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SSTN #5 - January 13, 2003


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


--> Midweek Bible Class for K-6 grade

1) Anxiety...Scriptures
2) Christmas Traditions
3) Easter Ideas?
4) Scripture for anxiety   

--> Egg-shaped Easter Story Cards

5) Christian string art patterns?   
6) Craft for Jesus' baptism
7) Divorced and a pastor
8) Children's Songs that are Upbeat?

--> Easter Pageants...NEW!

9) Youth Sunday School?
10) Instant Easter Skit?
11) Disruptive behavior   
12) Divorced and a Pastor

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Midweek Bible Class for K-6 grade

Does your church offer a midweek Bible class for Kindergarten - 6 grade?
Then consider using "God's Top Ten - Understanding God's Love In The
Ten Commandments". Get the first lesson free! Learn more on the following
webpage:

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


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1) Anxiety...Scriptures

"Cast all your anxiety upon Him for He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7  Also
Matthew 11:28-30, Is 43:2, 2 Cor 4:17   And I can't remember right now
where to find this..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me" I use this one when I am lifting weights... 10 words, 10 reps.... it
helps me NOT to focus on the fact that I hate to lift weights ;o)


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2) Christmas Traditions

We have a garland over the kitchen pantry door that is right next to the
kitchen table where we have our meals. Every evening during advent, we
choose a Jesse Tree ornament and read the scripture that goes along with
it (the creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, etc.). After the scripture is read,
we hang the ornament on the garland. On December 25th there are 25 of them
hanging. I made these a few years ago after having gotten the idea from a
book. There really wasn't anywhere for us to put another tree in that room
and we wanted to do it at dinner so this has worked out just fine. It's
another way to stay focused on the Lord during His birthday month.

--from SSTN: to learn more about Jesse Trees, go to this webpage:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/jesse_tree.html 

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3) Easter Ideas?

I am looking for a sermon, craft, skit etc. for Easter. Got any ideas?
Suggestions?

--from SSTN: make sure you check out the crafts, games, skits, and
sermons'
pages at:  http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com  
Also, check out the Curriculum page:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html  

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4) Scripture for anxiety   

To K.L. who was looking for scriptures to help her cope with anxious
feelings: being a sufferer from anxiety disorder and panic attacks I hold
on to Proverbs 3:24-26 (NRS). The NRS version says: "Do not be afraid of
sudden panic". Helps me every time!
God Bless You,
Vickie

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Egg-shaped Easter Story Cards

Ten Egg-shaped cards that tell the Easter Story - When the cards
are cut, colored and assembled, players can play Easter Egg Scramble and
learn the Easter Story! Reproducible so your whole class can make a set!

In the Curriculum section: 
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 


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5) Christian string art patterns?   

I'm looking for some string art pattern that I could use with a youth camp
I work with each summer.  I prefer something in the christian line that
will mean something to the kids.  I'm working with 8 to 18 years old.

thank you,
sheila

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6) Craft for Jesus' baptism

You may find it helpful to show a video clip/pictures of someone the
children may know from your own church being baptised.

When I have done this lesson in the past for4-8year olds we have
demonstrated it with "baptising" action man (hero) or Barbie to help them
understand what actually happened.

Also "The Baptism of Christ" a painting by Piero della Francesca can be
very helpful. It is in the re resource book "Jesus through Art" by
Margaret
Cooling published in uk.

Sarah-hope this is ok, I've never replied before. Thanks for all you do!
God bless
Tricia-Watford, uk.

--from SSTN: that was perfect. Thank you! --sarah

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7) Divorced and a pastor

>>Do you think a divorced person should be a pastor?

Wow, this one is touchy!  I think it should be on a case by
case basis, because there are a lot of victims in divorce,
and I'm not just talking about the children.  Some people
do all they can to keep their marriage alive, but no matter
what they do, their spouse is not interested in remaining
married, and that means that the marriage covenant is dead.
It isn't always a case where both are to blame, I
personally know of some wonderful, God loving people that
were dumped because of their faith, or because someone more
handsome or attractive showed interest in their spouse, and
the spouse broke the vows of marriage to be with someone
else.  Many times the divorced person is in great pain and
it would be crushing to prevent them from being in the
ministry.  Besides, who are we to say who God can or cannot
use?  We have all sinned and fallen short of His Glory, and
He forgave all of us, we are all important in His eyes and
we must never lose sight of the fact that He died for the
divorced souls, too!  I hope that this has given you
something to think about, but most of all, I encourage you
to pray about the situation!  God bless!

