Shh! It's a Secret!

Time to see what the kids were up to!  During the week after Thanksgiving, each class visited our "Secret Store" to shop for gifts for their moms and dads.  With the help of their teachers, the kids selected and wrapped gifts, and, best of all, wrote notes that said why they selected each item.  We hope that the parents had as much fun unwrapping these gifts as the kids did selecting them!

And just look at what we were able to donate to the food bank... 246 non-perishable food items!

Christmas JOY!

Far way in Bethlehem

Many years ago

Was born a special baby

That you all surely know.

Angels waited for his birth

While shepherds watched their sheep.

Wise men searched the sky for a sign

While Bethlehem was asleep.

The baby's mom was Mary

Joseph was his pop.

They had to make a long, long trip.

In Bethlehem they stopped.

They looked for a room, but there

Was no place for them to stay.

So Mary and Joseph spent the night

In a stable filled with hay.

Angels waited for his birth

While shepherds watched their sheep.

Wise men searched the sky for a sign

While Bethlehem was asleep.

The stable wasn't fancy

But it was warm and dry.

As Mary and Joseph settled in

Stars twinkled in the sky.

The cattle and the horses

Softly lowed and neighed.

While doves and an owl perched high above

Mice rustled in the hay.

 

That night the special babe was born

And angels began to sing

"Hosanna in the highest!

Glad tidings do we bring!"

 

To shepherds and sheep in the fields below

The angels sang with joy

"Hurry on to Bethlehem

To meet God's baby boy!"

Angels sang a birthday song

To shepherds and their sheep.

Wise men searched the sky for a sign

While Bethlehem was asleep.

The shepherds woke up all their sheep

And did what the angel said.

They were the first to meet the babe

And see where he laid his head.

Suddenly, high in the sky

A beautiful star shone bright.

In a land far, far away

Wise men saw it's light.

The wise men knew that something good

Had happened on that day.

For many nights they traveled.

The star showed them the way.

When they got to Bethlehem

And saw the little babe

The wise men gave him wonderful gifts

And on their knees they prayed.

 

This little babe, God's only son,

Was sent from heaven above.

A gift for people everywhere

Filled with all God's love.

Angels sang a birthday song

To shepherds and their sheep

Wise men followed yonder star

While Bethlehem was asleep.

This Week in Chapel - Let's Go Fishing!

This week in chapel we talked about fishing.

Well, not that kind of fishing.  This week we talked about fishing for PEOPLE!

We always sing a fun song before we go into the sanctuary.  It reminds us that we are visiting God's house.

In God's house I always know,

To let my feet fall lightly.

Quietly my steps will go,

I'll treat God's house politely.

With the help of a few storytelling cards, we heard the story of Jesus calling the first disciples.  But to start our chapel time, we talked about what it takes to fish for fish.

There are three things you need to be successful at catching fish.  First, you need the right equipment.  We decided a fishing pole and some worms would do the trick. 

Second, you need to go where the fish are.  No one has ever caught a fish in their living room watching a fishing show.  You have to go to the lake if you want to have a chance at catching a fish.

Finally, and most importantly, you have to be patient.  Sometimes you have to wait a long time until you get a fish.

One day Peter and Andrew, James and John, four fishermen, were coming back to shore when they saw Jesus teaching a large crowd of people.  The men had fished all night long, but hadn't caught a thing.  Jesus asked to use one of their boats so that he could go out into the water and give everyone in the crowd a better chance to see him.  

Then Jesus told the fishermen to let down their nets to catch some fish.  But they had just fished all night and hadn't caught a thing!  The men did what Jesus asked and, suddenly, their nets were so full that it took all four of the fishermen to pull them in.  It was a miracle!

 

Then Jesus told them to put down their nets.  He said "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."  Fishing for people?  They had never heard of such a thing!  But they did what Jesus asked and learned how to fish for people with him.

God wants us to fish for people too.  He wants us to catch them and bring them to Him.  But how can we do it?

Fishing for people is a lot like fishing for fish.  First, we have to use the right equipment.  We need to know the stories about God in the Bible so we can tell them to others.  What kind of bait works best for catching people?  Not worms!  No, if you want to share God's love, hugs work the best!

Second, we have to go where people are.  We can't catch people and tell them about God if we are by ourselves.

And, finally, we have to be patient, just like catching fish.  But the best part about fishing for people is that anyone can do it.  Old or young, boy or girl, we all can fish for people.  Hooray!

At the end of each chapel we take a minute to talk to God.  

Thank you for inviting us to go fishing with you.

Help us to tell others about you.

Help us to show others how much you love us.

Help us to be patient and keep fishing.

Amen.

Until next week...

A Visit to the Zoo

Our first Storytime of the year was a WILD one.  We all went to the Saint Andrews Zoo!

Monkey see, monkey do

Little monkey at the zoo

Monkey, monkey in the tree

Can you read some books with me?

The kids all loved the stories we read.  We had a great time making animal noises!  Everyone's favorite was Good Night, Gorilla.  With minimal text, the kids were able to help tell the story themselves.  Those silly animals tried to sleep in the zookeeper's bedroom!

Five little monkeys sitting in a tree

Teasing Mr. Crocodile, "You can't catch me!"

Along comes the crocodile, quiet as can be

And SNAPS that monkey right out of the tree!

Watch out, monkeys!

After storytime week was over, the classes had a chance to go back to the zoo to care for the animals as zookeepers and veterinarians.  

Taking care of a zoo is hard work.  It's also a lot of fun!