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SSTN # 7 - February 3, 2004


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


--> Chalk-It-Up...Outdoor Games

1) Tactful Parent    
2) Colored bells    
3) Used Christmas Cards    

--> Amazing Miracles of the Bible

4) Christian Survival Kit    
5) Tactful Parent
6) Curriculum curiosity?

--> Lessons For Teens

7) Film: Passion of Christ
8) Lord of the Rings
9) Colored Bells    


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--> Chalk-It-Up ... 22 Awesome Outdoor Games Kids Draw With Chalk

Fun and wholesome activities for parties, icebreakers, and friendship
building! Encourages creativity in kids!  Use them at church, school,
youth groups, or for family-time fun! Comes with a F-R-E-E 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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1) Tactful Parent    

Hello All,

I think the problem you have had is not uncommon to those who volunteer
and work in a church. Unfortunately, some people do not understand how closely
church work sits next to one's heart, and therefore, can be very hurtful
with critisism.

My first suggestion to you would be to share your frustrations with you
minister or pastor. This is part of the reason we have leaders in our
church. These problems errupt every now and again and they are there to
help solve the problem.

We are all protective of our children, and sometimes don't realize how
harsh we can be for their sakes. Kinda like the bird that will peck down
another bird that gets too close to it's babies, or the mother bear who
will kill to protect.

Perhaps this mother does not realize what she is doing, and that is where
your minister will be able to come in and effectively resolve the
situation.

I really encourage you to take the steps to fix this problem, because
church is our home, and no one should have to live in a home filled with
anger, hurt, and sadness.

My blessings to you in this time,
Jess Cobb

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2) Colored bells    

I'm the bell guy.  Haven't received any e-mails for a while re: colored
bells, but then sometimes things get lost in cyber space.  Not sure what
e-mail Chris has for me.  Mine is genem5329@atmc.net
 
Gene Maxwell


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3) Used Christmas Cards    

I have two ideas for using old Christmas cards....the first is real
simple.....
Cut the front of your cards away.....only if there is no writing on
them.   Draw a vertical line down the center of the card.  You now have a
Christmas postcard for next year....I have done this about every other
year so as not to send the front of a card to someone who sent the card to
me....A quick note to the addressed and a  (cheaper) stamp  is all that is
needed.....
The second idea is to make a Care Holder with them.  Cut seven of the
cards ( pictures ) so each one is shaped like a rectangle with one short
end a little narrower then the other. Cut out one large card to resemble a
stop sign but with seven  sides.  Now take a paper punch and punch holes
around all sides of all cards.  Make the same number of punches on all
sides except the narrow end and stopsign shape.  Put only three punches on
all those sides.   "Sew" the cards together using yarn. Start with the
rectangles being sure that all short sides are on the bottom and pictures
are outside.  When you have them completed they should form a circle.  Now
place the stopsign at the bottom and sew it in place. DAR, Valhermoso
Springs, AL
   
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--> Amazing Miracles of the Bible

God’s glory and love are revealed through the miracles he performed and
were fully realized when he came to earth in the form of a man to save
mankind. By studying the miracles of the Bible children will gain a better
understanding of God’s love and faithfulness and how he continues to be
loving and faithful in miraculous ways to his people today. Great for
rotation-type programs!

In the Curriculum Creatives:

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



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4) Christian Survival Kit    

One  of my teachers gave me the following which we are using in our
program. This can be used for many different lessons throughout the bible.
We used it for The Good Samaritan - We gave each child a little bag and
they were able to create their own Christian Survival kit. The description
of each was stapled to the front of the bag.
CANDLE: Remember God  the light and the way. ( We used a small birthday
candle)
CLAY: A reminder that he is the potter and we are all the works of his
hands. (We used a small piece of clay wrapped in plastic)
DIME: Always give back 1/10 of the blessings he has given to you.
MUSTARD SEED: With faith all things are possible. (Available in the spice
isle of most grocery stores)
BLOCK: You may stumble but not fall for the Lord will uphold you with his
hands. (purchased small tiny blocks at Hobby Lobby)
COTTONBALL: A reminder that "prayer" can soften the hard times.
BANDAGE: God will heal your wounds.

Just an idea for all.
Nancy F
Grace Lutheran
Sunday Kids Club Director

--from SSTN: you can download something similar to this in the site called
the "First Aid Others Kit" at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/craft_first_aid.html 

   
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5) Tactful Parent

To Stevens, Indiana in regards to Tactful Parent
First of all praise God for the blessing you’ve been to your Church and
Sunday School these past years.

My initial thought as I read your letter was what role has your Church
Council played in these decisions? It sounded like you had been given the
go ahead to continue your program and then some one stepped in and
superceded that. This brings up the issue of coming under the authority of
our leadership.