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8) Children's Songs that are Upbeat?

I am a 3rd grade Sunday School teacher at my Church.  We meet before our
class to sing songs and go over the day's lesson.  The problem we are
having is we don't sing songs that are new, fun, or up-lifting.  We sing
"This little light of mine", "Go tell it on the Mountain", "His got the
whole world in his hand", etc.  Not that these songs are bad, I would just
like to have the kids enjoy new ones.  I was wondering if you have any
resources for new children songs that are up beat and the kids would
really enjoy?  Please let me know.

God Bless,
Beth

--from SSTN: there are tons of them. Check out the music section of the
Bookstore at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 
A few of my personal favorites are "Kids On The Rock", and Group's
Singable Songs.
ysic, sarah <><


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--> Easter Pageants For 2003!

Two new pageants have been added to the website. Choose "Fun and Easy
Easter Pageants - with Soundtrack CD", or "Stations of the Cross For
Kids". You will find them listed in the Games and Skits section of the
Bookstore at:

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


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9) Youth Sunday School?

I teach approximately fifteen 12-18 year olds for Sunday School and am
having trouble finding resources that I can use for Sunday School lessons
that apply to that age group.  Any suggestions??. Paula Crowley

--from SSTN: there are quite a few good choices in the "Christian
Education" section of the Bookstore:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 


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10) Instant Easter Skit?

I want to let you know how blessed I have been since I discovered your
website!!  May God continue to bless you in your time and effort to make
available such fine Christian, God motivated helps.

I am the religous education director for a very small church.  For
Christmas I ordered  Wee Three Kings with the cd and the results were
fabulous.  Is there possibly an Easter program that includes a cd such as
Wee Three Kings?
In His Name, M. Bailey, Wi.

--from SSTN:  "Fun and Easy Easter Pageants - with Soundtrack CD" has
recently been added to the Skits section of the Bookstore:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 

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11) Disruptive behavior   

i am new to this site. i have been reading with interest the discussions
regarding disruptive behavior. i have been teaching for about 25 years.
have recently be doing reading by cynthia ulrich tobias. one book in
particular that had been of much benefit is "the way they learn", also "no
two alike". kids have many styles of learning. as teachers we need to
incorporate ALL learning styles in our teaching. i believe that building a
meaningful relationship with my kids if far more important than any lesson
i can teach them. i may be the only "jesus" that they see.

--from SSTN: for anyone that's interested, you can find
"The Way They Learn" by typing the title into the Bookstore search box at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 


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12) Divorced and a Pastor

I personally believe our God is greater than any dilemma regarding
divorce.
It's true, we are responsible for judging our brothers and sisters, as
Paul
gives us an example in 1 Corinthians Chapter 5.  We should remind them of
who they are in Christ, if/when they stray from the path and start acting
like their "old selves", which should grieve us greatly.  The man in 1
Corinthians Chapter 5 was in a great sin, a sin known throughout the
church
and he was boastful about it and the church closed their eyes to it. It
was
clear disobedience and rebellion against God.  I don't personally know the
circumstances regarding the divorced pastor and anything other than me
being an eyewitness to the circumstances is only "here say".  Divorce is
not God's will for our lives, but the Bible does say except for
unfaithfulness.  But in all fairness, I have never studied out that
scripture.  I know marriage should be a blood covenant, making two flesh
one. (virgins)  Divorce could be a result of being un-equally yoked with a
non-believer.  Think about it.
If an individual is a believer and a follower of God, then divorce would
never enter into the equation.  Divorce is not an option for two
believers,
nor should it be.  Love conquers all!  I feel we have a responsibility to
judge our brothers and sisters, but I also feel that the Holy Spirit will
prompt us and guide us when this is to happen. The pastor may be a victim
of circumstance, maybe he didn't have a say so in the situation but
without
knowing the intimate details of the situation we have to trust God.  Pray
about it, God will hear your concerns and He will reveal His truth in the
situation.  Without evidence of a sin, on the Pastor's part, then I don't
see where our opinion of the situation matters.  If we are not careful,
our
opinions about this situation may cause strife and that's not of God.
Remember, Satan is the father of lies, he is here to steal, kill and
destroy.  We must join together as a corporate Body of Christ and pray
about this.  Being connected to the vine will cause us to produce fruit,
look for the fruit.  The light of truth will reveal much.

You have my prayers, MJ

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God's blessings to you,
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