"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Jesus
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SSTN # 72 - September 13, 2006
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
1) Faith Harvest Fest 2) Promotion Sunday 3) Promotion Sunday 4) Play That Symbolizes Christmas 5) Empowering Parents
Good Night God, Love Olivia
6) Nativity set for toddlers 7) Monkey VBS updates 8) Memorize books of the Bible? 9) Kindergarten Ice Breaker 10) Christ's Apprentice ?
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1) Faith Harvest Fest
Our church is having a Faith Harvest Fest this year. I am over everything, so I had to come up with a game that the children will love, something oppsite from halloween games. It's call don't let the devil get you!!! Materials needed a large box and a scary mask.You need to make a medium church out of using large boxes.make the boxes look like a church house. You have to have a large field or playing area to play this game. Then pick one of the children to wear a scray mask that will be the devil, then tell the children that the church is base and that they have to go to God to get save form the devil, Then go over rules, Church is base. the devil has to say come, come back out in to the world, by this saying the devil tempting the children to stray from God they will learn that its not good to turn from God, cause the devils is always trying to get a hold on them, Then the children run away from the church and the devil trys to touch them and once there touch by the devil, they have to stay in the place until another member from the church teammate touchs them, so only then can they run to church, It teaches children that when you see a brother or sister in need you should go out of your way to help them, you never know when that's going to be you in need of help. Also when a child gets touch three times by the devil they take the devil place. I think this is a good lesson it shows children that God is the only escape from the devil and it shows them to help out a brother in need and also don't let the devil tempt them to do t things there not suppose to be doing! It's a twist form frozen tag a game I used to play when I was a child.
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2) Promotion Sunday
>Does anyone have ideas or success stories for "Promotion Sunday" >celebrations?
We are going to do our first "Promotion Sunday" on Sept. 10th also. The way we are going to do it is the week before "Promotion Sunday" the students who are moving up to a new class will receive a welcome letter from their new Sunday School teacher just like they do from school. Then on "Promotion Sunday" we plan on having a ceremony with our Pastor leading it. I'm not sure exactly what he is going to say, but all the Sunday School teachers will be up front and their former teacher will introduce the children to their new teacher. They will also get a certificate that has the Scripture from Matthew 19:14 on it "And Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." It also says, "On Your Special Day... Name is promoted to class . It is dated and signed by the Pastor and the Sunday School Teacher.
We are a church of about 200 and we have only one service. Our Sunday School for all ages happens right before our church service. Then after our church service we stay for lunch. So, the children are very familar with the classrooms and know the teachers pretty well. I still think the idea of getting a letter in the mail and having a ceremony helps make the children feel special about their accomplishment.
Diane in Nebraska
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3) Promotion Sunday
We presented our kids with certificates on Rally/Promotion Sunday during church. We have also given Bibles for 8th grade and high school graduation,
and I think even those entering 5th grade. When I was growing up, we received pins, and then bars, although perfect attendance was required. If we were gone, we could bring proof we attended another Sunday school or did
a lesson (like I did with my Grandma) to keep our attendance up. Depending on your demographics, it may be better just to have an 85% level or something, rather than perfect attendance.
You could make decorations for their rooms, do tours, etc. to make them feel 'at home'.
Very good play, we used it last year and the children want to do it again. I can give you some hints on costumes too. They are simple and not expensive. Its a very good play and even the parents loved it. anya58@sbcglobal.net
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5) Empowering Parents
Dear Alice,
I loved your idea of adding the coloring pages and kids links. The parents page is a wonderful idea!! Do it! We NEED to communicate to the parents of our kids; what we send home may be the ONLY christian communication in the home. (You're right about materials not even reaching the home....we've found lessons littering the floors of our church). For those children that are picked up by their parents, we deliver their child's lesson directly into their hands; for the others, perhaps you give an incentive, i.e prize box, etc to ensure their lesson (with the parents link) reaches its destination. What a challenge to follow the great commission. May God bless your efforts.
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6) Nativity set for toddlers
Our nursery class uses a fabric nativity set that a lady in our congregation made for them. The adult figures are about 10 inches tall and baby Jesus and the manger are about 3 or 4 inches long. The figures are stuffed firmly and weighted at the bottom with sand so they stand up correctly. There is a grey donkey and some sheep in the scene also. There is a group of shepherds and a group on wise men also, as well as Mary and Joseph. The stable itself is a piece of foamboard covered with fabric and it opens out like three sides of a box. Each child holds a piece and puts it into the scene when I tell the story. After they have done their colouring or craft I ask them to tell me the story. Using the figures they eagerly tell me what is happening.
Maybe you have someone with sewing skills in your congregation.
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7) Monkey VBS updates
On the Monkey VBS updates, my email should be klhmailbox@yahoo.com, for Karen Jackson. Thanks, and can't wait!
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8) Memorize books of the Bible?
My name is Edgar Ramirez, I would like to know if anyone has ideas to how to memorize the books of the bible for kids of grades 5th to 7th grade. If anyone has ideas I am in desperate need. Thank You God Bless You Edgar Ramirez
--from SSTN: There is a card game called, "Bible Stack-O!" (TM) which is soon-to-be released from SundaySchoolNetwork.com. Keep watching for the announcement!
I found an activity (on childrensministry.com -- great site!) called "These Aren't My Shoes" in which everyone in the class (including the teacher) sits in a circle and takes off their shoes and puts them in the middle of the circle. Then everyone must pick a "new" pair of shoes and sit down again. The teacher starts by going to the middle of the circle, saying "My name is (blank) and these aren't my shoes!" The owner of the shoes must then go to the middle to retrieve their "real" shoes and say (about their "new" pair) "My name is (blank) and these aren't my shoes!" and so on. Each child goes back to the circle after their turn. If you complete the cycle early (the teacher gets their shoes back) then pick someone else to start again. Works well for preschool, too!
Good Luck! Julie in Ohio
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10) Christ's Apprentice?
Was that a program that you bought? or did you make it yourself? It sounds cool :)
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