Elisha's Kind Friends

"Be kind one to another..." Ephesians 4:32

This week, the children have been learning about what it means to be a kind friend. During chapel they heard the story of Elisha and his friends. Elisha was busy traveling from town to town doing the work of the Lord. Elisha often traveled through the village of Shunem. When he did he would stop to see his friends. His friends loved to visit with Elisha and they prepared a special room for him to stay in. You can find the story of Elisha in, 2 Kings Chapter 4.


During chapel the children learned a simple new song to help remind them that they can be a kind friend, just like Elisha's friends were kind to him. Here are the lyrics and tune.  

 

I Will Be A Kind Friend

Sung to the tune of Mary Had A Little Lamb

 

"I will be a kind friend,

kind friend, kind friend.

I will be a kind friend

every single day!"

 

The children also made special friendship bracelets to help remind them that they can be a kind friend. On each braclet there was a
HEART to remind the children that, God loves them and they can love others. The STAR reminds us that we want to be a shining light for Jesus, and the CROSS reminds us, that Jesus is our best friend.

 

 

 

Miracle in a Manger

We want to thank everyone who donated towards the "Miracle in the Manger" books! Each of the children at Joyful Noise were given a book along with a few little treats as a special gift from their Growing in Grace teachers! The children were delighted to receive their book and we really hope you enjoy reading it with your child!

 

 

If you like the book, "Miracle in a Manger" be sure to check out CTA's website! Their site features many wonderful books and gifts for the whole family! Christian Tools of Affirmation.

 

   

       This month we have been focusing on Jesus' birth! During chapel we have been reviewing the nativity story together and singing Christmas songs. Next week we are planning a special "Celebration Chapel" where the children will come together and celebrate Jesus' birth together.

 

       During the holidays it is easy to get swept up in the rush of presents, parties, and other various activities. However; below we have a few simple activities you can do with your child this Christmas to reflect on the simplicity of the nativity story and remember the true reason for the season!  

 

The Nativity

Materials:

·  Durable Manger Scene

Instructions: As your children play with a nativity set, help them name the characters in the story to help them remember the story of Jesus' birth and to reinforce Biblical truth.

Language to use: “You are playing with Joseph, Joseph was Jesus’ earthly dad.” “Joseph was glad Jesus was born.” “I’m glad that Jesus was born, too.”

Note: Using simple language with your children is important in helping them retain information and building language.

 

A Special Gift

 

Materials:

·     Paper, Glue, Markers, Pieces of Gift Wrap, and Ribbon
 

Instructions: Cut a piece of paper into a square and have children glue piece of gift wrap on the square making a collage.

Write out the phrase, “God, thank you for the gift of_______.” Encourage your child to fill in the blank with something they are thankful for. Some ideas are: family, home, friends, etc.

Discussion Questions: Ask your child to name one of their favorite gifts they have received. Remind your child that Jesus was the best gift that God could ever give.

 

If you are looking for more ideas on how to keep Christ in Christmas this holiday season, check out this link!

10 Ways To Keep Christ In Christmas

God's Plan

 30 "But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God." 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Luke 1:30;38

 

         It was so exciting to have the school-agers join us for chapel this week! Due to a school delay we had the opportunity to have a special chapel session just for them! This week is the start of Advent and the timing couldn't have been more perfect! We had a great time singing and learning about Christ's birth as found in Luke 2. 

 

       Our story was desinged to be an interactive "Right/Left" game. We had the children stand in a circle in the back of the Chapel. Pieces of the nativity were wrapped in paper and given to various children around the circle. The children were instructed to pass the gifts around the circle according to the directions given throughout the story. 

 

 Here is a short example from what was read:

 

"Mary and Joseph walked all around Bethlehem asking if there was a place they could sleep for the night, but everyone they met said there was no room LEFT. Finally, one kind inn keeper offered to let them stay RIGHT in his stable."

       The children did a fantatic job listening and obeying directions! When the story ended whoever was left holding the presents got to open them.

        Together we discussed how God had a special purpose and plan for each person in the nativity story and how each of them listened and obeyed God.

 

 

 

 

          As the children came up to place their character in the nativity, they read a short sentence then talked about how each of the characters were obedient to God.

• Mary was obedient by loving God.
• Joseph was obedient by trusting God.
• The shepherds were obedient by believing what the angels said was true.
• The Wise Men were obedient by being faithful as they followed the star.

 

 

 

Our school-agers LOVE praise and worship time!

Here are the youtube links to the music videos of the songs we taught them.

