New Year's Idea for Kids

Taking a break the past week to spend time with family in PA.  We happened to be there during a snow storm.  Kids had a great time - of course we spent just as much time bundling up to go outside in the snow as we did playing in it. :)  Some fun pictures of our time in the snow!!!

I found this lesson on the Ministry to Children website.  I know as adults we are always looking to start fresh with the New Year (as is true of myself with charts on our pantry door to keep track of workouts!)

I really like this lesson for our children as a way to bring their attention to God and ways they could seek Him more.  If you have a minute over the holiday vacation I encourage you to take  a look at the following link:  New Year's Idea for Kids (Ministry to Children Website)

Sunday Communities and Grace Kids Worship will begin next Sunday, January 6th

Children's worship - We are continuing with the Catechism Question curriculum.  The Ask Me Whooo Cds available at the resource table and are an excellent tool to help your children with learning the catechisms.  

Save the date:  January 26th - Burkwood Swimming: 6:45 PM - 8:15 PM

Please let me know at julie@gcpres.org if you are planning on attending. Feel free to invite friends!!

Grace Kids Update

Children will be listening to a beautiful story, Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones at the Christmas Eve Service.  Following the story they will be singing Away in a Manger along with the congregation. This is not something the children need to have memorized.  We did sing it this past Sunday in children's worship and included hand motions to go along with it for the preschool class.  They sounded so sweet singing.  

Away In a Manger (the crossings website) :  Hand motions if you wanted to go over with your children but they will not be using the motions during the singing at church.  I just included as a way to help them with learning the song. 

Final week of Advent:

This past Sunday the pink candle of Joy was shared during the service.  The pink candle ornaments were available on the tree for families. You could use this week to have children share things they are joyful about this Christmas.  Share with the children Luke 2:10 and discuss how everything we do to prepare for Christmas can fill us with joy about Jesus. 

Week 4:   This purple candle is often called the candle of love.  The ornaments will be on the tree this Sunday, December 23rd.  Please have your child take one following the service.  This week read John 3:16 with your children.  A great thing to talk with your children about before they open presents is why they give things to people.  We have been discussing the past few weeks with the children how our best Christmas gift is that God sent Jesus.  

The fifth white candle is to light on Christmas Day as the Christ candle.  

Reminder:   We will not have Sunday Communities or Grace Kids Worship on December 23rd or December 30th.  

For the crafty folks out there, I have included a link to 5 fun crafts to do with your children:  Christmas Crafts (Ministry to children website)

Grace Kids - COMMUNITY

Thank you so much Christy and Pamela for setting up a fun Christmas play date for our kids.  The kids all enjoyed listening to the stories, making ornaments, and eating some yummy treats.  

Thank you Becky for making the "Jingle Bells" for the kids.  They had a fun time playing a version of hot potato and receiving a bell each time the music stopped and they were holding the reindeer.  

The kids were so sweet singing along while John led them in some Christmas carols.  Ben was very excited to bring his toy saxophone.  The group was very kind to sing along to Happy Birthday Jesus while he played his own notes to accompany the singing. 
Take a look:

New Resource: Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing

So excited to share a new resource with you.  I purchased  6 copies from Westminster Bookstore and they will be available for $10 at the Resource Table this Sunday.  I just received a copy today and LOVE it!!  

Check out the following information from desiring God

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/top-12-books-of-2012

9. Sally Lloyd-Jones, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing (Zonderkidz). This is the devotional follow-up to the 2007 release The Jesus Storybook Bible, and is every bit its equal in quality of storytelling and visual illustrations. And it may actually be superior in content. In a devotional style, we see again Lloyd-Jones’s excellence in how she skillfully translates complex and abstract theological categories (like glory) through story to young children. But what I have noticed in reading this to my two youngest children (7 and 5) is how incredibly easy it is to finish the story and be led right into a conversation with them about God. There are some really priceless stories in this new book, including one titled “Dance!” that explains to children God’s inter-Trinitarian delight (19), and one called “Glorify!” to essentially introduce Christian Hedonism in 135 words (52). This is another masterpiece from Sally Lloyd-Jones for parents who want to provoke Godward thoughts in the minds and hearts of their children and families.

You can also see more about the book at Amazon: Thoughts to make your heart sing

In addition to this resource there are many other books and cds available to purchase for a reasonable price at the resource table.  

