A Heart After Children

New Website Up

2010-02-13T11:46:00.000-06:00

Hello All!

I have a new site up at www.iheartchildren.com and that will be the blog that is updated. Please change any bookmarks to the new site! I know you will love it over there :)

Peace,

Brittany Sky

Seasons of Faith Book Review

2010-02-11T10:00:00.000-06:00

Last Thursday I wrote a post about Symbols of Faith by Marcia Joslin Stoner and this week I would like to talk about the counterpart of that book Seasons of Faith. This book is a great resource for teaching the Christian Church Year. I use it a lot when I am planning my Children's Church lessons so I can add Christian Traditions and History components to each lesson. It is a great resources for all ages and was written for intergeneration use. The information is not written on a young child's comprehension level but it is easy to take and make it something for that age level, as well as other age levels. It's a wonderful resource and I definitely recommend it for any Christian Education worker.

Web Wednesday

2010-02-10T10:00:00.000-06:00

I have been looking for other children's ministry blogs the last few days and this one is a must see. The Scripture Lady is a blog devoted to "get the kids you minister to excited about the Word of God!" She has lots of fun games that help kids learn about the stories in the Bible and how to use their Bibles. It's a great resource to turn to for a Bible retreat after Bible Sunday. Go check the Scripture Lady out!

And then Jesus Changed Water into Gatorade: A Children's Sermon

2010-02-09T10:00:00.001-06:00

Hold up a pitcher of water, and ask the children if they think it is good to drink water after they have been running hard in a game such as basketball. Yes! Then ask them if there is something even better than water after they have been playing hard. Explain that some people recommend a sports drink such as Gatorade, because it helps the body to recover from the stress of exercise. Pour a packet of powdered Gatorade into the pitcher of water, and stir it up so that the water changes color. Tell the children the story of Jesus at the wedding of Cana, and how he felt that the people needed more than water in order to have a good celebration. Ask the children if Jesus turned the water into Gatorade ... then tell them, “No, he turned the water into wine!” Point out that Jesus always wants to make everything better — including us! Stress that Jesus doesn’t want any of us to stay the same, but he wants to change us and transform us so that we can do God’s work in the world. Suggest that Jesus has the power to make us more loving, more forgiving and more faithful to God, and he uses this power to change anyone who follows him. Pour each child a cup of Gatorade, and let them know that the changes they can experience are much more amazing than simply changing water into a sports drink.

Dear Loving God, thank you for wanting the best for us all. Amen.

Lent: Lesson 4

2010-02-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

Lent: Lesson 4

Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)

Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,

With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,

Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Say: Does anyone remember anything about what we learned Lent last Sunday? (It’s 40 days, we grow closer to God, we have symbols that teach us, etc.)

Listening
Say: Last week we learned that Lent is a forty day period before Easter when we prepare ourselves. During that time we remember Christ and the changes that he made in our world, and we try to better ourselves as followers of Christ. Many people follow the custom of giving up something during lent to remind them of Christ’s suffering. Some people decide to make some sort of change in their lives during this time in order to be a better follower of Christ. Lent gives us time to learn about prayer, sacrifice and showing kindness to others. During Lent we grow closer to God and better understand the Love that God has for everyone. We then use the Love God gives us to love others.

This week we will use our senses to learn more about Jesus and his experiences.

Exploring

Favorite Hymn	Mark 14:26 They sang a hymn and then went directly to Mount Olives.	They sang a song and went out. Remember familiar Lenten and Easter Songs. Ashes to Ashes Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust- This flesh is not forever. Spirit to Spirit, Life to Life- All that You are Is all I will be; Soon, Lord, in You forever. Survey the Wondrous Cross When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
Strip of Leather	John 18:12-14 Then the Roman soldiers under their commander, joined by the Jewish police, seized Jesus and tied him up. They took him first to Annas, father-in-law of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the Chief Priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.	Wrap leather around wrists and imagine how it must have felt.
Rough wood	Luke 23:26 As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus.	Feel the bark and remember the man who carried the cross for Jesus, Simon of Cyrene. Consider how he felt with that responsibility.
Small bag of spices	Mark 16: 1-8 The Resurrection ^1-3 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, "Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?" ^4-5Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished. ^6-7He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You'll see him there, exactly as he said." ⁸They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.	As you smell the spices remember how the women took spices to the tomb to cover the smell of the decaying body they expected to find.
Candle	2 Corinthians 4:4 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.	The candle brings light to darkness, as Christ brought eternal light into a dark world.