My second thought was that you are hurt not just because someone else it
doing things but because they are being done differently then you would do
them. It is so hard to deal with change even when we are the ones to
instigate it. Could this other person have discussed this with you in a
better way – definitely, on the other hand are you open to others
suggestions? You said “it feels like things are going down the drain” but
it sounds like you haven’t even seen the results of their efforts yet –
are you open to giving them a chance, even to making some mistakes as they
learn? One of the most important things a good leader does is raise up
other leaders and encourage them in the gifts God has given them.

I would suggest two things: Bring in a neutral third party and talk to
this other parent again. Share you feelings, it could be she was trying to
give you a break after all you years of hard work or maybe she is out of
line. Either way, don’t let it fester or make you bitter about serving the
Lord. There is a wonderful little book called “Who Moved My Cheese” you
can check it out of your public Library and read it in about an hour. It
has to do with dealing with change and how by not being open to change we
keep ourselves from experiencing new and exciting things in our lives. It
sounds like God has brought you to a new and exciting place and I
encourage you to embrace that.

Love in Christ,
Linda in WA


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6) Curriculum curiosity?

I am looking for Mid Week curriculum for our preschool department ( 2yrs
to 5yrs old) at my church.  I am having trouble finding curriculum that is
appropriate for all these ages.  Nothing I have found is geared toward the
younger children.  I am looking at the Faith Weaver Friends or Little Dogs
on the Prairie by Group Publishing currently.  I was wondering if anyone
has used either of these curriculums for the younger ages (2 and 3 year
old) with success.  Or if you have any suggestions.  Thanks for all your
assistance.
 
Whitney W. from Tennessee

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--> Lessons For Teens:


"Bloom & Boom - Lessons for Teens"- A girls and guys guide to growing up.
Practical advice from a Christian viewpoint about the internal and
external changes experienced by teenagers. Bloom & Boom are
gender-specific books that talk honestly to teens about what's on their
minds. Learn more about them in the Christian Education section of the
bookstore:

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

"Revolve: The Complete New Testament" - A Bible that looks like a magazine
for teen girls! Revolve is the new look for teen Bible publishing. Special
features includes Blabs (Q & A), 12 month-long calendars, Love Notes from
God, Issue articles, Basics of Christianity Articles, Quizzes, Beauty
Secrets, Guys Speak Out!, Relationship articles, Truth or Dares,
Devotional Reading Plans, and more. In the Bibles section of our
Bookstore:

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


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7) Film: Passion of Christ

Hello friends and family,
Nathan and I wanted to share with you that we were able to attend a
private screening of the new Mel Gibson film titled "The Passion Of The
Christ" this past Monday night. We unexpectedly got on the list to go and
view it at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, TN. Neither of us were
really prepared for what we viewed. It's really hard to find the words to
tell you how life-changing this film was for both of us.

This movie changed our lives forever. The room was full of the sound of
weeping and loud sobbing, including our own. I told Nathan on the way home
that I only wish that I would have seen it as a young teen.

It is so fitting that the whole movie begins with a black screen with the
text of Isaiah 53:5, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities , the chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
and by His stripes we are healed".

The official website address is
http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com 


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8) Lord of the Rings

I have read several messages from Christians, stating their approval or
disapproval of the lord of the rings.  As Christians (Christ like) it
should not be based on our own views, opinions, up bringing, culture, or
customs how we are to live our lives.  At no point, on this subject, have
I read anything about what God's word says about things that we as
Christians take into our minds and spirit.  The Word says that we should
have the mind of Christ.  Present your body as a living sacrifice holy and
acceptable, pleasing to God.  Your eyes and ears are gates to your spirit
and the Word says out of the abundance of your heart your mouth will
speak.  The power of life and death are in your tongue and whatsoever you
say you have.  Train your children up in the way they should go.  The way
and admonition of the Lord (Jesus the Christ).  If what you are allowing
your children to partake is the way by which you want them to go then
that's your choice and not God's choice for your children.  God wants them
to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good,
virtuous, and praiseworthy.  God wants your children blessed and showing
forth His glory.  The Bible says, our children are God's inheritance.  The
fruit of the womb belongs to Him.  God wants us to declare His Kingdom,
not to mix in with the world and then try to find some good.  You should
be the good, if God is in you.  Jesus said, if you love Me you will keep
my commandments.  Don't use the blood of Jesus as a means to justify all
the worldly things we choose to do.  It was given as a means to overcome
all things in this world.  And you can live a holy life without sin and
trying to justify that which is not of God.

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9) Colored Bells    

Hi,I know I was not the person who talked about the colored bells, but I
have used them each Christmas, and would be willing to share information
with you.  The Bells are from a company called the Krystal Bell Method out
of Louisiana.  They don't have a web site as of yet.  The Bells are great,
and pretty easy to use.  Christian crafters has permission to give my
email to this person if she wants more info.  Sincerely, Lynne


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