"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." -- Jesus
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
To reply or to post a new topic:
When replying, delete ALL TEXT that is NOT PERTINENT to your response. Please TITLE your message to reflect the content.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
SSTN # 24 - April 23, 2007
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
1) Entertainment in Church 2) Summer children's church 3) Baghdad Prayer Patrol 4) VBS - Workers, Manpower?
Got a bad attitude?
5) Entertainment in Church 6) No S.S. in place? 7) Mother's and Father's Day? 8) Mother's Day Tea? 9) Faith and Family
<>< <>< <>< TODAY'S SSTN POSTINGS: <>< <>< <><
1) Entertainment in Church
I think entertainment in church could lead to a "sit back and do for me" attitude. So how CAN we avoid this happening?
--from SSTN: see #5, below.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
2) Summer children's church
We also have a small group and during the summer I kind of took over to go all year also. I have gone on line and found "religious" games (SSN has some) have taken the kids outside and played them. The kids have done well by the older ones playing gently with the younger ones. I havent run into a problem yet anyway. Then once in a while we went to a park 2 blocks from our church and let them play. We have held Christian karioke, and movie nights with popcorn donated by the local Wesco ( they usually like 1 week notice and the church name) We always have prayer. I would try to have one week to the "conventional" teaching with class and craft. The kids would look forward to having certain weeks designated to each thing (Week 1 game night, week 2 karaoke etc.) They especially love water game in the summer. Once the adults see the fun we have they are more willing to join you, those who like to sing the karaoke and those who like games so on and so on. Hope this helps Michelle B. Michigan
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
3) Baghdad Prayer Patrol
A couple of weeks ago I forwarded you an email inviting you to join the "Baghdad Prayer Patrol."
At that time I had only looked at what it represented enough to know it was of value. Since that time I have myself joined the Baghdad Prayer Patrol and become convinced that it is something very much more than worthwhile for every believer.
Those who join receive an email each day to remind them to go to http://www.prayercentral.net/baghdad/today/ to pray for Baghdad. Please click that link just now to see what it provides. Each day of the month there is a different prayer for Baghdad, its people, and our troops. I have found these prayers to be very, very appropriate indeed.
Then, while you are on the page at http://www.prayercentral.net/baghdad/today/, scroll toward the bottom and click on the link "(Neighborhood Map) Today's Hot Spot for Prayer is ..." Each day of the week a different locale in Baghdad is featured for our prayers. But best of all, in my view, is what one finds as one scrolls down the page past the picture of the locale to the "Comments" section. Here folk from all over have added their prayers for us to pray along with. (You can add yours, also.) It is both joyful and powerful to join with those who have added prayers here in praying for Baghdad.
Please remember that "Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Ps 127:1) and that "... we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (Eph 6:12)
You -- by prayer -- can make a huge difference in Baghdad. You can pray, as Jesus taught us, that "His Kingdom will come and His will be done" in Baghdad.
Please sign up to patrol Baghdad in prayer at http://prayercentral.net/baghdad/?page_id=13
God bless!
Mike
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
4) VBS - Workers, Manpower?
Hi, Thank you for the newsletter. I have been very encouraged by the items posted.
We had our VBS program last year and it was such a success. Our theme was Jesus the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever. It was a 3 days, 1/2 day session where each day potrays the different time (yesterday, today and future/heaven). The kids had so much fun with the crafts, snacks, games and story session. The teachers and helpers were exhausted but the overwhelming responses from parents were enough to encourage us to have it again this year. We are considering this but since manpower is an issue, we might combine with another church or do a simple holiday program - any ideas?
Jane, Malaysia
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Got a bad attitude?
Get Jesus' attitude ... the BE-Attitudes! "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus..."
I teach in Sunday School as well as in schools in general. I do Christian assemblys and RE in classes. I use every means I can to bring the message of Jesus to the children as well as any adults present. Children are not entertained but are excited when asked to take part in anything I do. A school of 400 kids could easily throw up 90% of volunteers wanting to take part.
By the way I am a christian childrens worker.
Glenn (England)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
6) No S.S. in place?
I am encouraged by the churches that have well organized and planned church and sunday school programs. However i must confess that where i fellowship currently there is no specific program for the church as a whole nor for the sunday school. I personally know the importance of having a program and i always endeavor to have activities and series of lessons for the children. At times i am amazed when the sunday school class is cancelled just a few minutes from the time we are normally supposed to go to sunday school. Some parents i have noticed are so concerned about their children to extent that having outside activities like camps is unthinkable. To make it worse some are leaders in the church. A lot has to be done where i am for us to have first the sense of need to have in place sunday school program and secondly to develop such programs. Please pray with me as i play my part in bringing about this change. Two weeks ago i was elected youth chairperson and now i am trusting God for his grace
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
7) Mother's and Father's Day?
yes i am looking for crafts or materials for mothers day and fatrhers day
I am planning a Mother's Day Tea for my class. I need ideas suggestions on topics and ideas. Our theme is "Butterflies and Ladybugs" any help is appreciated.
Our church suffered a major split early last year - and we lost several sunday school and children's church workers. We decided to try something different last summer. We kept our children's church as usual, but for the Sunday school hour, everyone met together in the fellowship hall for "Faith and Family." A schedule for the summer months was put together - with various groups in charge - from our small home groups, music ministry leaders, the youth group, even the kitchen committee (they were in charge of the church picnic). Our topic for that Sunday would first be shared on a lower level that would involve the chilren, coloring / puzzle pages handed out, etc, then while they are doing that, the adults would be learning as well. Most always the teaching had everyone getting involved. It has been accepted very well - with families even staying for Faith and Family that usually wouldn't stay for Sunday School! Being a Sunday school teach for 2s - 5s, I am looking forward to this summer! Debbi
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Help SSTN Continue
Only one dollar a month helps to provide the Christian educational resources in the website and newsletter. For more info, go to this webpage:
Reproducing in any medium, commercial or noncommercial, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. SSTN has contributors from all over the world who share their ideas. If you reprint any of the ideas from SSTN, SundaySchoolNetwork.com or ChristianCrafters.Com in any medium (websites, magazines, newsletters, etc.), you must contact the submitter, and website for reprint permissions. Any materials used must also include the submitter's name and where the ideas were gleaned from. The opinions expressed or advertisements displayed in the SSTN e-Newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by SundaySchoolNetwork.com or ChristianCrafters.Com. SSTN reserves the right to edit and or exclude information from the SSTN e-Newsletter.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
SUBSCRIBE--UNSUBSCRIBE - and Change of Address directions:
