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SSTN # 26 - February 27, 2003
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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:
--> NEW-LIFE PUPPETS
1) Hamantashen cookies?
2) Puppet ministry
3) Pictures of Children Playing
4) Church Program
--> Egg-shaped Easter Story Cards
5) How to witness?
6) You've Got a Friend in Me - VBS
7) Need new ideas
8) HELP ME!!! Burned Out
--> Buggie For Jesus - I'm A BEE-liever!
9) Need new ideas
10) Rotation Model
11) Equipping Teachers
12) Burned Out
--> KEEP SSTN ALIVE
13) Need New Ideas
14) Humility and Pride
15) Pictures of Children Playing
16) White elephant gifts
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NEW-LIFE PUPPET patterns
When assembled, New Life Puppets turn inside out to change from a tadpole
to a frog, or a caterpillar to a butterfly. They're easy-to-make and
children will learn about becoming new creatures in Christ! Get a free
puppet skit too!
In our Curriculum section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
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1) Hamantashen cookies?
In #17 newsletter Betty Isaac wrote about some of the ladies in her church
make Hamantashen cookies for the Esther festivities. Does anyone have a
recipe for these cookies? I have been looking for something for my Sunday
School class to have for a snack for Purim. We have been making some very
elaborate crowns for the chidden to wear. Thank you ahead of time, Theresa
Barnes, Christ the Cornerstone Community Church, Laurel, DE
--from SSTN: I think you'll like the easy-to-make recipe in the Yummy
Devotions section on the Crafts page at:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/page6.html
ysic, sarah <><
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2) Puppet ministry
I am respondind to the puppets,I am from a very small church of only 25 in
the whole sunday school and that's including the confirmation class. I am
the Superintendent I take care of the openings,ordering the materials and
also VBS,and the Christmas program. For openings I do puppet skits and I
find all my plays on the computer and they are free. When we purchased our
puppets which I have 4 ,2kids and 2 Adult ones we had a potluck donation
dinner after church and the money went towards the purchase of the
puppets.Good luck with your minestry.Tina
--from SSTN: you'll find free puppet skits
in the skits section at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com
as well as puppet ministry books in our
bookstore: http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html
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3) Pictures of Children Playing
I have a couple of different programs that might help you. One really
good one is print master there many updates. I can download the pictures
and send them to you if you would like. You can email me at
jacqikstepest@yahoo.com God Bless Jacqi
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4) Church Program
have you tried Michael Forsters church programme? it has stories drama art
craft and songs it's good fun and needs less time to prepare than some
others i'ts called THREE+ ONE i've used GREAT KINGS, GOD CALLS HIS PEOPLE
,and A BOOK OF BEGINNINGS, you can read the story or use the drama version
i's grat for a change and brings Gods word to the children in a fun way
God bless
Shelley
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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) How to witness?
Hello all,
I need some different ideas on how to be a witness. I have children from
the ages 4-10 so I would need something that is appropriate for all ages.
We are still a small church so we don't have enough teachers. Please
everyone's ideas are greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Your Sister In The Lord.
--from SSTN: Check out the Crafts page for "The Wordless Book", "the Jelly
Bean Witness", and "The Colors of Christ Cross"
http://www.christiancrafters.com/page6.html
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6) You've Got a Friend in Me - VBS
>"This year I am working on a week long program including bible stories,
>crafts and activities using the theme "You've Got a Friend in Me"
Story Ideas:
David and Jonathon's friendship
Four Friends Help (the paralytic man's friends lowered him through the
roof to see Jesus)
The Good Samaritan
Craft Ideas:
You could have the younger kids use toilet paper rolls to make friendship
bracelets. You cut the tubes into four equal loops and then cut each loop
up
one side, leaving an opening to place the loop on your arm. Kids can use
paint, crayons, glitter, etc. to decorate two- one for themselves and one
for their friends.
Game Ideas:
Play games that require the kids to work together or share supplies, like
three-legged races, wheelbarrow races, etc.
Angie
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7) Need new ideas
I teach 4-6 year olds and lately I have been dressing the children up as
the Bible characters we are studing and having them act out the story
while I narrate. It's been a big hit and I think they are really
learning the storys. The costumes are pieces of fabric or sheets with a
hole in the middle for their heads and a piece of rope tied around their
waists- very simple. I've used simple props such as a kiddie pool for a
boat, a large blue blanket for the sea,etc. And lots of imagination!
Hope this helps!
Diane
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8) HELP ME!!! Burned Out
It is so difficult for those of us in caring vocations (I include all
children's ministry in that category) to set appropriate boundaries and
ensure that our own spiritual growth and renewal has a high priority.
However if we don't we, and the children we minister to, will pay a high
price. If we are not being refreshed and renewed regularly then we will
dry up and a dessert can't do much to sustain and bring life.
May I suggest three books that I have found very helpful in my ongoing
struggle to maintain a healthy and well balanced life.
The Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles Hummel published by Intervarsity
Press ISBN 0-87784-092-X This 30 page booklet, that took about 10 mins to
read, changed my life!! Now doesn't that sound dramatic. Hummel gives
examples from Jesus' life to show how we can and should practice the
stewardship of our time and live wisely. PREPARE to be challenged.
Charles Hummel's follow up book "Freedom from the The Tyranny of the
Urgent" also published by Intervarsity Press ISBN 0-8308-1287-3 expands
on the booklet above and gives practical tips and advice.
Boundaries When to say yes When to say No To Take Control of Your Life by
Dr Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend published by Zondervan publishing
House ISBN 0-310-20974-9
Here's a quote from the back cover, "Often, Christians focus so much on
being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and
limitations. Drs Henry Cloud and John Townsend offer biblically based
insights into how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses,
children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves....boundaries that give
us freedom to walk as the loving, giving, fulfilled individuals God
created us to be."
