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SSTN - Number 258
December 12, 2001

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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:

1) Dinosaur VBS
2) Friendly Beasts
3) The Friendly Beasts
4) The Friendly Beasts
5) Christmas Cookie Story?
6) Simple Manger Scene?
7) Adopt a grandparent or senior?   
8) Trinity Snowman Story?
9) Homeless shelter donations   
10) Christmas ornaments
11) Pretzel sermon   
12) Dinosaur VBS


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1) Dinosaur VBS

We are hoping to do our own VBS next summer on the theme of dinosaurs;
possible dinosaurs and creation vs. evolution if we cannot find enough
material for dinos alone.

--from SSTN: Try the Bookstore Christian Education section for these
Dinosaur books:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore_christianed.html 

Also, check out the Institute for Creation Research:
http://www.icr.org/      
Your webservant, Sarah Keith <><

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2) The Friendly Beasts - 12th Century French- by Robert Davis

vs-1.    Jesus our Brother, kind and good,
        was humbly born in a stable rude,
        The friendly beasts around Him stood,
        Jesus our Brother Kind and good.

vs-2.    "I" said the donkey, shaggy and brown,
        "I carried His mother up hill and down,
        I carried His mother to Bethlehem town."
        "I" said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

vs-3.    "I" said the cow all white and red,
        "I gave Him my manger for His bed,
        I gave Him my hay to pillow His head.   
        I" said the cow all white and red.

vs-4.    "I" said the sheep with curly horn,
        "I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm.
        He wore my coat on Christmas morn.
        I" said the sheep with curly horn.

vs-5.  "I" said the dove from the rafters high,
        "I cooed Him to sleep that He should not cry,
        We cooed Him to sleep, my mate and I.
        "I" said the dove from the rafters high.

vs-6. Thus ev'ry beast by some good spell,
        In the stable dark was glad to tell
        Of the gift he gave Emmanuel.
        The gift he gave Emmanuel.

Taken from Wee Sing Christmas
-- S. Thorne, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA

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3) The Friendly Beasts

Use this link to get the words:
www.night.net/christmas/friendly-beasts.html

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4) Friendly Beasts

Someone wanted the music and words to the song The Friendly Beasts, it is
in the United Methodist Hymn book, number 227, it might be in other church
hymn books.

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5) Christmas Cookie Story?

I seem to remember seeing a way to tell the Christmas story using
Christmas Cookies, but I can't seem to find how it was done.  Has anyone used this
object lesson?  Thanks Sherri and everyone!  Cindy L.

--from SSTN: I'm not sure if this is what you are looking for, but you
might check out the book, The Sweetest Story Ever Told, in the Holidays
section of the bookstore:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 

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6) Simple Manger Scene?

I'm looking for a simple (low-cost) way to make a nighttime manger
backdrop (just the night sky plus the outline of a stall) for the stage in
our fellowship hall for a Christmas pageant.  Any ideas?

--from SSTN: yes, try using a black silhouette drawing and printing it
onto an overhead transparency sheet, then projecting it onto the wall.
ysic, sarah ;o))

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TWO FREE CHRISTMAS CRAFT PROJECTS!

KIDS CAN @ CHRISTMAS TIME - An Advent celebration of 28 crafts and
recipes. Some of the projects include: Epiphany Ornaments (a six-sided
three dimensional ornament inspired from the Orient), Ribbon Stars, a
Paper Lace Angel, Paper Lace Luminaries, a Nativity Windsock, a Chrismon
Snowflake Butterfly (new design), an Edible Nativity, Church Window
Cookies, and the Jesus in the Manger cupcake, to name just a few! To learn
more, click the link or copy and paste it to your browser:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/crafts_Christmas_Advent.html 


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7) Adopt a grandparent or senior?   

Sarah, I would like to start an "adopt a grandparent" program with my
youth ministry. I remember first being introduced to the project on your
cite. I need info on how to implement it- thanks and God Bless. I need it
before christmas.

