Advent 2020
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During Advent this year, we will be exploring the different names and titles that Jesus is called by the different people in his life. Each week, the Children's Time portion of the worship service will introduce a different name, and a new "at home" activity will be posted here. We hope you and your family will check back each week for another activity to help you prepare for the arrival of Jesus, our King, our Savior, the Light of our world.
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The Light of the world: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas season is a season of lights. Every year we decorate our homes, inside and out, with brightly colored Christmas lights. Then we drive around at night and look at the lights in our neighborhoods. We have Advent wreaths in our homes and churches, and each week we light another candle. Have you ever given any thought to WHY we use lights at Christmas? I'm not really sure of the history of Christmas lights, but I do know this: Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) I like to think that all the lights we see are in celebration and remembrance of the birth of the one true light...Jesus. For this week's Advent activity, I'd like to challenge you to look at the lights in your home and neighborhood, and remember that Jesus is the light of the world. Then, click on the picture of the Christmas lights to print out a "Share the light" challenge!
Emmanuel: third sunday of advent
This week, we learned that Jesus was called Emmanuel, which means "God With Us". Jesus IS God, but he became human to walk with us and teach us and understand what it means to face temptations. Jesus was born as a baby...just like all of us were, and he grew up, just like we are. He understands what it feels like to be a kid! Emmanuel...God with us...is the greatest Christmas gift the world has ever gotten. To help us remember that amazing gift that God gave us so many years ago, this week, we'll be making a Christmas tree ornament. You'll need a piece of construction paper, some scissors, markers and glue. You can add ribbon, stickers or anything else you'd like to decorate your ornament. Click on the picture below to watch a video demonstration and make your very own "Greatest Gift" ornament.
Jesus is Savior: Second Sunday of Advent
Luke 19:10 says: “The Son of Man (that’s Jesus) came to find lost people and save them."The whole reason Jesus was born was to save lost people...to rescue us...to walk with us and show us the way. We never have to worry about being lost or alone, because Jesus is always with us.
The Bible also tells us that Jesus is the Great Shepherd. ( Hebrews 9:20 ) A shepherd's job is to keep his sheep safe, and to rescue them if they get lost. Jesus is OUR shepherd, and he came to keep us safe and rescue US if we lose our way.
To help us remember that Jesus came to save us when we're lost, we can play a "Save the Sheep" game at home. You'll need a "safe place" for the sheep to "live". A shoe box, a basket, or other small container would work well....get creative and decorate it, if you'd like to! Maybe your sheep could live near your nativity set. Then, click on the button below to download some sheep images and verses that remind us that Jesus came to save us. (If you print these back-to-back, you'll have 6 sheep, each with a verse written on the back) Cut the sheep out and glue cotton balls on the sheep to make them nice and fluffy! Then have one person hide them around the house. Search for the lost sheep, and when you find one, return it to the safety of the pen before you go looking for more!
Want to have some more fun? What about a Save the Sheep hide and seek game? One family member could dress as a shepherd, and everyone else could pretend to be sheep. The sheep will hide while the shepherd looks for them. Sheep could "baa" to give the shepherd a hint!
The Bible also tells us that Jesus is the Great Shepherd. ( Hebrews 9:20 ) A shepherd's job is to keep his sheep safe, and to rescue them if they get lost. Jesus is OUR shepherd, and he came to keep us safe and rescue US if we lose our way.
To help us remember that Jesus came to save us when we're lost, we can play a "Save the Sheep" game at home. You'll need a "safe place" for the sheep to "live". A shoe box, a basket, or other small container would work well....get creative and decorate it, if you'd like to! Maybe your sheep could live near your nativity set. Then, click on the button below to download some sheep images and verses that remind us that Jesus came to save us. (If you print these back-to-back, you'll have 6 sheep, each with a verse written on the back) Cut the sheep out and glue cotton balls on the sheep to make them nice and fluffy! Then have one person hide them around the house. Search for the lost sheep, and when you find one, return it to the safety of the pen before you go looking for more!
Want to have some more fun? What about a Save the Sheep hide and seek game? One family member could dress as a shepherd, and everyone else could pretend to be sheep. The sheep will hide while the shepherd looks for them. Sheep could "baa" to give the shepherd a hint!
Jesus is King: First Sunday of Advent
"King" is one of the names that Jesus was called in the Bible. Jesus is the King of Kings! (Revelation 17:14) To help us remember His Kingship during this advent season, here is a quick and easy Crown project for you to make at home. Click on the link to print out the crown and jewel templates (or you can make your own crown any way you would like!) Place the crown template on construction paper of your choice. Cut two and tape together at the center. Then decorate your crown! You can print the color jewels, or the black and white ones and color them yourself. On each jewel, write one of the names that Jesus was given. (Click on the "names of Jesus" button to get some ideas, or look through your Bible with your family to find some.) Add some extra sparkle if you want to, with markers, crayons, glitter glue...whatever you have around the house. When your crown is finished, place it somewhere so you’ll see it every day and remember that Jesus is our King, and that our hope is in Him.
