Boy Jesus Presented to God (January 15th)

Season of the Church Year: Great Green Growing Season/ Common Time (green) 

Story in Scripture: Luke 2:22- 38

As we continue to celebrate the coming of Jesus in Bethlehem, it is a special time to consider what Jesus’s first years were like. Although Mary and Joseph were beginning to understand just how important Jesus is, they were probably frequently surprised by him. In this story, we learn about how Anna and Simeon proclaim the good news of who Jesus is. Both of these wise prophets acknowledge the divinity of Jesus- surely causing quite a stir in the temple. Mary and Joseph have arrived to follow Jewish custom in presenting their child to God. They have waited patiently for the right time and have journeyed from Bethlehem as a family. Both Simeon and Anna are there, waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled. Imagine Mary’s astonishment when these strangers approach her and her baby- confirming what they have been told by the Angels. This is a significant story in that Anna is also written in to God’s story as a prophet. As a woman, she provides a unique perspective on God’s promise, especially because women had a very different role during this historical time than they do now. Isn’t it amazing that God chose to share the good news of Jesus in such unexpected ways? I have included more questions than usual below because it is important to take into consideration all the varying points of view in this incredible story.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder how it feels to hold this baby?

I wonder how Simeon feels as he looks at the baby? I wonder how Simeon knows this baby is the Christ?

I wonder how Mary feels about what Simeon said to God?

I wonder how Anna feels when she looks at the baby? I wonder how Anna knows that Jesus is the Christ?

I wonder how Anna feels telling people that Christ has come?

I wonder why Anna is the first to go and tell that God has given the promised gift of Jesus the Christ?

I wonder how Joseph feels about this baby? I wonder how Mary feels about her baby?

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for Mary, Joseph, Anna, and Simeon. This story helps us to understand that you include all people in your story. You love all people and want them to learn about Jesus. Help us to share your good news with our friends. You have given us such a wonderful gift, we want to share it! Amen.” 

4th- 5th Grade Students will Learn about Communion

Students in the 4 and 5 grade classroom will be spending a season learning about Communion (also called Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper). Beginning on February 5, they will spend four weeks delving into the history and beauty of this incredible sacrament. On March 4, they will have the opportunity to engage in an entire service, taking communion at the end. This class will be taught by Julia Guy and we will be using a wonderful resource called Jesus With Us, The Gift of the Eucharist, (Tarzia & Ferri) an age appropriate text that will inspire conversation about this important element of our faith. Please join with us in praying for these young people and their journey into a deeper expression of life with Christ. 

trinityKids Annual Christmas Pageant

 

December 17^th, 2011

trinitykids Annual Christmas Pageant

the Advent Gospel

Performed by

(in alphabetical order)

Tessa & Toby Allers

Audrey & Sloane Balicki

Joel, Jonah, & Joseph Brock

Eli Burke

Mia Dolinger

Ella Engle

Evan & Liam Frilingos

Caid & Schuyler Heflin

Joey Johnson

Sarah Madlem

Finn & Scout McDaniel

Amelia & Hannah Perkins

Pressley Perkins

Bella & Oliver Reardon

Bela Rocha

Owen Siller

Will Sinclair

Josiah Strickland

Flora Tyler

Aidan & Skylar Van Tyle 

Jack & Bodie Vepraskas

Anna & Jill Yoder

Special thanks to

Jen Jones, Emily Braund, & Corrie Madlem

Marty Reardon & the Worship Musicians

Glen Sutton

All of the supportive

parents & families of the children

Thank you!

