New Year's Resolution

What is your New Year's resolution this year?  There are a lot of good resolutions out there; eating healthier, getting regular exercise, battling addictions and the list goes on.
This year I'd like to suggest a resolution that is a little unusual but if you're a parent it's one of the best resolutions you can make.  That resolution is to intentionally partner with the church to support your child's spiritual growth.  Below are several different suggestions for how we can partner together to support your child in 2012.

1. Join us on Wednesday evening for Firm Foundation at 6:30 to worship as a family.
2. Make sure to pick up the Parent Cue papers to find out what your kids learned and for suggestions of activities to do at home.
3. Let us know about issues your child may be struggling with so we can join you in prayer and support of your  child.

Any other ideas you can think of?

Christmas Poem

This month our toddler and preschool classes are going to be learning the Christmas story, and you can practice at home with your child. The poem comes from the reThink First Look curriculum that we utilize in all our nursery classrooms.  If your house is ever like mine was, than this could be a great distraction to stop your kid's grandma and aunt from fighting over politics.

Week 1

The angel came down (make a flying motion)

from God to say (cup hands around mouth like you want to say something)

that Mary will have a baby (pretend to rock a baby in your arms) on Christmas Day.

His name will be Jesus (make a ‘V’ with both arms up and fists closed),

God’s only Son (point a finger and arm straight up).

He will show that God loves everyone. (Hug yourself.)

Week 2

“Mary and Joseph traveled far, far away. (Walk in place.)

When they got to Bethlehem, they had no place to stay. (Hold your hands out and shake your head ‘no.’)

God gave them a barn filled with cows and sheep. (Use your arms to make a pretend roof over your head.)

Jesus was born (pretend to hold a baby in your arms);

in hay He did sleep (fold your hands under your head like you’re sleeping).

Week 3 

“The shepherds were watching their sheep at night. (Put your hand above your eyes like you’re looking for something.)

An angel cam and caused a fright! (Put your hand over your mouth and make a scared face.)

‘Don’t be afraid. Shake and wave your hands ‘no.’)

I have good news! (Give two thumbs-up.)

Jesus is born (use your arms to make a ‘V’ above your head)

for you and you and you!’ (Point to different people.)

The angels sang! (Pretend to hold a microphone.)

The shepherds ran! (Run in place.)

All to the see the baby (pretend to hold a baby)

God sent to man!” (Point both thumbs to your chest.)

Week 4

“The wise men came following a special star. (Wiggle your fingers overhead.)

All the way to Jesus (make the sign for Jesus by pointing to the center of each hand with your middle fingers),

they came from afar. (Put your hand above your eyes like you’re looking out.)

They knocked on His door (pretend to knock),

then they knelt on the floor (kneel down on both knees)

and gave their gifts to Jesus.” (Hold your hands out like you’re giving a gift.)

Gratitude

This month we've been learning about Gratitude.  It's really been an awesome experience, our kids have been showing gratitude at church this month, and I hope at home too!
So far this month our key points have been;
1. You always have something to be grateful for.
2. Check your attitude and change it to gratitude.
3. Take time to say thank you.
Those sound awesome don't they?  We want our kids to be able to pause and check their attitude and realize that they have a lot to be grateful for even if they don't always get their own way.

What I've found this month is that this one hits a lot closer to home than most of our topics do.  The other day I was getting ready to leave the house and I was just in a funk, as I stepped out the front door I saw our 93 year old neighbor in the front lawn.  He had fallen and his wife was trying to help him up.  I got my husband and as we helped the man to his feet suddenly my problems didn't seem so big.  I continued my day and when I ran into a friend I found out that her husband had just lost his job, while in comparison my husband had just started his new job the day before.  In that moment I was humbled, my problems weren't so big and I had a lot to be grateful for. May God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and may you have a clear focus of the many things we truly have to be grateful for this year.  What are you giving thanks for this year?

Everyone needs to be rescued, even me.

Next Sunday we are going to start a three week series on the prodigal son in our elementary area and in our Wednesday evening programming.  To prepare for this time of learning some of our parents got together yesterday evening to consider the questions, "Why do people need to be rescued?" and "What did God do about it?"  One of the things the adults talked about, is what some of the messages are that our kids receive from others that counteract what we are trying to teach them.

