Author Archives: Stephanie McDonald

• Save the Dates and Volunteer of the Week!

  Posted at 3:44 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Jan 8th

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet our Volunteer of the Week, Marc Banos! 

  Marc joined our team last fall to serve every Saturday at 5:45pm.  He is leading the way showing love and honor to every Parkview family.  He’s passionate about guiding the children and recently added serving at the 3:45 and Sunday night services as well.  You will usually find Marc in our Clubhouse every week at multiple services. Thank you, Marc, the best is yet to come!

  The new year is a perfect time to try a new system.  I’m going to only send one email a week and it will always include the dates and times that you are on the Early Childhood schedule.  You have a very important role and I am confident that everyone will show up when they are scheduled.  There is no need to reply to my emails to confirm.  PLEASE be sure to mark your calendar and set up your own reminder if you need to as we cannot be open for the Parkview families if we don’t have at least two non-related adults in the classroom.

  If you have a coach at your service time you may also receive correspondence from him or her.

  We always need you to arrive 30 minutes before the start of service and meet us in the EC yellow room for an important team huddle before we open for families.  It’s crucial we connect.

  Please use our online scheduler to manage your schedule and remember we kindly ask for a 3-5 day advance notice if you need to request a sub.  The sooner the better.

  Life happens and if you are sick or have a last minute emergency please try and find a replacement for your important role and notify your coach or me if you do not have a coach at your service time. Thanks for helping us keep the emails at a minimum and working together!

  Lisa has all the fun activities and music posted online so you can review before you come in to serve.  It really shows the kids how important they are when we are prepared for them before the weekend.  https://parkviewec.wordpress.com/category/curriculum/

  May you find joy and fulfillment in your work; may you find peace in your rest; and may you be fruitful in everything you put your hand to!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill

  

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• An Important Message for the New Year

  Posted at 3:51 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Jan 3rd

   

  

  Happy New Year!  God’s blessings to  you in 2014!!!

  We had 40 NEW families visit us in Kidz Connection during Christmas services. Praise God!  Thank you for working so well with our new families and Christmas volunteers!  I’ve been following up with everyone and I’m so grateful to hear about their positive experience in Early Childhood.

  My prayer for you as we start the new year…Be still to set a calm tone for your 2014. We all have so many responsibilities, tasks, goals- just make time to be at peace in the midst of it. Relax in the Light and let the Spirit fill you no matter the circumstances. It’s not easy to slow the mind and heart rate with all the distractions in this world but it is worth it!

  “She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  – Luke 10-:39-42

  As we move into the new year, one of the things we will try out is rather than me emailing everyone each week a reminder email if you are serving that upcoming weekend, I will send one weekly email with EC updates and where we have you on the schedule for that current month.

  If you volunteer on Sundays at 11am or 5:45pm you may also see an email from your coach.

  Our new memory verse for January is “With God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.

  Lisa has it all ready for you!  You can view this month’s music and activities by clicking here:   https://parkviewec.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/january-curriculum/

  It really, really helps to review before you come in to serve God’s little ones.  THANK YOU!!!

  I am so GRATEFUL for each and every one of you.  God has brought together a very strong team of dedicated people and everyone is pulling together.   Starting NEXT WEEK I will send one weekly email with important EC Updates so we all stay on the same page and where you are scheduled for the month.  Communication is EVERYTHING.

  It’s a fresh new season, a new year and it’s time, for you and for me, to do what God is calling us to do. Generations ahead of us will build on the foundation we lay.

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

  “With God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.  

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Thank YOU and Merry Christmas!

  Posted at 11:11 am by Stephanie McDonald

  Dec 20th

  

   

  Let’s Celebrate!

  We are fast approaching our extraordinary Christmas services and the end of 2013!  I want to take a moment to THANK YOU for helping us reach more and more children by providing excellent care and a nurturing environment where our preschoolers are learning that:

  1. God made me
  2. God loves mes
  3. Jesus wants to by my friend forever

  You could do a lot of things but you give your time and energy to minister to God’s little ones. You are making a difference in the lives of so many.   You are a blessing!

  For team members who are serving during our 10 Chrismtmas services please remember:

  Arrive 45-40 minutes before the start of service to check in, then sign in at the EC desk to find your room assignment.  We open 30 minutes before the start of service.

