Welcoming Jesus in their Hearts!

On the last Sunday of November, the children in children’s church learned about John the Baptist. Led by teachers Sister Sharon Beck and Sister Lillie Cousin, they made necklaces out of yarn and paper hearts on Nov. 25. The words “Welcoming Jesus in my Heart” were written on top of one of the hearts, along with the Bible reference Mark 1:3-4.  The paper hearts bore these words from the biblical reference: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. John came baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism for the forgiveness of sins.”

About 20 children participated in the activity, and before the lesson, they introduced themselves by sharing the name of their favorite desserts!

Follow where God leads!

On Sunday, Nov. 18, about 22 children learned in Children’s Church that God is a leader who knows everything and will never lead them astray.

Sister Kim Willingham, with assistance from four volunteers, taught the children about how God told Abraham and his wife Sarah to move to a new place. And they obeyed. The Bible story was based on Genesis 12:1-8, and the children played a Simon Says-like game called “God says.” After the game the children discussed what makes it easy—or not easy—to follow a leader: One child, Taylor, said following is easy because we just have to follow the leader’s example. Caden, a different child, said following could be difficult if we’re talking too much or not listening for directions.

After the lesson, the children watched a Veggie Tales clip in which David confronted Goliath. The clip was connected to their earlier lesson of creation and how God made each of us special and with a purpose, no matter our age, size, gifts, or talents.

Sis. Kim taught the lesson with assistance from Sister Sandra Walker, Sister Margaret Kiwanuka-Woernle, Sister Kathy Krebs, and Brother Desmond Patterson.

Give glory to God, not to people

The 18 children who attended Children’s Church on Sunday, Nov. 11, learned how God confused the language of humans when they stopped worshipping God and instead tried to bring glory to themselves through the building of a tower.

Teachers Karen King, Susan Racine, Kathy Krebs, and Chris Jones taught the lesson about the Tower of Babel, which was drawn from Genesis 11: 1-9. The memory verse was Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus giving thanks to God.”

For the activity, the children pasted pictures of blocks with portions of the memory verse onto paper to form their own towers. But the words on their towers stated how they should give glory to God and not to people.

At the end of the day, the children sat in a circle and thought of something God gave us and said “Yea God.”
 

The Flood, Praising God, and Offering Reminder

On Nov. 11 during Children’s Church, the children will tell the teacher ten occasions when they praised God during the week.

The Rev. Sabrina Gray, who taught Children’s Church on Nov. 4, encouraged the children to praise God as Noah did during the time of the Flood. Look for ten times when you can praise God this week, she told them last Sunday. In addition to teaching, Rev. Sabrina reminded parents to send children with an offering because offering collection is one of the activities of Children’s Church.

Last week, the children reviewed that Noah, out of obedience to God, built an ark and gathered two of every animal. The children acted out the story by pretending to be specific animals boarding the ark, Rev. Sabrina said. The children also sung Rise and Shine, whose lyrics describe the story of the Flood.

Adults who helped teach Children’s Church included Sister Cammie, Sister Nichelle, and Sister Kemba. Teens Jasmine and C.J. also served as assistants during Children’s Church.

Note to Parents: Please help the teachers instruct the children about the importance of giving financial gifts to God and the church by sending them to Children’s Church with a small offering. 

Children Learn Lessons from Classic Noah’s Ark Story

Sister Sharon Beck taught 18 children Oct. 28 about Noah serving as God’s special helper. She read the story of Noah to the children and led them in the completion of a take-home project. For the activity, students colored two animals and pasted them on a picture of an ark. Sister Lillie Cousin, who served as the teacher’s assistant, also helped students decorate a poster board with pictures of animals.

Teen volunteers Josh Racine and C.J.  Turnbull, as well as adult volunteers Chris Jones and Kathy Krebs, helped the children complete the projects and fed them snacks.

Children Learn to Always Give God their Best

God accepted Abel’s offering because it was his best, and we too should always give the Lord our best!

Fourteen children in children’s church on Sunday, Oct. 20, heard the story of Cain and Abel and practiced its lesson of the importance of giving God their best. The Rev. Sabrina Gray taught the lesson with assistance from adult volunteers Kemba Gray and Desmond Hall.

The children learned that Cain killed his brother Abel because he was jealous that God accepted Abel’s gift but not his gift. God accepted Abel’s gift because it was the best he could give, Rev. Gray said.

Rev. Gray encouraged the children to always give God their best too, from riding in the car to accompanying their parents to the grocery store. During the service the children also acted out the story of Cain and Abel, she said.

In addition to hearing the lesson, the children prayed and sang songs. The kids also were taught about the importance of bringing an offering to support the church building and an upcoming children’s ministry project.

Can’t Touch His Ways!

The Gospel Message was front and center on Sunday, Oct. 14.

Sister Karen King and Sister Susan Racine taught about 14 children about how Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God and listening to the sly serpent. They learned that we are sinners when we disobey God and that we are all sinners no matter how hard we try to be good.

In an activity, the teachers had the kids try as hard as they could to jump and reach God (a card with God's name that was posted high on the wall). The activity taught that God's ways are so far above our ways that the kids couldn't reach it. When one of the Sunday School teachers helped to lift each child up physically, like Jesus lifts us up spiritually, we could get close enough to touch God. The students learned that all our sins are forgiven because of Jesus. The children wrote down something they did that needed forgiveness, and they drew a picture illustrating their sins or an illustration thanking God for His forgiveness.  

Sister Carol McMillan, Sister Sandra Walker, and youth helper Kalala Woernle assisted the teachers. Sister Kathy Krebs led the creation song.