It’s official—the holidays are around the corner. Relatives are asking for Christmas lists so they can get their shopping done and the commercials on TV are rolling out their latest toy temptations to get children drooling.

It’s so easy to lose perspective in all the hustle and bustle. So this December we’re gonna focus on Generosity. We need to be reminded about what we should get all wrapped up in this year!

We define generosity as making someone’s day by giving something away. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” So, we know that God is the giver of all good things. But we also know that God’s generosity has a purpose.

In Week 1, we listen as Jesus tells the parable of a rich man in Luke 12:13-21. He gets wrapped up in storing more and more stuff and ends up losing everything that really matters. Bottom Line: People are always more important than stuff.

In Week 2, we learn that you can’t take it with you! A rich young ruler has a big question in our Luke 18:18-25. It’s interesting because Jesus really wasn’t after the guy’s stuff; He was after his heart. Jesus knew that this guy was trapped and He wanted to set the guy free. Bottom Line: Don’t let stuff get in the way of loving Jesus. Living generously shows the people around us what we love and trust in most.

In week 3, get ready for a very special FamJamz, the last one of 2011. In one of the busiest times of year, we’re gonna pause and be reminded of the Christmas story in a way you haven’t heard it told before. It’s important to take time to remember who gave first. We can stop and remember how amazing it is that God sent His Son to show us a new way to live and later make it possible for us to live with Him forever if we just believe.

By Cara Martens. ©2011 Orange. All rights reserved. www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission.

December 17 & 18, save that date! FamJamz will be hosting a very special production that weekend. We’ll be telling the Christmas story in a way you have not heard it told before. Invite friends and family to this one.

For more information, come out to FamJamz this weekend and next!

Parents, thanks for checking out November’s Toolbox! The Toolbox is a segment in FamJamz designed with you in mind. The purpose of it is to provide you with tools and ideas to implement at home with the kids.

Last month, Parents, we asked you to show us the different ways your kids were showing the virtue of creativity. This month we’re talking about gratitude — letting other know you see how they’ve helped you. And we want the kids telling us about the family.

Here’s what we want them to do. In your Family Yearbooks, we would like for kids to write thank-you notes to their family members. The idea is for them to let others know they see how they have helped them.

Parents, if it’s ok with them and with you, we’d like to know what kids are grateful for. Would you share with us the notes they’re writing via email? Send them to us at famjamz@ubcmiami.org. At the end of the month, we’re gonna celebrate the ways these guys are learning to be grateful. It’s important to be grateful. You know that. So let’s help our kids learn a little more about that this month.

Thanks for checking out The Toolbox. Remember… the tools only work when you take them out of the box.

November kicks off Feed Miami month! UBC has established an on-going food pantry which had provided emergency food to many UBC families and individuals around the community. As we distribute food though, there is the need to collect more and for volunteers to sort and maintain the food in the pantry. So, we’re on it again this November!

We have a couple different opportunities for you to participate:
1. Bring non-perishables to UBC over the next few weeks and drop them off at the collection bins you’ll find by the check-in kiosks.

2. Come out to the Feed Miami Benefit Concert on November 4th!

For more information on our food pantry, visit feedmiami.com

It’s hard for kids (and adults) to consistently slow down long enough to express gratitude. So, the theme for this November is taking a “Pitstop” so we can remember that because of what God has done, we always have a reason to be grateful.

It’s interesting to realize that God doesn’t actually express gratitude—because God doesn’t need anything. He is the only One who is truly self-reliant. But God made us so that we are not self-reliant. We need God, and we need other people. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, and God met that need when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. Because of God’s sacrifice, we can have eternal life with Him in heaven. So that means we can be grateful to God for saving us and preparing a place for us in eternity.

And that’s not all—there are other things to be grateful for as well. Do you have shelter? Food? Clean Water? Clothes? Work? What about friends and family? These things can be easily taken for granted. But imagine what our lives would be like without them. God wants us to remember that every good and perfect gift comes from Him, and that we should be grateful to Him for what He has given.

In week one, we will look for the silver lining in every situation. Bottom Line: You always have something to be grateful for. To do this, we will unpack our monthly memory verse: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

The second week we will focus on a group of vineyard workers (Matthew 20:1-15) who agreed to do a job but were disappointed by the way things turned out. Bottom Line: Take time to adjust your attitude.

And in the final week, we’ll study Jesus’ healing of the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and think about why only one came back. Bottom Line: Take time to say thank you.

We all need a gratitude adjustment from time to time. This month, we’re gonna pause and remember to thank those who have helped us. We will also pause and remember those we need to help.

Til next time!

Cara Martens. ©2011 Orange. All rights reserved. www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Mark your calendars for this Friday evening, November 4th!

UBC is hosting a benefit concert to replenish our Feed Miami food pantry. Young talent from our community is coming together to showcase their gifts and talents. Performers range from singers, dancers, and even video editors.

The event will take place at UBC (624 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables) on November 4th.
7 - 9pm
UBC Worship Center
Admission: 5 cans of non-perishables per adult, 3 cans of non-perishables per child.

Come out and help support Feed Miami through the arts! For more information, email alison.bisesi@ubcmiami.org or cindy.cohen@ubcmiami.org