Check out some fun songs from the same group that sings Bible Book Bop: 
 Go Fish Christmas Songs

Grace Kids Update

Advent Wreath:

picture from: www.sharefaith.com

This past week the second candle was lit on the Advent wreath.  Ornaments were available for each family on the tree.  If you did not have an opportunity to pick up an ornament here is the information listed on the candle:

Week 2:  A week of Preparation - As a family, you can brainstorm a list of things you do to get ready for visitors.  Talk with your children about things you would do differently if Jesus were coming to stay at your house.  Then light the first 2 purple candles on your Advent wreath.  Pray that God will bless your preparations for His Son's arrival.  

Other information to share about the second candle on the Advent wreath.  This is a purple candle representing preparation.  Discuss how just as we get our homes and churches ready for Christmas, we also get our hearts ready for baby Jesus.  Read Mark 1:3-4.  One way of preparation for Christmas is to let other people know that Christmas is all about the birth of our Savior.

 Following the service each week during the Advent Season, families are encouraged to take one ornament from the tree. This coming week there will be pink candles symbolizing Joy.

Grace Kids Worship

The children all did a great job on Sunday singing Bible Book Bop and I'm Gonna Shout 

 Way to go Kids!  Keep on singing God's Word!

Look for new songs soon that the children will be learning.  Continued reinforcement of the Bible Book Bop will help your child with learning the books of the Bible in order. Another good resource to help your children with learning the New Testament Books of the Bible is from a Seeds CD:  New Testament Song

Sunday Communities  

On December 16th, children will have an opportunity to say their memory verses.  Then we will be taking 2 weeks off for Christmas Break.  

Reminder of Memory Verses for December can be found at the following link:  November/December Newsletter

Teaching Children How to Pray

I am excited about two things we are going to be using during our Sunday Community time for preschool - 6th grade classes.

The first idea is a prayer pail:  Preschool - 1st grade.  Please check out the following link from Joy's Hope blog to see an example:  Prayer Pail

I used the example on this blog posting to list out various things for the children to pray for during our time together:  friends, family, praise Him, thank Him, their choice, school, missionaries, church, our city,etc.  The children will each pick a popsicle stick and then pray for that item during prayer time. 

The second idea is Prayer cards (Praise, Thanks, and Request) - 2nd grade - 6th grade.  This idea is from the ministry to children blog:  Teaching Sunday School Students How to Pray I have written a handful of prayers for each prayer card category.  Each week the children can select  from one of the three categories (Praise, Thanks, and Request) and use the prayer on the back of the card to guide their prayer time. 

Children will also be able to share their own prayer requests

 in addition to the suggested ideas.  

Article - Guarding Sabbath

I would encourage you to take a few minutes to read over the following article from the Gospel Coalition Blog.  On any given Sunday I know I can feel frazzled and just go about my busy day.  This is a good reminder of our need for rest and to reconnect as a family.  I hope you find this as encouraging as I did when I read it: 

 How to Guard Sabbath for your children

Reminder for Children's Worship:  This Sunday the PRESCHOOL class will have an opportunity to say their catechism answers.  

Memory Verses/Advent

This past Sunday the Advent Wreaths were handed out at church.  This is a simple craft for your children to assemble.  The first candle added to the wreath was a purple candle.  This is called the candle of hope.  Here is a link to further talk with children about hope because we know Jesus:

 impressyourkids.org/the-indescribable-gift/

Memory Verses for December:

Please work with your children on their memory work.  Teachers will check with the children on 12/16.  You can begin by having your child use the Bible to find the verse.  

Critters:  James 1:17 "Every ...gift is from above."

Sprouts (Preschool): Luke 2:11 "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

Explorers (Kindergarten & 1st Grade) and Seekers (2nd & 3rd Grade)

Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

 Adventurers (4th - 6th Grade) 

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

We will not have Sunday Community classes on 12/23 or 12/30.

Reminder - This coming Sunday children will be singing the Bible Book Bop at the end of the service.

GCPC Kids Update

Just a reminder to pick up your advent wreath kit on Sunday. This is for families of preschool age children - 5th grade.  All kits are labeled with the last name of each family.  

Don't forget to check out the resource table - there are a ton of books and cd's that are great to have for your children.

December 9th the children will be singing in front of the congregation during the closing songs.  They have been working for months on the Bible Book Bop by Go Fish. Thank you so much Randy and Rob for working on this song with the kids.  I know this is a popular song in our household.  You can pick up the cd for $10 at the resource table.  Bible Book Bop is part of the Snazzy CD by Go Fish.  This is a fun song, but ultimately our aim in working on this song with the children is to help them with learning the Books of the Bible in order.  Realistically at this point they are unable to sing the whole song but repeated exposure is beneficial.  We have also been working on finding the books of the Bible during Sunday Communities. Posters have been made that list the books in order and teachers use this to share with children when they are looking up passages related to the lessons.  I encourage you to have your children look up passages at home especially during this month when we celebrate Advent.  Each week there is a Bible passage on the candle ornament you will be bringing home from church.  You can make a game out of it with your kids to see who can find the verse first, if they know the books of the Bible before or after the one listed, New or Old Testament, etc.

