Children's Worship Update -- Unit 2 and Christmas Lessons

Last Sunday the children finished Unit 2 in the Children’s Worship classes.  Here is a recap of what the children learned in their classes.


Preschool

Joseph Helps His Brothers
Moses: From Basket to Palace
Moses: Exodus
Moses: Manna in the Desert
Joshua and the Tall Wall
Hannah's Prayer
Samuel Listens

In the Preschool class, the children learned how Joseph helped his brothers during the famine and how God provides us food.  They continued to learn how God provides as they learned about Moses from his birth to leading the Israelites out of Egypt and through the desert.  You can help your children remember the stories of Moses at dinnertime when they thank God for being powerful and providing food for them as He provided for the Israelites in the desert.  The class marched around as a class just as Joshua and the Israelites marched around Jericho until the walls fell down.  In the last two lessons, the children learned that God listens to their prayers and God can speak to them.  Help your children to pray to God each day and remind them that God speaks to us still through the Bible.


Kindergarten & 1st Grade

Jesus Changes Paul
Jesus Keeps Paul Safe
Jesus Helps Paul Escape
Jesus Keeps Everyone Safe
Jesus Helps Paul in Malta

In Unit 2, the Kindergarten and 1st grade class focused on working for God. After encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was a faithful servant to God and shared the good news of Jesus with everyone.  During this lesson, the children learned how Jesus loves everyone, even his enemies.  They continued through the Unit to see the different ways that Jesus cared for and loved Paul and kept him safe, which allowed Paul to love and care for others.  They were encouraged to be missionaries to others, pray for the sick people that they know and trust in Jesus.  You can continue to encourage your children to use the example of Paul in how they interact with others around them.


2nd & 3rd Grade

The Tallest Tower
Abraham and Sarah Believe God's Promises
God's Promise Comes True
Isaac and Rebekah
Jacob Steals the Blessing
God Blesses Jacob

The 2nd and 3rd Grade class continued their lessons through the book of Genesis in Unit 2.  They learned to identify some of God's promises to us through the stories of Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Rebekah.  They also identified ways that God answered prayers and continues to answer prayers.  You can continue to talk with your children about how God answers prayer, but sometimes it is not in the timing that we are expecting.  In the story of Jacob, the class learned that God is always patient with us and loves us, even when we sin.  God proves that through blessing Jacob with a family and flocks despite Jacob's sin.

Christmas Lessons

During the next few weeks, all the classes will focus on the Christmas story from Luke 2.  They will celebrate Jesus' birth and talk about how the angels told the shepherds of the Savior.  The December Bible verse, Luke 2:13-14, is a great way to remind your children of the angels' message.

Advent Ideas: Fun Activities

If you have already decided on the devotional that you will do with your family this year, you may find that these Advent ideas are a fun way to celebrate the season with a twist.  Just as a disclaimer, they are not all centered on the birth of Jesus like the other ideas have been, but they are ideas to show love to others this season in addition to the devotions you read with your family.

Peppermint Plum created this list of symbols to show the meaning of Christmas in the different ways that we decorate and celebrate.  There is a printable version of the chart above on the blog.  You could go through all of the symbols in one sitting or spread them out to discuss one every 3-4 days.




For those of you with future actors in your family, I found this adorable Christmas skit at Christianity Cove that doesn't require very much preparation or practice at all.  Your children can perform for your families on Christmas morning.





Thirty Handmade Days decided to do an Advent Blessings Jar one year.  Instead of doing activities, you write down 25 blessings that are often overlooked and that are countable.  For example, the author has ceiling fans, ways to cook food, bathrooms, etc. and she wrote them onto popsicle sticks.  Each day, you choose a stick and count how many of that item you have in your home and then collect pennies, nickels or dimes in that amount.  At the end of Advent, you donate the money collected to the charity of your choice.  Check out the blog post for a more detailed explanation.



Another way to love others is to follow an Acts of Kindness Advent calendar.  Coffee, Cups and Crayons has created two printable calendars for 2017.  You could also turn your Elf on the Shelf into a Kindness Elf like Anna did from The Imagination Tree.  She has the Kindness Elves deliver an idea for a random act of kindness each day.



All of these ideas should not replace the devotionals and scripture that teach us about the coming of Jesus.  They are other ways to prepare for his arrival that help us to think of others during the Advent season.  I pray that you and your family are able to find the traditions that fit your lifestyle and best suit your family to celebrate this year.

Advent Ideas: Devotionals & Bible Reading Plans

In continuation of the theme of Advent preparation, I have gathered some daily devotional or bible reading plans that do not have crafts or activities attached to them. I have included books and plans for children, families and just adults.

