Noah & the Ark (July 22)

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

Story in Scripture: Genesis 6:9- 9:29

Many children know the story of Noah and the Ark from their early childhood. Nursery rooms, day care centers, infant pajamas- all remind us of this incredible story and the way in which God drew close to Noah and challenged the moral norms of the day. The lesson today focused primarily in the way in which Noah was in communion with God. Noah and his family loved the Lord and listened to his direction in their lives. Even though he was undoubtably surprised by the direction that God sent him! Secondly, the discussion today also focused on the way in which Noah and his family were brought to a realization of hope and new life as the flood waters began to recede. Although it is easy to attend only to the variety of animals on board.... this story is more accurately a story of separation, inspiration, distruction, patience, redemption, and, at last, new life. The children will also be enjoying a beautifully illustrated book called Noah’s Ark, by Peter Spier, which aids in an engaged discussion of the reality of the story.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how it felt to be in the Ark with all the rain? 

I wonder what it was like to be surrounded by so much water?

I wonder how it felt to be washed clean and new and to start over again?

I wonder how God felt about the animals and the people in the Ark?

I wonder how it felt as they made a special place to talk to God, to say their thanks to God?

I wonder how they felt when they saw the rainbow and understood the promise?

Prayer:

“Father, thank you for the story of Noah. Help me to understand the ways that you direct my life. I want to do the things that please you and I know that you want the best for me. Come near to me the way you came near to Noah. Thank you for my family, my friends, my pets, and all the ways that I enjoy your blessings every day. Amen.”

Creation (July 1)

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.

**We also read a fantastic book by Luci Shaw called The Genesis of it All. 

I encourage you to read it at home as well. It's just wonderful.**

www.lucishaw.com

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.” 

Parable of the Great Banquet (June 17th)

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

Story in Scripture: Luke 14: 15-24

This week, we learned (or re-learned) the Parable of the Great Banquet. The children observed as so many different people were invited to a gorgeous banquet full of delicious food. When each would-be guest came up with more “important” things to do, the master sent his servant to bring in anyone he could find- widows, the poor, the blind, the sick- to enjoy the feast. Again, as with other parables, we shared that this one is like a door… even though it is meant for entering into, sometimes it feels like it is locked. We can return to it again later and perhaps it will be open to us. This metaphor is meant to help the children realize that, although parables are meant to help us better understand God’s story and the Kingdom of Heaven, it is often difficult to truly grasp the meaning- but that’s okay. We can return to these stories again and again throughout our entire lives.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder how it felt to be invited to this great feast?

I wonder why these people came and the others wouldn’t?

I wonder how the master feels about the guests?

I wonder how the guests feel about the master?

Prayer:

“Father, I pray that I would join you at the beautiful feast that you have prepared. Please help me to make you the most important thing in my life. I don’t want to get distracted by other things that seem more important, but it is tough sometimes. Thank you for loving me and helping me to grow closer to you in love. Amen.”

Parable of the Good Samaritan (June 10th)

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

Story in Scripture: Luke 10: 25-37

This week, we learned about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. When we discuss parables with the children, we often equate them with a door… even though it is meant for entering into, sometimes it feels like it is locked. We can return to it again later and perhaps it will be open to us. This metaphor is meant to help the children realize that, although parables are meant to help us better understand God’s story and the Kingdom of Heaven, it is often difficult to truly grasp the meaning- but that’s okay. We can return to these stories again and again throughout our entire lives. The parable of the Good Samaritan is the same way. Our discussion in class focused on the idea that God calls us to love and serve ALL others, regardless of their background or what we think we have in common with them.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

Now I wonder who was a good neighbor to the robber?

I wonder how a Samaritan could be a neighbor?

Many people thought that Samaritans were not good. They were often looked

down upon and left out. How did the Samaritan show God’s love to the man?

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to understand your parables. Enter into my heart and mind so that I can be the kind of person that you have made me to be. I want to serve and love my neighbors- whoever they may be. Thank you for going alongside me as I try to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I love you and am so thankful for the stories that Jesus shared. Amen.”

Looking forward:

Next week, we will learn about the Parable of the Great Banquet, told in Luke 14: 15-24 

Summer Schedule

Summer Schedule

 Prek-kinder, 1^st-3^rd grade, & 4^th-5^th grade

Children in these three 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.”

trinitykids Sunday Schedule:

June 3^rd through July 29^th 

(Regular Schedule Resumes August 5^th)

9:30/11:30: Check children in at trinitykids 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, 4^th-5^th grade.)

9:50/ll:50 – 10:00/11:00: Parents return children to trinitykids. Children are welcomed into their

classrooms.

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

10:20/11:20 – 10:30/11:30: Feast time

10:35/11:35:  Parents return to pick up children.

Ascension (May 5th)

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…” 

Looking forward:

Next week, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday! Read ahead with your child in Acts 2.

Jesus Commissions the Disciples (April 29th)

Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)

Story in Scripture: Matthew 28: 16- 20 

As we follow the stories following Easter, it is shocking to acknowledge what a strange season it has been for the disciples and followers of Jesus. There were surely so many mysterious, wonderful, surprising, and trying experiences that they were beginning to grow weary. As Jesus commissions, or sends out, the disciples to continue the work that Jesus himself began, we can only imagine the power of his words. In the book of Matthew, we read, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” These words are not just for the disciples, they are also for all of use, young and old. This is an important story because it reminds us that God has equipped us to so many things. Today, your child’s teacher explained that Jesus sent the disciples out together, with the skills they needed to teach and baptize, and to demonstrate God’s love near and far. Soon, on Pentecost Sunday, we will also be discussing the ways in which the Holy Spirit joins us in our daily lives. Often, this story can be intimidating because we are tempted to think that we don’t have what it takes. I encourage you to talk with your child about the gifts that they have to love others and to share the Good News. They will be bringing home a copy of the ‘Great Commission’; perhaps you could hang it in a special place or read it regularly as your child grows in the understanding of God’s commission for them.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

I wonder how the disciples feel being close to Jesus?

I wonder how they feel as Jesus sends, or commissions, them out to show the way of the kingdom of God?

I wonder what each of them will do to show the way of the kingdom of God?

I wonder what they will tell about Jesus?

I wonder how they feel to have Jesus with them always, even when they can’t see Jesus?

I wonder how they know that Jesus is with them?

I wonder if they will always follow Jesus, even when they can’t see him?

I wonder how they feel when they hear Jesus say, “And remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age?”

I wonder how it makes you feel to hear those special words?

Prayer:

“Father, I love you and am so glad that you are here with us during all our struggles and in the dark times. Help us to love one another and to remember that you walk along the “road” beside us, even when we are confused. Amen.”

Looking Ahead:

We will be learning about Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. You can read ahead with your child in Luke 24:44-53; John 14-17, and Acts 1:1-11