From the following source:  http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/bible/719-teaching-your-child-the-books-of-the-bible

"Hand Motions (reprinted by permission)

Although most of the meanings behind the hand motions are above a preschooler's understanding, using hand motions is one more way to learn the books of the Bible.  The hand motions are created using the major themes of each book."       

           Old Testament Hand Motions                  New Testament Hand Motions

Don't forget the pancake dinner and movie night this Friday.  It's not too late to sign up and join us. 

Advent ideas

Advent Ideas

Advent begins the 4th Sunday before Christmas (December 2nd)

Focus:  Increasing anticipation as we approach the celebration of Jesus' birth.  

1. Advent Wreath - We will have an Advent wreath display at church.  In addition, each family with preschool children through 5th grade will have their own advent wreath to take home.   Here is a picture of the craft.  Included in your bag will be the green circle, red heart, 5 candles, pipe cleaners, red beads, and a plate.  These Advent Wreath kits will be available on Sunday, December 2nd.  

There are 4 green pipe cleaners and 12 red beads. As a family you can add beads to the green pipe cleaners and wrap around the green foam circle.  Some of the ends of the pipe cleaners are sharp.  The foam circle and heart already have spaces for the candles.  If you need to make the hole bigger for the candle to fit you can use a screwdriver.  The heart is to add in the center of the wreath for the white candle on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The white candle is lit to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. 

Each Sunday at church beginning on December 2nd there will be card stock candle ornaments hanging from a Christmas tree.  Following the service, each family is encouraged to take one ornament from the tree.  The ornament will give you the details for that specific week for the advent wreath.  The ornament will share what color candle to add to your wreath along with the symbolism and explanation for it. Each week during Advent new ornaments will be added to the tree. 

2.  Advent Chain - Use construction paper - red, green, and white if you want to be festive.  You will want to cut the paper into strips approximately 1"x6".  You will need to cut 24 strips of paper to make one chain.

On one side of the paper number the days beginning with December 1st and ending with December 24th.  On the other side you can include Bible verses to look up to help children understand Christmas, fun activities to be done such as decorating Christmas tree, make Christmas cake, writing messages to friends, etc. Connect all the pieces to make a chain.  Glue or staple ends of paper together to make a ring and connect with next ring and complete a chain.  Hang the chain and each day of December have your child rip off one ring and read the back and then complete activity listed. 

3. Service Idea - Check out the following blog to see how to make shepherds pouches - this is a great way to emphasize service to others.  Shepherds Pouches

4.  Excellent resource for your home is The Advent Jesse Tree:  Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas by Dean Lambert Smith.  This is available at the resource table at church.  

Follow Up to Sunday Community Time

Adventurers (4th - 6th Grade)

This week I wanted to start with our oldest group of children the Adventurers Class (4th - 6th Graders) They just completed all their lessons on a chronological study for children of redemptive history.  The 40th lesson discussed these themes:

• God desires to save sinners through what Jesus has done on the cross.
• God has written all people into the story of the Bible - it has a personal message for each of us. (pg. 311)

You could discuss the following application question with your child as an extension from their lesson this past Sunday.

• "Review John 3:16-18 and 36.  How many responses are there to Jesus? What might rejecting Jesus look like? Read and talk about the following five examples.  Emphasize that unbelief and rejection of Jesus takes many different forms.
• A boy says he is not interested in the Bible - it's boring.
• A girl says she will wait until she is older to decide.
• A woman says the Bible is just a make-believe story.
• A man says Jesus is okay for some people-those who think they need help.
• A boy says he is sort of interested in Jesus, but he is interested in other things too, like sports - and those things are really important

Ask:  Do any of these examples sound like you?  Are you believing in Jesus right now?  If you are, how is this shown in your life?  Who do you believe Jesus is?  Are you depending on Him to forgive all of your sins and make you right with God?  Do you believe with all your heart that He will give you eternal like in heaven?  Do you feel at peace with God or do you feel as if He is angry at you? Rad and discuss 2 Corinthians 5:20-21;6:1-2"

(Children Desiring God Curriculum pg. 315)

Seekers (2nd - 3rd Grade)

The lesson this week was on Matthew  8:5-13 - A soldier's faith in Jesus

"For further discussion with your child you could explain the following: "We do not know how much the centurion understood about Jesus' ultimate identity. He probably did not understand how Jesus saw himself as the fulfillment of Israel's hopes. He certainly could not be expected to understand Israel's history and how Jesus fit into that history.  And this is a central point in this story:  as little as he knew compared with what the Jews should have known, he trusted Jesus to be able to heal his servant. And Jesus responded that the "subjects of his kingdom" (meaning the nation of Israel) would be left out of his kingdom, a kingdom where faith it the mark of inclusion, not ethnic identity". 

