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SSTN # 79 - August 31, 2004


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:

Volunteers That Stick

1) Burlap Craft
2) Songs in sign language
3) Keeping Kids Interested?
4) Parachute games?

"His Name Shall Be Called..."

5) Parade floats?
6) Children's' Day in Church
7) Construction VBS
8) Pioneer club crafts?

--> Spirit Gifts...An Introduction For Children

9) Pray for Muslims
10) Construction VBS
11) Children's Sunday
12) Peculiar Dinner Menu


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Volunteers That Stick
 
You'll keep volunteers longer and keep them happier by giving them more
than just a volunteer job. Instead, give them a volunteer career. Help
them become leaders as well as volunteers! Here's everything you need to
know to get your volunteers in the right job, then help them to grow in
their skills and enthusiasm.
 
To locate this resource, type the title into the bookstore search box at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 


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1) Burlap Craft

Check out a new Burlap Fabric craft idea located in the Recyclables
section at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/creative_challenge.html 


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2) Songs in sign language

>I have seen in the past where the youth will perfrom a
>song in sign language. Where can I find information as to

I applaud the effort.  I personally teach a Sunday School class with a
special needs child who has Angelman Syndrome.  AS children do not develop
speech skills.  But they are able to learn some major signs.  We are
currently working on "Lord" and "Jesus".  Signing the songs helps
reinforce that and it helps communication in these special cases, also.

We often use sign language when learning songs.  This effort was
especially helpful when parents of one of the children attending our VBS were deaf.
The following is a note from the coordinator of our VBS music and how she
manages the signs for the kids to learn - a few tips.

Anyone can do it with a good book to show them how; I use 'Signing
Illustrated: The Complete Learning Guide' by Mickey Flodin because she has
a whole section with some of the more religious words.  The other big
pointer would be that if you have young signers or the song moves along
quickly, only sign key words for each line or words that are used often in
the song.  The book also talks a little about using expression, which is
especially meaningful in church.  Usually by the time the kids learn the
signs, they end up knowing the song itself
well, but not everyone likes to sing and sign at the same time.  I
personally  think it helps the kids better understand what they are
singing, especially if you explain what the sign itself conveys (that's in
this book too).

Barbara
Naperville, IL


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3) Keeping Kids Interested?

I've been teaching sunday school for seven years now, and trying to keep
kids interested in the bible and keeping them in church is very hard
especially ages eight through twelve.
 
Also, our main sunday school room is small and doesn't allow for much
movement. If anyone has any advice please let me know.
 
Thanks,
W. Porter
Port De Grave, NL

--from SSTN: I have found the best way to hold the interest of my students
is to incorporate hands-on Bible activities which includes songs, games,
crafts and skits. This approach addresses the multiple senses of each
child and is an effective tool for teaching and learning. There are many
ideas like this at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 
Also, to address your space issue, if possible, take the kids outside
during lesson time.
Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><
ChristianCrafters.Com

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4) Parachute games?

hi, we had one of the parachutes used at school donated to our church and
would love to use it does anyone know how to find games or ideas to use
with this? thanks 

--from SSTN: there are books on this subject, one in particular is
entitled "Parachute Games", a secular title, and can be found by typing
the title into the Bookstore search box at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 

Also, I have incorporated parachutes (or king-sized sheets can be used)
into some of my Hands-on Bible series. Two games in particular are listed
in, "His Name Shall Be Called..." and "Spirit Gifts". Both books are
located in our Curriculum Creatives section at: http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html  


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--> "His Name Shall Be Called..."

The God of the Old and New Testament is known by many names. These names
help us to understand his nature and reputation. They define him as
Protector, Defender, Friend, Advisor, Judge, and Savior to name just a
few. The Third Commandment says, "Do Not Misuse God’s Name". It is my
desire that this study will help you to teach respect and honor for God to
the children in your ministry. Free USA shipping!

To learn more, go to this page:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 
(you may need to copy and paste this address to your browser)


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5) Parade Floats?

I would like some ideas on parade floats.  My church is putting one
together and we need a theme for it. PLEASE HELP.
Thank You
Vanessa

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6) Children's Day in Church
 
Our pastor had an interesting 'take' on children's' day when I approached
him. I still think there is a place for a child-run service, and have
organized them in the past, but his views were refreshing!

He said that we don't have 'Seniors Services' where seniors in the
congregation take on all the responsiblities. We don't giggle about how
cute it is when they make mistakes, or have trouble reading. We don't
smile about how 'adoeable' they look... his point is, that we should
respect the junior members of the congregation as much as we respect the
senior ones and in fact all members. He said he would be very happy to
have the children take part in the service on a regular basis, doing
readings, leading prayers, taking collection. He was not comfortable with
making child participation an 'event' , but wanted them to be part of many
services instead. NOT the answer I was expecting, but he makes an
excellent point!

