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SSTN # 68 - July 29, 2004


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


--> Super Heroes of the Bible

1) Boring Class?
2) Children In Worship
3) Lock-In Ideas?
4) S.C.U.B.A - VBS materials

--> Amazing Miracles of the Bible

5) Rancho Roundup VBS question
6) Sock the Devil Song
7) Teaching Autistic children
8) Multiage

--> Spirit Gifts...An Introduction For Children

9) Pirate VBS
10) Used "One Room SS Kits"?
11) Noah's Ark Preschool Activity
12) Children In Worship
13) Children in worship/Spiritual Replenishment
14) Holy Books Rap?


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--> Super Heroes of the Bible

"Super Heroes of the Bible" is a special midweek program which examines
the lives of some famous and not-so-famous people who had willing hearts
to obey God. And by obeying him, they were used in miraculous and powerful
ways to help change the course of human history. It is the goal of this
series to build FAITH, COURAGE, and OBEDIENCE in the lives of children,
and to change the world for Jesus Christ.

To learn more, go to this page:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 
(you may need to copy and paste this address to your browser)


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1) Boring Class?

I am almost 17 yrs. old and I am a Teen (6th gr. & up) Sunday School
teacher.  It is so hard to get the class to participate, they just sit
there and stare at me like they are so bored.  Honestly, it is boring to
me too.  I can't seem to find any curriculum that is not really
expensive.  I need some suggestions on how to get them to participate in
class or a suggestion on a curriculum that would be fun for both them and
me.  Thanks ~ Hana

--from SSTN: Dear Hana, How wonderful that you want to teach and challenge
kids! Ask yourself, "What kinds of things interest you?" "What do you like
to do?" Then use these ideas and incorporate them into your class. Stay
away from worksheets or "test related activities". Rather, use trendy
Christian music, creative crafts, games, and skits to reinforce your Bible
lesson. Also, I've listed some great resources in the Christian Education
section of the Bookstore at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 
Make sure you check out "Bloom" (for girls) & "Boom" (for guys) while
you're there.

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><
ChristianCrafters.Com


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2) Children In Worship

In our small church younger children go to the nursery until "The
Peace". In the nursery they are shown a Bible-based video and given a
snack. In general, we encourage parents of school age children to have
their child attend the entire service. But, we leave it up to the
parents to decide if their child is ready.

As the children are brought in while the rest of the congregation is up
and wishing each other the peace of the Lord there is no additional
disruption of the service. We bring children to the altar rail during
Eucharist because they are members of God's family. Those children who
are too young to receive communion receive a special blessing.

God's Peace,

Carmie
www.stchristophers-garner.org


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3) Lock-In Ideas?

I am having lock-in at church before school starts back for  pre-school
thur 5th grade.I am looking for some activities and games. Does anyone
have any ideas.please e-mail me at wdh42@charter.net thank you, wanda

--from SSTN: please share your ideas via SSTN so all may benefit. ;o)

 
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4) S.C.U.B.A - VBS materials

Thank you for your dedication to this web site. I love it and use the
archives all the time!

Please give Elise Peterson my email information. (KaraClar@aol.com) Our
church may be able to help her out with the S.C.U.B.A - VBS materials and
ideas.

Thanks!
Your friend in Christ,
Kara Claridge

--from SSTN: Kara, You are welcome. ;o) I'm glad you're using the archives
too! For anyone else that's interested, you can find the Archives at:
http://christiancrafters.com/archives.html 
ysic,
sarah keith <><


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--> Amazing Miracles of the Bible

God’s glory and love are revealed through the miracles he performed and
were fully realized when he came to earth in the form of a man to save
mankind. By studying the miracles of the Bible children will gain a better
understanding of God’s love and faithfulness and how he continues to be
loving and faithful in miraculous ways to his people today. Great for
rotation-type programs!

In the Curriculum Creatives section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 


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5) Rancho Roundup VBS

Sharon,
 
I have some VBS materials for you. When are you planning your program?
Ours is over tonight.
Veronika

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6) Sock the Devil Song

This is in response to the Sock the Devil Song request. I know a similar
song that might be useful called Stomp the Devil Off. The lyrics are:

Stomp, stomp, stomp, Stomp the devil off (repeat 3x ); In the name of
Jesus stomp 
the devil off.

From there you add different words for different verses, ie. clap, kick,
laugh, jump, shake, etc. While singing do the movements. it's alot of fun
and the kids add in thier own ideas.


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7) Teaching Autistic children

Hello I am from Oklahoma also, and I would be interested in helping you
with the problem of your Autistic child.  I have experience working with
persons with Autistism as well as other development and physical
problems.  I have lots of ideas as well as crafts and books that I have
adapted to a Christian effect.  I also have a series of lessons that is
for this area of development.  There is such a strong need for churches to
open their hearts and doors to this population and their families. 
EVERYONE needs to hear the word.........

Invite or start a class for your son and his classmates from school.  This
is a great way to introduce the parents to church and also give them a
small respite time, and it helps the children learn about the church and
Jesus.

Please feel free to e-mail me: hazelmo@hotmail.com and I will be happy to
share my resources or mail you copies, etc.