(Telling God's Story by Peter Enns pg 35-36)

Explorers (Kindergarten & 1st Grade)

  The Bible story used to teach this lesson was Philip Preaches to a Stranger (Acts 8:26-40) 

Aim:  To teach that the Holy Spirit will be with us when we are witnessing for Jesus.  

During the lesson they discussed how important it is to listen for God's voice.  The teachers shared how He will put thoughts into our minds.  They discussed how He always speaks to us through the Bible.

Sprouts (Preschool)

The preschool class discussed a Thanksgiving lesson.  

Psalm 100:4-5 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

Discuss with your children three reasons why we should say Thank You to God based on Psalm 100:4-5.

Then we made a Thankful Hand for each child.  The teachers discussed the different things we have to be thankful for and we listed them on the fingers:  Parents, School, Church, Jesus, Health.  Use these hands at home to encourage your young children to give praise to God for the many things they have to be thankful for each and every day.

Parent Resources/Spring Meeting

I wanted to make you aware of some  materials for parents.  This can be an uncomfortable topic to bring up with our children but one that needs addressed...talking to our kids about sex.   We will be meeting in March (March 16th in the morning - more details to come) to have a discussion about this topic- plenty of time to become experts - Right?!?! There will be a panel of parents to talk to in addition to small group time to discuss topics that arise.  You do not have to purchase these materials to attend the meeting but they are an excellent resource to have for your family.  

Resources:

These links are from Christianbook.com

How & When to Tell Your Kids About Sex:  A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child's Sexual Character  (currently on sale for $7.00 - a great price) by Stanton and Brenna Jones 

God's Design for Sex Series (You can purchase as a bundle the series of books 1  - 4 which focuses on ages 3 - 14 or buy them separately). The price for the bundle is $33 or individually for about $8.50/book.

I was just talking to a friend today about how quickly our kiddos are growing up and how it surprises me the time is here to bring up this topic.  I want their first experience with this material to be from Brad and I rather than friends/school/tv, etc. 

Compassion

Abdias (Compassion International) 
We received  a letter last week from our sponsored child: Abdias - We read the letter to the children during children's worship. If your child missed the letter I wanted to pass along the details:

From Abdias:
I live in the mountains.  My mom's name is Sophonie.  My best friend's name is Anderson.  My favorite food is rice and black beans. I like to have fun the most.  My favorite verse from the Bible is Psalm 23:1.  

• Favorites:
• song = Ozana
• subject = Drawing
• game = Soccer 

His uncle who wrote the letter asked for prayer for Abdias and his school, family, and his good health. 

Thank you for the cards and pictures to send to Abdias.  I will be sending the letter tomorrow along with the cards.

I received a short article specific to Haiti - titled step into your child's world.  I will place this handout on the table with the Sunday Community Display Board.  I encourage you to take a minute with your child as you enter or leave church to look through this handout together.  

On the back of the handout are the following prayer requests for Abdias' Community:

• Pray for parents in the urban areas to find employment to care for their children.
• Pray for abundant harvest  for rural families who depend on farming.
• Pray that children will have educational opportunities to overcome poverty. 
• Pray for protection of families from natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes.
• Pray for Compassion staff members.

I also encourage you to check out the Compassion website at http://www.compassion.com/ to learn more about other children that need sponsored.  

Grace Kids Update

Check out the Scoop for the Memory Verses for this month:  Nov/Dec Newsletter

Memory Verse for Explorers (Kindergarten - 1st Grade)

Missions project for children:  Visit the following link to Sign Up Genius if you are interested in contributing to Operation Christmas Child:  sign up genius-operation Christmas child.  One thing not indicated on the sign up list is the donation for shipping cost. If you are interested in donating please make a check out to Samaritan's Purse for $7.00 with OCC in the memo line.  I will be collecting donations this coming Sunday, November 11th.

Resource Table

Don't forget to check out the Resource Table as you enter church. There are a ton of books and cds available.  The Snazzy CD is available for $10.  The Bible Book Bop is one of the songs on this cd.  During Grace Kids Worship time, the children have been singing the Bible Book Bop to help with learning the books of the Bible in order.  There are several other fun songs on the cd.  Trust me...my family listens to this cd over and over and over!!! 

