruments like the lyre or harp with 10 strings. These are specialized instruments played by a small group of people. Everyone is encouraged to sing and make loud noises, but there’s also a special group called to play a musical instrument. The people are being called to worship God with whatever they have. The command also comes with an emotional “shout for joy.” It’s also right for us to praise God and make music for Him. Everything is directed to God. Now, why don’t we do this more? So often, we think of our worship as a special event. This Psalm is calling us to worship at all times. Maybe we don’t sing as much as we should, but that can change today! Turn on the radio and listen to the new worship songs as well as the old hymns we all love. Don’t forget to shout for joy and sing! Turn your radio on Turn your radio on and listen to the music in the air Turn your radio on Turn your radio on and glory share Turn the lights down low Turn the lights down low and listen to the master's radio Get in touch with God Get in touch with God, turn your radio on Turn your radio on

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 In 1971, a movement swept across the country, deeply resonating with the hearts of many young people, including me in 1972. It was the Jesus Revolution, and we were often labeled as “Jesus Freaks.” In my opinion, that’s a fitting description for those of us who had a genuine encounter with Christ. We were deeply passionate about our Lord, and our belief was simple: Jesus loves me; He died for me and forgives my sins; I love Jesus, and I love others. Since this was such exciting news, my friends and I eagerly shared the Good News that Jesus is the “One Way.” This would include street witnessing, handing out tracts on the Romans' Way (which I can still recite today), Bible Studies, Youth for Christ, and sharing the Good News with everyone! I think my parents thought I had become a fanatic...and they were right. I was and still am radical for Jesus. I am grateful that the Holy Spirit touched my heart so deeply in the 70's. Discovering freedom in Christ was truly liberating. Around the same time, a band called “Love Song” emerged, often considered the first Contemporary Christian Band. Their music resonated with me, awakening a new sense of awareness in my heart. The cool melodies and instruments were captivating, with a message and sound that really connected with me as a young person. I’m not sure my parents or those before me were into this music; we all have something from our past that really touches us. For instance, my grandmother loved Pat Boone and the beautiful hymns of Tennessee Ernie Ford. My parents enjoyed the music of the Bill Gaither Trio and George Beverly Shea, who sang during the Billy Graham Crusades. My daughter loves Chris Tomlin and the Newsboys. I imagine my grandchildren are probably into the songs of Brandon Lake and Elevation Worship. The Bible encourages us to sing a new song to the Lord, and I think He gives each generation its own unique music to praise Him. Let’s be careful not to stifle new worship music that God inspires in this new generation. God loves it all, and He’s pleased when the older generation encourages the younger generation in the things of Christ, even if it’s not our personal preference. Regarding the young people of today, “They still need the Lord,” though this generation seems not to need that “bath” like some of the Hippies of days gone by. The other night, while watching a documentary about “Love Song,” I couldn’t help but sing along to the music from my past. It has been over 50 years since I last sang those words. My husband even noticed my enthusiastic singing. I believe that unless you were part of the Jesus Movement, this music wasn’t widely popular. However, those of us who were part of the Jesus revival during the 1970s can’t forget the powerful movement of His Holy Spirit. We met Jesus and experienced true freedom! Now that we’re older, we can remember and continue living as one who is still “High on Jesus!” Jesus still says, “Come as you are.” By the way, does anyone remember this bumper sticker: “Spoiler alert: God wins!” This is the First Album by Love Song with all of their songs. If you want more information, watch Jesus Revolution or Love Song on Prime.

Jesus replies, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62 (This verse is where Jesus definitively answers the Jewish High Priest's question about his identity. The question being, "Are you the Messiah?”) The Chorus of “Days of Elijah,” the final song of last Sunday’s service, isn’t a fairy tale; according to scripture, it’s true. Christ is returning! I’m not going to delve into pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post-tribulation, or any other eschatological discussion. These discussions often lead to division within the body of Christ, and I’ve witnessed and been a part of enough heated debates. I’m not a theologian, and I acknowledge that there’s much I don’t comprehend. However, one thing that seems undeniably clear is that Jesus himself spoke of His return and that we will witness Him in the clouds. I believe this is a certainty because I believe the Bible, even when it’s challenging to understand. You see, we don’t need to know the intricate details of His coming; instead, He wants us to be certain that He is returning. The scriptures speak of His Coming many times. Are you eagerly anticipating His coming? Are you actively engaged in Kingdom Work while you wait? Are you keeping yourself close to the Savior as you prepare for His Return? Are you diligently reading the scriptures, praying, worshipping, and sharing the gospel with urgency? Are you confessing your sins to the ONE Who forgives? It’s not about the how, when, and where of Jesus’s coming; it’s the glorious promise that HE IS COMING AGAIN! Lift up your eyes, raise your voice, and fill your heart with this wonderful news for us "Believers". Are you ready for His Return? Days of Elijah Chorus "Behold He comes, riding on the clouds, Shining like the sun at the trumpet call!" "Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee, And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!"

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matt 5: 44 - 45 Have you ever wondered how to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? It’s a tough task, right? I mean, loving my family, church community, and friends is already a challenge. Now, I’m supposed to love those who are mean to me, disagree with me, and aren’t even believers? Yes, that’s what Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount. I’m not a scholar or theologian, but these words are pretty clear. The problem is, they’re hard to do. So, what’s the answer? Well, from my perspective, it always comes back to worshiping the One and Only True God. We do this because He loves us, and we love Him. As we worship God, He gives us a heart full of HIS love for the world and our enemies. As we pray, we get a better understanding and become filled with HIS Love. The Holy Spirit is present in us and is our guide and comfort. This world belongs to Abba Father, and He cares for every single part of His creation, including those difficult people. He sends rain and sunshine to everyone, and that’s because He’s so good. Who’s that challenging person in your life? Start praying for them. It might just change your perspective. (Notice, I did not say that prayer will change the other person, although it might.) This week, I’m sharing two videos. My friend Joseph Alan Meador will join us this Sunday to lead us in praise and worship. He’s a musician and songwriter who also shares his music in the area. At the end of the month, he’ll be at the Snow-Capped Cider in Cedaredge. The songs I’m sharing are “Keeper of the Green” and “Abba Father.” “These two original songs remind me that we have a loving Father who blesses this earth and all of creation with his rain and sunshine. Abba Father loves you and me so very much! Thank the Lord! Let's continue to pray for rain (and Jesus’ reign) for our beautiful Colorado and ask to keep the wildfires at bay....and while you are at it, pray for that person who is hard to love. It might even be that politician, co-worker, or loud neighbor that just drives you nuts! I hope you will take a moment on Sunday to greet Joseph. I believe you’ll be blessed.