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SSTN - Number 256
December 7, 2001


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:

1) Things found in nature   
2) Letter writing campaigns
3) Decorations in class room
4) Let's Put Christ Back Into Christmas
5) Ways to Encourage
6) Put Christ back into Christmas
7) Crafts for small kids
8) Crafts for small kids
9) Luncheon for older folks?
10) Pastor vs Teacher
11) Christian pen-pal
12) Things found in nature


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1) Things found in nature   

For 'a.' who is looking for ideas with things found in nature. We
recently under went construction in our church and was forced to have SS
outside. It was not as easy as I thought since a lot of conveniences
were not there. We did a color/nature discovery hunt. We had to find
things of different colors and then apply them to the bible. (like a red
leaf was for the blood, white flower for purity, purple for royalty,
black bark for sin) it was quite a challenge but the kids did great!! We
also created baby Moses in the bulrushes with styrofoam and dried
grasses. We also talked about how God set up nature to take care of
itself and made tiny communities (ecosystems) to grow (kind of like our
christian lives and our church communities). Good luck and as always
this ministry is a great blessing.
J in MD

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2) Letter writing campaigns

The only issue is with mail in envelopes.  You can certainly still send
postcards which are no threat at all

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3) Decorations in class room

Hey sarah, I got this idea this morning and just thought it myay be good
enough to share.  Have a great day!here is an idea for small storage space
and limited money for decorations in class room or homeschooling class:
Take your same decortations for thanksgiving and dress them up in the
colors for Christimas.  Example:  i took the broom that was held by the
scarecrow and replaced it with a dowel.  Then i cut gree felt out in the
shape of a Christimas tree, slipped it over one end and now he is holding
a tree!  Take a red pony-holder and put around his neck, add some of that
wire wrapped in gold foil around him (ankles, waist) and you won't have to
take him down at all!!  blessing2u777@hotmail.com welcomes all trying- to-
be- thrifty teachers and teacher-hearts to e-mail personally if they are
inclined to share good ideas.

--from SSTN: please remember, the purpose of SSTN is for subscribers to
share via the network. If you are contacted directly with ideas, the rest
of the network cannot benefit from that person's knowledge. Please copy
back to SSTN. Thank you, Sarah Keith <><

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4) Let's Put Christ Back Into Christmas

The X is the Greek word for Christ in Xmas.  I too was upset to see
Chrismas spelled that way until I learned why it was done. J. Moulden

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5) Ways to Encourage

I reward my students when they obey the rules and are obedient in class.
They may also be rewarded for being kind and courteous.  My rewards
include
stickers, pencils, candies and the like.  They are all Christian based
rewards.  Kids of today are inticed by so many choices we need to
encourage
them to take the right path for Christ.

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6) Put Christ back into Christmas

To the lady looking for a song to go with her theme - put Christ back into
Christmas:  I am sorry but I don't have any songs.  However, I did want to
let you know that just because some writes "X-mas" instead of "Christmas"
does not mean that they are "X-ing" Christ out of Christmas.  The letter
"X" is the first letter of the greek word for Christ, therefore standing for
"Christ".  Just a little info.!
Teresa-McLeod, TX

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TWO FREE CHRISTMAS CRAFT PROJECTS!

KIDS CAN @ CHRISTMAS TIME - An Advent celebration of 28 crafts and
recipes. Some of the projects include: Epiphany Ornaments (a six-sided
three dimensional ornament inspired from the Orient), Ribbon Stars, a
Paper Lace Angel, Paper Lace Luminaries, a Nativity Windsock, a Chrismon
Snowflake Butterfly (new design), an Edible Nativity, Church Window
Cookies, and the Jesus in the Manger cupcake, to name just a few! To learn
more, click the link or copy and paste it to your browser:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/crafts_Christmas_Advent.html 


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7) Crafts for small kids

> I teach a group of 10 young first graders who struggle with being able to
> make even the simple crafts.  Since I don't have a helper in class, it
> makes it hard to have the children finish crafts in the short amount of

