Summer Schedule

Children in the Prek-kinder and 1^st-3^rd grade classes will be going into worship with their parents during the summer months. During the school year, they have practiced worshiping the Lord and becoming receptive to Him in their own classrooms and during our worship days. This will give them an opportunity to participate in and enjoy worship with the larger church and with their parents. After worship, they will return to class for a story and feast time together.

Parents can help their children participate in worship by preparing them beforehand. You can say something like, 

“Worship is a very special time, it is very special because it is time to be with God, to talk/sing to God, and to listen to God. During worship, we have all the time we need. So we don’t have to hurry. We can sit or stand still and quiet. And we sing to God or listen quietly to the music. We do this because the people in church may also be talking with God or singing to Him, and we don’t want to disturb them. So we need to get ready to worship God during this special time. You can get ready all by yourself. You don’t need me to tell you to get ready. But I can show you how to get ready to be with God.”

Let’s practice getting ready to worship God and listen to Him. We listen to God by becoming very quiet. Quietness comes from inside you, not from someone telling you to be quiet. You can get quiet all by yourself. We can make our bodies very quiet. This is how. Close your eyes and listen to the quietness…Now see if you can make your feet get very still….See if you can make your legs get very still...Feel your body getting very still…Now your arms are getting very still…Now your head is very still...Now your breathing is very still….You can’t hear it at all…..Breath in ….and out….in…..out. Now we are ready to listen to God and worship Him together.”

Trinity Kids Sunday Schedule:

June 2^nd through July 28^th 

(Regular Schedule Resumes August 4^th)

9:30/11:30: Check children in at Trinity Kids in the Gathering Room.

9:30/11:30 – 9:50/11:50: Children worship with parents in sanctuary (preschool - kindergarten, 1^st-3^rd grade)

9:50/ll:50 – 10:00/12:00: Parents return children to Trinity Kids. Children are welcomed into their classrooms.

10:00/11:00 – 10:20/12:20: Story and reflection time

10:20/11:20 – 10:30/12:30: Feast time

10:35/12:35:  Parents return to pick up children.

Creation II, the Fall (June 9th & 16th)

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

Story in Scripture: Genesis 2:4- 2:24

This week, your child continued their learning about creation with a discussion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This story touches on the root of so many of the day-to-day sins that are prevelant in all of our lives. The temptation to be in control and to make choices based on the suggestion or influence of the evil one is a constant struggle for all humans. Learning to trust in God’s sovereignty and provision is a lesson that is learned anew each day. One of the most important elements of our discussion today was about what to do when we “fall.” Just like Adam and Eve, we sin and make mistakes. What can and should we do to reach out to and reconcile with others and with God? God is patient and compassionate, but he is also just. He wants the best for us and always wants to encourage us to do better and to make things right. Secondly, another focus of our conversation today was about the salvation of Christ and the need for his sacrifice to bring forgiveness to a “fallen” world and a sinful people like ourselves. I encourage you to talk frankly with your child about both of these points as you discuss the story of creation and the “Falling Apart.” Children in elementary school can form life-long habits of recognizing sin, repenting, and reconciling their actions moving forward. The story of Adam and Eve is a perfect springboard for that conversation.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder what the most important part of this story is?

I wonder how it felt for Adam and Eve when they noticed the differences?

I wonder how God felt when Adam and Eve ate from the tree after he told them not to?

I wonder which part of this story is about you?

I wonder what this story can tell us about God?

Prayer:

“Dear Father, thank you for your creation! Thank you for loving us, even when we do things that we shouldn’t. We are so glad that you are with us and that you care for us so that we can learn from our mistakes, ask forgiveness, and do better. Amen.”

Creation (May 26th)

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

Story in Scripture: Genesis 1:1- 2:3  

This week, your child learned about and discussed the Creation story. This beautiful story reminds us of the amazing power that God has to move, energize, empower, and inspire the world around us. As the chlidren contemplate each incredible part of creation.... the light.... the darkness separated from the light... water... dry land... plants and growing things... the sun, moon, and stars... the animals of the seas, lakes, and rivers... the birds that fly... and finally the animals that move about on the earth.... everything is filled with the beauty and magnificence of God! During the lesson, your child’s teacher will also encourage them to consider the importance of what God did last: he rested! There are so many important facets of this lesson to open up conversation about the ways in which God leads us. We are an incredible creation of God. He made us. He loves and cherishes us. All of the natural world- trees, flowers, horses, beetles, ponds, even mosquitos (!) are part of God’s amazing story. And he models for us how to enjoy these things through a special thing called sabbath- even God rested to enjoy what he had made.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder which part of the Creation story you think is most interesting?

I wonder what special place you would go to remember God’s gifts of Creation?

Today you will have the chance to make your own cards that remind you of the Creation story.

Prayer:

“Wonderful God, thank you for your creation! Thank you for making the light… the moon… the water and dry land… the animals and plants… and even me and my family. You are so powerful and I am glad that you made me. Help me to enjoy your creation and treat it with love. Amen.” 

Pentecost (May 19th)

Season of the Church Year: Pentecost (red)

Story in Scripture: Acts 2

This week, we learned the story of Pentecost. Children learned about the mystery of the Holy Spirit, coming to indwell the disciples and those that follow Christ. We will focus quite a bit on the miracle of language and communication about God. The disciples were able to speak in the various languages of the people there that day- this is very exciting to imagine! I recommend that you talk with your child about the various ways that God will equip them to share the gospel- sometimes in unexpected ways, but always with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder what it felt like to receive the Holy Spirit on Pentecost?

I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt as they told the amazing things about God?

I wonder what it was like for the people from all different places to hear the amazing words in their very own language?

Prayer:

“Dear Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Please be with me when I talk to others about Jesus and your love. Go along with me as I serve others to help them in whatever way I can. Help me to share about you in a way that others will understand so that they can know you too. I love you and I know that you are with me, through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Ascension (May 12th)

Season of the Church Year: Easter  (white)

Story in Scripture: Luke 24:44-53; John 14-17; Acts 1:1-11

This week, we learned the story of Jesus’ ascension. This is a particularly mysterious story with many various perspectives and interpretations throughout history. The primary theme we will return to in our lesson is the concept that Jesus was changed in an incredible way and that he was present with his friends before returning to the Father. Also, we will speak a lot about his promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. I recommend that you encourage your child to embrace their questions and pray specifically to God for understanding and clarity.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt when Jesus went away?

I wonder if they kept looking for Jesus?

I wonder how they knew Jesus was still with them?

Prayer:

“Dear Father, thank you for saving me through the death of your son. Please help me to understand your kingdom and to look forward to the day when it will come to complete the beauty of your creation. Thank you for the stories of the Bible that help me to learn about Jesus and his friends. Amen.”

You may also pray the Lord’s Prayer, with specific attention on “Your Kingdom come…”