What is a Sanctuary? (Oct. 27th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time “Great Green Growing” Season (Liturgical Color: Green)

Story in Scripture: Psalm 15:1, 63:2, 73: 16-17, 32:7

This Sunday, your child discussed the concept of a Sanctuary. After reading a book called Where Does God Live? by Holly Bea, your child considered where they have met God. The book illustrates a young girl’s search for God throughout her surroundings, asking her friends and family. The bird believes that God is with her in the blue breezy sky. The frog believes that God is down below in the leaves with him.... and soon she learns that even though she can experience God in so many places, he is in her heart most importantly of all. In their continued discussion, the students went on to compare some photos of various ancient and contemporary sanctuaries, or special places for God. 

In your conversations at home, I implore you to talk seriously with your child about how they can create a sanctuary in their life, a special place for God. Creating a sanctuary may mean finding a special place in which to focus completely on God, or it may mean building habits that will enable them to focus completely on God even in the midst of other distractions. By talking about these concepts when they are young, you will enable your child to begin to build a personal and unique relationship with God as they mature.  

Guiding Questions for Discussion: 
I wonder what you think of when I say the word “sanctuary”? 

I wonder where you have spent time with God?  
I wonder how it feels to be in a place that is set apart for God?  
I wonder if a sanctuary has to be inside a building?  
I wonder how God feels about the time that we take, just for Him?  
I wonder why spending time in a sanctuary is important.  

Prayer: 

“Dear Lord, thank you for spending time with us. Please help us to meet you in our own personal heart sanctuary. We love you. Amen.” 

The Parable of the Good Shepherd (Oct. 13th & 20th)

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

Story in Scripture: Psalm 23 

This parable, written by David, outlines for us beautiful imagery of the way that God truly loves us. With the children, the story is told in a hands-on, visual way, with the Good Shepherd leading the way to clear clean waters and also through dark places (represented by large black felt shapes). It is very powerful to talk with children about the Good Shepherd’s dedication to every last sheep. During our story telling today, the teacher illuded to a counting of each sheep. When one is found to be missing, the teacher moves the Good Shepherd back through it all, including the dark places, to find the missing or lost sheep. One of the most insightful responses I’ve ever heard from a child was this: After the story was complete and a connection was made between Jesus and the Good Shepherd, a student once exclaimed, “What? That good shepherd was actually Jesus the whole time!!?!?!? Wow!” This story is a fantastic way to bring the glory of God’s care for us into focus for the little ones. With the older children, this story provides an excellent beginning to a conversation about spiritual disciplines (connecting to the structure and boundary of the sheep fold), as well as the guidance of Jesus in their lives- even through places that are dark and confusing- Jesus goes first to lead us through to the other side!

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how many sheep really could live in this place?

I wonder if you have ever had to go through places of danger?

I wonder how the sheep feel when they are with the Good Shepherd?

I wonder how the Good Shepherd feels about the sheep?

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, thank you so much for being our Good Shepherd. You care for us, you guide us, and you protect us. Help me to follow you and stay near your side, no matter if I am in times that are easy or hard. I am so grateful that you are in my life. Amen.”

Looking forward: We are making our way through Lent and it’s amazing to think that Good Friday and Easter are right around the corner! Next week, we will be sharing the story of Palm Sunday (even though it doesn’t fall until the following Sunday), found in Matthew 21: 1-11.

The Exile and the Return (Oct. 5th)

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

Story in Scripture: Ezra 6: 12-22,  John 15:11

We continued our learning today about the people of God with a lesson about their exile from Jerusalem and their eventual return. It’s hard to imagine just how horrible it must have been for these people to see their beloved city taken over, their temple destroyed, and the protected walls of God’s special city knocked down. Women and men, young and old, rich and poor, were banished from their homes and all that they knew. Even though God was with them in Babylon, and in the journey their, it is devastating to consider how traumatic is must have been. In our discussion today, we spent a lot of time helping the kids to grasp the concept of separation from what is expected and known. God walks with us through places of confusion and disruption. Even Jesus’ disciples struggled to understand the reality of the passion, as it was so different than their expectations about what Jesus would do and how he would rule.  The story today concludes with the triumphant rebuilding of the Temple and wall around Jerusalem. From Ezra 6: “For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” God walks alongside us when we are where we should be, and when we feel that we are in exile. When we return, our joy is even more wonderful because we know that God was with us even when we were far from home.  

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder what is was like to have to leave their home in Jerusalem? 

I wonder what it was like to live in Babylon? 

I wonder how they knew that God was with them? 

I wonder if God will show them a new way to live? 

I wonder what it was like to be back home, after being so far away for so long? 

Prayer: 
“Dear Lord, thank you for being with us, no matter what. We know that your story is a great big story... we are so glad to be a part of it. We know that you are with us when things go well and when things are very difficult. Remind us to pray and worship you in all times. Amen.” 

Annual Christmas Pageant

Please save the date for the upcoming Christmas Pageant. 

Children ages 4 years to 5th grade will sing, 

dramatize the Advent Gospel, and enjoy a celebration reception. 

Rehearsals are on

Sunday, December 1 @ 2:00 pm 

Sunday, December 8 @ 2:00 pm 

Friday, December 13 @ 6:00 pm

The performance will take place 

on December 14 @ 6:00 pm 

Please sign up in the Gathering Room beginning October 13. 

Signups will conclude on November 17 to allow time for costume creation. 

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this

(Isaiah 9: 6-7)