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SSTN # 95 - November 3, 2005


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:

Holiday FUN-draising

1) Hallelujah Night?
2) Sunday School falling apart
3) Young Children's Missions
4) Family Advent Event?
5) Children to participate

KIDS CAN @ CHRISTMAS TIME

6) Rewards
7) Children to participate
8) Preschool ten commandments?
9) Vedette in South Africa
10) How to Get Children to Participate in Church Service
11) Keeping Teens Interested
12) PRESCRIPTURES - Medicine bottle     


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Holiday FUN-draising

This holiday season raise funds for your youth group or school,
or earn extra cash for yourself by selling Sarah Keith's
popular Christmas crafting book, Chrismon Snowflake Ornaments!   
There is NO financial risk. Learn how on the following page:

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



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1) Hallelujah Night?

Our church is preparing for the first Hallellujah Night for the children on 

October 31.    Can anyone offer some ideas what activities or crafts to do 

that night.  We will be doing evangelism, so children from the community 
become aware of our church.  Any idea or suggestions will be greatly 
appreciated.  Children's Ministry Leader, Noelia

--from SSTN: sorry your letter didn't get through in time. The hurricane
backed up the postings and we're running a bit behind. I hope your event
went well and you'll share your ideas!


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2) Sunday School falling apart

Like Lois mentioned in the previous issue, our very small church had a
huge VBS, only to have a dwindling Sunday School.  Despite the size of our
church, we always seem to have a pretty large turnout for such a small
church in a very rural area.  The problem is that the children do not come
back for Sunday School.  I realize that many of the children who come to
VBS have their own church homes that they do attend regularly, but I also
know that a large percentage of the children attend my church every Sunday
for worship service but have yet to attend Sunday school.  I do not know
what to do.  I have used and continue to use a token/reward system with my
children and it is very effective.  The problem that I have run into is
that the rewards that I have offered started out small and simple, such as
a sticker or a piece of candy, but they have become increasingly more
elaborate and expensive, as the kids seem to get bored with the simpler
things.  I have been overextending myself with the rewards offered.  My
next plan may be to continue my reward system in Sunday School as I have
been doing, but plan a party or something for Sunday evening and invite
the parents, and also ask them to bring a small snack along.  That way I
won't be responsible for so much.  I don't see any harm in letting the
kids have outlets for fun such as this as rewards for their work and
participation, provided that they don't become to frequent or
elaborate.  If anyone has any other ideas or reward type systems that have
worked, I would love to hear about them!  Tina in Tennessee


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3) Young Children's Missions?

Hello everyone,
I was just wondering where I could write to or contact someone that the
children in our church school could write to some children at Christmas or
send something small to them as a way of telling other children about the
love of Jesus.
Thanks so much
Be blessed
Valencia

 
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4) Family Advent Event?

Hi!
 
Any ideas for a Family Advent Event.  I was thinking of doing a special
day after church for families on Advent weekend.  Thanks for your help!
 
Amy

--from SSTN: type "advent" into the search box at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 


 
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5) Children to participate

> How to do I get children to participate in worship service i.e build
> their interest and make the church service more lively for them

> At our church, the first Sunday of the month is Family Worship Sunday,
> where there all the children above the age of 2 are to remain through
> entire service, ie no kid class (Friend's Fellowship in our church)
> worship.  Our desire when we started this was so that children would
> out that it is okay that there is a time when they are not the center of
> attention, and that they have a place in worship as well.

Let me say, it was a rocky start at first.  I am the teaching leader of
Friend's Fellowship and came up with an idea, and ran with it.  Last year,
I spent the entire month of October (aside from the first) and taught my
kiddos ages 2-8 about every aspect of the worship service.  One week we
went over why we sing praises and hymns and take offering.  We are
currently saving to build on the property and the children began to
collect money for the building fund as part of the offering lesson and
raised over $500.
Another week, we learned about scripture readings and prayer.  Another was
the sermon, and why it is important to listen to the Pastor, and how God
can use that time to speak to them.  And the final week, we went over the
sacraments of communion and baptism.  The first Sunday of the month we
have communion, and it was neat to see that they had a new understanding
of what was happening.

This unit made an incredible difference in the children's behavior during
the worship service.  We also provide Childrens bulletins for those kids
that just can't seem to sit for the entire hour as a last resort.  I make
the copies of those, and they are rarely tapped into.  I'd be happy to
share my ideas for crafts that I used, etc.  This unit went so well, I'm
planning on re-teaching it in January because we have some new 2's that
are about to leave the nursery and join us in worship.  Hope this helps!

Lara Freeman - Teacher of ages 2-8 and mid-high


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KIDS CAN @ CHRISTMAS TIME

An Advent celebration of 31 crafts and recipes.
To learn more, go to:

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




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6) Rewards

Lois,
I think what you're doing is great.  I work with children both at church
and secularly.  Many  children these days expect a reward for doing
something.
While I think we should be helping children understand that doing good
things is often its own reward, I also believe that we can't have much of
an impact on children who don't come to our programs.  The rewards you are
offering not only encourage the children to come but they provide fun and
excitement for the children.  I am from Australia, and many Sunday Schools
that I am aware of only attract the children of parents who attend church.
The Sunday Schools that are attracting good numbers of non-church children
are the ones that are vibrant, exciting and fun.  Isn't God vibrant,
exciting and fun?  There will always be people who don't agree with what
you're doing, especially when you try something new.  We should look on
these people as an encouragement to keep evaluating what we're doing and
to keep asking God if what we're doing is ok with Him.

