Acts 20:35 says it is more blessed to give than to receive.

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1 December 2013 Tis the Season to Give POWERSOURCE ASK GOD: 1. To help your family grow in giving. 2. To transform your hearts to be selfless instead of selfish. 3. To guide you into ways to lead your family to serve others. Christmas is the season of giving. But let s be honest, it s also the season of getting. After all, the question everyone asks kids this time of year is What do you want for Christmas? So why wouldn t children think getting is the most important thing? Acts 20:35 says it is more blessed to give than to receive. But in our culture of gimme, gimme, gimme, we have to work even harder as parents to help our children believe that it s more blessed to give than to receive. What can you do? Encourage your children to consider the great gift that God has given us in the birth of our Savior. Remind them that God could ve selfishly held onto his son. But instead, God gave lavishly to us. Share with your children the great joy you get in giving to others. Tell them about times you were more blessed to give than to receive. Your personal example is a powerful teaching tool for your children. Edit your own wants list at this time of year. If your children perceive that you really value getting more than giving, no words will make up for your role model. Instead, search for ways you can lead your family to give to others and truly enjoy the blessing of giving.

2 Serving Changes Kids Children today want to serve others. Christian children have an added motivation to serve. They serve the same God and have the same spiritual gifts as the rest of us. And they've been given the same challenge and promise from God. For children, Acts 1:8 might sound something like this: "You'll be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere -- at home and school, throughout your town, across the country, and to the ends of the earth." As children serve others, they re a light for Jesus. TEACHABLE MOMENTS Opportunities to serve others abound at Christmastime and many are quite easy. Try these ideas with your family: Pay for the person s order in line behind you. Ask the cashier to tell the person it s a gift from God. Lines, lines, lines. People are in such a hurry with Christmas shopping. Encourage your children to help spot someone you ll let go in front of you in line. Volunteer to help an elderly neighbor or friend gift-wrap presents. Then deliver the wrapped packages to the person with a plate of baked goodies. If your family drives around to look at Christmas lights on houses, choose one winning house to give a handmade certificate. Then say thanks for all their hard work to brighten up your Christmas. Give a gift card to the people on your church staff who work overtime at this time of year. Kids benefit from serving others, according to Gordon and Becki West, founders of KidZ Kan! a ministry of KidZ At Heart International ( The Wests cite Children for Children ( a nonprofit organization promoting hands-on volunteerism and giving for kids, that identifies several benefits children reap when they serve. They learn traits such as responsibility, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, selfrespect, self-discipline, selfmotivation, and tolerance. When you teach your child to serve, you re also teaching that child to become a servant for life because children who serve become adults who serve. Consider these statistics from Engaging Youth in Lifelong Service (Independent Sector). Adults who volunteered as children give more money and volunteer more time than adults who began serving later in life. Two-thirds of adult volunteers began serving as children. Across incomes and age groups, those who volunteered as children give and volunteer more than those who didn't. Use these ideas to cultivate a heart for service in your children: Love Language Discuss with your kids how service is doing what someone else needs, not simply doing what we like to do for others. Then ask kids to identify meaningful ways they can show love to your family. Have kids create a service plan for the following week. Share reports at the end of the week. Birthday Party for Jesus Have an "after Christmas" party where your children give their gently used toys to your church s children's ministry or a shelter in honor of Jesus. Toy Wash Your family can help your church s nursery staff by washing toys. Preschoolers and preteens can work together to scrub plastic toys according to your church s nursery policies. Prayer Aware When kids pray for other children, they make a deeper connection to those in need. Have kids choose a world region to learn I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:10-11