   There are no huddles in the yellow room during our Christmas services.

   Please shuttle to help open up parking spaces for all our new guests.  Simply park at Horton’s (down the street from Parkview) off of 183^rd between Wolf and LaGrange on the north side of the street.  The shuttle will run non-stop during the below times and you will be dropped off right at the northeast door. It’s so much more convenient.

  Shuttle Times:

  Saturday, 12/21: 12:15pm-7:45pm

  Sunday, 12/22:
  7am-1:30pm
  (no shuttle between 1:30-2:45pm)
  2:45pm  7:45pm

  Monday, 12/23: 1:45pm-9:00pm

  Tuesday, 12/24: 8:45am-5:00pm

  Rather than spotlight one person these next two weeks, I’d like to put the spotlight back on all our 2013 Volunteers of the Week.  Click on this link for a snapshot year in review:  https://parkviewec.wordpress.com/meet-the-ec-team-volunteers-of-the-week/

  Thank you again for being a team that goes above and beyond!  May you see glimpses of glory everywhere you turn so you’re reminded that God is very much at work behind the scenes, answering your prayers, opening doors and moving mountains.

  Have a very Merry Christmas!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Are you feeling behind? – Volunteer of the Week – Christmas!

  Posted at 4:07 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Dec 12th

  

  Let’s Celebrate!  

  Meet our Volunteer of the Week, Lorie Creedon!  For almost two years Lorie has been leading our Early Childhood three year old classroom every other week at 9am.  She is great at welcoming families and connecting with team members.  Lorie always goes the extra mile and recently her role expanded to service coach at 9am.  She is a great leader!  Thank you, Lorie, the best is yet to come!

  Are you feeling behind?

  Just do your best. Do your best everyday. Ask yourself daily, “AM I REALLY DOING MY BEST?” If the answer is yes, than be at peace.

  Andy Stanley, author and senior pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, has a great quote:  “The less I do, the more I accomplish.”

  This statement contradicts our culture and the way most of us live our lives.  We fall into thinking that to get more done, I have to do as much as possible on any given day.  But if we’re strategic with our time, talents, and abilities, we can accomplish so much more.  We’re all wired in a certain way and the more we do in the way that we’ve been wired, the more we’ll accomplish.  Think about how you could be more strategic in your everyday life, in your community, and in the ministries you serve in.

  It’s important for us to think strategically here at Parkview Christian Church.  When we consider what we do for the families we serve, here are a few things to remember:

  1. Teach less for more.
  2. Partner with parents.
  3. Teach with an end in mind.

  This week think about the things that you fill your life with and your ministries.  What principles are guiding you?  Where can you be more strategic?

  Christmas Top Serving Opportunities

  Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th 3:00pm

  Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th 1:00pm

   Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th 11:00am

  You can easily and conveniently fill yourself in for a very important Parkview role on our on-line scheduler.  Click here and feel free to contact me if you need your user name and/or password.

  Your energy and passion means more to our Parkview families than you will ever know.  THANK  YOU!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill
  

  “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Have you met Ryan? + Important EC Updates and more! ….

  Posted at 11:22 am by Stephanie McDonald

  Dec 4th

  

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet our Volunteer of the Week, Ryan Meske!  Ryan has been serving in Early Childhood since June.  He is a huge help in our blue room assisting the 3 year olds.  He serves every Saturday at 3:45pm and always has a smile on his face and is ready to make our preschoolers feel welcomed.  He is reliable and willing to do whatever it takes to help. We are so grateful to have him on our team.  Thank you, Ryan, the best is yet to come!

  We are recruiting volunteers for our Christmas services this weekend.  Please DO NOT fill out a “Give the Gift of your Time” form that will be in the Parkview bulletins.  If you would like to serve at a Christmas service, all you need to do is contact me or go to our online scheduler to fill an important role for Christmas services.  We’ll have LOADS of new families at those 10 special services, we’d LOVE to have you join us for the fun festivities in Early Childhood!

  In addition to our special Christmas volunteers, we will need at least one team member in every room for all ten services.  Right now our biggest need is on Tuesday, December 24th at 11am, 1pm or 3pm. If you are available please plug yourself in or just let me know if you are flexible on any day and time. We need YOU.

