December 15, 2015 -- Issue #40

In today's newsletter:

1) Advent JOY!

2) Spreading God's Word in Uganda

3) Make a Yard Nativity

4) Give Him the Name Jesus

A great project for home, church & school!

Easy-to-make! One low price!

1) Advent Joy!

Week 3: Light the "Candle of Joy" (Light two purple candles, and the pink one.)

JOY has been described as an inner peace that invades a person's soul, because s/he understands that no matter what happens in life, God is in control. 

"No good thing will He withhold . . ." Psalm 84:11; "In all things God works for the good. . . " Romans 8:28. 

      Joy is connected to resting in God's presence. 

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. . . ." Psalm 16:11; "But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy" Psalm 5:11; "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul" Psalm 94:19.

How have you experienced God's joy?

                           Bible Lesson Plans

2) Spreading God's Word in Uganda

Greetings in Jesus name,

I am a teacher of the Bible and a founder of a teenager's ministry located in Uganda. We have always empowered the young children and have done God's work with them. We have touched hearts and empowered many . . . I am grateful [for the Christian materials you provide] and believe you are helping to spread God's work in Africa and Uganda.

Kind regards,
Kintu P.

--from SSTN: thank you, Kintu, for your kind words and encouragement, and for taking the time to say thank you! It's much appreciated!

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><

3) Make a Yard Nativity

You will need: 3 clay or plastic pots (the ones pictured above are one 14" and two 18" plastic pots); three 7"- 8" balls; light brown spray paint; burlap or other fabric (color of your choice); hay or natural fiber (I used coconut tree fiber); heavy-duty tape; glue gun; scissors.

Get the directions to make our Yard Nativity.

Cake-in-a-Mug

A great last-minute gift idea!

4) Give Him the Name Jesus

One of the most compelling reasons for Christian faith for me is the issue of Old Testament prophecy and fulfillment. . . . These prophecies, written centuries before the events they described took place, declare with certainty events that would actually transpire, just as they said, should, it seems to me, compel our attention to respect the truth claims of Holy Scripture. . . . One such claim that struck me is the story of the Coming of the Magi from the East. Matthew tells us of their journey, search, and arrival in chapter 2 of his Gospel. We tend to think of them as numbering three, but the text does not actually tell their number, only that they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

The prophet Isaiah, writing in the 8th century before Christ, makes many specific prophecies concerning the coming Deliverer of Israel. It is Isaiah who tells us that He shall be associated with a manger in chapter 1; He will be born of a virgin and called Immanuel, "God with us," in chapter 7; He will be divine and human in chapter 9; of the family of David in chapters 9 and 11; that He will rescue not only Israel, but . . . Read more about Christian prophecies.

Have you written a children's ministry resource? 
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