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring
Have the children draw about one of the things they learned.

Site Under Construction

2010-01-31T20:45:00.001-06:00

I am in the process of redesigning my website (yay!) so my site will be done for the next few days. I will be leaving up my blog at www.aheartafterchildren.blogspot.com if you need access to it for resources. I will not be posting anything new for the next week so if you need help with something please email me: Brittany Sky.

It's Been One Year

2010-01-29T15:43:00.000-06:00

Happy Anniversary! Yesterday marked the very first blog post of this blog. It has been a great experience thus far for me and I hope that it has been a helpful tool for many.

I remember telling Andrew (my fiancé at the time) that I wanted to start a blog. I had a Professor who had been talking lots about integrating our life's calling into the tech savvy lives we already led. With a blog I could put up anything I wanted: curriculum, thoughts, children sermons, class notes, etc, and people could use that information in their own ministries.

Andrew said ok, and here we are. One year later and I have my own web domain, my own website, and I'm reaching people in 67 different countries. It's amazing to me. It's amazing how God is working through this random thought I had about a blog. God is so amazing.

The upcoming year should be a great one too! I am fixing to redesign my blog and website and I am so excited! I hope everyone is having a great winter! Happy Anniversary!

Symbols of Faith Book Review

2010-01-28T10:30:00.000-06:00

Check out this great book any time you want to include more Christian history and tradition. If you are talking about Easter, for example, this book can add more to your lesson. It has lots of reproducibles as visuals and for crafts. It has explanations for each symbol and where the symbol came from. It is written on level with children but an adult can learn just as much from this book. It is a great resource for added components of history and tradition.

Web Wednesday

2010-01-27T10:30:00.000-06:00

I have another website for you all to check out! Go to http://www.childrensministry.net/ for a directory of Children Ministries websites. It has quite a few to check out and will give you a base of online resources to check for ideas on programming, spiritual development, Sunday School, leadership training and so on.

We're Like a Puzzle: Children's Semon

2010-01-26T10:30:00.000-06:00

Say: (Hold up a puzzle) How many of you like to play with puzzles? (yes, or raise their hands) I love puzzles too! (Take two or three pieces out of the picture) Is this how a puzzle is supposed to look? (No!) Are you sure? Is it supposed to have holes? (No, it's supposed to be put together!) Oh they are supposed to all be there and put together? (Yes!) (Put the puzzle back together.) We are all like puzzle pieces. If we look at puzzle pieces they are all connected to each other. If one piece is gone the puzzle isn't complete. Without one of us, the world would not be complete. If one of you weren't here at church, the church would not be complete. We are are so important to God and to our church and to our world. The next time you play with a puzzle, remember how we are like puzzle pieces and say thank you for all of the people in God's world.

Let's pray. Dear God, thank you so much for all of Your people. Amen.

Lent: Lesson 3

2010-01-25T11:00:00.000-06:00

Lent: Lesson 3

Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)

Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,

With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,

Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Say: Does anyone remember anything about what we learned Lent last Sunday? (It’s 40 days, we grow closer to God, we have symbols that teach us, etc.)

Listening
Say: Last week we learned that Lent is a forty day period before Easter when we prepare ourselves. During that time we remember Christ and the changes that he made in our world, and we try to better ourselves as followers of Christ. Many people follow the custom of giving up something during lent to remind them of Christ’s suffering. Some people decide to make some sort of change in their lives during this time in order to be a better follower of Christ. Lent gives us time to learn about prayer, sacrifice and showing kindness to others. During Lent we grow closer to God and better understand the Love that God has for everyone. We then use the Love God gives us to love others.

This week we will use our sense of taste to learn the color of Lent! Can anyone guess what color we use to remind us of Lent? The color is PURPLE! We use the color purple to remind us that Christ is the King of Kings. It also reminds us to repent and turn to God to be closer to God.