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8) Multiage

>I am having a hard time finding resources for multi age curriculum.
>We have a very small church (17) and if we break up there is 1 child in
>my class and 3 in the other. The rest are adults.


Dear Paula,
David C. Cook offers a curriculum called Noah's Park for multi-aged
groups.  I have used it at two different churches for groups 4-12 yrs.
It contains puppet skits, ideas for snacks and games, copy ready crafts,
and Bible lesson options for preschool and elementary school ages.
Bless you,
Rebecca


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--> Spirit Gifts...An Introduction For Children

An inspirational midweek program that contains a variety of fun lessons,
crafts, and games to teach the children in your ministry about the
following Spirit-filled Gifts: FAITH, WISDOM, MIRACLES, HEALING,
ENCOURAGEMENT, GIVING, MERCY, SERVING, and EVANGELISM.

To learn more, visit this webpage:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 


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9) Pirate VBS

>My church runs a Christmas musical, at the same time we also run a
>children's program. The theme for the musical this year is pirates and I
>would love any ideas that people have about priate activities. It becomes


For Rachel who was asking about ideas for Pirate Activities.  You could
try  http://www.theideabox.com/ibideas.nsf/craftcamp#archive 
for some ideas.

Helen in Adelaide, Australia.

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10) Used "One Room SS Kits"?

I was wondering about if it would be okay if I put a "wanted" in your
column?
 
I am looking for (used) Cokebury's "One Room Sunday School Kits".  (Even
if the kit is not all there, I can use what there is left.)   If any
churches have them and would like to have them "recycled"--I would be more
than willing to pay for these items.  I know that most churches just toss
the used items--or stick them up in the closet and forget about
them--until someone comes along and tosses them.  I feel that is such a
waste.  There are so many of us out here that would love to have these
materials.  I also know that a few churches even send these "leftover"
items to send to missionaries.  But I also think there are a lot of
"missionaries" right here in America who could use these materials in
their churches.  So they are in actuality--giving the items to
missionaries! I bet some people have never thought about this-- this way.
 
I see that lately there are a lot of people writing in to your site to
"recycle" old VBS materials and requesting used materials for their
churches.  Is there any way that we could have a "spot" in your
newsletters to advertise for SS/VBS materials that we want to "donate" or
sell.  And materials we are looking to buy.  It would be such a great
service to us.  I don't know about the legalities of this--so
I have no idea if it could be done.  I've searched and searched the web to
see if there is any sites out there that do this type of thing.  But to
date--haven't found any.

--from SSTN: Post away!


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11) Noah's Ark Preschool Activity

Another idea for a craft when teaching preschoolers the story of Noah's
Ark, or Jesus' childhood (Joseph occupation as a carpenter).  If the
children are too small to work with wood, nails, and hammers - try a
Styrofoam block, golf tees, and plastic hammer (plastic hammers can be
found at most party stores).  The children love this and its fun to hear
them explain the story to their parents with their "visual aid."
 
Take Care
Tam

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12) Children In Worship

We have our Sunday School classes (adults and children) prior to our
worship service and hold a junior church session during the time of the
adults' sermon (The children begin the service with the adults for
announcements, singing, etc. and are dismissed right before the sermon).
We rotate several sets of junior church teachers so they are only absent
for 4 weeks a few times a year. We also have a Sunday evening service,
so they are never completely without "spiritual replenishment".


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13) Children in worship/Spiritual Replenishment

>How do you do this so that the teachers who teach are still able to
>attend the sermon part of church?  Do you have 2 services?  Do you have
>enough teachers so that they are able to be in church part of the time
>to be spiritually replenished?

We have one service on Sunday Morning. Our children stay in during the
praise and worship service. The smaller ones  that are too big for nursery
do get a bit impatient waiting for Sunday  School.  I personally do not
feel that it is bad for them to color or do a quiet activity, especially
if they can't read.  I love the idea of the songs ministering to their
"spirit-man". Often times they are still humming the music on into class
time. They are still being fed, whether we/they know it or not.   As far
as the teacher being fed spritually,  We have two teachers.  I always
teach on Sunday morning, and the other on Wednesday night.  We have two
different things being taught.  One on Sunday and the other on Wednesday. 
The other teacher and I do keep a running tab on what is being taught on
the opposing night, so that we can tie it in to our lesson if the
opportunity arises. &nb sp;When I have to be out, I do not ask the other
teacher to fill in for me. I find someone else in the church and visa
versa for the other teacher.  I do not depend on my pastor to replinish
me, as a teacher, I feel it is my duty to stay in the Word daily. I do get
a copy of every Sunday mornings sermon on tape the  following week. I pop
it in the tape player in my car and play it continually until I get a new
tape.  Wednesday nights are the time I am ministered to via the Pastor.  I
do not ever teach Wednesday night Children's Church because that is my
time to be in church.  If need be, we simply keep the children in for the
whole service if a substitute is not available.

Blessings and Hugs.

An

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14) Holy Books Rap?

I teach 2nd grade in a Christian school and am trying to find the name of
the CD that contains The Holy Books Rap.  My students would love to learn
it.


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