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SSTN # 58 - June 23, 2004


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


Fourth of July Activity

1) Communion & Washing Jesus' Feet
2) VBS Outreach?
3) Crayon Box Song
4) Noah's Ark

Goin' Buggie For Jesus

5) Non-Bible Games
6) Saturday VBS?
7) Family communions
8) Family Bible study program?

Chalk-It-Up ... Fellowship Fun!

9) Passover Seder for children?
10) Linda's email?
11) Children In Worship Pros & Cons?
12) Christian Songs

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Fourth of July Activity

With the "USA Patriotic Catcher" kids will learn the answers to eight
basic USA citizenship questions such as, "Why did the Pilgrims come to
America?"; What is the US Constitution?, and "What does the First
Amendment guarantee?". A great activity for July 4th!
Kids can make it and take it home!

Learn more at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 
(you may need to copy and paste the address to your browser)


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1) Communion & Washing Jesus' Feet

I recently covered this with the children in our Sunday Kids Club and it
was a HUGE success... Parent's enjoyed as well.

This is what we did for our Science Portion...

Explain that this lesson will focus on the making of wine – the way it was
done along time ago (and in some areas is still done this way today!)…
Have the grapes in a large enough pan that the children can stomp the
grapes with their feet! MAKE SURE THEY TAKE OFF THEIR SHOES! Talk to the
kids about the process of fermenting

Have 2 children stomp the grapes at the same time. (Make sure the
container is large enough for 2 children at a time). After the children
have completed the stomping guide them to the second pan, which is filled
with water. For the first 2 children cover the story of the washing of the
disciples feet. Then have the children wash each others feet. We had them
say "Just as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples – I will wash yours.
Continue until all the children have had a turn. Just to warn you… the
children insisted that all teachers also stomped those grapes and washed
each others feet.

I have the full lesson plan for this and I give SSTN permission to give my
email to anyone interested.

Nancy
nfsheltie@comcast.net


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2) VBS Outreach?

Hello,
We are planning an outreach in our community for children 5-12.  Does
anyone have suggestions for VBS materials that we can take with us.  We
will be meeting in a small park, once or twice a week for a few weeks.  We
are limited on supplies we can take with us.  Bless you for any help you
can be.
Linda, Massachusetts

--from SSTN: check out the Bacyard Bible Club resources in the Lessons &
Sermons pages at: http://www.christiancrafters.com/sermons.html 

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3) Crayon Box Song

You can get information on the "Crayon Box Song" at this site:
www.followthelight.org
Go to bottom of page and click on “This and That”.  Scroll down through
songs until you find “The Crayon Box Song”.

Terri Mulberry
Downingtown, PA

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4) Noah's Ark

One of the things that I did with all the kids - including Pre-K was
showed them the actual dimensions of the Ark in a way they could
understand. We took 2 strings. One was 450 long (the length of the Ark)
and one which was 75 feet long (the width of the Ark) and opened them up
outside. The kids were quite surprised to see how big the ark actually
was! Pictures are good but does not give the true dimensions. I two adults
- each adult had a walkie talkie - and they talked to each other reporting
their location! The kids loved it and were amazed! This idea came from the
rotation.org website.

Nancy


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Goin' Buggie For Jesus

What can bugs teach children about Jesus? More than you think!
In "Goin' Buggie For Jesus - I'm a BEE-liever", children will learn
important Bible truths using hands-on buggie crafts, games, lessons, and
yummy devotions. Great for mid-week classes or a refreshing change of pace
during the Sunday School hour! Learn more in the Curriculum Creatives
store at:
 
 http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html  


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5) Non-Bible Games

I have a Word document of some fun games if anyone would like them.  They
are all generic games (not Bible related).  If anyone would like me to
e-mail them this document, e-mail me at  tambrown@brownsforchrist.com.
 
Thanks for serving our Lord!
Tam

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6) Saturday VBS?

I have seen some postings about churches doing a one day VBS.  This
sounded like a great idea for our church.  We don't have many helpers (my
husband, the Youth Pastor, and myself, and MAYBE six more helpers).  I am
hoping we'll have more help if they only have to commit to one day instead
of the normal week for VBS.  We are expecting a LOT of kids.  My goal
is 100.  We have a Kid's Club on Friday nights and are running over 40
without much "advertising", so I think 100 is a reachable goal.  And of
course, we know that God can do anything!!!  I was wondering if anyone
that has done a one day VBS could help me out.  How did you organize it? 
What did you cut out, what did you leave in, etc., etc.  Also, any ideas
on handling so many kids with so few helpers would be great!  Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  Please e-mail me at
tambrown@brownsforchrist.com.  Thanks so much!
 
