Third Quarter 2007

Welcome to P.R.A.Y.'s God and Country News Bulletin. This Bulletin is written for pastors, counselors, mentors, and parents associated with Protestant and Independent Christian churches. It includes program helps, best practices, and special features to support a God and Country ministry. We hope you enjoy this bulletin and take the time to share it with others.

TESTIMONY FROM MARY WANGERIN: WHY I "GIVE MY ALL"

Nine years ago, Mary Wangerin saw a boy receive a religious award and decided that her son would earn his own religious emblem. Since then, over 300 children have been presented with their God and Country awards from Mary’s congregation, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Mary Wangerin would introduce herself as "the lady that wears her Boy Scouts of America uniform around the church." Besides being a Sunday school teacher, confirmation guide, Easter passion play volunteer, money counter, facilitator for the TABLE Small Group (supporting parents of special kids), she also holds the God and Country program "near and dear" to her heart. Here's Mary to tell why:

I have an opportunity to meet children and help them realize the wonderful relationship they have with Jesus, their families, church communities and the world around them. The joy and pride in a seven-year-olds face as they recite the Lord's Prayer and the excitement when they learn that praying is not a formal thing they have to use big words for, but a simple conversation with God, is the most wonderful feeling I can experience. To have parents tell you that never before have they talked about their faith, relationship with the Lord, or prayed at dinner, tell you they are doing all the above and more... To have a family walk out of class and see Living Water in action and say, "Can we stay? We love this music!"... To have a young girl say, "Mary, when can I take the next God and Country class? I can't wait!" These are just a few of the reasons I "give my all" for the God and Country program.

Visit http://www.praypub.org/god_country/god_and_country_feature_05.htm to see pictures of Mary and her God and Country classes. 

Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church accepted the God and Country program as part of its ministry seven years ago. It didn't take them long to realize that this was not just a "scouting thing." Since then they have embraced the program as a family ministry. God and Country is presented not just as a Scouting award, but as an opportunity for children and families to grow in faith together. Click here to see the program brochures used by Mary Wangerin at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church. http://www.sollc.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=261

[For more information on the God and Country program as ministry, browse the Start-up Kit http://www.praypub.org/god_country/start_up_kit_01.htm]

GOD AND CHURCH CLASS HAS SPECIAL MISSIONS EMPHASIS 

Boy Scouts from four different troops in Stillwater, Oklahoma joined together to earn their religious emblems. Stillwater is a small college town. Most of the lesson leaders were Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Chi Alpha students from Oklahoma State University who plan to pursue a life in Christian mission work. Some had graduated and were working/volunteering for groups like the Peace Corps and the Pioneers. Several missionaries who had traveled to Mozambique, Costa Rica, Honduras, Tibet, India, China and other areas visited with the Scouts. Brian Goodrich was one of the speakers who was especially interesting for the boys. Not only did he show photographs of things like maggots in the food, but he also shared his testimony about how he dropped out of scouts before making Eagle Rank and was led away from his Christian walk. Now that he's found his way back, he plans to devote his life to missions. His testimony was very inspiring to the boys. Nine Scouts completed the class and earned their God and Country awards.

P.R.A.Y. PUZZLE PATCHES

The puzzle patches are becoming more and more popular, but they are still relatively new. Here are the important points about the puzzle patches:
 

• There are different patches for members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and American Heritage Girls.
   
• The anchor patch is available every year. The anchor patch is the one with the kneeling scout. It should always be the first segment that is presented.
   
• The "fish" segment is currently available, and it will be available through July 2008.
   
• The puzzle patch program is designed to promote the religious emblems - it does not replace them! The puzzle patches are presented to youth and adults for finding out about the religious awards and making a commitment.
   
• Visit the P.R.A.Y. web site at www.praypub.org for brochures/order forms or to order the patches online.

RESOURCES

• Ten Commandments - Memorizing the Ten Commandments is a requirement for the God and Family program, but which version should students memorize? Which numbering system should they use? Parents should consult their churches for help in choosing the appropriate version to memorize. The P.R.A.Y. website has several versions that are formatted as bookmarks for easy distribution to class participants. There is also a sample variation of the numbering system.Click here and then select Lesson 4: Cheese.
   