By the way you can add church commitments and ministries to list of
things we need to set healthy boundaries around!
Sharon
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Buggie For Jesus - I'm A BEE-liever!
Reproducible buggie crafts, games, lessons, and yummy devotions
to coordinate with your summertime VBS programs, or midweek classes.
In the Curriculum section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html
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9) Need new ideas
Please don't give up on teaching "traditional" Bible stories. God has put
them in His Word for a reason - to teach, help, motivate and encourage us.
Although the best known stories may not now be as exciting to us teachers
as they once were, they will be to your children. And they have certainly
stood the test of time.
To me, I can't think of anything more satisfying than being the first
person to teach children stories of Jesus, or David and Goliath, Jonah,
Noah, Daniel and the Lion's den etc.etc.
Today there are many ways to make the traditional Bible stories even more
exciting, and browsing appropriate children's sites on the internet can be
a great source of ideas. Two things I find children really enjoy are good
puppet skits and appropriate object lessons.
In this respect, there are over 500 free puppet scripts at
www.puppetresources.com I have used many of them, and they have all been
well received. I write up object lessons myself and send them out by email
to interested children's workers worldwide. I have 25 lessons on file at
present, so if anyone would like copies, send an email to me at
mnmsweetsur@xtra.co.nz
Maurice Sweetsur,
Auckland,
New Zealand.
--from SSTN: Amen, Maurice! I would also suggest that teachers read the
stories in their Bibles and not just from a curriculum study sheet or
lesson plan. You'll discover so much more that way! ysic, sarah<><
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10) Rotation Model
This is in response to the person who mentioned they had just begun
rotation model in their sunday school. We too are starting rotation in our
SS and we would love tips- what worked, didn't work, names of your
workshops and what you are doing if you are using the Rotation Model in
your sunday school!
Thanks!
Amy in KY
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11) Equipping Teachers
> I am looking for information that I could use to run a seminar
>or do a workshop with the teachers in order to
In response to the reply about using learning styles as a seminar...
Barbara Bruce has a great book titled 7 Ways of Teaching the Bible to
Children. The Children's version is ISBN: 0-687-020689. You could easily
adapt the information into a teacher workshop.
Blessings,
Eva
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HELP KEEP SSTN ALIVE
SSTN has a voluntary subscription so that no one is left out.
However, if you or your church CAN afford to pay the minimal fee of $12.00
for a one year subscription, that's only one dollar per month, I am asking
that you do so. Your webservant, Sarah Keith.
http://www.christiancrafters.com/ministry_support.html
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12) Burned Out
In response to all the replies to the burned out question. Tonight is our
business meeting at church. I have been teaching for at least 10 years
straight now. Every business meeting I ask for help, and they say when I
need help to ask. I ask, then it is if you make up the lessons, I will try
to be there on a Sunday. I enjoy the kids, I really do, but there is only
1 teacher. When I am sick, there is no class for them, because no one else
will do it. I don't want the kids to suffer, because the adults don't wish
to help. Tonight, I am going to let them know, that I really need to have
another teacher. Too many kids, and too many ages now for just one person.
We will see what happens.
Pray for me!!
Berni
--from SSTN: my prayers are with you and all the teachers out there that
have no help. It is amazing to me that some parents are not willing to
help out. Let us pray that these parents would see the value of being
involved and begin to help. Let us also pray for each other (almost 10,000
SSTN teachers across the world!).
Your webservant, Sarah Keith <><
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13) Need New Ideas
In response to your request for ideas to do something
different with your class, I'd like to recommend FW
Friends midweek program from Group Publishing. I've
tried lots and lots of different approaches and found
this one really works best for us. Even though it's
set up with rotating stations, with the current group
I have, I just keep all the kids together and present
the different parts of the lesson to them. However,
each segment of the lesson is very easy to prepare and
could easily be taught to other volunteers, if anyone
wants to help you. One of the ideas for teaching Bible
verses has really clicked with our kids. Before they
had trouble memorizing verses and now we learn them in
a jiffy and it's fun for all of us. Email me for more
information: lilcarol56@yahoo.com
Carol
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14) Humility and Pride
"Being Humble doesn't mean thinking less of yourself, but thinking of
yourself less". Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God,
so that He may in due time raise you up. I Peter 5:6
Take a low position before the Lord and He will exalt you. James 4;11
BUT HE WHO BOASTS, LET HIM BOAST IN THE LORD! II COR. 10:17
Live in harmony with others; do not aspire to eminence, but associate
yourselves with humble people; do not be conceited. Romans 12 16
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and shrewd in their own sight.
Isaiah 5:21
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15) Pictures of Children Playing
this is for Maureen why not ask the parents for pictures of your students
that way they can see themselves exhibiting the fruits of the spirit. Or
you could do polaroids of staged shots that the children think up it
could be fun brainstorming and acting out their ideals a sort of hands on
learning with pictures for a continuous reminder. My kids love looking at
photos of themselves at church related activities it sparks memories and
most of the time brings a smile and conversation. You could also do
comparison shots of how not exhibiting the fruits cause saddness and hurt
feelings etc. just a thought
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16) White elephant gifts
> We are looking for new ideas for opening white elephant gifts.
We play a game called "Dirty Bingo". We give each person 3 numbered slips
of paper and place all the gifts in the center of the circle of people.
When one of your numbers is called, you go and get a gift from the pile.
Continue calling numbers, and when all the gifts are gone from the center
of the circle, players whose numbers are called take gifts from people who
already have them. Keep playing until all numbers are called. You can then
have everyone who has more than one gift give their extras to those
without
gifts... We play this in kinderchurch as well as in our senior adult
ministry! Everyone loves dirty bingo!
Angie
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