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given… and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, 

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Advent IV- The Wise Men (Dec. 18th)

Season of the Church Year: Advent (purple) 

Story in Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-12

As we have learned together through the weeks of Advent, we have followed the journey of the Prophets, Mary and Joseph, and the Sheperds. This week, we celebrate the inclusion of the three “Wise Men” in God’s Gospel story. These learned men were charged by King Herod to find the Christ child that had been prophesied. We know that King Herod intended to destroy his “competition,” once they found out where the baby was. One of the most significant aspects of this story is that the Wise Men were experts in their various areas of academia- they were perhaps the most skeptical of those that visited Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Yet they worship him, acknowleding his divinity. What a beautiful illustration of how knowledge and mystery can both manifest in our faith and understanding of who God is. As Advent draws us closer and closer to Christmas morning, I pray that your families will take time each day to be still and quiet, relishing the anticipation of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. In joyfully welcoming Christmas, we have the opportunity to also look forward to and await the Resurrection and God’s glorious redemption. Praise be to God! Many resources are still available for checkout in the trinityKids Advent Library in the Gathering Room.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder what the Wise Men were thinking when Herod sent them to find the baby Jesus?

These men were very smart and had learned about a lot of things- the stars, history, the natural world… I wonder if they had learned about what the prophets said about Jesus? I wonder how they felt when the realized that the prophets words were true?

I wonder what their journey to Bethlehem was like? I wonder what they brought with them as they traveled?

I wonder what they thought they would find when they arrived in Bethlehem? Do you think they were expecting to find the King of the World as a baby in a manger?

Prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for the story of the Wise Men. We know that you are with us as we learn, as we wonder, and as we ask questions. We are so glad that you have included us in the story of Jesus’ birth. As Christmas gets closer, help us to remember that we are so blessed to celebrate that you have come to be with us and that you provide all that we need. Amen.” 

Advent III- The Shepherds (Dec. 11th)

Season of the Church Year: Advent (purple) 

Story in Scripture: Luke 2: 15-20 

This week is the week that we celebrate the role of the Shepherds in the Christmas story. These men were literally on the very outskirts of community when God included them in this incredble story. They were considered unclean, separate, and apart. As important as their work was in the culture of the time, the way in which they worked was not respected as you might think it should be. And yet, in that amazing moment, and angel of God appeared to them. In our storytelling, we explain: “They were afraid. Their hearts were beating so loudly. When they could hear something besides their own hearts, they thought they heard singing in the sky! That also scared them until they heard the words of the song. The angels were singing, “Do not be afraid.” Angels often say that, because it is scary to have a messenger of God come to you. The angels singing sounded something like this: “Don’t be afraid. We bring you tidings of great joy. Peace on earth and good will to everyone. A Child is born. Go. Hurry. Run to Bethlehem to see the Child who will change everything.” How wonderful it is that God includes us all, even those on the periphery, in His story. Whether others consider us worthy, God does. At the risk of being redundant, may I encourage you to create an atmosphere of preparation in your home during this Advent season. It’s easy to focus on the planning and busy-ness of Christmas presents and family visits. Spending intentional time reading what the prophets said about Jesus’ coming, praying quietly to know the ‘way to go,’ and focusing our thoughts on the glory of Jesus’ birth will make space for the importance of Christmas as we begin Advent. Then the Christmas presents and family visits can be truly enjoyed in the context of the miracle of Jesus’ birth and our salvation through Him. Remember, there are many resources available for checkout in the trinityKids Advent Library in the Gathering Room.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how the Shepherds must have felt when they first saw the angel?

I wonder if they thought they were dreaming?

I wonder what they talked about after the angels were gone?

I wonder what they expected to find when they got to Bethlehem?

Last week, we talked about Mary and Joseph on the long a difficult road to Bethlehem… I wonder what was difficult about the journey of the Shepherds?

I wonder why God decided to include the Shepherds in the story of Jesus’ birth?

Prayer:

“Loving Father, thank you for the story of the Shepherds. We know that you want all people to be a part of your story. We are glad that you want us to be a part of your family, even when we don’t think we deserve to be. Christmas is coming, Father! Help us to get our hearts ready to celebrate and be glad. Jesus is coming!! Amen.” 