 

Praise The Lord

 

 

Jesus Loves Me - Go Fish Version



Hannah's Prayer

 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done..” Philippians 4:6

 

 

This week  at chapel the children heard the story of Hannah and her faithfulness in prayer. The story of Hannah is found in 1 Samuel 1: 1-20. Hannah desperately wanted to have a baby. Year after year Hannah and her husband would go to the temple to pray and ask God to bless them with a child. Hannah was faithful in her prayers and talked openly and honestly with God. The Lord heard her prayers and gave Hannah a son, who she named Samuel.

 

Ms. Bev shared with the children that they, too, are able to talk to God at anytime, anywhere, and about anything. Just like Hannah, God wants us to be open and honest with him. He wants us to pray trusting that he knows what is best.

 

Click on the link below to read a fantastic article by Joyce Meyer about teaching children to pray.

 

Teaching children how to talk with God

 

Here are two great books for kids that talk about prayer.They would make 

wonderful additions to any personal library.

 

 

What Happens When I Talk to God?

 

 

Every Which Way to Pray 

Jesus Heals the Ten Lepers

"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him" Luke 17:15

 

 

This week at Chapel the children learned about thankfulness. We read the story of the Ten Lepers from Luke Chapter 17. The story is about ten men who had a disease called Leprosy. There was no treatment that could cure the men from their disease. When Jesus came to town, the men ran to him and begged to be healed. They had heard that Jesus was the Son of God  and a man of miracles. Jesus heard their pleas and healed them. In their excitment, the men ran back home to their family and friends to tell them what Jesus had done! However, on his way home one man stopped and ran back to Jesus. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked God for taking away his horrible disease.

At chapel, the children participated in a discussion and short activity that helped them recognize things they can be thankful for. Here are some ideas that you can do at home to continue to reinforce our lesso in chapel.  

 

Children Ages 3-School Age

 

Materials:

• A piece of paper
• Magazines
• Scissors
• Glue

Instructions: Have children look through the magazines and cut out pictures of things that they are thankful for. Some ideas are a house, dog or cat, family, clothes, toys, food, etc. Once items have been cut out from the magainze, have your child glue them to their piece of paper to make a thankfulness collage.  

 

Children Ages Toddler-3 Years

 

Materials:

• Basket
• Items around the house

Instructions: Walk around the house with your child and have them put items in the basket they are thankful for. Example; Photos of family members, clothes, favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or book. Take a photo of your child surrounded with the items they are thankful for and display someplace special in your home. This is a great activity to do year after year and to make into a Thankfulness Scrapbook.
 

 

Paul & Silas In Jail

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

 

 

This week our Bible lesson comes from Acts 16:24-34. Paul and Silas were thrown in jail because they were teaching others about Christ. While in jail, Paul and Silas surprised the other prisoners by their joyful attitude and faith in the Lord. The bible says that,

 

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose."

Acts 16:25-26

 

The jailer was amazed how God had heard and answered Paul and Silas' prayers. Because of this, he too wanted to know how to become a follower of Christ.

 

 

 The four's class loves praise and worship time!

 

 

To accompany the pumpkin theme that various classroom are doing this week at Joyful Noise, Ms. Bev read a book titled, The Pumpkin Patch Parable by

Liz Curtis Higgs.

 

The Pumpkin Patch Parable tells the story of how we are similar to the pumpkin. Inside of us we have a sticky icky mess, but if we allow him, God will come and scoop out the bad inside of us and place his light in our lives.

 

Ms. Bev read this poem as she carved the pumpkin:

 

Pumpkin Prayer

 

              Dear God,

              Open my mind so I can learn about you. (cut the top of the pumpkin)

              Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do. (clean out the inside)

              Open my eyes so your love I will see: (cut out eyes shaped like hearts)

              I'm sorry for turning up my nose to all you've given me.

             (cut a nose in the shape of a cross)

             Open my ears so your word I will hear. (cut ears shaped like the Bible)

             Open my mouth so I can tell others your near. (cut mouth in the shape of a fish)

             Let your light shine in all I say and do! Amen! (place a candle and light)

 

This poem was found on www.teachsundayschool.com 



The Lost Sheep

"What do you think? Suppose a man owns 100 sheep and one of them wanders away. Won't he leave the 99 sheep on the hills? Won't he go and look for the one that wandered off? What I'm about to tell you is true. If he find that sheep, he is happier about that one than about the 99 that didn't wander off. It is the same with your Father in heaven. He does not want any of his little ones to be lost." Matthew 18:12-14

 

 

The infant and toddler class can't wait for chapel time!

 

 Everybody was given a little lamb to love and care for as Ms. Bev read the
story of the Lost Sheep from the Bible.

 



The children helped make Ms. Bev's lamb "woolly" by sticking cotton balls to him.

 

Everyone made their own little lamb to remind them that Jesus loves them just as much as the shepherd loved his sheep.