Exploring
Have the children sit down at the table and pass out plates and napkins. They will be eating grapes, purple jello, and drinking grape soda. While they are eating ask what symbols they remember from last week, or how their Lent Pledges and Calendars are going.

The Bread and Cup Symbol: Helps us remember the meal that Jesus shared with his friends. We have this same meal with Him when we share Communion.

The Butterfly: When the butterfly is in its cocoon it is like Jesus in the tomb, and when the butterfly emerges it is like Jesus being resurrected.

The Cross: Represents the resurrection of Jesus on Easter

The Donkey: The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

The Easter Lily: the bulb of this flower looks dead but then it comes to life and blooms a beautiful flower. This reminds us of the new life that we have when we are renewed in God.

The Fish: This reminds us of Jesus and he asking us to make fishermen of all people.

The Lamb: Lambs were used for sacrifices and Jesus sacrificed his life for us.

Light: Jesus’ triumph over the dark of death

Palms: Remind us of Palm Sunday and the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem for his last week.

The Stone: The stone that was placed in front of Jesus’ tomb that was moved when the women discovered Jesus was missing and had been resurrected.

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring
Using the labyrinth page have the children use their fingers to “walk” around the labyrinth and say silent prayers and meditations.

Web Wednesday

2010-01-20T15:43:00.000-06:00

I would love to recommend Ministry-To-Children today as a great resource. Tony Kummer's blog has a plethora of information ranging from free curriculum to video reviews to leader resources. He has done a great job providing lots of information for anyone interested in Children's Ministry. Whether you are conservative or liberal, you will find lots of helpful information and ideas that you can use. Check out his list of recommended blogs while you are there! :)

Lent: Lesson 2

2010-01-18T11:00:00.000-06:00

Lent: Lesson 2

Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)

Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,

With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,

Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Say: Does anyone remember anything about what we learned Lent last Sunday? (It’s 40 days, we grow closer to God, etc.)

Listening
Say: Last week we learned that Lent is a forty day period before Easter when we prepare ourselves. During that time we remember Christ and the changes that he made in our world, and we try to better ourselves as followers of Christ. Many people follow the custom of giving up something during lent to remind them of Christ’s suffering. Some people decide to make some sort of change in their lives during this time in order to be a better follower of Christ. Lent gives us time to learn about prayer, sacrifice and showing kindness to others. During Lent we grow closer to God and better understand the Love that God has for everyone. We then use the Love God gives us to love others.

This week I want us to look at some of the symbols of Lent. Does anyone know what a symbol is? It is something we use to help us learn about God. We have a symbol of ashes. The ashes help us to remember to repent and be close to God. There are other symbols that we learn during Lent to help us prepare for Easter.

The Bread and Cup Symbol: Helps us remember the meal that Jesus shared with his friends. We have this same meal with Him when we share Communion.

The Butterfly: When the butterfly is in its cocoon it is like Jesus in the tomb, and when the butterfly emerges it is like Jesus being resurrected.

The Cross: Represents the resurrection of Jesus on Easter

The Donkey: The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

The Easter Lily: the bulb of this flower looks dead but then it comes to life and blooms a beautiful flower. This reminds us of the new life that we have when we are renewed in God.

The Fish: This reminds us of Jesus and he asking us to make fishermen of all people.

The Lamb: Lambs were used for sacrifices and Jesus sacrificed his life for us.

Light: Jesus’ triumph over the dark of death

Palms: Remind us of Palm Sunday and the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem for his last week.

The Stone: The stone that was placed in front of Jesus’ tomb that was moved when the women discovered Jesus was missing and had been resurrected.

Exploring
Today we will color one of the symbols that remind us of God’s stories.

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring
Symbols crossword from Children’s Activities for the Christian Year.

Lent: Lesson 1

2010-01-11T11:00:00.000-06:00

Lent: Lesson 1

Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)

Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,

With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,

Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Say: Do any of you remember a few months ago when we learned about the church seasons? (Yes we ate grapes, we learned about colors, etc.) Today we are in a new church season. We had Advent, Christmas time, and ordinary time. Can anyone tell me what we are in now? We are in the season of Lent. Does anyone remember anything about lent? I will tell you!

