Advent Ideas

Advent Party

  Date:  Friday Dec. 23rd at 10:00 am.  All are invited.  

Gather outside to read scripture and act out the birth of Christ. 

 Join us to sing some carols and enjoy refreshments.  

Children are welcome to dress up and participate as animals, shepherds or angels. 

 They can bring their own costume or use what we have on hand.  

 Looking forward to celebrating Jesus’ birthday together.   

For additional information you can contact Betsy Mock. 

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Jesse Tree Schedule Great resource from: 

"Cornerstones for parents building families up"

I love the Gospel implication listed out in 1 or 2 sentences with easy ornaments that children could make using clay.  One of my favorite kinds of clay to use with my kids is the Sculpey Clay I find at Michaels.  You can make small ornaments or figures easily with all the colors available.  

Upcoming events you do not want to miss!!

 "Family Book Club” Little Pilgrim's Progress  by Helen Taylor.  

Fantastic book to read aloud or read together as a family.  

The book is a simple adventure story and an allegory of the Christian journey through life, a wonderful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember.  Please let Julie Best know if you are interested in joining a low involvement “Family Bookclub" starting this January. More details can be found HERE. 

Wintergreen Tubing For Everyone: 

RSVPS are needed for this event to secure the date ASAP (Needed by Dec 23rd and Payment by January 8th) 

Check out all the details HERE 

Parenting Article

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!!!  Praying you have a sweet time with family and friends!!

8 Ways to Persevere in the Parenting Marathon

Grace Kids Resource Table

Many great books and cds available for sale on the Grace Kids Resource table.  

2 books I would like to highlight fore Advent are:

#1 Prepare Him Room 

#2  The Advent Jesse Tree 

An Ornament & Devotional Handout connected to the The Advent Jesse Tree

 is available for free on the Resource Table. 

Advent begins on Sunday, November 27th.  

Memory Verses

Memory Verses for September - December are from Seeds Family Worship Journey cd (Volume 9): You can listen to the songs at the link below:

http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/the-journey-vol-9/#

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

Song:  Hope and a Future

Jeremiah 29:1, NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER

 Song: Delight Yourself

Psalm 37:4-5, ESV

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Grace Kids Reminders

Reminder:  We do not have a Sermon Study class for the 4th and 5th graders the first Sunday of the month.  There will be sermon guides available on the Welcome Table for the 4th & 5th graders this week.  

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD - SHOE BOXES

Check out OCC on Facebook - Great pictures to show your kids and a packing video. 

Unfortunately the Operation Christmas Child empty boxes have been misplaced but I will do my best to search for them on Sunday morning.  If I can't find the boxes you can use a shoebox as well to fill. 

Look HERE for packing details. 

 Return filled boxes by Nov. 20th.  

Delivery to New Bethesda Church  on November 20th following Sun. Communities. 

If you would like to join with the delivery, please rsvp to julie@gcpres.org.  

Lunch together at Five Guys Burgers and Fries following delivery!!

MOVIE NIGHT and Hope for the Home Discussion #2

Understanding Basic Social Media for Parents Hope for the Home #2 AND...Movie Night for Kids! Basic Social Media Discussion Information:  Join us for a discussion about social media apps which are available on iPhones and Android phones.  In addition to the apps we will discuss parental controls to help keep kids safe from bullying, predators, and other unspeakable activity. We will  explore some of the popular apps that middle school and high school kids are using and how they may expose our kids to unwanted situations. Bring your own experiences with your kids and social media and we will leave plenty of time for questions and answers. Dinner and Movie Info:  We will start with a pancake dinner at 6:00 PM and begin the discussion shortly after 6:30.  Children will be able to go into the adjoining room to watch the movie Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.     RSVP HERE

Article & Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box TIME!

Good Read by Nancy Guthrie: 
 Meet the Perfect Parent and Perfect Child 

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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD - SHOE BOXES

Shoe boxes will be available at the Grace Kids Table.  Look HERE for packing details. 