  Friendly reminder, if you did not receive your key card to use for express check-in they are available for pick up in the Kidz Lobby at the kiosk on the left side designated for volunteers.   If you’ve been issued a card from another ministry, it will work for Kidz Connection too.  You will only have one check in key card/bar code; it can be used for all ministries.

  Do others know what you do at Parkview?  God has given each of us gifts and talents to serve each other in incredible ways.  When we see others who may have the same gifts that we have, we should model  how they can utilize their talents and ENCOURAGE them to get involved.  This will only increase the level of service towards one another.

  I am seeing a dramatic increase in the number of our team members sharing what we do and how others can get involved.  THANK YOU for being a part of what God is doing at Parkview and for sharing and showing your friends, family and neighbors how to get involved.  You are more than you know!

  It’s an honor to be serving alongside each of you.

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

  “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, I am the light of the world.  If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• IMPORTANT December Updates & Meet Yvonne Williams! . . .

  Posted at 2:04 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 26th

  

  Hip, hip, hooray, it’s beginning to look alot like Christmas!  Our large group area for preschoolers is ready to go.  LOVE it, GREAT job team!!!

  IMPORTANT UPDATE:  In our huddles last weekend I mentioned that we only had a 9am and 11am service the last weekend of this year and that was incorrect.  It is confirmed that there is no Saturday service on December 28th and on Sunday, December 29th there is a 9:00am, 11:00am AND 5:45pm service.  Our online scheduler was updated yesterday to show the Sunday night service for December 29th.  My apologies for any confusion.

  Friendly reminder, it is extremely important to be aware of when you are on the schedule and if you need to make a change to please take care of that as soon as possible.  Do your best to give at least a week’s notice so someone can fill your very important role.

  If you need to request a sub, please consider being a sub so it all balance out and if you are on our SUBs’ team, we really need you to step in and help as much as you can in December so our weekly team members can have a week off to recharge their batteries and receive much needed rest before the new year.

  Let’s Celebrate, meet volunteer of the week Yvonne Williams!

  

  Yvonne is a Team Leader and has been serving in Early Childhood for over two years.  She is dedicated to leading Clubhouse A every other Saturday at 3:45pm.  She also fills in when needed and is always prepared.  Yvonne has a huge heart for the children and leads them with patience and kindness and sets a great example for her team members. Thank you, Yvonne, the best is yet to come!

  We are recruiting volunteers for our Christmas services this weekend and next weekend.  Please DO NOT fill out a “Give the Gift of your Time” form that will be in the Parkview bulletins.  If you would like to serve at a Christmas service, all you need to do is contact me or go to our online scheduler to fill an important role for Christmas services.  We’ll have LOADS of new families at those 10 special services, we’d LOVE to have you join us for the fun festivities in Early Childhood!

  YOU are a tremendous blessing and I am so grateful to work alongside each and every one of you.  Rejoice in His goodness today because you’re one of the good gifts He offers to a world very much in need. Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  jill

  

  “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Appreciation Parties, Important Christmas Update, Volunteer of the Week and more….

  Posted at 1:48 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 20th

  

  THANK YOU  again for your dedication to our Early Childhood team!   I am AMAZED every day by God’s blessings. These are just a few of the many awesome  team members we had attend our early childhood volunteer appreciation dinners and luncheon. Good times and great memories were made even through the storm on Sunday!

  Thanksgiving is fast approaching and our 10 Christmas services are right around the corner.  I will email everyone their schedule to serve from now until the end of the year.  Do your best to confirm your dates and give us at least a week’s notice if you need to request a sub for your very important role.

  This weekend and next weekend there will be a sign up sheet in the Parkview bulletin for people to volunteer at our Christmas services.  DO NOT fill out this form.  That volunteer sign up sheet is for those who do not already serve in Kidz Connection.  As I prepare the schedule for Christmas, please know that our goal is to have our weekly volunteers take a week of rest and then have at least one of our team members or team leaders who serve every other week or monthly in each EC classroom for Christmas services.   We’ll have our new Christmas helpers spread out throughout the 10 Christmas services to lend a helping hand.

