Sunday Update

Grace Kids Worship 

 Children in preschool - 3rd Grade participate in a time of worship together.

  They had fun with the song in the video this week. Thank you Mr. Rob for leading them today!  They also worked on the Bible Book Bop and worked on the first 14 books of the Bible.  Way to go KIDS!!! If you want to keep practicing at home check out the youtube video:  Bible Book Bop

Thank you SO MUCH Ms. Becky for your instruction in the Wordless Book the last few weeks for the Critters and Sprouts Class (Preschool Group).

9/30: RED COLOR

Reminds us of:  Blood

Truth:  Jesus spilled His blood to pay for my sin.

Memory Verse:  “Through His blood, our sins have been forgiven.”  Ephesians 1:7

Song:  What Can Wash Away My Sin?

(Encourage your child to sing the song and say the memory verses taught above in the video by Ms. Becky)

Great Job today for all classes on their Memory Verses for the month of September!  Keep up the good work.  Check out The Scoop at the following link to see the memory verses  for October:  The Scoop - October Newsletter  

Explorers (Kindergarten - 1st grade)

Today they heard a story about Power from on High:  The Gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-47) The aim of the lesson was to teach that it is the Holy Spirit who invites people to be converted.  During the lesson it was discussed that the Holy Spirit is a person, not just a power, and that He is God.  In order to help the children understand the meaning of book of Acts have them take first two fingers of right hand and walk up and down left arm.  Explain to them that Acts gives the accounts of many missionary journeys.  

 (www.ABCJesusLovesMe.com)

Seekers (2nd - 3rd Grade)

Today their lesson was on Luke 18:9-14 (God Loves a Humble Heart).  Encourage children to find the verses in the Bible at home and read it together as a family.  They can share what they learned today in class.   

"This well-known parable demonstrates, as do many others they type of "religion" Jesus was interested in. Much of Jesus' teaching centered on compassion, love, forgiveness, self-denial, and humility.  The counterintuitive nature of this parable is not always appreciated:  God is actually more pleased with a sinner who knows about and is sorry for his sinful nature, than someone who is acting properly and morally but who thinks that his good deeds ares something to brag about". 

(Telling God's Story by Peter Enns - pg. 19)

Adventurers (4th - 6th Grade)

Memory Verses:  Today the children received a laminated bookmark with the verses for September - November (John 1: 12- 16)  

Today their lesson was on Jesus: Perfect Law Keeper

Themes of Lesson: 

Jesus is fully God and became fully human.

Jesus was tempted like Adam, but did not sin.

Jesus kept God's holy and righteous commands succeeding where all other people have failed.

Jesus was victorious over Satan, fulfilling the Old Testament Promises

In the beginning...Jesus, pg. 291

Application you could use with your child at home from 

In the beginning...Jesus, pg. 272

"Once a person trusts in Christ and is on His winning "team" is his contest against sin over? Is he still tempted to sin again? Why? Give the example of Paul's struggle from Romans 7:15-20. Who can help the Christian fight against sin? Read Hebrews 2:16-18. How can Jesus help us in our fight against sin? Has Jesus given Christianity any "tools" to use? Have your child read John 14:15-17 and Ephesians 6:13-18 for some examples."

Children's Worship Lesson Summary

Tomorrow the PRESCHOOL CLASS will be given an opportunity to answer catechism questions.  As a reminder, children go at their own pace for the catechism questions.  We have instruction together but each child has an individual catechism chart in his/her journal.  The catechism questioner uses the journal to determine what question to ask the child. Then a catechism slip is sent home indicating what question(s) were answered during the children's worship time. 

The following is an overview of the instruction your child received last week during the children's worship time. 