Children's Worship

Catechism Questions:  This coming week the PRESCHOOL Class will have an opportunity to answer catechism questions.  It is helpful if you could work with your child on reviewing/learning one or two catechism answers. 

Abdias (Compassion International):  A letter will be sent next week to Abdias. If your child would like to draw a picture for Abdias or include a photograph please provide that to me on November 11^th. Other items that work well to send are bookmarks or stickers.  I also encourage you to check out the Compassion website at http://www.compassion.com/ 

to learn more about other children that need sponsored.  

Jesse Tree Kits

**Reminder: Jesse Tree Kit request deadline is 11/18**

It's hard to believe that we are close to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In preparation for Christmas we have Jesse Tree Kits for your family.  We have previously done these kits during children's worship, but this year we will be using a different resource during church.  The Jesse Tree Kit is a simple kit geared for preschool and early elementary children.

The Advent Jesse Tree is a way to show Jesus’ 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 mankind. The Advent season is a time to prepare for these "comings."  This is a great opportunity to have your children involved in understanding the true meaning of Christmas!

This year we are offering Jesse Tree kits for anyone who does not already have the paper tree and ornaments!  This will save you much time in pulling together the various materials you will need to assemble the ornaments.  Do not be intimidated – these ornaments are very simple and require minimal daily craft assembly.  The cost of the kit is $5.  The book that accompanies the ornaments is The Advent Jesse Tree:  Devotions for Children and Adults to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas by Dean Meador Lambert.  The book is available for $12.00. 

You can check out the entry from 12/19/10 on this blog to see a sample of the completed tree.  If you are interested in purchasing a Jesse Tree kit, please let me know by Sunday, November 18th (julie@gcpres.org).    

Sunday Update

Children's Worship

This past Sunday the PRESCHOOL class had an opportunity to answer catechism questions.  They are doing a great job!! Their lesson this past week was on catechism question 10.   Kristine talked to the children  about how God is always with us.  They talked about how God promises to be with us wherever we go and God always keeps His promises. 

The Elementary class reviewed all the catechism questions from 1 - 57 playing Crowd the Square game. During the lesson they talked about how the Holy Spirit sanctifies us.  We discussed the following ways we can be more like Jesus: kind, truthful, obey, and forgive.  

Sunday Communities

All classes had an opportunity to say their memory verses. New memory verses for November and December can be found at the following link: The Scoop

  A copy of The Scoop will be handed out this coming Sunday. 

Sprouts (Preschool Class)

The Preschool Class started a curriculum on Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd 

Over the next several months the children will be working on memorizing Psalm 23 (King James Version).  We have a curriculum we are using along with a book by David and Helen Haidle.  This book takes each sentence of the Psalm and illustrates it.  The lesson this week was an introductory lesson for the children - the Shepherd knows you was the theme. The teachers discussed who are the "sheep"?  Pictures of each child were added to a  sheet with a shepherd and other sheep.  "We are ...the sheep of (God's) pasture." Psalm 100.3  Children will have booklets they are working on during Sunday Communities. These booklets will stay at church.  Occasionally during the weeks ahead there will be some take home activities for the children.

Explorers (Kindergarten & 1st Grade)

The lesson this week was about obeying God rather than men.  The Bible story used to teach this lesson was the Apostles delivered from prison (Acts 5:12-42) 

Aim:  We have a guardian angel that looks after us.

Seekers (2nd & 3rd Grade)

The lesson today was on Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Controls the Weather

"Jesus miracle here makes very clear that Jesus' ministry is a redemptive event, following the pattern of these other big redemptive events in the Old Testament.  The miracle also sets Jesus apart as one who truly has the right to be heard: he does things that only God can be said to do." (Telling God's Story by Peter Enns pg 28-29)

Adventurers (4th - 6th Grade)

The lesson today was Jesus: Lamb of God

Themes: Jesus offered Himself as the one perfect sacrifice for sin & Jesus' death fulfilled the Old Testament promises. 

Application suggestion for home:  "Read Isaiah 53:3-6 and have a time of prayer, giving thanks for the wonder of Jesus coming to be the perfect sin bearer so we might have our sins taken away." In the Beginning Jesus by Jill Nelson pg. 292  

Sermon Study 

We will not offer a sermon study class this week, but sermon guides will be available at the Welcome table for 3rd - 5th graders.  The sermon study class is not offered the first Sunday of the month.  This allows the children to stay in the service and observe Communion/participate for our newest members.