3 MEDIA MADNESS MOVIES Title: Free Birds (Released 11/1/2013) Genre: Animated Rating: PG Cast: Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler, Owen Wilson Synopsis: Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must work together to travel back in time to get turkey off the Thanksgiving menu. Our Take: This movie debuted to less than stellar reviews. The most unappetizing elements are the lame wordplay, confusing plotline, forced emotional elements, and weak attempt at social commentary in the end. The movie attempts to compare turkey slayings to the cruelties Native Americans have suffered. This is a movie to say pass on. Games, Sites & Apps Super Mario 3D World This multiplayer Wii game brings Mario fun into a whole new dimension. As with many Nintendo games, the difficulty is scalable so preteens can play alongside adults. Rating Pending RP. Plants vs. Zombies This free app is rated for ages 9 and up in itunes for infrequent mild cartoon violence and mild fear themes. This app is available for almost every system and Smartphone. Caution: In-app purchases can add up quickly. BOOKS Title: A Girl s Guide to Best Friends and Mean Girls (Released 8/2013) Publisher: Harvest House Publishers Summary: Bestselling author Dannah Gresh and youth educator Suzy Weibel have developed this resource that targets the hearts of preteen girls as they grow in and pursue friendships. Our Take: Healthy relationships don t come naturally but with God s Word we learn to love others and create healthy boundaries. Use this book from the Secret Keeper Girl Series to direct your daughters to Jesus example, using interactive activities and practical applications on how to be a good friend. Sonic: Lost World In this Nintendo Wii U and 3DS game, Sonic rescues small animals trapped in machines, all while saving the world from The Deadly Six villains. The art style is cute and kid friendly, featuring levels such as Candy Stage. Expect E- rated, fast-moving fun. This page is designed to help educate parents and isn t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, read, listen to, and play. CULTURE & TRENDS Volunteering Is Good for Your Family (and Heart) A study of 1,100 adults ages 51 to 91 found that those who volunteered at least 200 hours per year were 40 percent less likely to have high blood pressure than those who didn t volunteer. (Relaxnews) QUICK STATS Kids who tend to be more generous begin the trend at age 2, suggesting a genetic preference for giving. But you can help preschoolers without a generous inclination talking with kids about giving raises the probability of giving 18.5%. (Science Daily) Seventy-three percent of kids believe they can make a difference in their communities. We only need to provide opportunities for children to act on this belief. (Children s Ministry Magazine) Those who volunteered as youth and whose parents volunteered became the most generous adults when it comes to giving their time. (Engaging Youth in Lifelong Service--Independent Sector)

4 DECEM- SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 FAMILY WORSHIP EARLY CHILDHOOD CHRISTMAS PROGRAM *meet at 10:10am in EC Worship area. 8 CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT 10:30am *no o Children s Worship st 6 th 1 st th Preteen :00-3:00pm 2 MOM s Life Group 9:00am 9 MOM s Life Group 9:00am Prayer Meeting 7:00pm Prayer Meeting 7:00pm QUIZZING 6 6:50pm MUSICAL REHEARSAL 7 8pm FLC 11 No Quizzing MUSICAL DRESS REHEARSAL 6:45 8:15pm DRESS REHEARSAL 9 11am 15 CHILDREN s MUSICAL 10:30am 22 SPECIAL ADVENT CELEBRATION EBRATION 9 11:30am FAMILY COMMUNION 6-8pm Sanctuary ary 29 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL MOM s Life Group 9:00am Prayer Meeting 7:00pm CHRISTMAS EVE NEW YEAR S EVE 18 QUIZ STORE 6 6:50 pm ALL CHURCH PRAYER TIME 7:00PM (no Children s program 25 CHRISTMAS DAY JESUS BIRTHDAY Food Pantry Distribution 3:30-5:00pm CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

5 Children s Worship Son of God Now this looks funny! Is that a "J" painting? Sure is. And he's got a switch that's turned on. Now you know the name of this book: John (J On)! What's that funny "J" painting? Looks like a sun and the word God. Want to guess what this book called John (J On) is about? Right! The Son (Sun) of God! And who is the Son of God? Right again! It's Jesus. John was another friend of Jesus. In fact, he was probably Jesus' very best friend. John spent a lot of time with Jesus, just like you spend time with your friends. Like three other guys you already read about Matthew, Mark and Luke John wrote a book about his good friend Jesus. John knew that Jesus was very special. He knew Jesus was a man (remember what Luke said?). But John also knew Jesus was more He was God's Son, a special Savior that God sent to forgive people's sins. So now, when you see the big "J" painting, you can remember that this book called John (J On) is about the Son (Sun) of God named Jesus! JOHN LUKE Perfect Man What in the world is that doctor doing? He's looking "Lukeing" to remind you of the name of this book: Luke! See who he's "Lukeing" at? A man who is being judged. The man's scores are a bunch of 10s! That means the man is perfect. The man is Jesus! The book called Luke tells us that Jesus is the Perfect Man. Luke was a doctor. And a very smart doctor besides! Luke knew that Jesus was very special. Why? Because even though Jesus was God's Son, He was also a human being just like you! He had to eat and sleep. He was happy sometimes and sad other times. He had a family and friends. He went a lot of places, meeting new people and helping them. And Jesus died and came back to life so that we could go to heaven and be with God when we die! But Jesus was different too He never did anything wrong! He was the Perfect Man. So what does the picture say? That this book called Luke (Lukeing) is about Jesus, the Perfect Man!

