Jesus Blesses the Children

This Sunday, we are learning about how Jesus blessed the children.  In Jesus' time, children were considered to be property of their parents.  Girls were married off and boys were put to work.  So it was a big deal for Jesus to make time for them.  You can read about this story in Mark 10: 13 - 16 and in almost all children's Bibles.

In Sunday School, we'll talk about what exactly a blessing is.  At home, you might consider talking about how to be blessings to others.  As for a craft, I ran across this idea on pinterest.

Prayer Pail
Materials:
- a miniature bucket, pail, empty can, mason jar, or flower pot (the $1 dollar aisle at Target usaully has these)
- markers, stickers, or paint
- popsicle sticks

How To:
Decorate the outside of your Prayer Pail with markers, stickers, paint, or whatever strikes your fancy.

On each popsicle stick write someone or something that you want to pray for.  Ideas could include peace, grandparents, the homeless, etc.

Drop the popsicle sticks in the pail.  Every night before dinner, you can choose a stick and say a prayer for that person or thing.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Whew, it has been a while since I've updated.  Sorry, y'all.

This month kicks off our One Great Hour of Sharing offering in Church School.  This is the annual offering we take up in the fish banks that goes to the Presbyterian Church USA.  It is a great opportunity to teach children about giving!  We will begin accepting the fish banks from March 25th until Easter.  Same as last year, we will have our kiddie pool "sharing pond" on the Assembly Room stage for your children to release their fish.

In order to inspire giving, here is a little scavenger hunt style incentive list:

“I Spy” Giving Guide

 

Here’s a list to help you remember about One Great Hour of Sharing.  Using your fish bank, think about donating the suggested amount for each item listed below.  See how fast you can fill your fish!

Giving Thanks for God’s Creation

1¢- Each time you see a red bird

1¢- Each time you see a robin

5¢- See tree buds in your yard

5¢- See the first crocus

10¢- See blooming forsythia

25¢- If you find a bird’s nest

Practicing Good Stewardship

1¢- Each morning you make your bed

1¢- per item—Help sort through clothes for charity

5¢- per window—Help wash windows

10¢- Give a gently used toy to charity

25¢- Helping clear the garden

Helping Others

1¢- Each time you say a prayer for someone

5¢- Comfort a sad friend

5¢- Help carry in and put away the groceries

10¢- Make a card for someone who is feeling sick

25¢- Bake cookies for a neighbor

$5 – If there is a Snow Day

Jan. 22: Jesus Acts Like a Teenager

source

This weekend in Church School, we are learning the story of how Jesus and his parents went to Jerusalem for Passover.  Jesus, aged 12, decided to stay behind without telling his parents.  After frantically searching for him for three days, Mary and Joseph found him in the Temple, talking with the scholars, who were amazed at his wisdom.  Jesus told them, "Didn't you know that I'd be in my Father's house?"

If you'd like to read this story with your children, you can find it in Luke 2: 41 - 52 and in most children's Bibles.

What we'll be discussing in Sunday School: Sometimes when we can feel like God is "hiding" from us, just like Mary and Joseph thought Jesus was hiding from them.  We might not feel God's presence as much as we'd like.  Just like Mary and Joseph, we have to keep looking and keep praying, because we know that God is always with us, even when we think God is "hiding."

Winter/Spring Curriculum

Hello Everyone!

Hopefully the holidays have gone well and everyone has had a good chance to recover.  I know it's taken me a little while to get back in the swing of things.

For winter and ppring 2012, RPC Church School will be studying all about Jesus.  We'll start out the year with teh Wise Men and go through Jesus' life.  After Easter, we will learn about the beginnings of the Early Church. 

Without further ado, here is the Children's Calender for this winter and spring.