In searching for these devotionals, I came upon an article that reminded me that recognizing the season of Advent forces us to step back from the busyness of daily life and the craze of materialism and consumerism that surrounds us. It is a time to stop and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus with joyful anticipation. I pray that you are able to take some time this Advent season to prepare your heart for the celebration of the arrival of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones is a great resource for children in Preschool and Elementary School. The way the book is written “every story whispers” the name of Jesus so naturally the stories lead up to the birth of Jesus. Various bloggers have posted the list of Advent readings from The Jesus Storybook Bible and I was able to find this printable version created by Ariel Booker.

I also found this fun Bible reading plan from Crafting the Word of God that you can cut apart and tape back together for each day of Advent. There are 25 days of readings, with the birth of Jesus occurring on Day 19 so you can use it after Christmas too. It only has one or two verses listed each day, which would be better for younger children. I will distribute copies at church or you can print a copy here.

For families with children who are a little bit older, I recommend Behold the Lamb of God by Russ Ramsey. This book is a narrative that tells the story of the coming of Christ broken into 25 days. Jonathan Rogers, author of The Charlatan’s Boy says, “Ramsey brings to life the story that brings us to life.”

Written for families, West End Presbyterian Church offers the 2017 Advent Project – A Manger Scene. You can subscribe to receive the blog daily, which will offer a small ornament to decorate or color and the daily passage to read and discuss with your family. I know I said there were no crafts....but if you choose to use the ornaments, you can either hang the ornaments on your own tree or you can print The Manger Scene before Advent begins to affix the ornaments to.


For adults, the Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts at Biola University has an Advent blog that begins on December 3rd and lasts through January 6th. The Advent Project offers scripture, devotionals, art, video and music. Click the link to subscribe to receive the daily entry.

Advent Ideas: Jesse Tree and Truth in the Tinsel

Advent begins Sunday, December 3rd this year.  There are many different ways to celebrate Advent and countdown to Christmas, but it is important to also teach our children the reason that we celebrate this season.  My kids have been asking why the stores don't decorate for Thanksgiving and go straight to Christmas so I tell them that people focus on Christmas because they buy a lot of gifts.  I don't want the consumerism to be the focus of Christmas for our family though.  I want the traditions that they remember with our family to focus on Jesus.

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting some ways to focus on Advent this year with your family.  There are all kinds of calendars, activities, and countdowns available (thanks to Pinterest!), so I have chosen some that range in commitment from minimal to lots of preparation.  I hope that you can find one that fits into your family's traditions.

Several years ago the Grace Kids Team made a Jesse Tree that had magnets to attach with a devotional for each day.  Most of the devotions came from the book, The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert Smith, and some were from other resources.  If you have lost your devotions to go with your Jesse Tree, you can find the devotions at the Reformed Church of America website.  You can also purchase The Advent Jesse Tree book at a discounted price of $6 at the Resource Table at church.

Another creative way to use the Jesse Tree is to make ornaments for each of the days.  Carisa Hinson from 1+1+1=1 has created an eBook and printable ornaments that she hangs on a miniature tree as she reads through the devotions each day with her family.  Blessed Beyond a Doubt compiled a bunch of DIY and other printable ornament ideas that different bloggers have created over the years.

Another great devotional geared towards preschool-aged children is the Truth in the Tinsel.  The ebook costs $9.99, but it includes 24 devotions, crafts and conversations to walk you through Advent with your children.  There are options to do the devotions every day or a plan that only cover 6 days of the Advent season.  

Stay tuned for more advent ideas to come...

New City Catechism

The New City Catechism is a great resource for teaching your children about the core doctrines of the Christian faith.  The New City Catechism website and app offer scripture, commentary and prayers to use for adults and children.  You can set the app to be in the child or adult mode.  In the child mode, the catechism answer is more precise for younger children and there are songs for each of the questions and answers.  Check it out!

Operation Christmas Child

Samaritan's Purse

Operation Christmas Child

We are collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child again this year.  You can pick up the shoeboxes at church on the Resource Table.  There are also brochures that give tips and instructions for packing the shoebox.  The Samaritan's Purse website also gives many helpful tips.

There are some changes this year to keep in mind:

1) The cost to ship each box is $9.  You can pay online here and track your shoebox to find out the country where your shoebox will be delivered.  You can also include cash or a check inside of your shoebox.

2) Due to changing custom regulations, you cannot include candy or toothpaste any longer.  You may not include any food or liquids either.  Please use the packing suggestions for some great ideas.

We will collect shoeboxes at church until Sunday, November 19th.  If you are interested in helping to deliver shoeboxes after Sunday Communities that day, please email Christy Villhauer.

