Sunday School Notebook

Christmas Kitchen Angel

2012-01-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

"The heart that gives, gathers."

I learned this lesson at an early age. I still love giving gifts - especially useful ones.

During a pre-Christmas shopping trip, I was drawn to a textile angel made from a kitchen hand towel, washcloth and potholder. Inspiration struck. I envisioned a Nativity-themed Kitchen Angel for my Sunday School teachers and helpers. First, I sewed my own wares from monks cloth and Christmas calico.

As I pressed the creases and tied the towel, washcloth and potholder together with satin ribbon, a poetic verse came to mind. Using a length of pastel cardstock decorated with a Nativity sticker, I penned the verse onto a bookmarker as a blessing for each gift recipient. The result inspired me to mass-produce Christmas Kitchen Angels for family, friends and neighbors using kitchen sets purchased at an area dollar store. The gifts' success inspires me to share the idea here in the Sunday School Notebook.

May this kitchen angel bless you and yours too!

"I AM" Program

2011-04-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: The disciple John wrote many Bible verses telling how Jesus described himself. To teach our Sunday School children these lessons, I prepared this script for their performance at last Sunday's worship service during the Children's Sermon. Our congregation was blessed by their ministry. May the text bless you too.

Jesus Declares, "I AM"

Prepared by Wendy
Copyright March 2011
(Please feel free to use this. Just don't publish it.)

Sunday School teacher's introduction: In Sunday School, we are learning about Jesus’ life and teachings as written in the four gospels of the Bible’s New Testament. Currently, we are working on the gospel of John. In this book, John shows us how Jesus is “the Word” sent from heaven by God the Father. Today we have prepared a demonstration of the special lessons Jesus used to teach his followers about who he is. These lessons are known as the “I AM” statements. We’ll need your help! Please have ready your song sheet - “This Little Light of Mine” - and the candle you received. Be ready to help sing.

The Light shines in the darkness. And the darkness has not overcome it.

Narrator: In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, not one thing was made. In him was life. The life was the light of men. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

From his fullness, we have received grace. The law was given through Moses. Grace and truth was given through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; only through he, who is at the Father’s side, has God been made known. He made himself known by the Father’s works through him and in the words used to describe him. (pause)

Jesus said:

Actor #1: “I AM the bread of life. (Hold up a loaf of bread) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Narrator: Jesus also declared:

Actor #2: “I AM the light of the world. (Hold up a flashlight) Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Turn on the light)

Narrator: Later Jesus said,

Actor #3: “I tell you the truth, I AM the gate for the sheep." (Hold up a gate prop) If anyone enters by me, he will be saved. He will go, in and out, and find pasture.”

Narrator: Jesus continued:

Actor#4: "I AM the good shepherd. (Hold up a shepherd crook and sheep.) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my sheep and my sheep know me."

Narrator: Another time, Jesus said:

Actor#5: “I AM the resurrection and the life. (Hold up the cross) Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies."

Narrator: Jesus also said,

Actor#6: “I AM the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I AM the vine; you are the branches. (Lift the vine) If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; (Lift a grape bundle) Apart from me, you can do nothing."

Narrator: Later in Revelations, Jesus said,

Actor #7: "I AM the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, (Hold up the letters A and Z) the beginning and the ending."

Narrator: Finally Jesus said:

Actor# 8: "I AM the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star." (Lift the Christmas star)

Narrator: Just as the bright morning star shines, so too do we shine when we open our hearts to Jesus and let his light shine through us. Please join us in singing “This Little Light of Mine” and have your candle ready to receive the Light!

(Two Sunday Schoolers take their Christmas candles, light them from the altar candles and pass on the light to the other cast members while singing verse one. On verse two, the cast goes into the congregation and offers to light their candles as the light is passed on and the whole church sings verses three and four and Sunday Schoolers return to the front for the finish.)

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna pass it on.
Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna pass it on.
Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna pass it on.
Pass it on, pass it on, pass it on.

Hide it under a bush; Oh NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush; Oh NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush; Oh NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine.
All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine.
All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Narrator: May Jesus’ light continue to shine through you, even as you extinguish your candles! Amen.

Helping Hands

2010-01-06T11:24:00.001-08:00

Ever stumped for a simple, inspirational gift for someone?

Take a dishtowel.
Place your (or your child's) hand on a corner.
With a pencil, trace around it.
Thread a needle with two strands of embroidery thread and stitch in place.

Not handy with a needle?

Try a ball-tipped fabric paint to make the "handprint."

On a little card,
write:

"May my hands
bless yours
as we work
together."

Happy New Year 2010!

Books of the Old Testament

2009-09-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Today I scored in my Sunday School research. I've had the sheet music for the Books of the Old Testament for months. But through YouTube, this young mom made the song come alive! Learning the song for our Sunday School program should now be a breeze.

Come. Sing Along:

Ge-ne-sis, Ex-o-dus, Lev-i-ti-cus.
Num-bers, Due-ter-on-o-my.
Josh-ua, Jud-ges, Ru-u-uth
1st and 2nd / Sam-uel.

1st Kings, 2nd Kings
1st and 2nd Chron-i-cles
Ez-ra, Ne-he-mi-i-ah.

Es-ther, Job, Psalm, Pro-o-verbs
Ec-cles-i-as-tes, Song of So-lo-mon.

I-sa-iah, Jer-e-mi-ah, La-men-ta-tions, E-zek-iel
Da-niel, Ho-se-a, Joel, A-mos, O-bad-i-ah.