Congratulations for what you are doing in your community.  Praise God that
you were willing to think outside the box and do a new thing.  May God
continue to bless your ministry with more children attending and hearts
won for Him.

Megan
 


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7) Children to participate

What helps get children involved in worship at our church, is to make up
motions to go with the words. 
 
Hope that helps you.
 
TP


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8) Preschool ten commandments?

I would like to have some lessons and crafts on explaining the ten
commandments to 4 and 5 yr. olds.  Something that they can relate to
without taking away from the original commandments. Icould also use some
games if anyone has any.  thank you,  Vanda

--from SSTN: type "ten commandments" into the search box at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 
also, check out God's Top Ten at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 


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9) Vedette in South Africa

Thank you for the responses to the pre-school teaching pictures needing a
home.  I am thrilled to report that the material will soon be in use, but
sad to report that all material has been spoken for.  I am thankful for
the opportunity to share with you.

Catherine Kirkweg


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10) How to Get Children to Participate in Church Service

Depending on how old they are, of course, I have used this idea; it
works.   Give each child a piece of paper or small notebook with pencil. 
Then give them one word you think will appear in the message several times
that day. Words such as "love" or " Jesus" are common, but you could get
with the speaker and ask them their theme and this may give you clues as
to other words that may be used.   Have the children pay close attention
and put a check or some other mark for every time they hear that word
during the message, songs, announcements, etc.  Offer a small gift for the
children who come within a certain number of times it appeared.  (Note:
this means you must pay attention too :) )  Another idea I have used is to
give them a color page of abstract drawing and every time they hear the
"word" they color in one portion.  Two or three colored pencils per child
is plenty.  They must return the papers and pencils to recieve a small
gift. Gifts have been stickers, erasers, bouncy balls, etc.  All children
should recieve something for trying....D. Richards, AL


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11) Keeping Teens Interested

My church's youth Pastor is great.  Last night we helped do a video
scavenger hunt where the kids got clues and went to different locations
did an activity along with a bible verse.  One was a big hug and shouting
John 3:16 in front of a pizza place.  Then they hit Curves did their sit
ups and jumping jacks and sang a praise song.  You split them up into
teams and whoever completes all the items first wins 2000 points 1000
points goes to the number 2 team and then they win different prizes for
large amounts of points.  The pastor also awards points for different
behavior in church and sunday school, note taking, bringing bible's,
praise and worship.  This not only encourages and teaches good behavior
but the activities bring out kids with natural leadership ability.  Our
church is doing 5 weeks of wednesday's and sundays with activities like
this for the regular youth to bring their friends and others to church. 
While there are a bunch of fun and games the message is very clearly
Jesus.  Hope you find this helpful.  We had about 25 kids last night the
first activity for the 5 weeks and everyone had fun.  My husband said this
sort of thing would get anyone hooked on clean living.


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12) PRESCRIPTURES  - Medicine bottle        

Rx   (Recipient Name)
For:  Health, Hope, Happiness
Read one daily or as needed for inspriration.
Medicine for the Spirit - Contains: 31 Verses  King James / NIV

Important:  Prolonged Use may eliminate
Tension, Anxiety, Insomnia, fear and Despair

May cause Lightheartedness.

Made with love by (givers name)

On the Rx  replace (Recipient Name) with the name you’d like to put in
there. And print this page!

Print out on the paper of your choice – (i.e. project paper – with either
sticky back or non sticky back – it’s your choice)

Scriptures:

For with God nothing shall be impossible
Luke 1:37 KJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:14

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy
staff they comfort me.     Psalms 23:4 KJV

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  John 1:9 KJV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? 
The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom I shall be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 KJV

Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.     
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou,
Lord makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 KJV

And it shall come to pass, that before they call,
I will answer and while they are yet speaking,
I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 KJV

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and you
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7 KJV

So do not fear, and I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen
you and help you;    Isaiah 41:10

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you;
…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.            
John 14:27 KJ

If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31     KJV

And all things, whatsoever ye ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive.     Matt. 21:22 KJ

For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.   John 3:16 KJ

For they that wait upon the Lord shall renew
their strength, they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31 KJ

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress,
and my deliverer; my God my strength,
in whom I will trust.                Psalm 18:2 KJ

Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness:  for they shall be filled.
Matt.  5:6 KJ

But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Psalm 3:3 NIV

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou
mayest prosper and be in health, even as
thy soul prospererth.      III John 2 KJ

 … I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5 KJ

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.                        
Timothy 1:7 KJ

For I will restore health unto thee,
and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord;
Jeremiah 30:17 KJ

May the God of hope fill you with joy and
peace as you trust in him, so that you may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  
Romans 15:13 NIV

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind
has conceived what God has prepared for those
who love Him    1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me,
and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.   
Jeremiah 17:14 KJ
 
Gentle words cause life and health.
Proverbs 15:4 NIV

But my God shall supply all your needs
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:19 KJ

A merry heart doeth good like medicine.
Proverbs 17:22 KJ

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.   Psalm 46:1 KJ

 This is the day the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  
Psalm 118:24 NIV

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised
Him from the dead, you shall be saved.        
Romans 10:9 NIV

No harm will befall you… for He will command
His angels concerning you to guard
you in all your ways.   Psalm 91:10,11

Print these off and cut for your inspiration!  
They go inside the bottle!
deallc@earthlink.net


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