Hope for the Home Parenting Seminar

Hope for the Home Parenting Seminar

Don't forget about the Hope for the Home Parenting Seminar on Saturday evening, November 4th from 5-7pm at New Highland Baptist Church.  Chris Cartwright will lead a session that explains how and why to use the New City Catechism with your family.  We will serve pizza to parents and children from 5-6pm and have the seminar from 6-7pm with childcare provided during the seminar.  It will only cost $10 per family for pizza and childcare.  RSVP here!!

Also if you haven't gotten your copy of the New City Catechism, look for it on the Resource Table at church.

Children's Worship Recap

The children have done a great job of transitioning into their new classes this fall.

We are wrapping up Unit 1 in our Children’s Worship classes this Sunday. Here is a recap of what the children have covered in each of their classes.


Preschool

God Made the World
God Made People
Adam and Eve Disobey

Noah Obeys God
Abraham and Sarah Obey God
God Takes Care of Joseph

You can help your child to remember to thank God for all of creation on a walk outside and for their friends and family as you pray each day. You can also remind them that God always loves us, even when we disobey. Lastly, you can talk with your child about the many ways that God cares for us, like He cared for Noah, Abraham, Sarah and Joseph.


Kindergarten & 1st Grade

God Cares for Joseph
Joseph Trusts God
Hannah Prays to God
Samuel Listens to God
David, A Good Shepherd
David Trusts God

In Unit 1, the class focused on trusting God. They learned that God cared for Joseph and his family. Talk with your child about how God will take care of him/her no matter where he/she is. You can also remind your child that God always hears our prayers just as He heard and answered Hannah’s prayer for a baby. The class learned about how Samuel listened to God and that we can use the Bible to learn about God today. Ask your child what things the Bible tells us about God. They also learned about David as a shepherd and how God saved him from Goliath. You can talk with your child about how God is with us everywhere we go.


2nd & 3rd Grade

Creation: Skies and Seas, Plants and Trees
Creation: Owls and Octopuses, Panthers and People
Creation: Taking Care of God’s World
Sin Spoils God’s World
Cain and Abel
Rain and Rainbows

In Unit 1, the class learned about God’s never-ending love for creation. They focused on the how wonderful God’s creation is and the variety and beauty of all of creation. You can help your child to remember to praise God for their favorite animal or food or flower. You child may also want to think of how to better take care of our earth to show their appreciation for what God made. You can remind your child what the serpent did in the Garden of Eden and how Jesus has saved us from our sin because God loves us. When learning about Cain and Abel, the class was reminded how anger and sin can spoil our relationships, but that God still loves us when we sin and wants us to love others. He shows us His love through His promise to Noah too. Ask your child what promise from God we can remember when we see rainbows.

Update from Abdias

Earlier this summer, we received a letter from Abdias (the child we sponsor through Compassion International).  I will share this letter with the Children's Worship classes over the next few weeks. 

Here is a copy of letter that you can also share with your child if they miss it in class.

Abdias also wrote: (translated to English)

Dear Friends,
I am happy today to be able to talk to you.  My God, Father, I greet you in the name of Jesus the Almighty.  How are you and your family doing? To me, on my side, I am doing fine.  As for now I am on summer vacation and I do not yet take school.  I wish you spend a vacation.  When are you coming to my country?  I feel like to see you face to face.  I am happy to write you and I thank you for your supports and your help.  I ask you to help me pray for being able to spend a good vacation and I pray for you with all your family.  I love you a lot and God bless you!

Please be praying for Abdias and his family as they are probably encountering bad weather from Hurricane Maria after just having experienced Hurricane Irma.  Compassion International wrote and said that we would receive notification if Abdias was affected, but no news is good news.

Hope for the Home Memory Verse Challenge

Hope for the Home Memory Verse Challenge

In continuation of our Hope for the Home (H4H) series, we have begun a church-wide memory verse challenge. Each month a new verse will be chosen to memorize as a family.  You can find the verse in the Grace Kids Newsletter and the Weekly Email.  Children will also decorate an index card with the verse on it during class at the beginning of each month. Each family was given a card case to hold and collect the memory verses as you learn them. I suggest that you go back through your verses often so that you do not forget them as soon as they are put into the card case.

Some of the verses throughout the year will also be reinforced in Grace Kids Worship.  Last week, the kids learned "Shout" from Seeds Family Worship, which is our first verse, Psalm 100:1-3.  This video plays the song and has the lyrics.

I liked this memory verse system that many bloggers have recommended: Charlotte Mason Scripture Memory System. It is hard to implement this system right away, but it would be good to start slowly as we build up our list of verses. 