• Display Medal Post Cards - P.R.A.Y. has post cards in full color that picture the God and Me, God and Family, God and Church, God and Life, and the adult God and Service recognitions. The post cards are 6x9 and very attractive. They are available as Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist, and standard Protestant. The back of the post card tells what God and Country is, why you should promote it, and how to set up a class. The post cards can be used as posters or as handouts at special events. Post cards are free, but there is a charge for postage and handling. Supplies are limited. Email Joan at joanw@praypub.org to order a supply and ask about the shipping charge. The actual files are on the web site for people who want to print a single copy. http://www.praypub.org/god_country/medal_pictures.htm
  
  
• Dessert Pizza Recipes - Everybody celebrates with pizza when they complete the God and Family program. What about pizza for dessert? Click here for some recipes for brownie pizza, ice cream pizza, fruit pizza, and more!

• Multiple Order Forms - Don't forget that the Counselor Manuals contain a Multiple Order Form to make it more convenient when placing an order for a large class. These forms are also available online. http://www.praypub.org/god_country/multorderforms.htm. It may be a good idea to print a copy from the internet to ensure that you have current prices and shipping charges. P.R.A.Y. adopted new rates and policies this past June.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE

• Bremer Hut pizza coupons - The Bremer family in St. Louis designed coupons for "Bremer Hut Pizza" that they shared with their God and Family classmates. The coupon included a special treat: a miniature gummy candy pizza! Click here and then click Session 6 to see a photo.
   
• God and Church meeting format - A Scout group in southern California met at a different family's house each time. They would study for about an hour and a half and then break for dinner. This gave the Scouts and parents a chance to break up the long class. After dinner they would wrap up the lesson. The host family was responsible for the meal.
   
• Papa Jesus Pizza - Kari made a special 'Papa Jesus' Pizza for her God and Family project. Click here to see photos.
   
• Pennies - The Protestant Committee of the Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis hosted a God and Me workshop and taught the lessons in a round robin format. They used pennies/coins for the closing activity in each different station.
  
  Lesson 1 Creation - Have a large bowl of pennies. Read statements (God created me with freckles. God created me to be outgoing. God created me to be shy. God created me to love animals. Etc) and have children take a penny for every statement that is true for them. The pocketful of pennies will be a reminder that God has created each person to be unique.
  
  Lesson 2 The gift of Jesus - Have a very plain gift box (wrap it with brown paper) filled with a treasure (a dollar coin) for each child. The gold dollar will be a reminder to focus not on the wrapping but on the gift itself. We will remember that God gives us Jesus, the best treasure of all.
  
  Lesson 3 Prayer - Have shiny new pennies. Together read "In God We Trust" on the front of the penny. The shiny penny will be a reminder about God, about trusting God, and talking (praying) to God.
  
  Lesson 4 The Good Shepherd - Have old dirty pennies. Nobody likes them, but a dirty penny has the same value as a brand new shiny penny. Jesus sees through the dirt. His blood makes us good as new. We will remember that when we are lost, Jesus comes looking for us. He'll stoop down to pick up the lost penny in the mud because he loves us.

• Prayer acronym - Michael and Leah (brother and sister), pictured at right, adapted the prayer acronym PRØMPT to include the O. To them, PROMPT stands for Pray Read the Bible Open your heart Meditate Pray again Take it with you. Leah also shared how her picture of Jesus is now "like a best friend, not some big guy on a throne waiting for us to do wrong.
   

• I have gained new confidence in sharing the Bible and my faith with not only my son but also my whole family. Parent, Casper, WY
   
• We have all benefited from this class as not only did our daughter learn more about her relationship with God, we all learned more about our relationship with each other. Parent, Lincoln, NE
   
• We enjoyed the adult mentor workbook my husband and I did together prior to the lesson with our son. We were able to talk with our son on many different topics. Mountain Home, ID
   
• Through this program our family has revived our faith in the Lord Jesus. Parent, Burbank, CA
   
• It has given us new avenues for discussing faith issues and understanding how God can use our family. Jackson, TN
   
• Son: My favorite part was reading the verses because I was with my Dad.
  Father: It gave my son and I time to talk about Christ and the church. It was a chance to pass on our beliefs. Houston, TX - God and Church program
   
• We are all more conscious of being kind to each other. We also spend more time in prayer. We pray with the elements of PATH. It has truly added another dimension of love and grace to our family. God and Me Parent, Chandler, AZ