September Loft Recap (week 3)
What is standing in the way of you and Jesus?

Sam Gilles • Upper Elementary Pastor
September 20, 2026

2 Minute Read
LOFT WEEKEND RECAP

Series/Message: Frequency - Learning to Hear from God

Key Scripture: John 15:1-11

THE BIG IDEA
Just like a branch needs to stay connected to a vine to grow, we need to stay connected to Jesus to grow spiritually. When we stay close to Him through His love, His Word, and following His commands, He changes us from the inside out and produces fruit in our lives.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5
MAIN POINTS
  • Jesus is the source of our growth
  • We can look fine without actually growing
  • We must stay connected to Jesus
  • Staying connected to Jesus produces fruit
ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION QUESTIONS

Use these questions to continue the conversation at home and help your kids think more deeply about what they heard this weekend.

Pick one or two and give your kid space to share what they are thinking. The goal is to continue the conversation at home and help them see how following Jesus connects to their everyday life.

1. If someone watched your life for a whole week, what are some things they might notice that show you are growing in your relationship with Jesus?
2. Can you think of a time when being close to Jesus helped you handle a difficult situation, decision, or relationship differently? What happened?
3. If you could ask Jesus to help you grow in one area of your life right now, what would it be? Why?
4. What is one way I can help you grow closer to Jesus? Is there something we could do together as a family?
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September 20, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
September Loft Recap (week 3)
LOFT WEEKEND RECAP Series/Message: Frequency - Learning to Hear from God Key Scripture: John 15:1-11 THE BIG IDEA Just like a branch needs to stay connected to a vine to grow, we need to stay connected to Jesus to grow spiritually. When we stay close to Him through His love, His Word, and following His commands, He changes us from the inside out and produces fruit in our lives. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5 MAIN POINTS Jesus is the source of our growth We can look fine without actually growing We must stay connected to Jesus Staying connected to Jesus produces fruit ADDITIONAL CONVERSATION QUESTIONS Use these questions to continue the conversation at home and help your kids think more deeply about what they heard this weekend. Pick one or two and give your kid space to share what they are thinking. The goal is to continue the conversation at home and help them see how following Jesus connects to their everyday life. 1. If someone watched your life for a whole week, what are some things they might notice that show you are growing in your relationship with Jesus? 2. Can you think of a time when being close to Jesus helped you handle a difficult situation, decision, or relationship differently? What happened? 3. If you could ask Jesus to help you grow in one area of your life right now, what would it be? Why? 4. What is one way I can help you grow closer to Jesus? Is there something we could do together as a family?

Sam Gilles

Upper Elementary Pastor

September 23, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Nerf War Loft Event
Event Overview This is a 3 - HOUR action packed experience for our Upper Elementary age students. Where they will have opportunities to Build Connections, and Grow in their Relationships with one another. Throughout the event, students will be placed on teams and work together in way where they will have to communicate, encourage one another, make decisions together, and depend on the people around them. Schedule WEDNESDAY, NOV 18TH 5:00p - Check In 5:30p Nerf War action begins 7:45p Nerf War action comes to a close 8:00p- Pick UP in Commons Lobby (Event Over) Additional Info Theme - Retro Bring your Own Blaster - Students are encouraged to bring their own dart blaster and all the ammo they desire for that blaster! Event Game Rules 1. Goggles Stay On If you are playing, your goggles stay on. No exceptions. 2. No Headshots Do not intentionally aim at or shoot someone in the head. 3. One Dart = One Hit If one dart hits you, it counts as one hit. Meaning you're out. 4. Call Your Own Hits If a dart hits you, you are responsible for calling yourself out/hit. Don't wait for a Referee to tell you. 5. When the Round Is Over, STOP SHOOTING When the Referee calls the end of the round, everyone Immediately stops shooting and lowers their blaster. Game Types Standard Team match 🔫 King of the Hill ⛰️ Capture the Flag 🚩 Zombies 🧟‍♂️ Cost ($5) This includes Team Color Vest / Safety Goggles Payment can be made on the night of the event or in advance through the registration linkNerf War Student Sign-Up Link

Sam Gilles

Upper Elementary Pastor

September 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Welcome to Fall Loft
Loft Overview The Loft is a unique Space designed for Upper Elementary Kids (3rd-6th Grade) who are looking for a fun and engaging environment to grow and connect. Our goal is to help set their foundation through equipping, empowering, and loving them as Jesus would, every step of the way. “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” - Luke 2:52 September Teaching Themes September kick starts lots of things for our kids. Thats why this month were talking about Frequency - Learning to Hear from God! All month long we are teaching through this, where each week we have specific topics based around different questions. These are our Weekly Questions along with the Supporting Scripture. What does it look like to hear from God? - John 10:2-4, 14-16; Romans 1:19-20 What do you want to learn from the Bible? - Matthew 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 What is standing in the way of you and Jesus? - John 15:1-11 What are you going to ask God to speak to you about? - 1 Samuel 3 Upcoming Events Nerf War | November 18th | 3rd-6th Grade This is a 3 - HOUR action packed experience for our Upper Elementary age students. Where they will have opportunities to build connections, and grow in their relationships with one another. - More info to come later this month - Coming up: Nerf War | November 18th | 3rd-6th Grade

Sam Gilles

Upper Elementary Pastor