The Sunday School Teacher's Network Newsletter - Great ideas for children's ministry!




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December 13, 2011 Ideas? Questions? Opinions? Articles are listed, below. When replying, highlight the text that is pertinent to your response, then hit reply. Title your message to reflect the content. 1) Children's Christmas Concert 2) Children's Sermon: Santa's Message... 3) You've Got Mail 4) Reindeer Games? 5) Paper Angel 6) Paradise Trees The Red Button indicates a teacher who needs your help.

1) Children's Christmas Concert To All at SSTN, You have been faithful in sending me this email and I would like to let you know how truly grateful I am. There is so much one can learn and do with the children’s liturgy. For Christmas this year, I have been teaching the children (20 children aged 4 to 11) to play the guitar and for our Christmas concert. They will be playing Silent Night in front of the whole congregation. This is the only Christmas Carol they know perfectly so will be singing and playing it together. The parents in Children’s Liturgy are very keen for the children to play an instrument and they are a true support to this venture. My parish too, has donated a few old guitars which one of the youth group “fixed up” for the children to play. I have also recruited some of the youth from youth group to teach the guitar. Some of them belonging to the youth group are primary school music teachers. It is all working out well so far. Wishing you all a very peaceful, holy and happy Christmas and all the very best for a New Year of untold happiness. Mariola

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2) Children's Sermon: Santa's Message... Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I asked him. The words choked in my throat, as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement, "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled: What did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children! Teach them the true meaning of Christmas that now-a-days is forgotten!" Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it on the mantle. "Teach the children that the fir tree remains green all year round, representing everlasting life, through Jesus. All the needles point upward, to remind us to turn our hearts and thoughts towards God in heaven." He again reached into his bag and pulled out ... To get the rest of "Santa's Message," follow our Christmas Lessons & Advent Season Talks page at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/lessons-Christmas-Advent.html

3) You've Got Mail Do you like getting mail? Most people do – especially kids. When I was a kid, the mail I received was always good stuff…like birthday cards, or a get well card when I was sick, or maybe an invitation to a party. Since I became an adult, I don’t always like my mail, because it might be a bill reminding me that I owe money – or a letter with bad news. (Show some business envelopes you have received as you discuss the adult mail.) Getting mail at Christmas time can be a lot more fun than the rest of the year. Almost ALL the mail are beautiful Christmas cards. And guess what… Today, I have an envelope for each of you ---- with your name on it! Yep! YOU’VE GOT MAIL! To get the rest of "You've Got Mail" visit our Christmas Lessons & Advent Season Talks page at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/lessons-Christmas-Advent.html


4) Reindeer Games? Having kids play "reindeer games," which are Christmas-related games, may be fun, but usually doesn't teach about Jesus. Does anyone have any ideas how "Reindeer games" could be used to teach kids about the true meaning of Christmas?





5) Paper Angel Ornament Learn how to make this precious paper angel ornament in "Journey to the Manger!"

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6) Paradise Trees The tradition of decorating the Paradeisbaum, or Paradise Trees, originated in Europe. Christians would celebrate the holiday on Christmas Eve by acting out important events in Scripture. One of the skits that was performed was the 'The Garden of Eden' scene... To get the rest of this lesson, visit the History of the Christ Tree on our Christmas Lessons & Advent Season Talks page at: http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/lessons-Christmas-Advent.html

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