 Return filled boxes by Nov. 20th.  

Delivery to New Bethesda Church (Collection Center) on November 20th following Sun. Communities. 

If families would like to join with the delivery, please rsvp to julie@gcpres.org.  

A group of us went a couple years ago and the children helped take in the boxes, pray over all the boxes, and helped package them to be sent. 

Lunch together at Five Guys Burgers and Fries following delivery!!

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Sunday Community Classes 

Hope for the Home: Thriving Families Discussion

Recommend read by Clint last week related to the Thriving Families discussion.

 4-questions-parents-should-ask-extracurricular-activities?

Hope for the Home series - The 1st discussion is this Saturday from 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM.

Click HERE for details on the Thriving Family Discussion

Grace Kids Worship

We wanted to provide you with links to the songs we have been working on during Grace Kids Worship since the start of Sunday Communities. 

Our new format in the Chorus Room has worked out GREAT!!!   We are excited with the PARTICIPATION of all the children!!!

We have been working on the following songs since September - You can click on all of the song titles for links to the songs we sing at church. 

Hope and  a Future - Seeds: Journey cd

Love the Lord

Super Wonderful

Faithful

My God Can

Glory to God

You are Good Always

We are beginning this week with the following songs (Faithful will be a review song):

Delight Yourself - Seeds:  Journey cd

I know He loves me

Faithful

Fellowship Time

Fellowship Time ---- Reminder we have 2 tables: 

#1  Middle School through Adult

#2  Fifth grade and younger

For allergy concerns please check with the food servers and a separate plate will be made.  Thank you! 

We are in need of servers for the Grace Kids Table.  Please check out the link to see if you have any dates you could help serve.  Serving only takes about 5 minutes. 

Reminder - Don't miss out on our 1st Hope for the Home Discussion

All the details can be found HERE.

Grace Kids Resource Table Update!

New Book Available on Grace Kids Resource Table beginning this Sunday, September 11th.

5 copies of the book have been purchased and will be on sell for $10.  

Good and Angry: Letting Go of Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness by David Powlison

Parent and Child Opportunities this Fall!

OCTOBER

Thriving Families Discussion for Parents of Elementary Children

Date:  Saturday, October 15th

Location:  Cool Spring Baptist Church

Time:  4:30 PM - 6:00PM (Childcare available $5/family )

Link related to discussion:  Thriving Families Discussion 

Sign Up Here for Thriving Families Discussion

NOVEMBER

"Understanding Basic Social Media for Parents" Presentation

&

 Movie Night: Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

Date:  Friday, November 18th

Location: Ashcreek Clubhouse

Time:  6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Pancake Dinner at 6:00 PM

Movie Showing 6:45 PM - 8:30 PM

"Understanding Basic Social Media for Parents" Presentation  - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Parents' Night Out is BACK!!!

Parents' Night Out Fundraiser!!! 

*  Date:  Saturday, September 10th from 5:00PM - 7:30PM

*  Location:  New Highland Baptist Church

*  Details:  Parents can drop off children ages 6 months through 5th grade for a fun evening of games, activities,and pizza.  

All Donations accepted benefit Tiny Hands International

 "a Christian non-profit organization "dedicated to empowering the church in the developing world to help the poor overcome poverty and become lights of the world." 

Go to http://www.tinyhandsinternational.org/ to learn more about the organization. 

Sign up here:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a44afad2ba2fb6-parents1 

Also looking for volunteers to watch kids - You can email Olivia Dowda if interested. 

Grace Kids Summer

Summer is filled with so much joy but can also be filled with moments of disappointment and struggles in parenting.  I know personally I want to provide my kids with a fun summer but it can be very exhausting.  Then the perfect recipe of exhaustion and frustration will result in anger.  I was reading today and found this post which provided encouragement.  

How Should I Handle Anger When Disciplining?