Preschool Class: Instruction on Catechism Question 5

They learned the hand motions for praise Him (extend arms forward and upward in praise), love Him (cross hands over heart and then point up), Thank Him (fold hands in prayer), and Serve Him(wrists together, palms open).   Children listened to the ask me whooo cd tracks 1 and 2. Children colored a picture of different ways that God takes care of them (food, clothes, parents, etc)

Elementary Class (Kindergarten - 2nd grade): Instruction on Catechism Questions 41- 48

Begin by playing Who Are You?  The following name cards were provided: Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Jonah, Moses.  Then the name card was taped to a  child's back. The other children in the class would offer clues to help the child guess the name taped to their back.  Some examples used were: 

• Adam: You named the animals, God made you out of dirt.
• Eve: Your children were Cain and Abel, God made you because Adam was alone
• Cain: You were a farmer, You were jealous of your brother
• Abel: You took care of sheep, Your brother killed you.
• Jonah: You ran from God and got on a ship, A big fish swallowed you alive.
• Moses: God gave you the Ten Commandments. God spoke to your from a  burning bush.

                                           Kids Quest Catechism Club (Volume 1 -pg. 87)
Then they discussed how were their spiritual hearts  the same?  They were all sinners and so are we.  But God has provided a wonderful solution for our sinfulness.  After the lesson children wrote the following in their journals:  The Holy Spirit can change a sinner's heart.

Abdias is the child we are sponsoring as a children's worship class through Compassion International. The offering collected during children's worship will be sent to sponsor him.  A small poster has been made to show the children his picture and prayer requests.  Please encourage your child to be praying for him.  We will discuss how the Compassion center helps Abdias in the following ways:

• Eating a healthy meal and practicing the right way to brush his teeth.
• Getting help with homework
• Playing Sports (Soccer is his favorite sport)
• Memorizing Bible Verses.
• Please pray that Abdias has an opportunity to learn, grow, play, and dream about a future free from poverty. 

Sunday Update

Check out the Bible Book Bop from Go Fish to help your child learn the books of the Bible in order: Bible Book Bop

Critters and Sprouts Class:

9/23 Wordless Book: Today the children learned about the "DARK COLOR"

Reminds us of: Sin

Truth:  God is without sin and cannot let our sinful hearts into Heaven.

Memory Verse: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Song: Romans 3:23 song (repeat the memory verse 4 times to song - check out the video clip to see the hand motions)

Explorers (Kindergarten - 1st grade)

Today they heard a story of when Jesus Goes to Heaven (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1)  Mr. Chris went over finding the books in the Bible with the children.  The aim of the lesson was to teach that Jesus wants to tell the good news about His coming.  In order to help the children understand the meaning of book of Matthew have them use both hands and pretend to place a crown on their head.  Then explain to them that Matthew emphasizes the kingship of Christ. (www.ABCJesusLovesMe.com)

Check out the posting from September 11th to see hand motions for the Explorers memory verse:  

Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  

Seekers (2nd - 3rd Grade)

Today their lesson was on Matthew 13:31-33 (Small beginnings - big results).  

"The general point of these two related parables is that the kingdom of heaven may have an unimpressive beginning but will have a big effect.  Each element mentioned (mustard seed and yeast) adds its own dimension to the lesson.  Jesus us such everyday things to explain the unfamiliar and mysterious". 

(Telling God's Story by Peter Enns - pg. 17)

Seekers Memory Verse: Luke 18:14b "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

Adventurers (4th - 6th Grade)

Memory Verse: John 1:12-13 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 

Today their lesson was on Jesus: Son of God  

Themes of Lesson: 

Jesus is fully God and became fully man, 

Jesus fulfilled Old Testament promises concerning his deity,

 Because Jesus is God, He is able to do what God's people could not do - save sinners, 

Jesus is the only way sinners may be saved. In the beginning...Jesus, pg. 259

Application you could use with your child at home from 

In the beginning...Jesus, pg. 264

Read Philippian 2:5-8. Even though Jesus is fully God, what did He do? (You may need to explain that Jesus never stopped being “fully God” while He was on earth. Rather, He gave up some of the privilege and status of His God-ness. For example” God is almighty, but Jesus willingly gave up using His power many times.) How should this serve as an example for us? Why does verse 5 say we should have this mindset also? How would that be lived out? (Read verses 3-4). Is this hard to do? Why? 

Children's Worship Catechism Booklets

Children's Worship -  Suggestion for using the First Catechism Booklet at home:  

After your child has learned an answer to a catechism let him/her place a sticker next to the question in the booklet.  Please refer to the catechism slips that are sent home every other week indicating what question your child is working on learning.  Using stickers at home in their booklets will help with keeping track of catechisms learned and give your child a feeling of accomplishment as they see the stickers increase.

