March2010 -- Highlawn Presbyterian Church A People Called by God to be a sign, foretaste and instrument of the reign of God
Guide Children’s Media Choices With the explosion of technology now available, it seems like children are always plugged in, zoned out, or wired for sound. They spend less time outside, have shorter attention spans, and are exposed to online dangers such as pornography. On the positive side, technology has expanded children’s knowledge and opportunities. They learn teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. Technology has also boosted activism among today’s young people. Although children may seem like “experts” when it comes to technology and new media, parents are still responsible for supervising what their kids are exposed to—and for how long. Two keys are moderation and interaction. These tips can help you limit and monitor what your kids see and hear: Strategically set up your equipment and schedules. Keep televisions out of children’s bedrooms, and place the computer in an accessible family area. Make media time contingent on the completion of chores and homework. Plan alternate activities, including physical ones. Establish digital-free zones. Agree on days and times (such as dinner, family night, Sundays, etc.) when no one—including adults—is allowed to check e-mail or use any form of media. Watch and listen to TV shows, movies, and music together. Talk about the issues that come up. Tie them into faith and provide a biblical worldview for children to consider as they use technology. What’s Up in Our Wired World? · The average young American spends nearly every waking minute in front of an electronic device. Kids ages 8 to 18 spend more than 7.5 hours a day using computers or smart phones or watching TV. And because they multitask, they pack almost 11 hours of media content into that time. (Kaiser Family Foundation) · 87% of parents play video games with their kids at least occasionally. (Yahoo! Shine) · 20% of young people admit they’ve engaged in “sexting”— emailing or receiving nude photos or videos. (Associated Press-MTV)	Ask God: 1. For wisdom as you oversee your children’s media “diet.” 2. To help your kids make good decisions about technology. 3. To show you ways to use technology in positive, family-building ways.
	Parenting Insights In Children’s Ministry Magazine, online expert Tracy Carpenter explores some ways that technology is impacting young hearts and minds. 1. Shifting relationships—Although kids still belong to social groups, the emphasis is no longer on face-to-face gatherings. Preteens, wired for relationships, now think in terms of their “audience” rather than their peer group. 2. Trying on identities—Children express their developing personalities through social-networking sites and online role-playing. Preteens, emulating “cool,” may try to outdo one another with suggestive images. 3. Providing “TMI”—Young people still forming judgment and boundaries are sharing too much private information in very public ways.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in. …Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit.” Revelation 3:20, 22 God may not be able to IM or text us, but he wants a relationship that goes beyond weekly worship. God is available 24/7 and—best of all—no special device is needed to talk to him! Teachable Moments 1. The Wired Word—Challenge children to think how the Bible would be different if technology had existed in Jesus’ time. How would a Twitter version of your favorite Scripture verse read? How would you describe one of Jesus’ miracles to a friend via text message? If Jesus had a TV ad campaign, what would it look and sound like? 2. Tech Commandments—When you’re establishing rules for media usage, involve children in the decisions. Ask them what “commandments” God might have set for online behavior and how we interact with others using technology. What would he have made off-limits, and what would he have encouraged? What age requirements or time constraints might he have established, and why?

Open the lines of communication about media and technology by asking your children these discussion-starting questions: How does technology make life easier for you? How does it make life harder or more complicated? What’s a good number of hours to spend in front of electronic devices each day? How can you tell when you’ve overdone it? What’s your favorite way to use technology, and how would you cope without it? What are some ways we can honor God with our media habits?

Family Experience: Say What? Encourage your family members to stay in constant communication with God by using these experiences from Group’s Hands-On Bible: · Listen Up—Read aloud Exodus 19:1-9, 16-25. Say: “God spoke to Moses in a powerful voice. But most people would never say they’ve heard God speaking aloud.” Brainstorm ways God speaks to us today; for example, through the Bible, through other Christians, to our hearts. Read aloud John 16:13-15. Have family members each take a Bible to a place where they can be alone. Say: “Pray about school, home, a problem—anything! Open your Bible and read. Ask God to help you hear what he wants you to say.” After 10 minutes, share your experiences. Say: “Sometimes God will speak to you loud and clear. Sometimes you won’t even know God said anything until later. But God is talking. Just keep listening!” · “Excuse Me…”—Talk about ways we get other people’s attention these days and how it feels to fail to “connect” with someone. Then play this game to help you start thinking about God’s voice. Have family members each think up a line from a movie or TV show. Then take turns saying the line using the same voice the character has. See who can guess the movie or show, as well as the character. Then ask: “How did you recognize the voices and programs?” Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10. Ask: “Why did it take Samuel awhile to figure out who was talking? What are some ways God gets our attention? How can we recognize God’s voice?”