Those concerning messages are:
You know everything
Rescue yourself
Nobody is there to rescue you
I don't need to be rescued
Do the right thing and you won't need to be rescued
Don't discuss religion outside of church
There is no God

As we prepare for this time of learning about how God rescued us, what is your response to the above statements, and how do you demonstrate the fact that "everyone needs to be rescued, even you" within your family?

Top reasons to read the Bible

If you missed Firm Foundation tonight, the adult small group wanted to help you stay connected! Tonight in preparation for what the kids will be learning Sunday, the adults discussed what some of the top reasons to read the Bible are. Below are the top reasons they shared. Join the conversation and let us know your top reason.

Alone time with God; get away from the world and listen to God (and even without explaining that, children will see your example and understand that it is important)

Increases our understanding of God and us

Help to understand what's happening in your life

Other people have survived so we can too - great examples of perseverance and faith

Prepares us for the future as well as we learn to trust

'cause God said so!

Speaks to me as a person; i'm not anonymous to God; I matter to God

See who God is and that God is consistent

You're not alone

May be feeling same things that others have, yet they trusted God and survived (God is good)

Read daily, so our children see that reading scripture is a part of our lives that feels normal.

Perseverance- Not Giving Up When Life Gets Hard

During the month of July our theme has been perseverance...we've learned about how people in the Bible persevered, how Jesus persevered, and how God can teach us through times of perseverance.  Tonight at Firm Foundation (our intergenerational family program) we experienced a power outage that tested our ability to persevere.  Instead of our expensive sound system, we just sang a cappella, instead of microphones, we talked a little bit louder, and instead of air conditioning...well we sweated.  Since our lesson today was "when life gets hard, we can remember what God wants to do in us," we can remember that we can worship God and enjoy the company of our church family with or without electricity.

Firm Foundation

At Firm Foundation (our mid-week family program) we study a new virtue each month.  The virtue we study, lines up with what the elementary age kids are learning on Sunday morning.  In July we are studying perseverance, and are defining it as "refusing to give up when life gets hard."  On July 11th you can post a picture on our Facebook page  of your family showing perseverance.  We will select a winner on June 12 who will receive a gift card to Menchies frozen yogurt in Lexington.  The winner will be announced at the June 13 Firm Foundation.  Start planning now!  Let's see your perseverance!

VBS

A few days out from VBS, and stories have been rolling in about the way God was at work in the lives of the kids who attended VBS 2011.  Some decided that reading their Bible was important, at least one accepted Jesus as her savior, and all the kids were able to pray with their parents on family night (which I personally think is awesome).  It was an incredible week of learning and growing closer to God by both the adults and the children.  We had an absolutely amazing team of volunteers who showed every child that they were valued and made it possible for us to allow all 20 pre-k cuties that wanted to be at VBS to attend.

Now we must move on to evaluating VBS.  We want our programs to be the best that they can be.  So help us out as we evaluate VBS 2011!  So leave us a comment and tell us what should we continue doing, stop doing, and start doing?

VBS Sneak Peak

WOOOHOOO!  Look at what Patricia Walsh has been working hard on all afternoon!  We are super excited for VBS 2011.  A big thank you to Patricia and all of our other amazing VBS volunteers.  It's going to be a great year!  See you at NUMC for VBS 2011, June 13-17 from 6:00-8:00pm.

Guest post by Jeff Rudy

This guest post was written by Jeff Rudy.  Jeff is a PH. D. student at Asbury Theological Seminary, adjunct professor at Asbury University, husband to Carrie, father of Sam and Julianne, and one of the amazing Pre-K volunteers at NUMC.  Enjoy!

I’ve been teaching Sam the Lord’s Prayer. In addition to using the formal words that are recited at Church and evidenced in the King James Version of the Bible (see Matthew 6:9-13), I’ve been adapting some of the terms to be more kid-friendly to help him grasp the meaning of the words until he can enunciate and more fruitfully understand the KJV, yet I still wanted him to learn the rhythm of formality and repetition of a prayer that has guided the Church through the centuries.