  If you are scheduled to serve Saturday, 12/21 or Sunday, 12/22, would you consider moving to Monday 12/23 5pm or 7pm service or Tuesday, Christmas Eve at 11am, 1pm or 3pm service?  We need to have at least one team member at each of our 10 Christmas services.  You can easily add yourself to a Christmas service by using our online scheduler by clicking here .

  Friendly reminder,  DO NOT fill out any forms that are in the Parkview bulletins this weekend or next weekend.  Also, no need to fill out a form online.  All you need to do is contact me or go to our online scheduler to fill an important role for our Christmas services.  We’ll have LOADS of new families over those 10 special services, we’d LOVE to have you join us for the fun festivities in Early Childhood!   
  

  It’s beginning to look alot like Christmas!  You are invited to help us decorate our Early Childhood hallways for Christmas this Friday, November 22nd at 12 Noon.  Please let me know if you’d like to help us decorate, we’d LOVE for you to join us.  The more the merrier!

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet Volunteer of the week…Jackie Miller!

  

  Jackie recently joined our team and is dedicated to our Sunday 9:00am Early Childhood team.  You’ll find her having fun with the 3 year olds in the blue room every weekend. Jackie is passionate for the kids and team members around her and it shows as she serves with her whole heart.  We love having her as part of our Early Childhood family.  Thank you, Jackie, the best is yet to come!

  Share the love! Who do you know who is not currently serving?  Ask them to join you the next time you serve and let me know their name so I can have a name tag ready for them.

  It’s a great feeling to have everyone on the same page.  There’s a unity that comes from ensuring that all of us are working towards the same goal.  We are very grateful to see the children become infused with the love of Jesus the moment they arrive in our Early Childhood classrooms.  You are making a huge difference!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  jill

  

  “Come, let us sing to the Lord!  Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come to him with thanksgiving.  Let us sing psalms of praise to him. “ Psalm 95:1-2  NLT

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Team Party, did you RSVP? Volunteer of the Week + Christmas decorating

  Posted at 2:37 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 11th

  

  Hip, hip, hooray! It’s almost time for our Volunteer Appreciation and Holiday Party, it’s THIS WEEKEND!

  Did you RSVP?  If not, PLEASE call me at 708-478-7477 ext. 287 or email or Facebook me ASAP so I have an accurate headcount and order the appropriate amount of food.

  We want to say THANK YOU for giving so generously of your time, talent and energy to the Early Childhood Ministry this past year in order to make it a better place.  There will be separate parties for each of our service teams as follows.

  When & Where:

  -SATURDAY 3:45pm & 5:45pm Teams – Saturday, November 16th after the 5:45pm service from 7pm-8pm.   Dinner will be provided in Clubhouse B.
  

  -SUNDAY 9am & 11am Teams – Sunday, November 17th after the 11am service from 12:45pm-1:45pm. Lunch will be provided in elementary gym (now called The City).
  

  -SUNDAY NIGHT 5:45pm Team – Sunday, November 17th 4:15pm- 5:15pm.  Dinner will be provided in Clubhouse B

  RSVP by 11/11/13 to jill.shea@parkviewhchurch.com or call me directly at Parkview .

  Our celebration will encourage team spirit and unity during a fun time sharing a meal and conversations to build community.  Hope you can join us!

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet volunteer of the week…Alicia Waldman!

    Alicia joined our Saturday 3:45pm team in February and serves every other week.  She goes above and beyond by inviting friends to serve with her to help grow our team and jumps in to help whenever needed.   Alicia does a phenomenal job leading the children and working with team members. She’s a great leader!  Thank you, Alicia the best is yet to come!

  It’s beginning to look alot like Christmas!  You are invited to help us decorate our Early Childhood hallways for Christmas NEXT Friday, November 22nd at 12 Noon.  Please let me know if you’d like to help us decorate, we’d LOVE for you to join us.  The more the merrier!

   

  BIG hugs and much love,

  jill

  

   

  “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Celebration in 10 days! Volunteers of the Week…

  Posted at 2:57 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 6th

  

  Let’s Celebrate!  Meet our Volunteers of the Week, Jack and Nancy Noyes!  Jack and Nancy joined our Early Childhood Team a year ago and serve every Saturday at 3:45pm.  Their commitment and faith to see God move are obvious in the way they dedicate themselves to leading and caring for God’s little ones and fellow team members.  Thank you, Jack and Nancy, the best is yet to come!

