The Story of Samuel (August 19th)

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

Story in Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

The story of Samuel is a beautiful illustration of patience, provision, and sacrifice. Although Hannah desires a child of her own, she must wait and wait for many years until Samuel is born. In fact, during the time that she is praying and hoping for a child, she prays so fervently, that a temple priest, Eli, worried that she was not well. When Samuel is born, Hannah and her husband Elkanah decide to dedicate him to the Lord. They bring him to the temple to be taught and guided by Eli in prayer, study, and care for God’s people and the ark of the covenant. You may share with your children that he was sort of like an apprentice. In our lesson with the children, we explored the experience that Samuel had in which God called him audibly and directly. Samuel responds to God and expresses, “Speak, God, for your servant hears.” What follows is not easy. Eli dies, there are terribly battles, the ark is lost…. Much later, Samuel appoints Saul to be king, and then later appoints David, Jesse’s youngest son and an ancestor or Joseph, who will one day help to raise our savior Jesus. What a big and glorious story it is! One of the most significant aspects of Samuel’s story is that he and his mother are dedicated to listening to God and doing HIS will, even if it is not exactly how they might have thought things should or could be. This lesson in submission to God takes a lifetime to learn!

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)

Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?

I wonder what part is the most important?

I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?

I wonder what the story of Samuel and his family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Dear Father, I know that you understand everything and know what is best for each of us. Thank you for caring for us and blessing us with so much each and every day. Help me to listen carefully for what you share with me. Help me to do what is right and bring glory to you through my decisions. I love you and am glad that you will walk along with me in all I do. Amen.”  

The Story of Ruth (August 19th)

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

Story in Scripture: Ruth 1: 6-17

As we explored the story of Ruth on Sunday, we connected God’s story between the generations that preceded her and those that will come after. Ruth is King David’s Great Grandmother! This story focuses attention on the nomadic events of Ruth’s life with her mother-in-law Naomi after the death of her husband. She chooses to stay with Naomi, rather than return to her own people. Later, when they are gathering grain, Boaz sees Ruth and they eventually wed. A few generations later, David was born to Ruth’s grandson Jesse. It is quite engaging for children to realize that Ruth was Jesus’ ancestor. During the lesson, we ask the children to wonder about whether Ruth knew how special her marriage with Boaz would prove to be.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)

Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?

I wonder what part is the most important?

I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?

I wonder what the story of Ruth and her family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Dear Lord, protect me from getting grouchy when things don’t happen the way I expect them to. Help me to think about your story and the ways that you are in control. I want things to happen the way you want them to happen. Thank you for all the ways that you care for my family and I everyday. Amen.”

Looking forward: In the weeks to come, we will be studying the appropriate ways that we enter into the sanctuary each Sunday. Later we will begin to learn about the early days of Jesus’ ministry and the miracles that he first performed. 

trinityKids Community Cartoon Night!

Please join us for a…

trinitykids Community 

Game Night! 

Friday, September 21st

6:30- 8:30 pm 

Come play games and have fun with other kids!
Bring your own favorite game 
or join us in playing the great ones 
we have at the church. 
(Pizza will be sold for $1 a slice.)

Friends are welcome!
Please sign up so we can be sure to have enough for all to enjoy. 

Thanks!

(Kindergarten- 5th grade students only

trinityKids UPDATES

August 19th, 2012

Dear Families and Friends,

       

Greetings! As most of you know, the 7:00 pm service has now been moved a bit earlier to 6:00 pm with an addition of childcare. This is really exciting because it will enable some families to join us more regularly, and it will also alleviate some of the busy-ness and crowding in the earlier services. It will be a wonderful addition to have the children in the building at the later service.  

In the next few weeks, we are trying to get a feel for which families we can expect in the evenings. I truly appreciate your support and patience as we take note of attendance patterns and adequately assign volunteers as needed. We will be opening our classrooms for all ages, infant through 5th grade, but may combine some rooms as is practical. 

Parents of 4th & 5th grade students: In the coming months, we will be adapting and re-imagining our Sunday curriculum to address the growing needs of our older children. Although we will still be operating within the Contemplative Model, we will be offering lessons on topics ranging from Communion to Self Control to The Personhood of Jesus. These topics will be taught in month-long series and it is our hope and prayer that these will provide important knowledge for young people in a very transitional and special time in their lives. I will be collaborating with the ALPHA teachers and Youth volunteers to ensure that upcoming Middle Schoolers will be well equipped for the challenges of their burgeoning independence. More information is forthcoming; thank you for praying for the students and volunteers during this exciting time.  

Another wonderful addition to our Trinity family is Christine Cown, who will be working with volunteers and families as she supports Trinity Kids. Christine and her husband Kevin (and now their son, Judah) have been a part of our community for many years and Christine has been instrumental in serving and coordinating volunteers. She is a dedicated part of the Women’s and Moms’ ministries as well. We are beyond thrilled to have her partnership and to enjoy the addition of her skills and experience with the children here at Trinity. Please welcome Christine to our crew! For those of you who don't know Christine already, here is a face to go with a name...

Thanks a million for your support of Trinity Kids! Please let me know if you have any questions or need clarification on anything at all. You can stay abreast of all that is going on through our blog: www.trinitykidsministry.blogspot.com and by joining the trinityKids Facebook page.

May I continue to extend my appreciation for your encouragement and understanding! It is a great privilege to love your children.

                                               All my best,

                                               Julia Guy, Children’s Pastor

The Parable of the Good Shepherd (August 12)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ "Great Green Growing Season" (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.”

The Story of Jacob (August 12)

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

Story in Scripture: Genesis 12:24- 25:11

In our learning this week about Jacob, drew a connection between he and his father Isaac, Sarah and Abraham’s first-born son. This helps to weave the story of God’s Great Family. We learned about his twin brother Esau and their struggle with wanting to be first. Our storytelling lays out the trick that Rebekah and Jacob play on Isaac so that he thinks he is giving his blessing to Esau, though it is only Jacob in disguise. To protect Jacob from the consequences of this trick, he is sent out to find a wife, but he is tricked too. The long and complicated story of God’s Family reminds us of our human folly and God’s sovereignty. The story concludes with Jacob’s dream about wrestling God and thus being re-named “Israel”. The 12 Tribes of Israel, then are drawn from his 12 sons. 

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)

Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?

I wonder what part is the most important?

I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?

I wonder what the story of Jacob and his family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Dear Lord, help me to learn about you through the story of Jacob. Help me to understand that, no matter what I try to do to trick others or sneak around, you are always there to know the truth and to help me to follow your path instead. I pray that you will teach me wisdom and trust. Thank you for the stories of the Great Family. I love you and am so thankful that you are in charge. Amen.”

Looking forward: In the weeks to come, we will study Moses (Exodus 1: 8- 17:7), Sarah (Genesis 12- 23), and Abraham (Genesis 12:24- 25:11). 

The Little Me and the GREAT Me

Parents, families, and friends, 

Please be sure to ask your child about the "GREAT Me and the Little Me." 

... More details coming soon!...