Child at Heart is also a blog that gives the following tips for memorizing verses.

Moving Up Sunday -- September 10th

Moving UP!

Please note the Children’s Worship and Sunday Community classes will change for the 2017-2018 school year on September 10th.

      ·         Children's Worship Classes

o   Children who will turn 4 by June 2018 move from Nursery to Children’s Worship.

o   Children begin in the service with parents and are dismissed prior to the start of the sermon. All children exit out the back doors of the cafeteria and join the line for their class.  You may walk out your child to the hall to help with transition if needed. The children return to the service during the closing songs.

o   Class groupings for Children's Worship are as follows:

§  Preschool =  3 year olds and Pre-Kindergarten

§  Kindergarten & 1^st Grade

§  2^nd & 3^rd Grade

§  Sermon Study = 4^th & 5^th Grade

·         The Sermon Study class is not offered the 1^st Sunday of each month.  

·         Sermon Study helps prepare the children for the corporate worship service.  Staying in the service once a month, the 4^th and 5^th graders can also observe the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

·         6th Graders stay in the service.

·         Sunday Community classes and Grace Kids Worship also begin following Fellowship Time.  All children must be signed in by a parent at the Chorus Room door on the Main Hallway.  (4^th and 5^th graders can sign in themselves.)  Children will participate in Grace Kids Worship at the start of Sunday Communities and then they will participate in their classes.

o   Sunday Community classes are as follows:

§  Critters = 2 year olds

§  Preschool = 3 year olds and Pre-Kindergarten

§  Kindergarten through 3^rd Grade

§  4^th & 5^th Grade (Children may choose to stay in Grace Kids Worship or go straight to class.)

·         Please pick up your children in the cafeteria at NOON.

·         Please watch the timer on the screen during Fellowship Time.  Once the timer reaches zero, please take your child to the bathroom (if needed) and sign them in before Grace Kids Worship begins.

·         During Fellowship Time, please encourage your child to talk with friends.  Children must stay in the cafeteria unless accompanied by an adult.  Please do not allow children to climb on the stage or in the folded tables or to wander the halls during this time.

·         We will continue to experiment with Fellowship Time without snacks this fall, but we will offer a small snack to Grace Kids who stay for Sunday Communities.  We will serve that snack at the beginning of class as part of the Sunday Community hour.

I am excited for this year!  PLEASE let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Grace Kids Family Pool Party -- August 11th 8-10pm

Join us for a private pool party for Grace Kids families and friends!!!

We have reserved the Lakeside Pool in Kings Charter for a private pool party on August 11th from 8-10pm.  We will be providing snack type foods and water, lemonade, and soda for kids and families too.

The cost is $10/ family.  If you bring a friend without their parents, they will $5/ additional guest.  The cost covers lifeguard fee, rental fee for after hours, and snacks!  Payment will be collected on the night of the event.     

Let us know if you plan to come so that we have enough lifeguards.  Invite your friends too, but please RSVP using this link. Contact Heather Webb with any questions.

Upcoming Events

We have a lot of fun and exciting events happening in July and August.  I hope that you can make it out to them.

Sunday, July 16th at 12:05pm -- Let's go out to the ballgame!!  Come out to watch the Richmond Flying Squirrels vs. the Harrisburg Senators.  Buy general admission tickets here.  Sign up your kids for the Flying Squirrels Kids Club and they get in for free to Sunday games all season.  We will meet in Section 205. 


Tuesday, July 25th at 6:00-7:30pm -- Summer of Service Camp #2 at my house.  It will be a fun time to play games, sing and learn about God.  Use the SignupGenius link to RSVP.

Friday, August 11th at 8:00-10:00pm -- Family Swim Night at the Lakeview Pool in Kings Charter.  The cost is $10 per family and $5 for any additional friends that you bring without their parents.  The cost will cover snacks, lifeguards and private rental fee.  Please RSVP here and invite friends!!!!  Questions? Contact Heather Webb


Sunday, August 27th at 6:30pm -- We will end the summer with a Family Ice Cream Social at the Cool Spring Elementary playground.  Bring a topping to share.  We will make ice cream sundaes, play on the playground and enjoy some fellowship time.  There might be a friendly kickball game too!  Watch for a SignupGenius to RSVP in August.


If you have any questions about these events or other information related to Grace Kids, please contact me -- Christy Villhauer.  I look forward to seeing you this summer!

Check out the latest newsletter for other news and helpful information for Grace Kids. 

Summer of Service: Camp #1

We had such a great time at the first Summer of Service Camp.  The children learned about The Good Samaritan and Matthew 22:39 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  We played games, sang songs and colored the pictures shown above. 