Listening
Say: Lent is a forty day period before Easter when we prepare ourselves. During that time we remember Christ and the changes that he made in our world, and we try to better ourselves as followers of Christ. Many people follow the custom of giving up something during lent to remind them of Christ’s suffering. Some people decide to make some sort of change in their lives during this time in order to be a better follower of Christ. Lent gives us time to learn about prayer, sacrifice and showing kindness to others. During Lent we grow closer to God and better understand the Love that God has for everyone. We then use the Love God gives us to love others.

Exploring
Today we will be handing out the Lenten Pledge papers. They are just going to put their names on these and take them home. Read the top of the sheets and explain what they will be doing with them.

Next take the painters tape and make a pathway around the room. It doesn’t have to be a circle or a line, it can be anything. Have the children follow you on the makeshift labyrinth. Explain to them that a labyrinth is a tool for meditation and prayer. There were first placed on the floors of the medieval churches in Europe, and people walked the path focusing on God. Since Lent is a time when we prayer and renew our faith, invite the children to walk the path with you and say silent prayers and then say the following closing prayer together on the path.

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

Christmas Eve Children's Sermon

2009-12-22T13:00:00.001-06:00

We have been anxiously waiting for this night for four and half weeks now! Are you so excited? Do you know who is being born tonight? JESUS! Yes! Jesus! A long time ago on a night just like this Jesus was born! And the angels in heaven were so excited they had to tell the shepherds who were watching their sheep to go see Jesus. The angels told the shepherds to go to Bethlehem to find in a manger a baby named Jesus wrapped in a blanket who was the born King of Kings. They followed a bright star to find the baby Jesus lying in a manger. Tonight at the end of our service we are each going to have a light to help us remember the star in the sky and to remember the light of Jesus. We are going to have special lights. I have gotten you all a special Christmas present. After our prayer I will give each of you a special glow stick to shake up and hold at the end of the service.

Dear God, thank you for sending us the Light in baby Jesus. Amen.

Web Wednesday

2009-12-16T14:13:00.000-06:00

Here is a new link for you to check out http://www.christianitytoday.com/childrensministry/! They have lots of articles to help develop you as a leader and your volunteers as great leaders. Check it out!

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

2009-12-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

“So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16

Call to Worship
Leader: Let’s get ready!
Children: Let’s get ready!
Leader: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Children: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Leader: Only one more week until his birthday!
Children: Only one more week until his birthday!
Leader: Let’s light the Advent wreath!
(There will be a wreath on the table for Advent.)

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Today is the Fourth Sunday in Advent. The word Advent means the arrival of something. Do you know who we are waiting for to arrive? (Jesus)Yes! Advent is the time we use to get ready for the birth of Jesus.

Listening
Today we are going to read the story about Jesus’ birth from the bible.
Luke 2:1-20 (The Message)

The Birth of Jesus

^1-5About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

^6-7While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

An Event for Everyone

^8-12There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

^13-14At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

^15-18As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

^19-20Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Exploring
Color and cut out a nativity scene.
http://dailycoloringpages.com/images/nativity-diorama-christmas-coloring-pages-01.png
Benediction
Say: God of our world, thank you for Advent! Amen.

Web Wednesday

2009-12-09T10:56:00.000-06:00

I would recommend to everyone the power of Twitter. If you don't already have a Twitter account here are a few reasons why you should get one:

So many people have moved to this form of communication. You can talk about what you are working on, ask for suggestions, and post website links.
It's a form of free marketing and advertising. If you want people to know about an activity you are planning, they can see your updates and gather that information instantly.
Social networking. They say it's all about who you know. Well here you can talk to people all over the world, get ideas, and make new support systems based on your needs.

Twitter is awesome. My twitter profile is this: www.twitter.com/iheartchildren. Check me out and while you are there check out this live feed of all this children's ministry: http://twitter.com/#search?q=kidmin. Anyone who tags their post as #kidmin will be included in this list.

Advent: Week 3

2009-12-08T10:37:00.000-06:00

Third Sunday of Advent: Joy

“So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16

Call to Worship
Leader: Let’s get ready!
Children: Let’s get ready!
Leader: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Children: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Leader: Only two more weeks until his birthday!
Children: Only two more weeks until his birthday!
Leader: Let’s light the Advent wreath!
(There will be a wreath on the table for Advent.)