Donna- Ontario Canada

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7) Construction VBS

Hi Ann.... you can go directly to the publisher...  http://www.cph.org/
(Concordia Publishing House) and order directly from them.  I've been in
contact with them recently, and they will have items in stock through
September.

Your Sister in Christ,

Kathy


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8) Pioneer club crafts?

Our church is having pioneer club. We are looking for craft ideas that are
inexpensive.Does anyone have any good ideas that i could use. i have used
alot from your web-site in the past. I hope that other readers out there
will be able to share patterns with me. Thanks in advance for your help.
Keep up the good work!
In Christ,
Sherry-Ky.


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--> Spirit Gifts...An Introduction For Children

An inspirational midweek program that contains a variety of fun lessons,
crafts, and games to teach the children in your ministry about the
following Spirit-filled Gifts:
FAITH, WISDOM, MIRACLES, HEALING, ENCOURAGEMENT,
GIVING, MERCY, SERVING, and EVANGELISM.

To learn more, visit this webpage:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 


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9) Pray for Muslims

During the last three years we have become aware, as never before in the
recent past, of the Muslim world -- and of vicious, all-out warfare
against us by those most committed to Islam. Ephesians 6:12, however,
tells us: "... our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

The real war -- and we must not forget this -- is not with Osama bin
Laden and al-Qaeda or Moqtada Sadr and his Mehdi Army. The real war is
with "the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly realms." And we must also not forget that our real
weapons in this war are the ones God Himself has given us. In Ephesians
13 through 18 we are admonished to use these weapons, including "pray in
the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."

This year, as they have for more than a decade, many millions of
Christians around the world will take the special opportunity provided
by the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkish), to
battle in prayer for the 1.3 billion Muslim people of the world. Please
join this battle!

Ramadan is from 15 October to 13 November in 2004. It will be a
strategic time for the body of Christ to pray for the Muslim people of
the world. "30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus" booklets have been prepared to
provide guidelines for prayer for specific issues related to Muslims for
each of the days of Ramadan. These booklets can be ordered online at
http://www.ywam.org/prayer/muslim/price_m.html (shipping starts in late
August). A daily e-mail version, which is an extract from the prayer
guide booklets, will also be available. To receive it, send an e-mail
to: 30-days-subscribe@arche.c-server.net (the subject and message are
ignored).

The fact is that very few Muslims at present have any chance, humanly
speaking, of ever even meeting someone who can tell them that Jesus
loves them. All too often -- especially in the post-9/11 world -- the
Muslim population of the world is viewed as the enemy of Christianity,
instead of persons for whom Jesus died.

Please join with us in praying for Muslims to come to know Jesus this
Ramadan. Please get your prayer group, your church committed to winning
this battle for the souls of Muslims. We have posted a sample letter
which your church can adapt for this purpose at the bottom of the page
at http://ramadan.everypeople.net/. (We are putting this email out this
far in advance of Ramadan expressly because we know that now is the time
that plans must be made if churches are to be mobilized join this
battle.) We also encourage you to use the many valuable resources at
http://www.30-days.net/ to help you pray more effectively for Muslims.

Let us believe God for mighty things as we join together this year to
focus on Him during this special prayer battle for the Muslim world.

God bless!

Mike and Linda
 

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10) Construction VBS

In response to Anne,

What a fun theme!   We were under construction at our church several years
ago.  This was a great way to get the children involved.
We sang songs such as"The Wise Man Built his house upon the rock" from Wee
Sing Bible Songs.
Perhaps the thing that stands out in my mind is a field trip to our local
Home Depot.  We had a guided tour.  The kids got to see the materials all
stacked and were fascinated.  Then, we went into the classroom area, and
they made birdhouses.  It was a great craft!  Obviously, the little tiny
kids wouldn't be able to participate in this activity, but the older kids
loved it! Hard hats, tool belts, blue prints, hammers & nails.....all fun
and great display/decorations.  Have a great time!
~Kristi,
       Manitou Springs, CO


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11) Children's Sunday

We have children's day on every third sunday.  The children do everything
on this sunday.  They lead the worship, they do the ministry of kindness,
the announcements, and sang.  So we don't do children's hour on this
sunday because it's their sunday to do everything.  They do everything
until it's the preachers time to preach.  They do a very good job at it. 
And it puts them in the learning position.  But we also have a problem
with the kids not attending sunday school.  So I get everything together
and pick someone to do each job.

Yours in Christ, 
Sandra


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12) Peculiar Dinner Menu

Rebecca,
I have a sample menu that you were requesting and also found two websites
with other suggestions. Feel free to e-mail me and I will reply.
Pat Butler
daryl_pat@msn.com


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