Happy Birthday, Jesus

Things are bustling around here in Preschool Ministries this week as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birthday! It's the biggest and most important birthday of the entire year and we want to make sure that everything is just right! We've got cake and pizza ordered. Games and songs prepared. Now, all we need is you! Join us this Sunday night from 5:00-7:30 for our Happy Birthday Jesus party! All children ages 3-Kindergarten (fully potty trained) are welcome, so bring a friend!
We hope to see you there!

Why Do We Have a Fall Festival on Halloween?

I love the New Living Translation of Romans 12:2 which says:

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

As our church prepares for Fall Festival, this verse comes to mind because the question always seems to linger; "If we have a party on Halloween, isn't that still celebrating Halloween?"

My answer is, "No."

If we as a church use the event as it was meant to be, an outreach to the lost, then it's not at all copying the customs of this world but changing the way it thinks. If a small child doesn't come to church, but his parents will bring him to our Fall Festival, then the child is taught that Halloween is a time to go to a safe place to have fun. And he might even pick up some Jesus from you in the process.

Halloween can't be the "the devil's holiday" of we don't let it be. He's already lost and has no authority over our Godly intentions. If Halloween is meant to be scary it's because we are told it's meant to be scary. Sure there will always be those who use it for horrible things, but have you watched the news? Every day could be Halloween.

I look forward to seeing hundreds of princesses, super heroes and who knows what else this weekend. No doubt there will be a few dressed as vampires or monsters of some kind too. But aren't those the ones that need to be here the most? Because by being here they may come to learn God's will, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

As Dependent As A Child

Think about children and how dependent they are. Babies and toddlers are so dependent that they need someone to feed them. Have you ever noticed how anxious they get when they need their hunger satisfied? You can try to distract a hungry toddler with activities or toys but nothing can really satisfy true hunger.

In 1 Peter chapter 2 we read that Peter urges us to have the same single-minded drive in satisfying our spiritual needs. But how often do we allow ourselves to be sidetracked? We can find a wide variety of ways to try and fill our needs or to eliminate problems, but our spiritual hunger continues. This can make us as cranky as a hungry child! Peter tells us that only the pure milk of the word can nourish the deepest needs of the human soul. Take time to be fed. Recognize the symptoms of your need and satisfy that hunger by digging into the Word of God!

As you do this you will notice that you are better able to parent your children, minister to those around you and you may even find a peace deep within your soul that you didn't feel was possible before. Try reading just 1 chapter of the Bible each day. We recommend you start with 1 Peter!

*Some content taken from Gospel Light's Baby Beginnings, 2008

Promotion Sunday

Hey Preschool Parents!

If your child is in one of our 4 year old or Kindergarten classes NOW and will be promoting to the next level in August,  you need to stop by a Preschool desk, Sunday school classroom, or Kid’s church room & pick up a promotion card. It will take just a few minutes to fill it out and leave it with a director at one of the Preschool Ministry desks.

This will be so helpful to plan for promotion. It lets us know if: Your child is entering Kindergarten in August for the first time, promoting to first grade or if he or she will be staying with us one more year.   This is VERY important to ensure your child is in the correct class August 9^th Promotion Sunday.  We will have these available for the next 2 weeks, but please take care of this as soon as you can. Thanks SO MUCH!  See you Sunday!

Whatever Happened to Summer?

Is it just me or has Summer become too complicated? Whatever happened to the simple lazy days of Summer when as kids we could stay outside and run through the sprinkler all day, drink water from the garden hose and get sticky from eating too many Popsicles? We'd spend hours splashing around in a wading pool in the backyard. Now everyone has to not only have a pool membership but to participate in swim team. There's a 'camp' for just about anything you can think of. Violin. Art. Gymnastics. Karate. Etiquette. Really? We are paying someone else to teach our kids manners?

Don't get me wrong, I have sent my children to a few of these in an attempt to keep them happy over these long, blistering days. But I have to wonder how much is too much? Will they even remember what they did or that I was always in a rush to get them to their next activity? Will they wish I just let them be kids?

Growing up there was a time in my life when my family had to move in and live with my grandparents. They lived in a tiny 2 bedroom house in small-town Idaho. Imagine my grandparents, my parents and my brother and myself living in an un-airconditioned home together for months. It was a hard time for my family and both of my parents had to work. And my grandparents worked. So what did my parents do with my brother and I over the Summer months? Nothing!

And do you know those were some of the best days of my life?

We'd come up with our own games, write stupid songs together, fight over who got the last Shasta and spend hours with our imaginations outside while eating copious amounts of fresh raspberries straight from my grandma's bushes. Of course times were different back then. But the best part of the day was when my family would come together in the evenings. We'd eat our dinner outside because it was cooler than being inside without air conditioning. We'd spend hours playing in the yard together. It wasn't unusual to stay outside until the sun went down. And it was always mine and my brother's job to clean the kitchen. We'd work fast so we could dash back outside and be with the ones we loved.

It's those times that I think about when I long for Summer. I don't wish I could go back to camp. I don't wish for one more swim meet or family share night. I wish for more time with my family.

And more raspberries.

For some ideas on ways to spend time with your family this summer click here.

10 Reasons Why I Wish I Was A Preschooler

They're noisy. They're demanding. They're sticky, messy and destructive. And I can't help but be in love with them.
Preschoolers get a bad rap a lot of the time. People often ask me how I love on them with so much patience. But the truth is they make me want to be like them. They have so many qualities I wish I had. Or maybe I should say they have so many qualities I wish I hadn't allowed myself to grow out of.

1. They get away with tutu's and bow ties.
Seriously. Who hasn't had a hard time deciding what to wear? Can't decide which pair of sparkly shoes to put on? Why not one from each pair? Loving the pants and the skirt? Wear them both! You can never be too prepared. And there is absolutely nothing cuter than a sweet little princess in a tutu! Except maybe a handsome little prince in a bow tie.