In Christ,
Tam


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7) Family communions

Family communions are wonderful events. Here are some things we have used
at communion workshops:
A) Make the bread - each family is given a ball of dough which they shape
and/or mark with symbols,this is baked and taken home; each family also
contributes a small piece of dough from their ball to make one loaf and
this will be baked and used as the bread for the service
B) Make the wine - buy lots of grapes and give each family a cluster that
they peel and squeeze through a strainer - this will probably not make
enough for the service but it is fun and the kids love to taste the
homemade
juice
C) Make a frontal and/or table cloth - this can be done with large blank
newsprint, or if you want something more permanent use plain fabric and
decorate with fabric scraps and fabric markers; this can be expanded to
include making the matching vestments and hangings used in your church
D) Each family or small group of families is assigned a specific part of
the service based on the theme; eg music, prayers, story/sermon, wearing
costumes to tell the Gospel reading etc
E) If space permits, communion is served in a circle with each person
giving the elements to the person beside them - even with very young
children this works well - but you have to be relaxed and not worried
about the exact perfect way to do it - remember Jesus did not rehearse The
Last Supper with His disciples!

Enjoy this wonderful time of fellowship together.
Trudy, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
 
 
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8) Family Bible study program?

Hello,
I'm looking for a good home fun family bible study program.  Hopefully
something with workbooks?  I have a 8 and 6 year old.  I also teach
catechism at our church and hoping to glean some ideas from our own bible
study to apply to my lessons.  Any ideas, links or information would be
appreciated.

In his service,
Holly

--from SSTN: for those responding, please include ISBN info.

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Chalk-It-Up ... Fellowship Fun!

Encourage creativity in kids with 22 Awesome Outdoor Games Kids Draw With
Chalk. Fun and wholesome activities for parties, icebreakers, and
friendship building! Use them at church, school, youth groups, or for
family-time get-togethers! Comes with a pack of marble sidewalk chalk, a
recipe to make your own chalk, and directions to make some unique game
accessories. Includes games for older and younger kids
(K-5th grade)! Get two sample games and learn more at:

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


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9) Passover Seder for children?

In our Children's Church, we've been doing a series of lessons on Moses
and I would very much like to have a Passover Seder for the children
geared to their level.  Does anyone know of any websites, resources,
books, etc. that gives instructions, words to say, foods to fix, etc. that
would be written specifically for children (pre-school through 6th
grade)?  I have researched the archives and found some ideas I can use,
but I'd like more details and step by step instructions. Thanks

Cathy Bodell
Benzie Area Church of Christ, Frankfort, Michigan

--from SSTN: check out "Haroset: A Bricks & Mortar Treat"
in the Crafts - Yummy Devotions section at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 
Also, "Christ in the Passover" is a great background resource.
You can find it in the Bookstore search box at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 


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10) Linda's email?

Maybe you could be of some help.  I tried to e-mail Linda from your
website who had some VBS material to give away, but my e-mail came back.
If you have any way of contacting her I could sure use the things and I
would be more than willing to pay postage, so please forward this
information.. Thank-you  Linda


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11) Children In Worship Pros & Cons?

>In your opinion, what are the PROS AND CONS of bringing
>children into the adult worship service?

I think it is wonderful to have children in the adult worship service.   
At my church, the children are in Sunday School all Sunday morning, then
at night, they are in service the entire time.  From the age of 4, they
start sitting up front all together on the front 3 rows. Different members
of the children's ministry team rotate sitting w/the children.  They do
not sit w/their parents.  They are not allowed to play, color, sleep. etc.
They are so much more active in the service.  They get very involved in
the worship service.  They are attentive to the preaching and they are
always the first ones to go to the altar.  We have been doing this for
about 6 years, and yes, it was hard at first, but now it works
wonderfully.  The kids know that is their special seating and the feel
more a part of the church.
We have even had several of our children get a burden to start a
children's prayer team, which we have just kicked off. 
I really can not think of any cons.
 
Denise H.

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12) Christian Songs

In reference to finding christian songs for any special day see attached
web address.  attached is a the song, "This is my Father's world."
 
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/i/tismyfw.htm
 
Elliott

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