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SSTN # 65- June 19, 2002
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
1) Sunday School Kick Off
2) Children's Church
3) Used VBS materials
-> Praise-Amations!
4) To Toye from Lethbridge, Alberta
5) No building...can't decorate...what to do
6) Faith Mountain idea
7) "Dieting" Survival Kit?
-> W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers
8) Teaching the Trinity
9) Teaching the Trinity
10) Teaching the Trinity to children
11) Children's church
12) Miracles Craft ideas?
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1) Sunday School Kick Off
Our Sunday School registration is usually the first Sunday after Labor
Day. That day, we celebrate "Welcome Sundae", we have Sunday School
registration a half hour before service, an informal program for the
children while parents are in Church, and then we have an ice cream
social. We print up colorful flyers and put them up around town to
attract new families.
Jeanne
--from SSTN: Hi Jeanne: Have you found this method attracting new people
to your church? I'd love to know! Sarah Keith <><
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2) Children's Church
I thought I would throw in my two cent's worth on children's church since
what we do has not been mentioned yet. We have Sunday School from
9:30-10:20. This time has classes for every age--nursery through adult.
(The classes for children are graded by age, and the adults have several
to choose from.) Following that, everyone meets together in the auditorium
for worship. We all stay together until time for the sermon. At that
time, the children ages 2 through 1st grade are dismissed for Children's
Worship. This gives everyone a chance to worship together, but when it is
time to sit and listen for probably 30 minutes, the littlest children are
doing their own thing. Mom and Dad get a chance to actually hear
something without trying to keep their kids quiet. 2nd graders and up are
perfectly able to sit and be quiet. Our minister is great and even the
kids enjoy listening t! o him. During the entire worship time, we provide
an attended nursery for babies up to age two. Also, our Children's Church
teachers work for a month at a time. No adult should be prevented from
being fed themselves--we all need to learn from God's word.
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3) Used VBS materials
Try the website www.seanet.com/~eldrbarry/mous/vbsc.htm
This man has VBS curriculum on the web that you download totally free. We
used the western themed "Wanted: Kids After God's Heart" a few summers
ago. I did add a lot of things to it, but it is really great. We had a
really wonderful VBS, and we didn't spend a lot of money on workbooks,
etc. He has several others on there as well, and he also has a lot of
great information on effective storytelling. I hope this helps you.
--from SSTN: you might also check out the "Reward Chart" to go with a
western theme. Find it in the Crafts section at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com
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Praise-Amations!
Remember those cartoon flip cards you roll between your hands to make them
animate? With Praise-Amations, children will be excited to see their
praise cartoon mini-movies come to life as they roll them between their
hands. 27 Reproducible patterns to make and do with your entire class!
In the Curriculum section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/kt_kit.html
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4) To Toye from Lethbridge, Alberta
I would very much be interested in seeing a copy of the certificate that
you've designed and use for promoting children from Children's Ministry to
the Youth Group if you're willing.
I like the ideas you've shared. My name and address is:
Cathy Bodell
P.O. Box 809
Frankfort, MI 49635-0809
Thanks.
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5) No building...can't decorate...what to do
> Hope someone can help here. I attend a small church that started last
> fall. We don't have our own building, but rent a few rooms from another
> organization. My problem is that I can't decorate a room, or set up
> learning centers or have anything permanent. I have to haul my supplies
Response: I teach Sunday School (2 to 12yrs) during the latter part of the
worship service. Like you, our Church does not have its own building. We
are fortunate to be able to store 2 plastic carts with drawers, which we
wheel down to the Sunday School room each week. They don't take up a lot
of space and allow us to keep staples (e.g. paper, scissors, markers,
puzzles, books, etc.). You should check with your facility to see if this
is possible. This would eliminate one frustration.
It is important for you to find some means of spiritual time, whether it
is
attending another service, a bible study or reading/ studying and praying
on your own or with a small group of friends. I understand your
frustration. I have not been able to attend a full worship service in many
years. Can you speak to your Minister about other alternatives? Can they
find a substitute for one Sunday every month or two? That is not a big
committment for someone else, but would give you the much needed break.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping that you will take some small
steps to alleviate some of the stresses, but still keep the faith for
teaching. Pray for God's direction and guidance in this.
- from Alberta CA
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6) Faith Mountain idea
We made the walls of Jericho out of marshmallows and peanut butter and
like the other person,made shofar's out of construction paper. We then
marched around the walls making noise. Amazingly enough they all came
tumbling down at the right time. The kids loved it!
God bless,
Joni
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7) "Dieting" Survival Kit?
Several of us ladies in my church are trying to lose weight with the
support from one another and the Bible. I thought it would be fun to do a
little Dieters Survival Kit. I have found all sorts of survival kits for
Christians, Friends, Teachers..... but not one for dieting. Does anyone
have any ideas? Thanks!!