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product.

Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies

Movie: Alice in Wonderland (March 5)

Genre: Fantasy/adventure

Rating: Not yet rated

Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway

Synopsis: In director Tim Burton’s sequel to Lewis Carroll’s stories, 19-year-old Alice revisits Wonderland and reunites with her childhood friends. They need her help to overthrow the evil Red Queen and the Jabberwock dragon. As Alice discovers her voice, she becomes an empowered heroine—evident through how she grows in size throughout the film.

Discussion Questions: What are the best things about being a child? What are you most looking forward to about growing up, and why? Read 1 Samuel 17:32-50. Think of a time when you’ve felt like David. What kind of “giants” have you faced? Where do you get power and strength?

What Music Is Releasing

Artist: Justin Bieber

Album: My World

Artist Info: Bieber, an R&B phenom who just turned 16, was named one of the hottest stars of 2009. A self-taught musician from Canada, Bieber gained fame through YouTube. He’s the first artist to have four singles from a debut album reach Billboard’s Top 40 before the album’s release. Bieber also sings the first line in the new “We Are the World” video.

Summary: The first part of Bieber’s debut album, My World, released in November. The hit single “One Time” features guest vocals from hip-hop star Usher. In “One Less Lonely Girl,” Bieber sings: “I’m gonna put you first, I’ll show you what you’re worth if you let me inside your world.”

Discussion Questions: Where does your “worth” come from? What are some situations that make you feel lonely? Read aloud Hebrews 13:5b. How can God’s promise of never abandoning you change your life?

What Games Are Out

Title	Content	Rating & Platform
Playmobil Pirates	This adventure game features 70 tricky missions on 16 islands. Players have to sink enemy soldiers and rescue a mermaid.	E; Nintendo DS
Fast Food Panic	Players step behind the grill to cook for a room of hungry customers. Much of the gameplay is a high-speed juggling act.	E; Wii, Nintendo DS
Lunar: Silver Star Harmony	Young Alex dreams of becoming the next Dragonmaster. In his adventures, the entire world is at stake.	T; PlayStation Portable

GAME RATINGS KEY: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+)

Culture & Trends

What’s happening right now that may affect your children and family:

· Parents are toning down children’s birthday parties, due to the recession. Instead of hosting lavish events, more parents are letting their kids choose a special outing or meal.

(msnbc.com)

· Children are more likely to get bullied when they struggle with nonverbal communication, reading nonverbal cues, and coming up with options for resolving social conflict, researchers say.

(livescience.com)

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Quick Stats

· Children as young as 3 have negative bias against older people. Preschoolers who aren’t biased have regular contact with senior citizens.

(University of Alberta)

· About 1.3 million children under the age of 18 live with their grandparents.

(healthychildren.org)

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						Spaghetti Dinner 4-8pm Workers be at HPC 3:30
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Congregational Luncheon Focus – HPC Budget/Pledges Christian Concert at Highlawn Baptist			Dinner 6:00 Youth – Confirmation Class 6:45
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			Dinner 6:00 Intergenerational Activity	Session Mtg
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Christian Education Committee Mtg Parlor following Worship			Dinner 6:00 Youth Confirmation Class			Festival of Faith 9-3 ALL AGES
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PALM SUNDAY CHILDREN/YOUTH DRAMA CHILDREN SING			NO DINNER	MAUNDY THURS. WORSHIP SERVICE 7:00

EASTER BREAKFAST – SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 9:45AM

The Worship Committee has been working very hard to put together very meaningful, spiritual services for PALM SUNDAY, MAUNDY THURSDAY, AND EASTER. I hope you will be able to participate!

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