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Today is the Third Sunday in Advent. The word Advent means the arrival of something. Do you know who we are waiting for to arrive? (Jesus)Yes! Advent is the time we use to get ready for the birth of Jesus.

Listening
On Christmas morning, boys and girls around the world will wake up early and run excitedly downstairs to see what Santa Claus has left for them... Well, that's not exactly how it goes -- around the world children celebrate the Christmas holidays in many different ways.

In Germany, the 6th of December is a special day:

...There's a special tradition all over Germany on December 6th. [On] the evening of December 5th you put your cleaned (big) boots outside the house in front of the door (or inside). Some people also put a plate there or on the windowsill. The bread in the plate is for the white horse of Santa Claus ... In the morning you see that Santa Claus really was at your house and put nice things into the boots or plates, e.g., all kinds of nuts, oranges, apples, sweets, chocolate, small presents ... But if you [weren't] well behaved the whole year you only get a switch so that your parents can punish you, but they don't!
Kristine and Wiebke, Germany

And in Italy, January 6th is a day long-awaited by many children:

The 6th of January is the day on which the three Wise Men arrive at the Bethlehem cave in which kid Jesus is and give him gold, incense and myrrh and for this reason in Italy children receive presents traditionally brought by the "Befana," a good old witch who comes into their homes through the chimney. This is the last day to the Christmas holiday in Italy.
Elisbetta, Italy

In Sweden, December 13th is a special day that children look forward to all year long:

Saint Lucia [Day] is celebrated all over Sweden on December 13th. The custom with the girl dressed in white with candles on her head has a complicated background ... In our school we celebrate Saint Lucia Day outside very early in the morning while it's still dark. Our Saint Lucia is coming in a carriage pulled by a very small horse. She is followed by Santa Claus on a big horse and a lot of girls and boys in white gowns and a lot of candles. They all sing traditional Christmas songs and read poems. After the ceremony we all eat ginger cookies and bread with saffron. To celebrate is very important to Swedish people.

What are some of the Christmas traditions your family have?

Exploring
A long Christmas tradition is the tradition to send Christmas cards. Today we are going to make a card for someone special!

http://www.daniellesplace.com/Images3/christmascard2003pat.gif
Benediction
Say: God of our world, thank you for Advent! Amen.

This Christmas

2009-12-04T10:54:00.000-06:00

This Christmas will be a new experience for me. It will be Andrew and I's very first Christmas together. We have been talking a lot about what we will be doing this season and what traditions we celebrated with our families before that we would like to incorporate into our new Christmas traditions. I am quite demanding about a few things, like we must fall asleep before Santa comes, and that Christmas light drives have to occur for it to feel like the Christmas season. He had different traditions and different demands. He wants Christmas cookie smells and a white light Christmas tree. As a 22 year old you would think that maybe by now I would have grown up a bit and that Christmas would be less exciting. Pondering my inability to see that I should grow up and out of these Christmas traditions, I learned something. Christmas is a time for joy and families. Christmas is about the traditions we all establish. Without these important experiences we miss out on the meanings. The season is such a joyful one. We all get excited about the coming of Christmas. The anticipation. The wonderful things to come. I love Christmas because everyone seems so happy. Jesus is coming and we are all eagerly awaiting that joyful message. It is important that we establish traditions. We make it more real that way I think. Without the Christmas lights everything just feels like any other time. But this season is so unlike any other. More people are helping others, giving to others and feeling good about the coming year. We have hope because of the Christmas season. And the Christmas story has always been one of hope. So I encourage all of you to take some time and talk about what makes Christmas Christmas for you and to find that joy, hope and anticipation that we so easily forget at any other time of the year.

Second Sunday of Advent

2009-12-02T12:00:00.002-06:00

Second Sunday of Advent: Faith

“So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16

Call to Worship
Leader: Let’s get ready!
Children: Let’s get ready!
Leader: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Children: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Leader: Only three more weeks until his birthday!
Children: Only three more weeks until his birthday!
Leader: Let’s light the Advent wreath!
(There will be a wreath on the table for Advent.)