  The countdown begins!  In 10 days we will have our Early Childhood Volunteer Appreciation and Holiday Party.  We want to say THANK YOU for giving so generously of your time, talent and energy to the Early Childhood Ministry this past year in order to make it a better place.  There will be separate parties for each of our service teams as follows:

  When & Where:

  -SATURDAY 3:45pm & 5:45pm Teams – Saturday, November 16th after the 5:45pm service from 7pm-8pm.   Dinner will be provided in Clubhouse B.
  

  -SUNDAY 9am & 11am Teams – Sunday, November 17th after the 11am service from 12:45pm-1:45pm. Lunch will be provided in elementary gym (now called The City).
  

  -SUNDAY NIGHT 5:45pm Team – Sunday, November 17th 4:15pm- 5:15pm.  Dinner will be provided in Clubhouse B

  RSVP by 11/11/13 to jill.shea@parkviewhchurch.com or call me directly at Parkview 708-478-7477 ext. 287.

  Our celebration will encourage team spirit and unity during a fun time sharing a meal and conversations to build community.  Hope you can join us!

  As always, please let me know if there is anything I can do to serve you.  May your week be blessed!

  Honored to serve you,

  Jill

  

  “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

   

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Party, Schedule and Volunteer of the Week!

  Posted at 4:03 pm by Stephanie McDonald

  Nov 4th

  

  Let’s celebrate!  If you were unable to join us last weekend, meet  Volunteer of the Week, Brittany Spayth!  Brittany has been serving in our Early Childhood three-year-old rooms for almost a year.  She faithfully serves every other Sunday night.  Brittany continually goes the extra mile to welcome, engage and serve God’s little ones and team members.   She’s a great leader!  Thank you, Brittany, the best is yet to come!

  We had 16 NEW families last weekend in Kidz Connection and the Lord brought 401 Parkview people to baptism this weekend (including two in Brazil).  Praise God!  Please be praying for all of them.  Please also pray for those that didn’t come forward but are considering being baptized.

  As we continue to grow and prepare for the last two months of of 2013, please check the online scheduler for your scheduled service times.  With the holidays fast approaching we need everyone to work together to plan ahead to confirm your schedule and if you need to request a sub please consider being a sub for someone so it all balances out.  You have a very important role and we can’t do this without YOU.

  YOU ARE INVITED!

  We would love for you to join us in celebration at our Early Childhood Volunteer Appreciation and Holiday Party.  We want to say THANK YOU for giving so generously of your time, talent and energy to the Early Childhood Ministry this past year in order to make it a better place.  There will be separate parties for each of our service teams as follows:

  When & Where:

  -SATURDAY 3:45pm & 5:45pm Teams – Saturday, November 16th after the 5:45pm service from 7pm-8pm.   Dinner will be provided in Clubhouse B.
  

  -SUNDAY 9am & 11am Teams – Sunday, November 17th after the 11am service from 12:45pm-1:45pm. Lunch will be provided in elementary gym (now called The City).
  

  -SUNDAY NIGHT 5:45pm Team – Sunday, November 17th 4:15pm- 5:15pm.  Dinner will be provided in Clubhouse B

  RSVP by 11/11/13 to jill.shea@parkviewhchurch.com or call me directly at Parkview 708-478-7477 ext. 287.

  Our celebration will encourage team spirit and unity during a fun time sharing a meal and conversations to build community.  Hope you can join us!

  BIG hugs and much love,

  Jill Shea

  

  Posted in Early Childhood Curriculum

• Search for:

• Recent Posts

  • Alley Curriculum – April 2026
  • City Curriculum – April 2026
  • Story Labs – April 2026
  • So & So Shows – April 2026
  • April 2026 – Ollie Bible Story Videos

• Categories

  • Early Childhood Curriculum (352)
  • Alley Curriculum (251)
  • City Curriculum (233)
    • March City Large Group (2)
  • City Worship (39)
  • Testimonials (8)
  • God Time (Take Home) Sheets (3)
  • Summer Jam (2)
  • Summer Jam 2021 (1)
  • Summer Jam 2023 (1)