Merry Christmas!

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Love,

KiDS COR

Friday Faith Builder

As you prepare to give gifts to your children this Christmas, may this letter inspire you to give the most important gift of all this season and always.  Christmas blessings to you and your family.

My Child,

So many nights I ask the Lord to bless you, to meet your needs and grant you good health, joy, courage and strength.  I ask God to increase your faith and fill your heart with love for Him. I pray you will be filled with God’s spirit, shining within yourself and to the world because you know you are loved by God and others.  I want you to know in good times and in bad, God is by your side, walking with you and even carrying you when you need to be held.  When life surprises you by turning a different direction than your plan, I pray you can embrace the new path, eager to see how God will work all things together for good.  I pray you will always be surrounded by family and friends who share God’s grace and love with you.  Of everything I wish for you, my greatest wish is for to share in a precious relationship with Jesus and that you will always know how very much you are loved by Him.

All my love,

Mom/Dad/Grandpa/Grandma

Grow. Pray. Study.

Early Childhood GPS

K - 2nd Grade GPS

3rd - 5th Grade GPS

Hope to see you at our Christmas Eve service this weekend!

Friday Faith Builder

Watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” together as a family.  

Talk about your favorite parts.  Invite your family to respond to the following questions:

*Which Peanuts character do you like best and why?

*Which Peanuts character is most like you?

*What does each character think about Christmas?

Read Luke 2:1-20.

*How would you answer the question Linus asks, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”

*How can we do better at making Christmas more about Jesus?

*How can our family share the true meaning of Christmas?

Pray together. Thank God for Jesus and ask God to help you show His love to others.

Enjoy a fun Christmas treat together!

(Fun fact: In 1965, when this first aired, the producers at CBS expected it to be a complete disaster.  They didn’t think the use of kids, the jazz music, and the strong religious message would be attractive to many people.  However, 50% of televisions in America were tuned into that first broadcast and it has been a Christmas classic ever since.)

Nativity Activity

If you are keeping up with the Early Childhood Nativity Activity, 

here is the link for the Wisemen.

Click HERE if you missed it at church.

Enjoy this fun activity!

Picture of the Week

It was party time in KiDS COR on Sunday. We had a birthday party for Jesus complete with snacks, games, and lots of fun. The puppets even made an appearance in Tree House Park! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Grow. Pray. Study.

Early Childhood GPS

K - 2nd Grade GPS

3rd - 5th Grade GPS

Enjoy the GPS this week!

Friday Faith Builder

“The Polar Express” is full of invitations—invitations to trust the unknown, to ride a magnificent train, to journey into the magical and mysterious.  But overall, the most significant invitation is to believe in the loving, giving character of Santa.  

Throughout the movie, invitations are extended repeatedly, but never forced upon anyone.  The boy and others are free to choose whether or not to accept the invitations.  Eventually, the boy accepts what he believes in his heart to be true.  And he accepts it on faith.

The Bible says, “Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it.”  Hebrews 11:1  Just as the boy chose to believe in Santa, we can choose to believe in the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of baby Jesus.

As parents, design your Christmas preparations around helping your children believe in Jesus and grow in their belief.  Pray together every day.  Read the Bible to them or with them.  Be involved in worship. Serve others.  Give them opportunities to be creative. Sing and dance, paint and play.  Celebrate your faith.

As you continue to foster your child’s faith, listen to his/her thoughts, ideas and questions, provide opportunities for your child to experience and journey into the invitation, you will be helping your child believe and hold on to that belief for the rest of their lives.  What better Christmas gift could you give? 

Nativity Activity

I hope you have been following this amazing Nativity Activity if you are in the Early Childhood area...here is this past weekend's piece...Angels and Baby Jesus.

We also have a big version of this right in the KiDS COR hallway if you want to take a peek.

Enjoy this time with your kids!

Angels and Baby Jesus

Picture of the Week

Tree House Park our praise and worship room for Early Childhood kiddos got a new look this week! 

Check out the fun colors in this room!

The Legend of the Candy Cane

The Legend of the Candy Cane

Once upon a time, a candy maker created the perfect candy to symbolize the true meaning of Christmas.  The candy maker created the candy cane. The white stripes represent the sinless nature and purity of Jesus.  The red stripes remind us that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. The shape forms a “J” for Jesus and also looks like a hook which reminds us that Jesus is our Shepherd.  Isn’t it wonderful to be reminded of Jesus, the true meaning of Christmas every time we see or eat a candy cane?  This Advent season, share a few with others and tell them the amazing story of Jesus and His love.

(Fun fact:  The candy was originally used as a “pacifier” to help keep children quiet in church.) 

Early Childhood Nativity Set

It is advent season once again as we anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth.  This advent season we have put together a resource to help your family celebrate the season at home.  Each weekend they will bring home a page of new characters for their nativity scene.  At home you will need to work together to cut out the characters and assemble following the directions you are given.  Our hope is that the nativity set will help your children remember the true reason for the season of Christmas time.

Please find the Nativity Family Letter below, this will explain and give further ideas as to how to enjoy this family activity!

 Nativity Activity

If you missed the first week, here is the PDF of Mary and Joseph.

Look for the Angels and Baby Jesus this week!

Grow. Pray. Study.

Early Childhood GPS

K - 2nd Grade GPS

3rd - 5th Grade GPS

Enjoy Advent and look for some fun posts this month!

HAPPY DECEMBER!

Friday Faith Builder

If you are following the Advent calendar from KiDS COR, you know that it’s family movie night with “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas!”

Depending on the age of your children, you may choose to watch the cartoon version or the more recent movie with Jim Carrey as The Grinch. Prepare a fun Christmas treat, get comfortable in pajamas and under blankets, turn on the Christmas lights and enjoy the show.

After the movie (or maybe the next day at mealtime or in the car) discuss some of the themes of the movie.  Begin with “lighter” questions such as, “What was your favorite part of the movie?” or “Which scene was the funniest to you?”

Keeping in mind the ages and stages of your kids, continue a little deeper by asking one or two of the following:

Why do you think the Grinch hated Christmas?

What would you say if someone asked you where or what Christmas was?

What do think God would want the Grinch to know about Christmas?

Who was most like Jesus in the movie?  Why?

What does it mean when The Grinch says,   
“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store.  Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Listen carefully to your children’s responses and share your own.  Guide your kids to understand the true meaning of Christmas.  Pray together and have fun!

Picture of the Week

Joy Bags are coming back in! 

Great job so far! If you don’t have a joy bag you can still pick them up near the KiDS COR info booth in the narthex. All joy bags need to be returned by December 11^th. 

Thanks for helping us bless the kids in downtown KC.