Proverbs 14:29  “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, 

but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” 

Don't forget to sign up for the swim night if you are planning on coming Friday!!!

 Pool Party 

We also have an Outdoor Family Movie Night planned for Friday, August 26th

Mr. Troop Mom is the movie we will be showing!!

All the details can be found here:   Movie Night 

July Grace Kids Newsletter

Stay up to date with all the happenings for Grace Kids Ministry.

July Newsletter

Kids Give Back - Northside donations

Thank you so much to our Kids Give Back group.  We collected $120 in monetary donations and the following supplies.  We delivered the donations on Friday and they were very much appreciated. THANK YOU!! 

For more information about the Northside Outreach Center and ways to get involved please see the following:  

http://www.the-noc.org

Grace Kids Summer Fun!!!!

Hope you can join the fun August events!!

Take a look here for specific details:  Pool Party 

Here is a link for info and to sign up if interested: Movie Night 

Kids Give Back 2016

Ephesians 6:11

"Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Day 1:  Superheroes Care for Others like God Cares for us and Superheroes Pray for God's Help

Day 2:  Superheroes Protect and Defend Others

Day 3:  Superheroes Trust God

You and your children may want to check out all the links below 
to see highlights from the last 2 nights!!

Sunday Night Fun - Video

Superhero Themed Video

Monday Night Fun - Video 

FUN SONG - TAKE A LOOK:  Go Fish - Superhero

Such a great few days and thank you to all that participated and volunteered!!!

Pictures from GCPC Olympics

Enjoy the slideshow from the annual GCPC Olympics.  It was a hot day but we made the best of it with a ton of water balloon games!!!

Water Balloon Fun!!

Summer is HERE!!!

Don't miss out on Kids Give Back - Starting in less than 2 weeks!!  

We are excited for this fun camp!!!  DETAILS

Save the date for a pool party at night on Friday, August 12th.  

SWIMMING EVENT

Sunday School Movie Time!

This coming Sunday, May 22nd the Preschool Sunday Community Classes through 5th Grade classes are invited to attend a movie following Grace Kids Worship in the Chorus room- Buck Denver & Friends present Clive and Ian's Wonderblimp of Knowledge:  
6 Big Questions About God 

During Grace Kids Worship we will be watching a youtube video featuring a song connected to our Kids Give Back theme this coming Summer!  Hope you can join us for Kids Give Back as there are a lot of fun plans in place for this THREE day event in July:  Sunday from 5:00PM - 8:00 PM and  Monday and Tuesday from 6:00PM - 7:30PM.  

Jesus You're my superhero!

Happy Birthday Abdias!

The child we support through the children's worship offering is having a birthday on July 24th.  He will be turning 8 years old!!  GCPC started supporting Abdias in 2012.  We are sending  a donation for his birthday in addition to the monthly support.  We send an additional donation for his family on his birthday and Christmas.  

I just sent a letter to Abdias telling him about our church and how we pray for him every week.  I sent the following verse to him:  Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  

If your child would like to make cards for Abdias they can turn them in to me over the next month and I will mail them in July. 

I included an early birthday card and picture of the kids in children's worship in letter I sent Abdias.

Kids Give Back

Kids Give Back (July 10th - 12th)

* Kids Give Back Facebook Event - Check this out and reply if you are planning on attending. Created as an easy way to forward along to your friends.

*  Online Registration - Kids Give Back:  Jesus the True Superhero

*  Jesus You're my Superhero - Lego Version 

*  Contact Julie Best, Megan Liesinger, or Christy Villhauer with questions.

Kids Give Back 2016 & Compassion Experience

Kids Give Back
 Preschool - Rising 5th Grade

www.clipartpanda.com

*  July 10th (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM DINNER Provided on Sunday)

*  July 11th & 12th (6:00 -7:30 PM)

*  Online Registration is OPEN - Click here for details:  Kids Give Back:  Jesus the True Superhero

*  Please let Julie Best, Megan Liesinger, or Christy Villhauer know if you have any questions.