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Today is the Second Sunday in Advent. The word Advent means the arrival of something. Do you know who we are waiting for to arrive? (Jesus)Yes! Advent is the time we use to get ready for the birth of Jesus.

Listening
Today is the day we celebrate Saint Nicholas. Does anyone know who St. Nick is?

The origin of Santa Claus begins in the 4th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, an area in present day Turkey. By all accounts St. Nicholas was a generous man, particularly devoted to children. After his death around 340 A.D. he was buried in Myra, but in 1087 Italian sailors purportedly stole his remains and removed them to Bari, Italy, greatly increasing St. Nicholas' popularity throughout Europe.

His kindness and reputation for generosity gave rise to claims he that he could perform miracles and devotion to him increased. St. Nicholas became the patron saint of Russia, where he was known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop's miter.

In Greece, he is the patron saint of sailors, in France he was the patron of lawyers, and in Belgium the patron of children and travelers. Thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him and sometime around the 12th century an official church holiday was created in his honor. The Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated December 6 and the day was marked by gift-giving and charity.

Exploring
Like Saint Nicholas, we are going to draw a picture about what presents we would like to give. If you could give any gift to the people of the world, what would that gift be? Draw a picture of your gift and write a sentence to explain what your gift is and why you chose it.
Benediction
Say: God of our world, thank you for Advent! Amen.
More Exploring

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/assets/stnic_children_coloring.pdf

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/assets/puzzle-3.pdf

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/assets/puzzle-1.pdf

First Sunday of Advent

2009-12-01T12:36:00.002-06:00

First Sunday of Advent: Hope

“So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16

Call to Worship
Leader: Let’s get ready!
Children: Let’s get ready!
Leader: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Children: Let’s get ready for Baby Jesus!
Leader: Only four more weeks until his birthday!
Children: Only four more weeks until his birthday!
Leader: Let’s light the Advent wreath!
(There will be a wreath on the table for Advent.)

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Today is the first Sunday in Advent. The word Advent means the arrival of something. Do you know who we are waiting for to arrive? (Jesus)Yes! Advent is the time we use to get ready for the birth of Jesus.

Listening
What are some of the things you do at home to get ready for Christmas? (Decorate cookies, decorate a Christmas tree, etc.) If you look around the room and the church you will see that we already have something different for the season. Can you tell me what you see that is new for today? (An advent wreath) What colors are the candles? (3 purple, 1 pink, and 1 white.) The purple candles tell us that a King will be born on Christmas. Who is that King? (Jesus) The pink candle reminds us that Jesus is a person just like the rest of us. The white candle symbolizes the purity of Christ. Today we lit the first purple candle. This is the candle of hope. It is called the candle of hope because of our hope in the coming of Jesus. God sent us Jesus to teach us about God and the way we should treat each other.

Exploring
Make an Advent wreath for the Advent season!
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/images/bpaperadvent1.gif
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/images/bpaperadvent2.gif

Benediction
Say: God of our world, thank you for Advent! Amen.

Creatures in God’s World: Animal Homes

2009-11-30T12:00:00.001-06:00

Creatures in God’s World: Animal Homes
“Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at your altars, O Lord of Hosts and my God.” Psalm 84:3
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Have you ever seen a bird’s nest? (We have one in our tree at home, etc.)
Listening
During the story, children will play the roll of a bird flying about building a nest. Have the children practice flapping their wings. Tell them that they are to flap their wings three times whenever they hear the word fly.
Say: I am a mother bird. I need to build a nest where I can lay my eggs. I’ve chosen this tree branch as the best place to build my nest. Now I must fly (pause) around and look for materials. Whenever I find something, I’ll bring it back to this branch. Since I am called a Baltimore Oriole, I like to build my nest with lots of materials.
I see some twigs. I’ll fly (pause) down and get those. There are some stalks of grass in that field. I’ll fly (pause) down and get those too. Oh good! I see some string over there on the ground. I’ll fly (pause) down and pick it up. There’s a long piece of yarn hanging from that low branch. I’ll fly (pause) and get that next. Great! There’s a clump of hair from someone’s hair brush. I’ll fly (pause) over near the porch and get that. Now I’ll fly (pause) down and get some more grass. This nest is really coming along! What a wonderful nest for my babies. I’m glad God gave animals the ability to make their own home.
Exploring
Make a Bagel Bird Feeder!