2. They are uninhibited about just about everything.
Surely you've had the urge to belt out your  favorite song in the middle of the grocery store. No? Just me? Ever felt like dancing for no reason? But you didn't. Probably because some mean adult discouraged the behavior when you were a preschooler. And if they didn't then they surely would now that you are over 30. Such an injustice! Just imagine what a happy place this world would be if we could all dance when we felt like it.

3. They aren't jaded.
They (hopefully) have not been exposed to this big-bad-awful-terror-filled world.  They haven't been around long enough to be scarred, beaten up by the fight of life and they trust without boundaries. Wouldn't that feel great? To be able to trust again? I mean like without any doubts. Period.

4. They have so much energy!
Go ahead. Admit it. You'd pay a pretty penny to be able to have one ounce of the energy that exudes from a three-year-old.

5. They speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Sometimes it hurts or it is embarrassing, but the truth is we all need to hear the truth. Who better to tell it to you than a preschooler who means you no harm? Sure, sometimes they can be a little blunt, but I for one wish I had the guts to say some of the things that come out of their mouths.

6. They absorb the Truth like a sponge.
The Gospel of Jesus is ludicrous. It's so far fetched and seems so ridiculous to us jaded, un-trusting adults. But if you've got the attention of a 3-year-old they not only believe every last truth, they want more! The story of Jesus' unconditional and unbridled love for us is something we all hunger for. But as an adult we try to reason it away. Oh, to have faith like a child!

 7. Their emotions are BIG!

Let's face it, adults hide their emotions a lot of the time. And it probably wouldn't go over very well if we all threw a fit when we don't get our way. But when preschoolers are happy and they know it their faces surely show it. Same goes for when they are sad, scared or Lord help us, mad! If we could all be open with how we were truly feeling we'd be healthier.

8. They appreciate the little things in life.
If you've ever been lucky enough to receive a bouquet of weeds you are lucky enough! Preschoolers appreciate the little things that us big, easily distracted adults take for granted. The beauty of a weed or how mud feels between your toes. Even soap is cool to a preschooler. I wish I had maintained my sense of wonder. Or at least took the time to use it.

9. Play is work.
I'd give just about anything to be able to 'play' house every day rather than have to actually 'clean' house every day. But that play is work for the preschooler. Every bit of it. Building with blocks is developing math and motor skills. Running and jumping works on coordination and muscle control. Playing with dolls teaches children how to interact with each other. I wish I hadn't been in such a hurry to grow up!

10. They tell the best stories. 
Hand a child a small object and tell them that as long as they are holding it they can tell a you story. They won't want to let go of it! They come up with the best stories. A lot of it doesn't make any sense to us ragged adults, but to a preschooler it doesn't matter. Their imaginations are amazing and limitless! I wish I had kept mine dusted off a little better.

This post was originally featured on our Curriculum and Volunteer Coordinator's, Bethany Donham, blog. To see more from Bethany, visit her blog True BEDtime Stories here.

Reflections on Easter

The message that Jesus is alive is something we sometimes take for granted. If you’ve been a Christian for a most of your life, you’ve heard it all before. Remind yourself what an amazing role you are playing in the life of your child and the children you serve! You get to be one of the first to tell them the Good News! So make it exciting! Make it special! Make it real, because it’s the biggest truth ever!

Below is the devotional out of the lesson book this week and the Scripture reference is Matthew 28:1-10

While most children think Christmas is the best holiday of the year, adults realize that Jesus’ resurrection gives us the greatest reason for celebration. Jesus’ birth brought hope through the gift of a child who was both God and man. Jesus resurrection celebrates the culmination of that hope, resulting in eternal life for all who believe. Celebrate this special event by showing children why Jesus’ resurrection is so exciting.

May your Easter be filled with precious memories and reflection. Jesus loves you so much he willingly went to the cross in order to keep you forever.

Jesus Can Calm Even The Smallest Storms

This week in Preschool Ministries the children will learn how Jesus calmed the storm. Scripture references are Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8: 23-27, and Luke 8:22-25.  We love how this demonstrates  how powerful our God is. He may allow storms in our lives, but He also has the power to calm them. And He can calm your heart if you ask him to. I hope this blesses you this week and the children in your lives.

When the disciples were terrified and thought they would drown in the sea, Jesus calmed the wind and waves. He reminded the disciples that He was in control of everything. How reassuring for them (and us) to know that during the storms of life, we only need to have faith in Him. How encouraging to see the faith of children learning that they too can trust Jesus to help them through everyday storms.

I love how it says “everyday storms.” God is faithful every day.  He’s there even in the tiniest of your anxieties as well as the greatest trials of your life. Allow Him to calm your storms EVERY day!

God Helps Me to Grow

As a parent I am sure you have held your baby and wondered what his future would hold. No doubt you prayed over him as you cradled him in your arms and dreamed big dreams for the child God has blessed you with. And, like many parents, you have anticipated that he would be smarter, faster, and much more talented than all the other kids.

Do you suppose Mary and Joseph did those same things with Jesus? After the angels announced his arrival. After kings brought him gifts. After all the attention, do you suppose they expected him to be better than every other baby on the block?

But scripture doesn't record any supernatural abilities that He displayed as an infant. There's no mention that He was any smarter, faster or more talented. He was a baby. He was a baby that grew gradually, like your child, "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). And even though He grew normally, Scripture assures us that the grace of God was upon Him.

As you seek to raise your child in that same grace, remember that it's a gradual process and it won't happen overnight. It's the little things you do with your baby. The everyday tasks. The bedtime hugs. The sweet stories read under blankets. Those are nurturing your child to grow gradually to become more like Jesus.