The Compassion Experience

Swift Creek Baptist Church in Midlothian
April 23-26
Here is a link with all the details:  Compassion Experience

Skate Night

Ashland Skateland Grace Kids Night

We have reserved the Ashland Skateland on Saturday, April 30th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  

Cost is $4/skater and $3 skate rental fee.  Invite your friends!

Skating Details

RSVPs are greatly appreciated 

Easter Egg Hunt Pictures

We had a great time at the Egg Hunt on Friday - Thankful for a BEAUTIFUL evening!!

Here are some pictures:  2016 GCPC Egg Hunt

Looking forward to our next fun Grace Kids Event - We have reserved the Ashland Skateland on Saturday, April 30th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  

Cost is $4/skater and $3 skate rental fee.  Invite your friends!

Skating Details

Palm Sunday & Flowering Cross

Palm Sunday - Palms will be handed out this week at church.  A fun activity to do with your children is turning the palm into a cross.  Here is a link:
Making Palm Crosses 
Song:  King of Glory

Empty Cross Displayed at Church

Here are some "Kid Friendly Easter Videos"
Holy Week Journey Activity Kits

 

 

* Holy Week Begins on Palm Sunday (March 20th) and ends the night before Easter with Holy Saturday.
*  Adapted from: joyfulmamasplace.blogspot.com/2011/04/holy-week-for-families.html

Easter Sunday - Congregation adds flowers to the cross

 

GCPC Annual Egg Hunt - Date MOVED to Friday, March 18th

You can click on the link below to see the updated details for the egg hunt on Friday evening.  I hope it still works for everyone to make it.  We will be filling eggs tomorrow evening.  It's not too late to invite your friends to this fun event!!

GCPC Egg Hunt Sign Up & Details

March Grace Kids Newsletter

I had the worst time with the links on my March Newsletter.  I emailed out 2 newsletters for March this evening and both contained links that did not work properly.  You can find the CORRECTED March Newsletter here 

(3rd time is a charm!!!)

March Newsletter

Egg Hunt Details/Date Night Recap

Here is a picture slideshow recap of our Compassion for Haiti evening: 

Picture Slideshow

Thank you to Becky, Michelle, and Jennifer for organizing and leading stations. Thank you to Brad and Keith for helping with the stations and to Audrey, Hayley, and Mark for helping with the nursery. It was a TEAM effort that resulted in a fun night for all!!! 

On to the next Fun, Family Event  

Grace Community Presbyterian Church Annual Egg Hunt 

Click here for Details:  Egg Hunt
Pictures from last year:

 

 

Holy Week Journey Activity

Holy Week Journey Activity 

Kits will be handed out starting this Sunday, February 28th

Adapted from: joyfulmamasplace.blogspot.com/2011/04/holy-week-for-families.html

Holy Week

Begins on Palm Sunday and ends the night before Easter with Holy Saturday.

Palm Sunday:  Grey square for the color associated with the donkeys, and to signify Jesus' sadness over Jerusalem (Green pipe cleaners to display on the grey square to represent palm branches).

Monday to Wednesday: Purple squares (Each day move Jesus forward on the squares)

Thursday:  Wine red square, to remind us of the wine of the New Covenant (Picture of wine and bread to represent the Last Supper, wooden bead to represent a basin – as Jesus used this to wash the disciples feet).

Friday: Red square, for the blood that was shed for us (Remove figure representing Jesus and display black cross by the square this day) The simple wooden cross will remind us of the Son of God who bore our sins and shame.

Saturday: Black square, as we mourn His death

Sunday: White square, to celebrate His glorious resurrection! (Butterfly to display on the square representing new life).

Resurrection Eggs

The Resurrection eggs are another great way to engage your children in the Easter story.  We have 2 sets at church that we will use during children's worship.