We Play to Learn

Sunday, November 12, 2017

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...

Saturday, October 14, 2017

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!

Having Donuts with our Dads

What do you get when you combine 20 dozen donuts with 99 preschoolers and their fathers?

Our annual Donuts with Dads tailgate party!

See all these smiling faces? Maybe it's the sugar, but more likely it's because it's a lot of fun to have all our dads come to preschool.

This Week in Chapel - God's Toolbox

This week I shared what is in my toolbox - a hammer, a saw and a paintbrush. We talked about the job that each tool does. Then I asked, "Which one is the best?"

I let the children decide. Some choose the saw because it can cut things. Others picked the hammer because it's tough and can bang nails. "But what if I have to paint a wall?" I asked. Oh, well then the paintbrush is the best. "But if I only have a paintbrush, can I saw a piece of wood?" Well, I surely can't use a paintbrush for that job!

Each tool is designed to do a special job and each one is the best at doing its own job. We need all of them, not just one, in our toolbox. They are all important!

Then I asked, "What do you think God has inside his toolbox? A hammer? A paintbrush?" Nope. God’s toolbox is full of people!

A doctor helps people by making them well if they feel sick. A mail carrier helps us by delivering our mail and packages. A gardener grows plants and takes care of them. A carpenter builds and fixes things. A police officer keeps us safe. Each one has a different job, but they all help people. So, which job is the best?

The children made a few guesses. But then we figured out that the people in God's toolbox are like the tools in my toolbox. Just like the hammer, saw and paintbrush, each one is important. Each one is the best at doing his or her own job. We need all of these people because they are all important.

God needs all of us too. God gives each one of us different gifts and talents. He needs all of us to help him share his love with everyone. Big or small, old or young, we are all in God’s toolbox!

It might be hard to do this while we are young, but as we get older we will find ways to share our gift with others or use it to help someone. And that’s the best way to tell God “thank you” for giving you that talent!