Say: There’s a verse in the Bible that talks about birds who nested at the temple. “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young at your altars, O Lord of Hosts and my God.” Psalm 84:3. There are birds who live near our church, too. Today we’re going to make a treat for you to give to the birds who live near your homes.
What you need:
Bagel
Plastic knife
Yarn or string
Peanut butter or lard
Birdseed
Split the bagel in half. On the flat side spread peanut butter or lard. Sprinkle the birdseed on a paper plate. Press the peanut buttered side of the bagel into the birdseed. Tie a string onto the bagel and hang in a tree.

Read more: http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/easy_to_make_bird_feeders#ixzz0OwZLzbE8

Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you so much for the wonder creatures in our world. Amen.

St. Nicholas Day Celebration

2009-11-24T13:53:00.000-06:00

December 6th is Saint Nicholas Day! I am so excited to be celebrating this Saint's day! Saint Nicholas was a Bishop of Myra and is known for secret gift giving. He would put coins in shoes that were left out for him and is the model for our Santa Claus. He did many things for children and lived a very selfless life. We will be celebrating his decision to live a life like Jesus exampled by taking a decorated Christmas tree to a nursing home near our church. We will be practicing our selfless giving and the joy that comes with doing good for others. I think this is a great way to celebrate the Advent season and to teach our children to grow up and be loving people.

Creatures in God’s World: Loving Pets

2009-11-23T12:00:00.001-06:00

Creatures in God’s World: Loving Pets
“But the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought.” 2 Samuel 12:3
Call to Worship
(Sung to “The Bear Went over the Mountain”)
Let’s worship God, let’s worship God, let’s worship God,
With joyful hearts, with joyful hearts, with joyful hearts,
Let’s worship God with joyful hearts!

Joys and Concerns
Have the children share a few joys and concerns they have and follow with a prayer thanking God for our joys and asking God to be with us in our concerns.

Sharing
Ask: Can you tell us about a pet you have or would like to have? (I have a puppy named Rover, I want a fish, etc.)
Listening
Use two poems about a lamb to help children think about loving pets.
Ask: There’s a famous poem about a girl who loved her pet lamb. What’s the name of the poem? (Mary Had A Little Lamb)
Say: Let’s say the poem together:
Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb.
Mary had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow,
And everywhere that Mary went, Mary went, Mary went
And everywhere that Mary went the lamb was sure to go.
Continue: There’s a story about a pet lamb in the Bible too. Here’s a poem about that lamb:
There’s a story in the Bible about a little lamb,
Who was loved oh so much by a poor man.
He brought her home and cared for her,
And treated her like a daughter.
He shared his food and his cup,
And everyday he picked her up!
Read the rhyme again, asking the children to repeat each line after you.
Conclude by saying: God has given us pets to love. What a wonderful part of God’s wonderful world!
Exploring
Have the children put on paint smocks and ask them to paint with watercolors on card stock paper a pet they have or a pet they want.
Benediction
Say: Loving God, Thank you so much for the wonder creatures in our world. Amen.

A Heart After Children

New Website Up

Seasons of Faith Book Review

Web Wednesday

And then Jesus Changed Water into Gatorade: A Children's Sermon

Lent: Lesson 4

This week we will use our senses to learn more about Jesus and his experiences.

Exploring

Favorite Hymn

Mark 14:26 They sang a hymn and then went directly to Mount Olives.

Strip of Leather

Wrap leather around wrists and imagine how it must have felt.

Rough wood

Luke 23:26 As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus.

Feel the bark and remember the man who carried the cross for Jesus, Simon of Cyrene. Consider how he felt with that responsibility.

Small bag of spices

Mark 16: 1-8 The Resurrection

As you smell the spices remember how the women took spices to the tomb to cover the smell of the decaying body they expected to find.

Candle

The candle brings light to darkness, as Christ brought eternal light into a dark world.

Benediction Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring Have the children draw about one of the things they learned.

