No Children's Worship May 31 or June 6

Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend (last weekend in May) and Communion Sunday (Sunday, June 6).

Children's worship resumes on Sunday, June 13, and the last one of the season is June 20.

See you then!

Psalm 23 and Dancing like David (Sunday, May 23)

We had a slight change of venue, meeting up the hill at the Match School.

Today's lesson focused on the David the children learned about the week before who also wrote beautiful songs and poetry (like Psalm 23), and he praised danced before the Lord.

And we also had three special guests at Children's Worship today:

Asha Ragin, from Bethel Expressions (dance ministry) who led the children in liturgical dance inspired by

• Fred Hammond's When the Spirit of the Lord
• Sweet Honey in the Rock's Play Your Harp Little David

and

Guest readers Robert and Jessica Anderson who read Tim Ladwig's illustrated version of Psalm Twenty-Three. Kids asked questions and viewed the contemporary illustrations, exploring ideas like safe places, scary situations, loved ones, and a God who is always with them.

During King's Kidz rehearsal, Jessica Huber continued teaching the song Come and Make My Heart Your Home which they will sing on Sunday, June 27, during Graduation Sunday.

David and Goliath (Sunday May 16)

Continuing in our practice of learning about children in the Bible, and more importantly that God's kids have purpose, today's lesson focused on a kid who did what no adult could do: defeat a giant.

Brother Wyatt Jackson read The Story of David and Goliath.

They imagined a 9 foot man (who was much taller than brother Wyatt!) and imitated Goliath heavy footsteps. Everyone closed their eyes an thought of a time when they were angry or scared (monsters under beds, mad at friends for not being fair...) and begun to spin their imaginary slingshots filled with prayers that were released into the air. And they were strengthened.

The children engaged in conversation about times when they felt they were not heard by adults, which yielded my favorite quote of the day:

When my mommy is mad at me, she doesn't want to hear nothing I got to say.

(This was coupled by an empathetic 3 to 7 year olds' version of an amen chorus: lots of recounting moments of getting in trouble at home.)

God has a purpose for everyone--even kids. NO ONE believed the little David was capable of defeating a trained warrior like Goliath. But David trusted God and believed that God was on his side. Rather than be scared, David spoke to God.

They learned that one of the greatest weapons they have when they are scared or in a tough situation is to pray.

David defeated the giant Goliath because he prayed and God blessed him.

Coloring sheets of David and Goliath were given as take home handouts.

Dance clothes and Parent Meeting May 16 (tomorrow)

Don't forget two things for Sunday, May 16:

Kids should dress in clothes appropriate to dance in (Asha Ragin of Bethel Expressions--the dance ministry-- will be visiting during activity time)

There will be a brief parent meeting immediately following service in the Fellowship Hall.

Mother's Day and the story of Ruth

Today, YPD Sunday, the Bethel Children's church had a wonderful day learning about the story of Ruth and Naomi. The kids learned how Ruth was in Jesus' lineage and they even learned a fun worship song about Naomi.


Since it was mothers day, the kids colored Happy Mother's Day cards which included pictures of Ruth and Naomi. On the front of the cards the kids learned the verse in Exodus about honoring your father and mother.

The kids began learning another song for their next Kings Kids performance. It's called Come and Make My Heart Your Home, and it is the last track on the practice cd. There will be more cds available next week if you have not already received one. 
More detailed information will be available in a later post.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

SUNDAYS in MAY and JUNE

May 9 Wear YPD colors of green and white
May 16 Wear comfortable clothes and shoes children can DANCE in. Parent meeting after church
May 23 Regular children's worship

May 30 NO CHILDREN'S WORSHIP

June 6 NO CHILDREN'S WORSHIP. Families worship in the main sanctuary for communion Sunday.
June 13 Wear YPD colors of green and white (YPD)
June 20 Last Children's Worship until the Fall. Dress for outdoor fun!
June 27 NO CHILDREN'S WORSHIP: Youth Impact/Graduation Sunday. King's Kidz will sing

Children ages three to seven worship in the Fellowship Hall.

More email bethelchildren [at] gmail [dot] com

SAVE THESE SATURDAY DATES:
July 10 Youth Retreat--all Children's Ministry staff and volunteers attend
September 25 IGNITE: Children's back to school afternoon event