RPC Children’s Calendar Winter/Spring 2012

 

January 8

Church & Justice Sunday
Church School: The Wise Men
 

January 15

No Church School: Enrichment Activities

 January 22

Church School: Jesus Runs Away
Singing Our Faith

January 29

Church School: Jesus Calls the Disciples
Empty Bowls Sunday

February 5

Annual Congregational Meeting
Church School: Lost and Found

February 12

Church School: The Good Samaritan
Family Fellowship: Youth “Moses” Play

February 19

No Church School: Enrichment Activities

 February 26

Church School: Mary and Martha
Singing Our Faith

March 4

Church School: Lazarus

March 11

Church School: Jesus and the children

 March 18

Church School: Zaccheus
Singing Our Faith
Family Fellowship: St. Patrick’s Ice Cream & Pizza Social

March 25

Church School: The Last Supper

April 1

Church School: Jesus is arrested

April 8

Easter Sunday: Family Worship

April 15

Church School: The Empty Tomb

April 22

Church School: The Road to Emmaus
Singing Our Faith

April 29

Church School: Jesus Goes to Heaven

May 6

Confirmation Sunday
Church School: Pentecost
Family Fellowship: Cinco de Mayo

 May 13

Bible Sunday
Church School: Peter the Healer

May 20

Church School: Saul’s Change of Vision

May 27

No Church School: Family Worship

 June 3

Church School: Paul’s Journeys

 June 10

Teacher Recognition
Church School
Spring Picnic

Advent Week 4: Prayers & Activities

source

Next week is the 4th week of Advent, also known as the week before Christmas.  I'm sure that this week has been greatly anticipated in your homes!  Read on for suggestions about how to celebrate the 4th week of Advent in your home.

4th Week of Advent (Dec. 18 - 25)
If you have an Advent wreath in your home, light all four candles this week.  Add an additional candle to the center of your wreath.  Explain to your children that you will light this candle on Christmas Eve.

This is the prayer for this week.  Consider saying this prayer every night as a family before you eat dinner.

"Jesus, your mother, Mary, is “blessed among women.” We are happy that she said “Yes!” to being your mother.  As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the  light of love into our lives.  Amen."

Activities for this week:

- Encourage your child to draw a nativity scene.

- In Sunday School (12/18), your child made a star ornament.  Talk with your child about why we call Jesus the "light of the world." 

- Do an Advent Scavenger Hunt.  Below you will find symbols of Advent.  Print them out and hide them around your house for your children to find.  Once they find all the symbols, talk about  how each one is important to the story.

Advent Week 3: Prayers & Activities

Continuing with our weekly activities for the Advent season, here's what is going on for the..

3rd Week of Advent (Dec. 11 - 17)
If you have an Advent wreath, light the first, second, and third candles.

The prayer for this week is:

"Jesus, we gather here as a family to dedicate our lives to you, as John the Baptist did. Help us to know, love, and serve you. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of joy into our lives.  Amen."

Activities for this week:

- Read about John the Baptist, starting with the story of how Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was John's mother.  You can read this in The Children's Illustrated Bible pages 186 - 189.

- Explain that when John grew up, he told everyone about Jesus.  You can read about John as an adult also in The Children's Illustrated Bible, pages 202 - 203.

This prayer talks about the light of joy, which is a wonderful way to think about the love of Christ.  Talk with your children about how you can spread joy this week.  Some ideas:

- Bake cookies for a neighbor.

- Book a time to go to the Ronald McDonald House in Valhalla.  Make a meal or just a dessert for the families staying there.  Here is their website.

- Buy dog and/or cat treats and bring them to the animal shelter.

Any other ideas?  Add them in the comments, below.

Advent Weeks 1 & 2: Prayers and Activites

Here is a special way to countdown to Christmas while using your Advent Wreath (or not!):  Each night as you sit down for dinner, light the weekly candle(s) on your wreath and say the weekly prayer.  Below, you will find prayers and ideas for Advent activites with your family.

First Week of Advent (11/27 - 12/3)

Light the first candle.  The prayer for the first week of Advent is:

"Jesus, as we wait for your coming, help us not to be afraid and to trust in you. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of hope into our lives. Amen."

Second Week of Advent (12/4 - 12/10)

Light the first and second candles.  The prayer for the Second Week of Advent is:

"Jesus, John the Baptist told the people, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any.  If you have food, share it with someone else.”  As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of service into our lives. Amen."

Activities for the Second Week of Advent:

- Talk with your family about what this week's prayer means.  Discuss ways to share with those in need.  Next time you are at Target or another clothing store, have your children help you choose a coat or two for a child in need.  You can drop them off at church.  Church School will continue to take nonperishable food donations until January 1.

- If you have older children, consider taking them to the Carver Center or another food bank to help organize canned goods.