Advent II- The Journey to Bethlehem (December 3rd)

Season of the Church Year: Advent (purple) 

Story in Scripture: Micah 5: 2, 4-5

As we continue to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Jesus, we focus on the Journey to Bethlehem. Today, your child and their classmates talked about the hardships suffered by Mary and Joseph as they traveled. The children are often incredulous about the fact that Mary traveled so far while very pregnant. The donkey that accompanied them played an integral role in their safe arrival in Bethlehem, didn’t he? After discussing that the Prophets pointed the way toward Bethlehem, we travel alongside Mary and Joseph (and the donkey!) on this exhausting and trying journey. The trip is full of uncertainty, wonder, and excitement. Of course, we know that things continue to be challenging once they arrive in Bethlehem- we can only imagine! But this week, we draw our attention to the journey. God was with Mary and Joseph along their way and he is with us as well when we travel through strange, confusing, and often difficult times. What a beautiful example Mary and Joseph are to us- they walked out in faith onto a terrifying and uncertain path, knowing thay God was by their side and giving them strength to sustain the passage! Again, I encourage you to create an atmosphere of preparation in your home during this Advent season. It’s easy to focus on the planning and busy-ness of Christmas presents and family visits. Spending intentional time reading what the prophets said about Jesus’ coming, praying quietly to know the ‘way to go,’ and focusing our thoughts on the glory of Jesus’ birth will make space for the importance of Christmas as we begin Advent. Then the Christmas presents and family visits can be truly enjoyed in the context of the miracle of Jesus’ birth and our salvation through Him. Remember, there are many resources available for checkout in the trinityKids Advent Library in the Gathering Room.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder what it must have been like for Mary to go on such a difficult journey?

I wonder how Joseph was feeling about all that was happening? Do you think he was nervous or scared?

I wonder what other people passing along the way though when they saw Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem?

I wonder if Mary and Joseph were thinking about the words of the Prophets while they traveled along? I wonder if Mary was remembering what the angel told her about this baby?

Prayer:

“Dear God, we are so very thankful for the story of Mary and Joseph. It’s hard to imagine what it must have been like to travel on the road to Bethlehem, but we know that you were with them. We are on a journey too, and we are glad that you are with us also. Help us to think about you during this Advent time; we want our hearts to be ready for Jesus’ birthday on Christmas! Thank you for your son and for loving us so much. Amen.”

Advent I- The Prophets (November 27th)

Season of the Church Year: Advent (purple) 

Story in Scripture: Isaiah 35: 1-10

This week, we begin the season of Advent, a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus. Advent is also a special time to learn more about the world as it was when Jesus was born and to better understand the importance of his coming. The first week is spent focusing on the Prophets who foretold of Jesus’ coming. When explaining the role of a prophet to children, we describe them as people who were so so so very close to God that they were listening for his whisper, his shout, his command at all times. They were listening carefully so that they could share what God had to say with the rest of the world. Simply put, “Prophets are the people who know the most important things. They know which way to go. They are the ones who showed us the way. The prophets were so important because they helped the world begin to get ready. Without their words, we may not have been looking toward Bethlehem. Now we can go to Bethlehem too.” This week, I encourage you to create an atmosphere of preparation in your home. It’s easy to focus on the planning and busy-ness of Christmas presents and family visits. Spending intentional time reading what the prophets said about Jesus’ coming, praying quietly to know the ‘way to go,’ and focusing our thoughts on the glory of Jesus’ birth will make space for the importance of Christmas as we begin Advent. Then the Christmas presents and family visits can be truly enjoyed in the context of the miracle of Jesus’ birth and our salvation through Him. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder what it must have been like for the prophets to hear God’s whisper… his shout… his command?

I wonder if the prophets were surprised that Jesus would come in the way that he did?

I wonder what it must have been like when the prophets shared what they heard with the people?

Do you think everyone believed them? Do you think some people were confused?

Many people expected God to come in a different way- like a soldier in an army. Do you think they were surprised when the prophets said he would come as a little baby?

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for the prophets. We are so glad that they showed us the way to go. They pointed the way to Bethlehem. Thank you for this special time of getting ready for Christmas. Help us to remember that Christmas is a holy time of celebration- it’s Jesus’ birthday! Please remind us that Christmas is not about presents, but about the coming of your son into the world. Amen.”