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"For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them." -- Jesus.

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When responding to a topic, delete
“ALL TEXT that is NOT PERTINENT to your response”
before posting your message. Reply to: Sakeith@aol.com

SSTN - Volume 1 Number 148
January 29, 2001

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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
1) Jesus As A Boy?
2) Unique fundraising ideas
3) Unique fundraising ideas
4) Unique fundraising ideas
5) Recruiting new kids
6) How do we make our church and Sunday school grow?
7) Free Printouts?
8) Sign language song?
9) Pastor's gift

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1) Jesus As A Boy?

Hi, My name is Tabetha and I teach a class of kids known as the Middlers,
grades 3-5. I am trying to teach the life of Jesus and begin to introduce
Him to my class in a way that they can relate. We have gone through His
birth and now I want to begin sharing His life as a boy and as of yet, I
can't find anything about His youth. Does anyone have any suggestions for
lessons to cover this portion of His life. I'm stumped! Anything will be
appreciated. This is my first time teaching and I am learning as much if
not more than my students! God does work in mysterious ways!! Thanks,
Tabetha Ashville, NY

--from ChristianCrafters.Com: the Scriptures, most specifically the
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, don't tell us much about the
childhood of Jesus. Matthew records his birth, and being visited by the
Magi. Then the passage leaps ahead three decades to his baptism, the
beginning of his adult ministry. Mark begins with Jesus' baptism and his
subsequent temptation in the desert. John begins with the declaration of
Jesus' divinity (John 1:1-14 "...and the WORD was GOD...and the WORD
became flesh and dwelt among us.") John also records his baptism. Only in
Luke do we catch a glimpse of his childhood. But what Luke records is
meaty enough for a great lesson! In Luke 2:41-52, Jesus is 12 years old
and he is busy doing his Father's business. Jewish boys at the age of 12
began to prepare to take their place in the religious community. Jesus was
aware of his relationship to God the Father and his duty to him. See
especially verses 51 and 52. He was obedient to his earthly parents, and
he grew in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and men. Points of
discussion are, how did Jesus spend his time as a child? (Busy doing his
Father's will.) How do we spend our time? Who do we spend it with? How do
we grow in wisdom? (define wisdom) In stature? and in favor with God and
men? ("Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of GOD." Romans
10:17) Hope this helps! Your sister in Christ, Sarah Keith-your moderator

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'LEFT BEHIND-THE MOVIE' is available in the Bookstore at
ChristianCrafters.Com!

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2) Unique fundraising ideas

> I am looking for unique fundraising ideas.

We have a small church also and for fundraisers for different occasions we
have the congregation donate items for a rummage sale (old kids toys,
clothes etc. anything they want to give just clean out those closets et.).
Our church did very well with this. We also have a fellowship hall at
our church where we have luncheons to raise money for certain projects or
improvements at the church. We usually get the church members to donate
the food items (salads, desserts etc.) and then we announce it to the
congregation during church at the announcements time (usually
we announce it a week or two in advance and then again the day we are
doing it). We have a basket for the donations on the table where the
plates and food are set up. This seems to work well for our church.
Good luck and I hope these suggestions are helpful
in your endeavors. Sincerely, Claudia Swietnicki Key Largo, FL

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Are you helped by SSTN? Then I need your help...here's how:

Become a 'Ministry Support Partner' at: www.ChristianCrafters.Com.
Click on "Ministry Support". God bless you, Sarah Keith-Your moderator.

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3) Unique fundraising ideas

> I am looking for unique fundraising ideas.

Yes, I have an idea for you. Order your supplies from oriental trading and
make your own fundraiser. Our church has, you can clear 100% profit very
easily. We have sold religious book marks with pin. Candles, scripture
friendship bracelets, scented silk rose pins, teddybear ink pen necklaces,
and other items. They are very inexpensive and you mark up for sales. Oh
they even have the two year pocket planner that you can purchase and
resale for $2.00 and make over 100%. You just design your own order sheets
or send the product out and sell on site. They have a website:
wwworiental.com, Also, you can call toll free and get a catalog.
1-800-228-0475. I hope this is of help to you.

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4) Unique fundraising ideas

> I am looking for unique fundraising ideas.

Do you have any fairs coming up to work a booth at? If so, find out if
anyone in your church knows balloon twisting that will teach the children.
They can then make balloon critters and sell them. Plus, you could also
attach a Scripture verse or church info too. If you leave in Mass., I'd be
happy to help you with it. Also, www.balloonhq.com is a great web site
with teaching info
Lauren Surprenant- Hudson MA

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** For the month of January, in celebration of SSTN's one year birthday,
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School Network' page at: www.ChristianCrafters.Com

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5) Recruiting new kids

Hi Sarah, here is an idea I had last year to recruit new kids to my sunday
school class. I planned a big birthday party for all the kids in my class.
We all celebrated at one time, it makes it easier for everyone in the
class and then nobody feels forgotten or missed out. We made our own
invitations and each child got to invite 2 friends from outside the
church. Well, it was very successful, some kids brought more than 2
friends, and it was lucky that I had anticipated that, so I had enough
treats. No one was allowed to bring presents, so it would be fair to all
kids there. I bought presents for the kids and didn't spend more than our
budget allowed and then all was fair. I ended up with 2 kids joining in
our sunday school. Kids whose parents don't go to church. So now the kids
want to do this yearly, as our special sunday school birthday. We also
made a theme which also makes things more interesting. I hope this helps
someone. God Bless Carol from Wpg.

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6) How do we make our church and Sunday school grow?

I live in a small farming community in Texas. We have a wonderful United
Methodist Church. The members are very active and everyone seems to get
along very well. Here is my problem. Most of our members are over 35 yrs
of age. We need to "recruit" some of the younger couples with children. I
teach the pre-school/kindergarten class and I only have 2 children on my
roll. The 1st-4th grade class has 5 children on roll. It is very
discouraging and difficult to do lesson plans for only 2 children. If
anyone has any ideas on how to bring the younger people back to church, I
would appreciate your sharing them with me. Thanks, Carol

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* PRAISE-AMATIONS! is a fun and unique way for children
to praise the LORD. Click on 'Curriculum' from the home page of
www.ChristianCrafters.Com for a free pattern and more info...

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7) Free Printouts?

This is my first year of teaching. Our church just re-started a dormant
Sunday School program in September. We have limited funds. Are there any
sites offering free printouts? I have 6 children ages 3 to 5. Thankyou
for your help. Wendy

--from ChristianCrafters.Com: make sure you check my Links pages!

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8) Sign language song?

Hello, my name is Alma Ferchaw, and I teach Sunday School for a very
small church with one class of many ages. I was looking for something
for the kids to sing beside the same ole same ole songs and I saw a
listing in an old newsletter. It was about a song called "Because We
Believe". It said that they had found signs to go along with it. The
letter was from a lady named Peggy and the volume # is 114. I would
love to hear from Peggy or anyone else about the signs for this song. I
would love to have them sing and sign this for my church. Thank-you and
God Bless you all!

--from ChristianCrafters.Com:
there are links to sign language sites in the 'Archives List'.

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9) Pastor's gift

> need ideas for a gift my preschool age children could make or give

Amber, How about a purchased apron that the little ones could imprint with
their handprints using fabric paint. Then sign each child's name by their
own handprint. It is a very nice gift and remembrance that is practical
too. Lita, Indiana

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