Sunday Update

Sunday Communities for Critters and Sprouts

9/9: INTRODUCTION – Children will be creating their own Wordless Books during Sunday Communities over the next five weeks.  They will bring them home on 10/21.  Today they are bringing home a “Gospel Hand”, a cardstock hand cutout with one Wordless Book color on each finger.  Please use the Gospel Hand in conjunction with the blog as reinforcement at home of what is being learned at church.  This is a lot for our children to learn but we are so excited about sharing the gospel story with them and our hope is that, through repetition and reinforcement, our children will become very familiar with it!

9/16: GOLD COLOR

Reminds us of:  The streets of gold in Heaven

Truth:  God loves me and wants me to be with Him now and in Heaven.

Memory Verse:  “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”  Jeremiah 31:3

Song:  My God is an Awesome God

Check out the videos to see what the children learned about this week for the

 Wordless Book.

Explorers (Kindergarten and 1st grade):  Today they heard a story of when Jesus Fed His Disciples (John 21:1-22)  Ms. Jennifer went over all the books of the Bible (using a poster) with the children and then had them help her find John and the verse.  The aim of the lesson was to teach that Jesus forgives our mistakes when we are sorry.  

Seekers (2nd and 3rd Grade):  

Today their lesson was on Luke 18:1-8 (Don't give up when you pray).  

"This parable is about God wanting us to keep bringing our concerns to him.  No explanation of the different elements in this parable is given - other than that God will not lose patience or become annoyed, like the judge in this parable". (Telling God's Story by Peter Enns - pg. 14)

Adventurers (4th - 6th Grade):

Today their lesson was on Jesus: Son of Man  

Application you could use with your child at home from In the beginning...Jesus, pg. 257

 "Explain to the children that sometimes at baseball games a team will use a pinch hitter.  For example, maybe a certain player strikes out every time he comes to bat.  His team is losing and really needs to get another run.  The coach may decide to use a pinch hitter - another player who comes to bat in place of the player who has struck out.  Would the coach use a  dog as a pinch hitter? Why not? What about a  plant?  What about an elephant?  Why not?  Read Hebrews 2:14-17a. Is there a reason humans need someone like a pinch hitter? What have we continually failed to do? (Keep God's commands.) Why would God choose to send Jesus , as a real human, to save His people? (Because Jesus became like us, He can act something like a pinch hitter, taking our place to do something we could never do.) According to verses 14b-15, what did Jesus come to do for His people?

A helpful extension of the lessons for the Explorers, Seekers, and Adventurers would be to have your child find the Bible verses at home from their lesson and then you could read together and talk about what they discussed today in Sunday School.

Also don't forget to check out the following link for your child to help them with learning the Books of the Bible. 

Go Fish: Bible Book Bop

Sunday Update

Children's Worship went very well this past Sunday.  I wanted to clarify for our youngest crew entering children's worship that we do teach the catechism question and answers to the children.  We ask that they continue to practice at home for additional reinforcement.

This coming Sunday, September 16th the PRESCHOOL class will have a chance to answer catechism questions. 

Sunday Communities

Critters & Sprouts:  Ms. Becky is leading a 6 week study on the wordless book.  Here is a short clip of part of the introduction the children received this week:

Explorers (Kindergarten - 1st grade)  Their memory verse for September is Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  

Thank you Ms. Jennifer for leading the children in hand motions to help them better learn the verse.  Check out the clip of the children saying the verse with hand motions.

Seekers (2nd and 3rd grade group) Their memory verse for September is Luke 18:14b 

"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.   

Sorry no hand motions to go along with this group but I will check in with them next week to see if they would like to say the verse together for the blog. 

Adventurers (4th - 6th grade group) Their memory verse for September is John 1:12-13

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Books of the Bible: Check out the following links for songs to help children with learning the books of the Bible in order.  We will be working with all Sunday Community Classes (especially Explorers - Adventurers) on locating books of the Bible during our Sunday Community time together. 

Go Fish - Bible Book Bop Books of the Bible