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W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers
There's something much worse than cooties...it's called sin! Now kids can
make Gospel Catchers rather than Cootie Catchers! A fun and innovative way
for kids to learn to share their faith with their friends! Includes 4
Gospel Catcher patterns to make: the Colors of Christ (Gospel Colors), the
Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Promises of God. Follow this
link to learn more:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/kt_kit.html
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8) Teaching the Trinity
Yes, I did check out the SSTN Archives List for info and ideas on
Teaching the Trinity. Great resource. Thanks to Debbie of Sun City, Ca.
for the example of using the Sun. This fit so well with the theme of our
recent lessons it was a natural fit!
I also wanted to pass along a link to a free printable of a Russian
Painting , The Old Testament Trinity by Andrei Rublev (1360-1430).
Beautiful.
http://www.valley.net/~transnat/trinlg.html
Peace
janice
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9) Teaching the Trinity
The way my Pastor explains it is with your finger. Hold up your index
finger, and tell them that this is a finger....but, while there are three
seperate, individual sections (wiggle your finger and show them the three
sections) they are all necessary and important to make the whole finger,
like the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost make up the Trinity. They are all
seperate while being part of the same. Each one is just as important as
the next, and you would not think of any one part being more important
than the other, because it takes all three parts to make a whole finger,
just like it takes three parts to make the Trinity.
hugs
Carolyn from Cleveland Texas
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10) Teaching the Trinity to children
Greetings!I have found the best thing for children to understand the
trinity is a tricycle. God is the big wheel and the smaller wheels are
Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (Not to say that they aren't as important as
God but without God the other two really wouldn't be there) Although
technically it is possible to ride with one wheel missing it is a REALLY
rough ride. Once you add in the third wheel, theres no telling where you
can go and how smooth the ride could be. (One year my step-son rode 6
miles from his Mom's house to Grandma's on his big wheel!) This puts the
trinity in a context that almost all kids can understand. Hopes this
helps. Have a joyful day
--from SSTN: That's a coincidence...Using a tricycle in a Bible game is
one of the ideas that I have written for a soon-to-be released booklet on
the 'Names of God'. I hope to have it ready by the Fall of 2002! ;o))
ysic, sarah keith <><
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"Get em' in the LOOP!"
L-eading kids to Christ,
O-ffering advice
O-pen discussion forum
P-roviding free resources
Invite your friends, pastors, and coworkers
to join our discussion in SSTN.
http://www.christiancrafters.com/page3.html
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11) Children's church
My family and I are Quakers and attend a programmed Meeting (led by a
Pastor). We have no rules nor "set" guidelines regarding children's ages
and attendance of the Meeting, most people have chosen the following and
it seems to have worked for them (and those around them). Sunday School
is from 9:30-10:30 and everyone (adults, too) are in groups recognized by
age. The Meeting begins at 10:30 and there is a nursery for children ages
infant through preschool. I have kept my infants with me until they were
@ 9 months and no longer "lie in my arms and quietly sleep/play with a
quiet toy." Around 9 months or so my children have gone into the
(playroom as I've dubbed it) and played with toys and the attendant until
the Meeting was over. When my oldest was around 4, I felt he could come
up front with my husband and me and not be distracting to others while
learning to sit quietly. He was getting too old and big for the playroom
so I packed quiet toys (as others do) such as coloring, stickers, magnets,
Magna-doodle...and he sits with us in the sanctuary. Occaisionally we
have to remind him to whisper or not speak, but not often and this is from
a very active, very healthy very-much-boy-BOY! I once wondered if he was
getting anything out of the Message because he seemed so interested only
in "his stuff." Then God answered by my son asking "Mommy, what does
sacrifice mean?"--a word our pastor had just spoken within His message.
So! I smiled and quietly answered Jacob's question and knew then that he
was benefitting from being with us. At 11:00 there is a Children's Sermon
in front of the pulpit. All children come forward and sit on the floor or
the front pews. The designated adult then leads them in a 5-10 minute
lesson, ending with a choral prayer (the children echo what the adult
first says). When it's over, the children go back to where they come
from--be it the playroom or with their parents. It always makes me think
of the Pied Piper and the rats that stream-in from everywhere yet you
didn't notice them before! There has been occaision when I've had to take
Jacob back to the "rocking room" and redirect him; I've also had to take
him back to the playroom and tell him he had to stay there until the
Meeting was over because he was too noisy and wouldn't stop. But Jacob,
and all the other children, are the future of our church and we want them
to feel comfortable and welcome. We also want them to learn to sit
quietly and be lead by the Spirit. For this to occur naturally, we must
all sacrifice (see the above message) a little and allow children to be
children and put-up with a squirm or an "uh-oh" when a crayon breaks.
They are learning, they are benefitting, and God is speaking to them, too!
This is not for everyone, but it works for us.
I Samuel 1:27 "For this child I prayed."
Mary-Pat
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12) Miracles Craft ideas?
We are having for our VBS in July a study of Miracles of Jesus. Each
of 3 groups will study 4 miracles and for Friday's program prepare to do
a skit in addition to singing and having a film. They will be working
on their skit sets during craft time but we could really use a few craft
ideas to do with some of the Miracles. Especially for lazarus, lepers,
the big catch fishing, calming the storm, feeding the 5000, the blind
man, four friends and the roof, walking on water, Any help for crafts
that you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks! JO
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