--from SSTN: try searching the Archives List using one or two keywords:

http://christiancrafters.com/archives.html 

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The Sweetest Story Ever Told

Begin a new family tradition of giving sugar cookies and sharing Jesus!
This book comes with five cookie cutters, a recipe card, and gift tags
that tell the Christmas story. In the Bookstore-Holidays section:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 

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8) Trinity Snowman Story?

I have a question for Tammi in ND about her Snowman Party (which sounds
wonderful!):  Do you have a copy (or a website location) for your
pastor's Trinity Snowman Story?  I would appreciate any help.  You can
e-mail me information at jdgagnon@juno.com (and, of course, I know Sarah
would like a copy for the SSTN) :)
Dana in St. Clair Shores, MI

--from SSTN: you are right, Dana! In fact, Tammi, I would love to put this
one into the site....it is so cool! --- pun intended! ;o)) ysic, sarah <><

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9) Homeless shelter donations   

Hello Sarah, I just wanted to update you regarding my original request for
donated SS curriculum for our local Christian shelter.  I got about six
responses and all were very enthusiastic!  The SS teacher at the shelter I
am working with needed a limited amount of materials, so it occurred to me
to steer churches willing to donate curriculum to contact THEIR local
Christian based shelter and offer the material to them. This would be more
expedient and could lead to other ministry opportunities for their
churches.  Anyway, hope this idea will catch on and we learn to share what
we have.  Merry CHRISTmas to you, Julie Richardson

--from SSTN: thanks, Julie! ysic, sarah.

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CHRISMON SNOWFLAKE ORNAMENTS

A Great Gift Idea For Christmas!

Buy the book that launched ChristianCrafters.Com!
Combine symbols of faith with the nostalgic fun of
making paper-cut snowflakes!

http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com/kt_kit.html 


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10) Christmas ornaments   

Cut in half a pipe cleaner [clear] and alternately string clear and
crystal colored beads.  Leave  a small amount on each end to keep beads on
by bending each end.  When beads are all on bend into a candy cane shape.
Any color works as long as they are the sparkly kind.  Wreaths can also be
made by  making a circle and tying a bow with the pipe cleaner.  You will
however need a longer [about two-thirds] of a pipecleaner.  The candy cane
can be used for craft with the story of the legend of the candy cane.
Finish by giving each child a real candy cane. The kids love it.   
Grandmac

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"Get em' in the LOOP!"

Invite your friends, pastors, and coworkers
to join our discussion in SSTN.

http://www.christiancrafters.com/page3.html 


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11) Pretzel sermon   

I've used the pretzel to introduce a message on prayer.  We've also used
it as an activity for several years during Lent. The children learn about
prayer, hear the story of the pretzel and then make their own pretzels.
YUM!  Pretzels are shaped in the form of little arms crossed over the
chest as if in prayer.  They were made and eaten during Lent to remind
people to pray more during this season. They have no oil or fat in them
since many people eat less rich food during this time.  I think the word
was bracelae which we have converted to pretzel.  You can find a recipe
and the story of the pretzel in a book called Before and After Easter by
Debbit Trafton Neal available in the bookstore of Christian crafters)
Jaymie Derden
Bristol,  VA

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12) Dinosaur VBS

Hi Rebecca, I have done the same research about dinosaurs and creation.
Here are some helpful sites with some lessons and information.

Creation Ex Nihilio
http://www.AnswersInGenesis.org/docs/3503.asp

Dinosaurs and the Bible for Kids
http://www.geocities.com/dinospin/

Creation-Evolution Encyclopedia
http://www.pathlights.com/ce_encyclopedia/Index.htm

Center for Scientific Creation
http://www.creationscience.com/intro.shtml

Answer in Genesis
http://www.AnswersInGenesis.org/

Some of these sites offer literature and books you can order.
Hope this helps, Ljiljana from Yugoslavia


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