Sunday School Change
During the month of December,
children will begin Sunday morning in the worship service and then go to
their classes.
Advent with a Child
Journey with your child or grandchild through
advent as we follow the star to Bethlehem.
Dec. 2 through Dec. 8: The Week of Hope
This week we remember the prophets who guided and chided their people
showing their faith in God and hope for God’s Kingdom. Read Isaiah 2: 1-5
and find a story of a modern prophet such as Martin Luther King, Bishop
Romero or Gandhi and share it with your child. Write a poem with your child
about their hopes for the future.
Dec. 9 through Dec. 15: The Week of Peace
This week we remember the shepherds who heard the proclamation of peace
on earth from the Angels. Read Luke 2:8-20 and share with your child other
stories of peace. Invite your child to make a card for our sisters and
brother in Bethlehem to share Christmas wishes for peace. Bring your cards
to the church and we will mail them together.
Dec. 16 through Dec. 22: The Week of Joy
This week we remember the Joy of Mary as she held baby Jesus. Read
the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55. Remember the sacredness of every child. Gather
clothes and toys to donate to needy children and give them to a local shelter.
Dec. 23 through Dec. 25: The Week of Love
This week we remember that the heart of Christmas is God’s love for
us shown in the loving life of Jesus. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Invite a neighbor
or relative to your home and prepare for them as if you were preparing
to welcome Jesus.
God’s hope, peace, joy, and
love abide
in your home this Advent
Season!
 Update:
A Tree of Love
for Surekha Elia
LUMC has generously responded to the call for Christmas presents for Surekha
Elia, our sponsor child in Moinbad, India. Throughout the month of November,
sketch pads, science projects, sports equipment, games, scarves, and other
gifts came into the Church. The Christian Education committee will be sending
the presents along with cards from our children. Surekha will get them
in time for Christmas. Thanks so much to everyone who participated.
The Art of Godly Play:
A Sacred Space
In a Godly Play classroom, there are always two teachers. One is the door
person and one is the storyteller. Both are vital. While the storyteller’s
role is fairly obvious, the door person’s role may not be.
The number one role of the door person is to help make the classroom
a sacred space where the community of children may flourish. For this reason,
the door person greets children as they come to the classroom and helps
them to slow down in preparation for joining the worshipful circle space.
Also to help nurture the sacred space of the classroom, the door person
keeps the door closed until the feast is over. He or she also helps children
to transition out of our sacred space by saying goodbye to each one individually.
Both arriving and departing are important times in the Godly Play morning,
which signal the entering and leaving of sacred space. It is important
that children come on time and that parents wait to pick them up until
the door keeper invites them to do so. Both of these actions help children
to know that Godly Play is a sacred time all their own. |