Jo-nah, Mi-cah, Na-a-hum
Hab-ak-kuk, Ze-phan-i-i-ah.

Hag-ga-i, Zech-ar-i-ah
and the last book /
Ma-la-chi.

Faith Bracelet

2008-05-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

At this Sunday School year's end, we made Faith Bracelets. The hope is that each person will wear the circle-shaped bracelet as a reminder of God's Unending Love. The colorful beads represent points in our Faith Journey.

To make a Faith Bracelet, measure and cut a 12-inch (30.5 cm) length of 1/8-inch (3.2 mm) suede lacing. String on nine pony beads as follows to represent:

Black – Our sin
Red – Christ's blood
Blue – Baptism
White – Forgiveness
Yellow – God's Light
Green – New Life
Orange – The Spirit's Wisdom
Purple – Crown of eternal life
Pink – Prayer.

Fold one end over a length of lacing and tie a – secure but loose – knot.

Repeat with the other end.

Slide the lacing through the knots so that the two knots come together

and allow for a hand to slip through the bracelet.

Gently pull on one of the two inner lacings.

Slide the knots toward the beads to tighten

the bracelet so it won't slip off.

Wear yours and see if anyone asks what the colors mean.

Then, share the Good News!

Pentecost Pageant

2008-04-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

Many people write Christmas Pageant scripts. Few write ones for Pentecost. That's why I enlisted my husband to help write this play. Perhaps it could help bring the Holy Spirit's message to your congregation too!

VOICE OF THE SPIRIT

A Pentecost Pageant
Written by Dan and Wendy

Copyright April 2008
(Feel free to print and use this. Just don't publish it.)

(Instrumental: The Fruit of the Spirit. By Ralph P. Merrifield.
Fruit of the Spirit song
John, Jesus, Paul and Peter enter and stand on the top step in front of the altar. Music stops.)

SCENE I – John's Message

JOHN - I am John – the disciple Jesus loved. I have recorded stories of his life so that you may believe Jesus is God's Son, the Messiah. By believing in Jesus, you will have eternal life.

You see, Jesus came from heaven to earth as a baby. He grew up to teach God's ways. He was rejected and killed on a cross. He died to pay the price for you and me – for our sins. Three days later, God – our Father in Heaven – raised Jesus to life anew.

He appeared to us disciples many times and spoke about the kingdom of God. Jesus said:

JESUS - Remember. I have told you about this before. John the Baptist baptized with water. In just a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power. Then you will tell people about me everywhere – to the ends of the earth. I must return to my Father in Heaven, so the Spirit will come. If I do not go, the Spirit will not come.

JOHN - Jesus was raised up into the heavens. A few weeks later, the day of Pentecost came. We disciples were meeting together when suddenly there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm. Flames of fire appeared and settled upon each one of us. Everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Scene 2 – The Holy Spirit Enters

(Pianist plays "Are You Sleeping Brother John" tune while children sing "WIND AND FIRE Song (see words below) and enter from various corners in small groups:
WIND - children in white lift and carry blue crepe paper streamers on a stick;
TONGUES of FIRE - 9 children in bright solid colors lift and carry foam-paper fireballs with Bible verse messages on the back;
DESCENDING DOVE (on a pole) is carried by a child dressed in white.)

EVERYONE (sings to tune of "Are you Sleeping Brother John") –

Tongues of fire. Tongues of fire.
Mighty wind. Mighty Wind.
The Holy Spirit's coming. The Holy Spirit's coming.
Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

(Repeat as many times as it takes for the groups to come in front of the altar: Wind on the lowest step, tongues of fire on middle step, dove on top step amidst Jesus and the disciples.)

Scene 3 – Paul's Message

PAUL - I am Paul. Once I was against the followers of Jesus. I worked to put them in jail. But on the road to Damascus, I was blinded. A voice from heaven called out:

JESUS – 'Why do you persecute me?'

PAUL – It was Jesus who spoke. Later one of Jesus' followers prayed over me and I received my sight again. Now I work for the Lord, Jesus Christ, to lead others to believe in Him and the power of His Spirit.

We plant in the springtime and harvest in the fall. Whatever we sow, that is what we will reap. When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:

(Children dressed in bright bold colors step forward with their Tongues of Fire and read/recite:)

TONGUE #1 – LOVE. Jesus said, "My command is this: Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12

TONGUE #2 – JOY. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

TONGUE #3 – PEACE. My peace I give to you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and not be afraid. John 14:27

TONGUE #4 – PATIENCE. Be completely humble and gentle. Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

TONGUE #5 – KINDNESS. Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

TONGUE #6 – GOODNESS. Live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. James 3:13

TONGUE #7 – FAITHNESS. He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much. Luke 16:10

TONGUE #8 – GENTLENESS. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

TONGUE # 9 – SELF-CONTROL. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. 2 Peter 1:6

Scene 4 – Fruit of the Spirit Song

(Pianst plays an intro and then pageant participants sing first two bars four times while the church choir sings the whole song once through. This will give the song a "round sound" and make it easy for even the youngest children to sing.)
Fruit of the Spirit song

Scene 5 – Peter's Message

PETER - I am Peter – the disciple that Jesus commanded to care for his flock. On that Pentecost day when the Holy Spirit came upon us, many people visiting from foreign lands heard us speak about Jesus in their own languages. When the people heard about Jesus, 3,000 believed and were baptized. And the people sang and praised God.

(CHOIR sings the "Fruit of the Spirit" song while the children recess.)

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