Origami Hearts: Jesus taught us to Love God, AND to love our neighbors. Here's a simple, fun way to spread some of God's love to the people around us! Click on the image to download instructions for making origami hearts. Make as many as you want....big, small and in between. Then write some kind words on the hearts and give or mail them to people you know....or even those you DON'T know. Maybe you could drop some off at the hospital for the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff. Check with a nursing home and see if they'll let you drop off some hearts for their residents. Put one in the mailbox for the mailman, or mail one to a friend that you miss seeing. We're all missing our friends and extended family, and we're all getting tired of being quarantined...so let's use some of our time and energy to show a little LOVE this week!!
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I thought He looked familiar!
When Jesus appeared to the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus, they didn't recognize him at first. Click on the image to hear the children's message from Sunday, April 26, and hear about how Jesus met the men and taught them to remember the lessons they had learned from the scriptures. T |
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Close-up Matching Game:
Would you like to make a memory game to play with your family this week?! Click on the image to see a brief video about making a matching game using the close-up pictures. Click on the button to download the pdf of pictures to print. Glue the pages to construction paper, then cut the pictures apart on the lines. Place pictures face down on your table, then select two pictures to turn face up. If you find a close-up/far away match, remove those pictures from the game and take another turn. If they do not match, your turn is over and someone else gets to try. OR....instead of using these pictures, take your OWN pictures to make a game! Take a close up and a far away picture of things around your house. Print them (2-3" pictures work well), glue the pictures to construction paper and cut them out. Then have fun playing with your family! |
I'll Believe it When I See It!
It's hard to believe things you can't really see! Click on the image to see something "unbelievable", and to learn about Thomas, wouldn't believe Jesus had risen from the grave until he saw the proof with his own eyes.
It's hard to believe things you can't really see! Click on the image to see something "unbelievable", and to learn about Thomas, wouldn't believe Jesus had risen from the grave until he saw the proof with his own eyes.
Easter Butterflies
Click on the image to hear a short message about butterflies and becoming a new creation in Christ. Make some beautiful butterflies to decorate your house, too!
Click on the image to hear a short message about butterflies and becoming a new creation in Christ. Make some beautiful butterflies to decorate your house, too!
Empty Tomb Cookies
Here's a fun Easter Eve activity to do with your family. Click the link below to download the recipe and scripture readings so you can bake some "Empty Tomb Cookies" at home. You may also click on the Image to access a YouTube video about Empty Tomb cookies. As we approach this most unusual Easter weekend, we hope that you and your family are safe and healthy, and can enjoy your time together!
Here's a fun Easter Eve activity to do with your family. Click the link below to download the recipe and scripture readings so you can bake some "Empty Tomb Cookies" at home. You may also click on the Image to access a YouTube video about Empty Tomb cookies. As we approach this most unusual Easter weekend, we hope that you and your family are safe and healthy, and can enjoy your time together!
Waiting Jar Activity
In this week's Children's Message, we talked about how hard it can be to wait for things. The Psalmist was waiting for God to hear and answer his prayers, much like we are all waiting for God to answer our prayers concerning the Coronavirus. We talked about things we can to while we're waiting to make the time more useful, and to help us from being scared or anxious while we're waiting. One way to be intentional about how we spend our waiting time is to create a Waiting Jar for your family. Take any jar or box that you have and decorate it any way you'd like. (I've included some labels you can print and use if you'd like to.) Then print out these activity ideas, or write your own. Cut them apart and place in the jar. Each day, you can select one (or more) ideas from the Waiting Jar to help you find ways to wait more actively!
You can listen to the children's message in the video below.
In this week's Children's Message, we talked about how hard it can be to wait for things. The Psalmist was waiting for God to hear and answer his prayers, much like we are all waiting for God to answer our prayers concerning the Coronavirus. We talked about things we can to while we're waiting to make the time more useful, and to help us from being scared or anxious while we're waiting. One way to be intentional about how we spend our waiting time is to create a Waiting Jar for your family. Take any jar or box that you have and decorate it any way you'd like. (I've included some labels you can print and use if you'd like to.) Then print out these activity ideas, or write your own. Cut them apart and place in the jar. Each day, you can select one (or more) ideas from the Waiting Jar to help you find ways to wait more actively!
You can listen to the children's message in the video below.