This might work. It worked in South Africa, why not take it further. We
arranged everything beforehand so that is would go smoothly.  The children
went into the church just after the service (we have a separate children and adult service at
the same time) and brought in a Christmas tree.  Then each of them went to the
front with a 'gift' that they put under the tree.  They each had a 'gift'
(wrapped parcell) consisting out of Gal. 5:22 - Love, joy, peace,
patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control.  They  said
the words out loud then sang a song, went to their parents and gave them a hug
and a kiss.  It worked.
Pikkie

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The Sweetest Story Ever Told

Begin a new family tradition of giving sugar cookies and sharing Jesus!
This 'sweet' book comes with five cookie cutters, a recipe card, and gift
tags that tell the Christmas story. In the Bookstore-Holidays & Holy Days
section:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 


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8) Crafts for small kids

> I teach a group of 10 young first graders who struggle with being able to
> make even the simple crafts.

Kari,
I teach a combined SS class, age 4 through 3rd grade.  A simple Christmas
gift that my class will be making for their parents are recycle-art
ornaments.  You will need white glue, paint brushes, glitter, yarn or
ribbon, screw-on Mason jar rings, and old greeting cards.  First, trace
around the top of a Mason jar for a circle template.  Pre-cut circle
shaped pictures from the old cards.  During class, allow each child to pick
his/her own picture (or use a photograph of the child).  Paint glue onto
the outside of the rings, roll in glitter.  Let dry briefly.  Tie on
ribbon for hanger and insert picture into the "frame".  Instant ornament
that most first graders can handle.  Hope this helps.
Kim, Alliance, Ohio

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9) Luncheon for older folks?

I am planning a Christmas luncheon for some of the older folks of our
congregation who are widow/widowers to help brighten their holidays a bit.
I would LOVE ideas about games/activities, party favors/small gifts that
would be appropriate.  Thanks!

--from SSTN: our Club 56 Kids (5th and 6th graders) go to a retirement
home every year to make simple Christmas ornaments with the older folks.
This year our church bought pre-made Christmas ornament cookies, then iced
them and looped a gold pipe cleaner through them. Simple and fun!

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FREE Chrismon Snowflake Star!

http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com/page2.html 


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10) Pastor vs Teacher

I have just gone through this struggle myself and want to pass on the
helpful information I received.  First, a teacher is someone who has the
ability to take material and teach someone else in a clear manner.  A
pastor is someone who is "called" by God.  A pastor is someone who wants
to
eat, sleep, protect, and live with the sheep.  Someone cannot decide if
they want to be a pastor or not, it is truly a call from God.  The only
one
who can answer that question is you.  I would encourage you to get before
God and ask Him - He will not hold back, but will speak to you.  I know in
my situation I struggled with my own heart issues - fear, insecurity etc.
when faced with this same question.  I hope this helps!
A friend in Chicago.

Thank you!
PB - Chicago

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11) Christian pen-pal

I would like to be a Christian pen-pal (through e-mail).  I have been
serving in Children's Ministry for about 7-8 years now.  I started out in
Children's Ministry out of guilt about 8 years ago as a helper.  Through
the years God has equipped me and currently I am in charge of our
Christian
Education and Children's Ministry Department at church.  I have also
started out without much budget, curriculum, or help.  I would love to
help!  fpb124@netzero.net

--from SSTN: please remember, the purpose of SSTN is for subscribers to
share via the network. If you are contacted directly with ideas, the rest
of the network cannot benefit from that person's knowledge. Please copy
back to SSTN. Thank you, Sarah Keith <><

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12) Things found in nature

> Need some ideas or have some new thoughts using
> natural grasses and things found in nature.

Take a small lump of clay ( I like the self-hardening kind that does not
have to be fired.) and roll it out into a 1/4" slab with a rolling pin,
between sheets of waxed paper.  Open the waxed paper, and press a leaf or
a sprig of grass, or a flower, etc. into the clay; put the waxed paper
back down and lightly roll over it again to impress the object  into the
clay. For added texture, cover the clay slab with burlap or
coarsely-woven cloth and roll that into the slab before applying grass;
remove, and then impress grass. Pull waxed paper and grass off, bore a
small hole at the top for a hanger, and let clay dry overnight.  Burnish
the clay with brown wax shoe polish for a leathery look, or lightly
sponge with watered down acrylic paint for a soft color.

Kit MacLeod, North Palm Beach, FL

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