Please join us for the next two camps on July 25th and August 22nd. 

Stay Connected

Check out the June Grace Kids Newsletter!! 

Sunday Community Teachers NEEDED

Sunday Community Teacher Details in a Nutshell:  😊

8 Teachers are Needed for 2017-2018 (September - Early June) 
If you could let me know as soon as possible - it is so helpful in the planning process. 

⭐ CLASSES 

• Nursery Sunday Community - Stays during the Sunday Community hour to care for children infant - 2 years old
• Critters - 2 and 3 year olds 
• Preschool:  4 year olds through Rising Kindergarten
• Kindergarten and 1st Grade
• 2nd and 3rd Grade
• 4th and 5th Grade

⇨  Sunday Communities begin at 11:00 with the start of Grace Kids Worship. 

⇨  Sunday Community teachers will sign in their students at the start of Grace Kids Worship and  dismiss with their class at the conclusion of Grace Kids Worship (around 11:15 AM).  

⇨ Your teaching time is from 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM.  

⇨ You will be on a team with 3 other teachers at a particular grade level.  

⇨You will have a partner teacher and take turns preparing/leading the lesson.  You will lead 8 times/year and assist 8 - Total weeks ONLY = 16 - Please help!

⇨ The format is 2 weeks with one pair of teachers and 2 weeks with the other pair (Therefore once a month where one person has to lead and the other time assist, then off for 2 weeks).  

⇨We DO NOT  have Sunday Communities the Sunday following Thanksgiving. We also have off 2 weeks for Christmas, a week at Easter, and Memorial Day Weekend. 

⇨ Please let Julie Best know ASAP if you are interested in helping for the 2017-2018 school year.

⇨ Curriculum  provides fun and engaging activities to do with the children.

2 Upcoming Events you don't want to miss!

#1  Date Night on May 20th from 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Benefitting Cherokee Mission Trip 
 Check out our Small but Mighty Facebook Page
RSVPs are needed - Please pass along to your friends and invite them.  We will have games, food, and a  movie for the kiddos!!
😊😊😊

Location:  Cool Spring Baptist Church 

Here is a LINK to a SignUp Genius which includes specific details and a place to RSVP.

#2  Summer of Service Camp #1 June 27th

Click for ALL the DETAILS

Mark Your Calendars - DATE NIGHT!

Date Night on May 20th from 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Location:  Cool Spring Baptist Church 

Here is a LINK to a SignUp Genius which includes specific details and a place to RSVP.

Catechism Article

Great read with resources suggested: 

Unlock Truth for your Kids with a Reformation Key by Derek Rishmawy

Resource Suggestion

 

GCPC annual Olympics & More!

Don't miss out on the annual GCPC Olympics and Picnic.  Sign up HERE

Great article to read on why it is good to  teach children the catechisms:  A Catechism—with OUR Kids? by Kathy Keller

Go Ape FUN!!😋

Egg Hunt - 1 WEEK AWAY!!!

Egg Hunt Fun

RSVPs are greatly appreciated for the upcoming egg hunt on Friday, April 2nd!

RSVP HERE

Egg Hunt and Go Ape!!

Egg Hunt =  Friday, March 30th:  

RSVPS needed for Egg Hunt Planning Purposes.  

Invite friends! 

 

Go Ape Fun - Grace Kids Friends and Family: 

Date of event = April 10th

Payment needed by March 26th

RSVP and DETAILS 

Upcoming February Activities

Swim Night at Burkwood - RSVPs NEEDED  - Saturday, Feb 25th from 6:15 - 8:15. Click HERE for additional details. 

Lent Calendars for Families:  Available on the Grace Kids Table beginning February 26th. 

• Lent begins on Wednesday, March 1st.

Thank you for supporting the First Responders and Hanover Safe Place during February. The teddy bears, nerf balls, and supplies will be handed out to both places for them to bless other children with the gifts. Sunday, February 26th will be the final collection day.  

• Reminder if you are collecting for Hanover Safe Place here is a link with items needed:  Child Shelter Welcome Bags

Grace Kids Newsletter

Don't miss out on any of the upcoming Grace Kids Ministry Events!!

⇨ February Grace Kids Newsletter

SWIMMING IN FEBRUARY!!!

Grab your suits, towels, beach balls, floats, and toys... 

Join us at Burkwood for some swimming fun.

Details can be found here: SWIM NIGHT!

Any questions contact julie@gcpres.org

Grace Kids Worship

New Songs for Grace Kids Worship 

I Will Follow

Jesus Is Lord

What a Savior