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SSTN  # 28 - March 23, 2002

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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:

-> W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers
1) Jonah and the "Whale" / "Big Fish" Idea
2) Appreciation Luncheon?
3) The lost Sheep Parable?
4) VBS - Jesus to the Rescue ideas?
5) Teacher Recruitment
6) Sunday School time
7) Children's Church
-> Jesus Lights Me Up!    
8) Last supper
9) Fund Raising/Lenten Activities
10) Free translation site
11) Circus VBS Info?
12) Stand firm craft   

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W.W.J.S.? Gospel Catchers

There's something much worse than cooties...it's called sin!  Now kids can
make Gospel Catchers rather than Cootie Catchers! A fun and innovative way
for kids to learn to share their faith with their friends!  Includes 4
Gospel Catcher patterns to make: the Colors of Christ (Gospel Colors), the
Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Promises of God. Follow this
link to learn more:

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


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1) Jonah and the "Whale" / "Big Fish" Idea

In the Jesus Lights Me Up patterns, there is a craft to make a 'whale'
light switch cover:  http://www.christiancrafters.com/kt_kit.html 

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2) Appreciation Luncheon?

Dear Sarah,
Thanks again for this helpful site!  I would like some ideas regarding
what to do for an appreciation luncheon for our teachers and overall
leaders of various ministries.  We are a small church(50) people and need
to keep the costs down.  Any ideas out there? I would appreciate hearing
from anyone who has put on a successfu and meaningful event with this
focus in mind. Thanks!
Julie Richardson
Cascade Comm. Church
Vancouver, WA

--from SSTN: check the Archives List too for some great ideas. Type
"Appreciation + Luncheon" into the search box.


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3) The lost Sheep Parable?

I am looking for a video about the parable of the lost sheep for our
children's church program (ages 3- 10).  Does anyone know of such a video


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4) VBS - Jesus to the Rescue ideas?   

Dear Sarah and Friends in Christ:
Our VBS coordinator would like to use the "Jesus to the Rescue" theme this
year.  However, it was last year's program and is not available this year.
Has anyone used this program in the past that could give us ideas of what
bible stories to use, and crafts, skits, games, etc.?  Our ideas so far
include using the Good Samaritan story, and bringing in modern-day
"heroes" such as firemen, policemen, ambulance crew, nurses; anything dealing with
people helping people.  We have a rather small number of children - about
30 (ages 3 through 6th grade) - IF they all attend.  Any help and ideas would
be greatly appreciated. Thank you SO MUCH for this wonderful newsletter and web site!  It has been
very helpful in our church's ministry to our children!
Julie

--from SSTN: please remember, when responding to this question, only share
those ideas that are yours, and not taken from the copyrighted curriculum.
Thank you so much! ysic, sarah keith <><

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5) Teacher Recruitment

Teresa, of La Marque, TX, wrote about using a song from One Way Street
entitled "Who Will Teach The Children".  However, after a quick search on
the net and a call to our local Christian bookstore, I have been unable to
find out where to purchase the tape.  Her idea sounded very interesting
and any further information about where to find it would be greatly
appreciated.  Thanks!Kim - Springfield, TN

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6) Sunday School time

>>Just wondering what time everyones class is at?

Jenny,Our Sunday School is before our Worship Service.  I understand it
can be disappointing to just have children dropped off by parents.  But I
think you have to look at the larger picture.  Yes, the parents may not be
coming to S.S. - but - when those children go home I'm sure many of them
tell the parents what they have learned.  This could be the way the
parents come to know and accept Christ.  I firmly believe it is very
important for ALL people, including children, to go to their church
Worship.  Adults need to be fed just as you said.  It is easy for adults
to get "burnt out" simply by not having this time in the word.  It is also
important for children to see and learn through this hour as well.
Children will never learn how to sit and behave through service if they
are not taught.  How will they ever understand the importance of an alter
call, and other things, if they do not witness it.  This is a time for
learning as well as S.S.  Have you seen a significant increase in the
parents now attending services who used to just drop off their children?
If not, I would reconsider putting the S.S. back
before the worship hour.
Crystie
Arkansas

