Conclusion of The Jesse Tree

Working on the final ornament - Baby Jesus -

A great question to discuss with your children from The Advent Jesse Tree book is " How can we make room for Him in our hearts?"

I would love to give a HUGE shout out of THANKS to my team of children's worship teachers!!!!  This past month we have switched things up significantly and had 40 minutes of craft time with 30 young children. Today we completed our ornaments for the Jesse Tree.  Teachers - Thank you for all of your willingness to help with the crafts.  I pray that the children have really learned something through the Jesse Tree workshop and that it has provided opportunities for discussion at home.  Here is a very short clip of our time today. 

Jesse Tree - Week 3

This past Sunday during Children's Worship we made 7 more ornaments for the Jesse Tree (stump, lion and lamb, dove and crown, lamb and staff, cross, heart, and the town of Bethlehem).  This coming Sunday, December 19th will wrap up our lessons on Advent.  We will complete 6 more ornaments to send home for children and parents to discuss throughout the week leading up to Christmas.  I encourge you to talk with your children about each ornament and use the devotions in the book (or handout provided during children's worship) to enter into discussions with your child about preparing our hearts for Christmas and the celebration of Jesus' birth. 

We celebrate Christmas with giving gifts to those we love.  Encourage your children to thank their Heavenly Father for the gift He gave us in Christ. 

Jesse Tree - Week 2

This past Sunday during Children's Worship we made 7 more ornaments for the Jesse Tree (ladder, coat of many colors, ten commandments, cluster of grapes, sheaf of wheat, slingshot, and Bible).  The kids are doing an awesome job!!  We have been very busy in Children's Worship the past couple of weeks. These ornaments correspond with the devotions in The Advent Jesse Tree Devotions for Children and Adults to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas by Dean Meador Lambert.  I know how quickly the days disappear, but I hope you have had some time to read over the devotions with the children.  At the end of each devotion is a prayer to read together. 

 

 

Preschool Play date

The kids had a great time listening to the following story:  My Birthday, Jesus’ Birthday.  They all made a Baby Jesus doll and then we sang Happy Birthday Jesus.  A great reminder for the meaning of Christmas!

Advent Jesse Tree

This past Sunday during Children's Worship we made the first 5 ornaments for the Jesse Tree (globe, apple with snake wrapped around it, ark, tent, lamb, and ladder).  These ornaments correspond with the devotions in The Advent Jesse Tree Devotions for Children and Adults to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas by Dean Meador Lambert.

What is the Advent Jesse Tree?

"The word Advent means "coming" and refers to the coming of Jesus.  The Advent Jesse Tree emphasizes His coming in the flesh at Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago.  It also explains His coming with the New Covenant and His second coming when He will return to judge all of manking.  The Advent season is a time for all of us to prepare for these "comings." "(Page 9, The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Meador Lambert.

Resources

Long Story Short (Ten - Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God) is available at the Resource Table for $10.  Marty Machowski states, "The Bible can seem like a long story, but when you break it down into short devotions, teaching the Bible to your family is easy to do.  The goal of this devotional is to, day by day, pass on a clear gospel message showing children how every story in the Bible points forward or back to the gospel of Jesus Christ and God's story of salvation (Pg. 2)."



It’s hard to believe we are days away from Thanksgiving and moving along quickly to Christmas!!  I wanted to share with you a quick update regarding children’s worship for the next 5 weeks (11/21 – 12/19).  Your children painted a tree this past Sunday during children's worship.  Throughout the next several weeks they will make ornaments to add to it.  Please work together with your child to find a special location for the tree.  We are using the following book:  The Advent Jesse Tree:  Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas by Dean Lambert Smith. Copies of the book are available on the resource table for $11.50.  We will follow the suggested symbols in this book as we prepare ornaments for the Jesse Tree during children’s worship. Beginning next Sunday (11/28) your child will bring home a small ziplock bag with 5 ornaments.  I will also include a brief summary of the ornaments and the scripture related to the ornaments. 



Cartwheels and Coffee Play date

Our first play date at Cartwheels and Coffee on Cary Street.  We had a great time enjoying a cup of coffee while all the kids played.  A fun time for all!  The girls had fun trying on the different hats.

Sunday Community Class Update

Critter Crew - This past Sunday the two and three year old class learned about Joseph and his coat of many colors. The wonderful team of teachers take time each week preparing lessons that are engaging for the children.  They had a great time decorating their own coats after listening to a story about Joseph. 



Preschool Service Playdate - Operation Shoe Box

Thank you for all the participation with our first preschool service project.  We had several generous donations to help fill boxes for Samaritan's Purse:  Operation Shoe Box.  For additional information check out the following website:  http://www.samaritanspurse.org/. 

Sunday Community Memory Verses: November & December

Memory Verses

Critters (2yr olds – 3 yr olds):

Nov: Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing.

Dec: Luke 2:11 Today…a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord.        

Sprouts and Seekers (4 yr olds by June 2011 – Preschool) and (Kindergarten - 1^st Grade): 

Nov: Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Dec: Joshua 1:9b Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Adventurers (2^nd – 4^th  Grade):

Nov: Psalm 104:24a How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You have made them all.

Dec: Acts 17:25b He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

1st attempt at blogging - here I go!!!

I will be adding information about Grace Kids Ministry to this blog.  I hope this will be a place for your family to use to stay connected with all that Grace Kids Ministry has to offer.  I will be posting details about upcoming events along with pictures and summaries about past events.