This is a year of breakthrough! Have you heard our Pastor Bill say that? Well, we believe it is. We see a church multiplying its influence across this city and to the nations. A church that leverages today’s technology to spread the Gospel near and far. A church inspiring marriages to be great. We see a church of people serving and giving in Jesus’ name. A church where generations are redirected because parents are choosing Christ.

That’s right, Parents. Remember what Deuteronomy 6:5-8 tells us:

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Tell your kids about God and the wonderful things He has done for you. An hour a week at church is not enough. They are watching you and doing life with you every day. You’re the spiritual leader in their lives. You have a responsibility to them, a key role to play in their spiritual development. We want to come alongside you… that’s what thinking orange is all about.

We are praying for breakthrough for you and your family. May this year be one of growth in Christ. We want to see generations changed because parents are choosing Christ. 100 years from now all that will matter is whether kids have a relationship with God or not.

Be in the know of what your kids are learning about God. Use every day moments to talk about virtues. Use every day moments to tell your kids about God.

Bring the whole family to this FREE and FUN community event. Wear a costume and try to win prizes in the costume contest, go trunk to trunk and collect candy, play on the bounce-houses, enjoy carnival snacks, and so much more! Click here to download and print your free raffle ticket (prizes include Heat tickets, Zoo Miami passes, giftcards, and more).  Donate a bag with non-perishable food and drop off at the Feed Miami trunk to receive a free raffle ticket.

Join us in the UBC Chapel this Sunday between 3 and 5 pm to audition to perform for the Feed Miami Benefit Concert! Email alison.bisesi@ubcmiami.org or cindy.cohen@ubcmiami.org for additional information.

Looking for a FREE & FUN & FAMILY orientated event this Halloween? Then join us 3-6p on Sunday, October 30, for our annual  BLOCK PARTY @ UBC. Carnival games, trunk or treat, costume contests, candy and much more will be set-up in the UBC parking lot.  Want a free raffle ticket? Donate a bag with non-perishable food to Block Party and drop in the Feed Miami Van.  This is a great opportunity to bring your family and friends to UBC.

Thank you for your participation in City Serve - Summer 2011!  About 200 UBC’ers participated at the 6 different sites, coming along many of our local partners. We would love to hear your stories and see your photos. Will you take a few minutes before the end of this week and complete one of the sentences below and email to missions@ubcmiami.org?

• I signed up for City Serve because…
• My favorite part of serving at your site was…
• Through City Serve, God taught me…

If you have a photo of yourself serving, we would love to see those as well. Just attach it and email to missions@ubcmiami.org.

The UBC food pantry has been up and running for several months & we need your help in filling some crucial gaps in our food pantry. Right now we have shortages of these items:

• Canned fruit
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc…)
• Canned pasta w/meat (especially cans with pop tabs)
• Juice
• Bags of rice
• Canned beans

Consider taking your family this week grocery shopping and add a few of these items. You can bring your bag to UBC on Sunday or drop it off at church anytime during the week. Thanks for helping Feed Miami!

City Serve is less than a month away & we have some GREAT opportunities for your family to serve together. Here are the recommended family sites  -

• Florida Baptist Children’s Home (for families with young children) - 9:00a – 1:00p • 7748 SW 95th Terrace, Miami, FL 33156 -  Light planting and landscaping….family picnic afterward.  Bring your shovels and bring a side dish for the picnic.
• Open House Ministries (all ages welcome) - 9:00a – 1:00p • 1350 SW 4th Street, Homestead, FL 33030 - Help the children of Open House Ministries kick-off their summer camp program. Volunteers will work alongside local community members to cover the Watering Hole, Registration Station, Crafts Cavern, Recreation Falls and the Bible Study Safari. Volunteers and community members will enjoy a community praise concert, featuring the Open House Ministries children’s choir, a guest choir from North Carolina, and a special guest from UBC.  Hot dogs and hamburgers at noon!
• Touching Miami With Love (all ages welcome for the summer kick-off) - 9:00a – 1:00p • 711 NW 6th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 Transportation provided from UBC to TML and back. 1) Mural Projects – to  help us create pre-designed interior murals in our new library and our front classroom to help beautify the space. Don’t worry you don’t have to be an artist to help!  You just have to be able to use a paint brush. Ages 15+ for the mural painting 2) Summer Kick Off Celebration – to join us for our Summer Celebration.  Volunteers help serve snow cones, cotton candy, help with bounce house and kick-off the summer program. Lunch provided on site.

Visit the City Serve site for more information or email missions@ubcmiami.org.

A HUGE thanks to our volunteers, who continue to help Discovery Land, Highway 252, FamJamz, and Family Ministry serve children and their families. If you are a current volunteer, please join us for the 3rd Annual Orange Awards on June 5, 2011 at 6p.

RSVP by emailing alison.bisesi@ubcmiami.org or by filling out the form below. Please indicate whether or not you need childcare in your RSVP.