Site Under Construction

It's Been One Year

Symbols of Faith Book Review

Web Wednesday

We're Like a Puzzle: Children's Semon

Lent: Lesson 3

This week we will use our sense of taste to learn the color of Lent! Can anyone guess what color we use to remind us of Lent? The color is PURPLE! We use the color purple to remind us that Christ is the King of Kings. It also reminds us to repent and turn to God to be closer to God.

Exploring Have the children sit down at the table and pass out plates and napkins. They will be eating grapes, purple jello, and drinking grape soda. While they are eating ask what symbols they remember from last week, or how their Lent Pledges and Calendars are going.

The Bread and Cup Symbol: Helps us remember the meal that Jesus shared with his friends. We have this same meal with Him when we share Communion.

The Butterfly: When the butterfly is in its cocoon it is like Jesus in the tomb, and when the butterfly emerges it is like Jesus being resurrected.

The Cross: Represents the resurrection of Jesus on Easter

The Donkey: The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

The Easter Lily: the bulb of this flower looks dead but then it comes to life and blooms a beautiful flower. This reminds us of the new life that we have when we are renewed in God.

The Fish: This reminds us of Jesus and he asking us to make fishermen of all people.

The Lamb: Lambs were used for sacrifices and Jesus sacrificed his life for us.

Light: Jesus’ triumph over the dark of death

Palms: Remind us of Palm Sunday and the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem for his last week.

The Stone: The stone that was placed in front of Jesus’ tomb that was moved when the women discovered Jesus was missing and had been resurrected.

Benediction Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring Using the labyrinth page have the children use their fingers to “walk” around the labyrinth and say silent prayers and meditations.

Web Wednesday

Lent: Lesson 2

The Bread and Cup Symbol: Helps us remember the meal that Jesus shared with his friends. We have this same meal with Him when we share Communion.

The Butterfly: When the butterfly is in its cocoon it is like Jesus in the tomb, and when the butterfly emerges it is like Jesus being resurrected.

The Cross: Represents the resurrection of Jesus on Easter

The Donkey: The donkey that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

The Easter Lily: the bulb of this flower looks dead but then it comes to life and blooms a beautiful flower. This reminds us of the new life that we have when we are renewed in God.

The Fish: This reminds us of Jesus and he asking us to make fishermen of all people.

The Lamb: Lambs were used for sacrifices and Jesus sacrificed his life for us.

Light: Jesus’ triumph over the dark of death

Palms: Remind us of Palm Sunday and the day Jesus entered into Jerusalem for his last week.

The Stone: The stone that was placed in front of Jesus’ tomb that was moved when the women discovered Jesus was missing and had been resurrected.

Exploring Today we will color one of the symbols that remind us of God’s stories.

Benediction Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring Symbols crossword from Children’s Activities for the Christian Year.

Lent: Lesson 1

Exploring Today we will be handing out the Lenten Pledge papers. They are just going to put their names on these and take them home. Read the top of the sheets and explain what they will be doing with them.

Benediction Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

Christmas Eve Children's Sermon

Web Wednesday

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

Listening Today we are going to read the story about Jesus’ birth from the bible. Luke 2:1-20 (The Message)

Web Wednesday

Advent: Week 3

This Christmas

Second Sunday of Advent

First Sunday of Advent

Creatures in God’s World: Animal Homes

St. Nicholas Day Celebration

Creatures in God’s World: Loving Pets

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring
Have the children draw about one of the things they learned.

Exploring
Have the children sit down at the table and pass out plates and napkins. They will be eating grapes, purple jello, and drinking grape soda. While they are eating ask what symbols they remember from last week, or how their Lent Pledges and Calendars are going.

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring
Using the labyrinth page have the children use their fingers to “walk” around the labyrinth and say silent prayers and meditations.

Exploring
Today we will color one of the symbols that remind us of God’s stories.

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

More Exploring
Symbols crossword from Children’s Activities for the Christian Year.

Exploring
Today we will be handing out the Lenten Pledge papers. They are just going to put their names on these and take them home. Read the top of the sheets and explain what they will be doing with them.

Benediction
Say: Wonderful God, thank you for wanting to be closer to us. Help us to grow closer to you during Lent. Amen.

Listening
Today we are going to read the story about Jesus’ birth from the bible.
Luke 2:1-20 (The Message)