The way I teach him to pray is to say one line and pause so that he can repeat it. (Sam’s actually been wanting to pray the King James version recently). Here are the two juxtaposed:

KJV:                                                                            Kid version:

Our Father                                                                  Our Father
Which art in heaven                                                    Who is in heaven
Hallowed by Thy name                                              Your name is holy
Thy kingdom come                                                     Come and be our king
Thy will be done                                                         Help us do what you want
In earth as it is in heaven                                            On earth as in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread                                 Give us today the things we need
And forgive us our trespasses                                                Forgive us when we have hurt you
As we forgive those who trespass against us             As we forgive others who hurt us
Lead us not into temptation                                       Help us stay out of trouble
But deliver us from evil                                              When trouble comes our way, rescue us
For thine is the kingdom, the power,                          Everything is yours, I worship you.

And the glory forever, Amen.                                     In Jesus' name, Amen.

Most of it is rather straightforward, but I’ll elaborate a little bit on why I chose certain phrases:

·      Your name is holy – a child may or may not grasp what “holiness” means but it’s easier to say than “hallowed,” which is why I chose it. You can pretty easily teach your child what “holy” means – special, set apart, worthy of our honor/love/praise. Think about the special nature of God’s name in the commandments, not to take it in vain. In the ancient world, one’s name was his/her character and nature. God is special, set apart, worthy of our honor, love, and praise, etc.

·      Come and be our king – though we have no ‘king’ as a political figure in the US, children are generally well accustomed to the notion of a king or kingdom through stories and fairy tales. It is about God’s special reign in our lives so that we make God’s reign known “on earth as it is in heaven.”

·      Give us today the things we need – Dr. Mulholland (Asbury Seminary prof.) put it this way one time: “Nurture us today for kingdom living.” In other words, give us whatever we need to live for you.

·      Forgive…hurt – “trespass” may be a difficult word to grasp, but children know well the language of hurt (physical, emotional/hurt feelings, etc.) This is key. We forgive because we are forgiven and because we are forgivers.

·      Help us stay out of trouble, When trouble comes our way, rescue us – You’ll notice I use trouble in different ways here…I think this can be helpful in distinguishing different types of trouble/trials/temptations. The ones of the former (help us stay out of trouble) is the trouble we can avoid. We often put ourselves in situations where we are tempted to dishonor, disobey God and “not do what he wants us to do” so we ask for help to do what he wants and “stay out of trouble.” I’m thinking of the description of temptation that James operates with in his letter. The latter kind is the type of trouble that we have no control over. Temptation that just pops up out of nowhere. It comes from the fact of living in a fallen world that is still influenced by ‘the prince of the power of the air,’ that is, the enemy. Children, if they’ve heard any stories, know what it means to be rescued. They should. It’s ok to be rescued and need help. I think this can assist in developing discernment…knowing what situations we can stay away from and when to ask for help. 

Jesus is Alive!

The bottom line of our lesson tonight is that "you should put others first because Jesus is ALIVE!"  The lesson teaches that when Jesus came back to life, he commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations.  Tonight our kids are learning that we need to tell others about what Jesus is like through our words AND our actions.  May all of our words, the meditations of our hearts, and our outward actions be found pleasing in God's sight.

He Reigns!

At Bible Zone we sang the song "He Reigns"  It goes like this:

It's the song of the redeemed
Rising from the African plain
It's the song of the forgiven
Drowning out the Amazon rain
The song of Asian believers
Filled with God's holy fire
It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation
A love song born of a grateful choir

It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

Let it rise about the four winds
Caught up in the heavenly sound
Let praises echo from the towers of cathedrals
To the faithful gathered underground
Of all the songs sung from the dawn of creation
Some were meant to persist
Of all the bells rung from a thousand steeples
None rings truer than this

And all the powers of darkness
Tremble at what they've just heard
'Cause all the powers of darkness
Can't drown out a single word

When all God's children sing out
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns
All God's people singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

As 23 kids sang, "Glory, glory, hallelujah He reigns, He reigns." Then I realized the the powers of darkness were indeed very likely trembling. Praise God!