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7) Children's Church   

Hello...I am really enjoying all your comments and now could use some
help.  I am the program director in our church and each Sunday morning we
hold Children's Church for all children Preschool to 3 rd grade (very BIG
age range).  My challenage is this...I need material that will keep the
interest of this varied age range and also be simple for my volunteers.
We were using Group Children's Church kits in the past and all my
volunteers expressed they did not like using that material because it took
WAY too long to prepare.  Our Children's Church only lasts between 20-30
minutes each week so these lessons need to be short too.  Any help or
suggestions you can give will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in
advance and God bless you!!!

Sandra "Sam" Dermott

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Jesus Lights Me Up! TM

5 reproducible patterns to cover and decorate single light switch cover
plates. Patterns include: a lion, a lamb, a ladybug, a butterfly, and a
whale. Each pattern comes with accompanying Scripture and object lessons.
A great project to accompany your VBS program!

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

   
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8) Last supper

I would like to have a special activity for my SS class (ages 6-8) for
Easter. I thought I would do the last supper and then go through the
crucifixion and resurrection. Does anyone have any ideas of what I could
do (menu for supper, activities). Thanks for your help.

We give the children at this age group a recipe for "Resurrection Cookies"
with the scripture lessons for each ingredient. We find the children and
the whole family participate and continue to make these cookies for the
past 3 years.

Enjoy,
Darla Gundler - United Methodist Church of North Adams, Massachusetts

--from SSTN: The recipe for the cookies may be found a past SSTN, in the
Archives List. Type "Cookies" into the search box:
http://christiancrafters.com/archives.html 

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9) Fund Raising/Lenten Activities

I have enjoyed this ministry for over a year now. This is my first
contribution.
Fund Raising-Our youth did a silent auction on meals that were donated
from community restaurants. Every area has these, it is very good "P.R.".
In response also to Lenten activities for children. This year Passover
falls on Maundy Thursday so I am having a "child friendly" seder meal on
that Wednesday night. I am at a point that I feel very strongly to teach
the children that The Last Supper was Jesus' seder.
One more thing, in response to the Disney characters, the Disney corp. is
extremely picky about anybody using their characters for anything. Be
Carefull

Tracie
Winston-Salem, NC


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10) Free translation site       

Ok... Here in Las Vegas, the Christian book stores do offer spanish
tracs(sp?). I'm sure if you have a christian bookstore in your area they
could order some.  The tracs here are only like 2$ for a pack of 20.
I hope that helps.
Torri

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"Get em' in the LOOP!" 

L-eading kids to Christ,
O-ffering advice
O-pen discussion forum
P-roviding free resources

Invite your friends, pastors, and coworkers
to join our discussion in SSTN.

http://www.christiancrafters.com/page3.html 


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11) Circus VBS Info?        

There is a 2002 VBS with a Circus theme - GodWerkUs Circus.  It is
awesome!  We are going to adapt it for Summer SS.

Teresa
La Marque, TX

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12) Stand firm craft   

We just did a really nice and easy craft this past week and I would like
to share it.  Our lesson was a combination of Shadrach, Meschach and
Abednego and Stephen the martyr.  We talked about standing up for what you
believe and how to know right from wrong.  If I had capabilities, I would
send a picture, but don't so please let your imagination work.  I bought
some glass candle stick holders from the dollar store, the ones like a
little dish, not tall ones, (probably ash trays would work also).  I
turned them upside down and on the side with permanent marker wrote "2
Thessalonians 2:15".  The children took clothes pegs and drew a face on
one side and wrapped a piece of pipe cleaner around the middle for arms.
I used a glue gun and glued the peg down on the candlestick holder - the
base for the "person".  I had also gotten some little erasers that said
"Holy Bible" from the Christian book store.  We glued that to the peg and
wrapped the arms around the Bible.  They turned out really cute.  In fact
one man from the congregation tried to trade something he had for one of
them, but the child wouldn't trade!  Toye Malm Lethbridge, Alberta Canada

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