6 Preteens 222 on December 8 th Christmas Dinner at Pastor Brenda s house; bring $10 to shop for needy families Coming soon!!! Wednesday nights in January 2014 Sunday, December 1 Family Sunday No Children s Church Pre-K and Kindergarten Christmas program Sunday, December 8 Adult Choir Program, no Elementary Children s Church; there is Early Childhood Worship Sunday, December 15 Children s Musical, FLC No Children s Church Wednesday, December 18 Quiz Store, 6 6:50 p Intergenerational Prayer service, 7 8 p No Children s programs or Nursery Sunday, December 29 No SS; all Children s Worship will take place January 5 Family Worship Sunday No SS; No Children s Worship Wednesday night, January 8 th Quizzing will resume at 6:00 p.m. Followed by, There s an App for That, from 7 8 p.m. December 22 a 2 ½ hour Advent Journey from 9 11:30 you do not want to miss part of this journey by only coming at 10:30am!

7 Advent As you come to service each Sunday of Advent you will witness the lighting of the Advent Candles and hear the corresponding scripture and explanation of that candle. But, as in all areas of our Christian life it is the daily walk, in our homes and with our families that most effect our children. Here are a few ideas for you to share Advent, everyday from December 1 Christmas Day, with your families. These are just suggestions, I am sure you will come up with many of your own I d love to hear about them! Use these along with reading the scriptures on your child s Advent cards. I can pretty much guarantee that if you read the scripture, and practice a daily habit of Advent you will see a difference in your family this season! Pastor Debbie Visit an elderly home and hand out homemade cookies. Serve a red and green themed meal Take a few small gifts to a shelter for women and children Drive to a store that has a Salvation Army bell ringer just to donate & take them some hot chocolate Visit a local farm and talk about what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph to have a baby in a stable Take a plate of cookies and a homemade Christmas card to your doctor s office, library, church office, and/or dentist office. Use What God Wants for Christmas Christmas in their hands, in their hearts, and out of the box (also recommended by a friend) Make (or draw inside) thank you cards that are ready to be filled out after Christmas. Make edible Christmas trees out of up-side-down ice cream cones, green frosting, and sprinkles Invite a few friends over for a cookie decorating party. Read the Christmas story in the Bible.. Write a letter to Jesus, thanking him for the gifts you received throughout the year. Hang some mistletoe and give out kisses. Make a paper garland to hang on the tree, over a door, or in the kids bedroom. Visit a few friends houses to sing Christmas carols and hand out candy canes. Hop in the car in your jammies and drive around to look at the Christmas lights. Check out books from the library about how people celebrate Christmas in other nations. Decorate a Christmas card for your teacher, Sunday School teacher, or favorite babysitter. Make paper snowflakes to hang from the kids bedroom ceiling. Make (or draw inside) thank you cards that are ready to be filled out after Christmas. Make homemade play dough in red and green. Make a pinecone bird feeder and attach a little note that says, Merry Christmas birdies! Let everyone in the family choose a country and then Google to see how they celebrate Christmas there. Pull out mattresses and have a family slumber party under the tree. Choose your favorite photos for a family year book Draw names and write a love note for a family member. Leave them out on Christmas Eve for Santa to distribute into their stocking. Get out a Christmas songbook and sing a few carols before nap time and bed time

8 Nursery Several years ago I read that a child s concept of God is formed by the time they reach 5 years of age. That fact has stuck with me down through the years, and is a driving force in my personal desire, and commitment to see young children taught about our loving Heavenly Father & how much He loves them (the children). At Kankakee First our children are in the Nursery Department from birth through age 3 years.meaning, 3 of the 5 years of God-concept-formation happen in this department! Here is a brief look at how our Nursery Department s teaches your child about God: One Bible story is taught for the entire month; same story each week but a different emphasis or activity to reinforce the story (craft; fingerplay; song) Children s Bible songs are played throughout the morning on DVD s while the children are playing Beginning in January we will have a special storyteller with a story blanket who will come to the class to share each week. We will also be posting what the Bible lesson is about at the check-in, and in this newsletter so you are spiritual role models for your child can discuss the story at home throughout the week. In my ideal world we would have 1 main teacher who commits to that classroom each Sunday (second choice 1 teacher for an entire month). If adults enjoy having one teacher each week, and not someone different every time they enter a class imagine how much more little ones, who are already separated from their parents, enjoy this consistency?! As we continue to minister to your little ones, we ask you to partner with us in prayer; by teaching at home; by serving in the Nursery. You have been given a precious gift that too quickly will grow and be gone, delight in that gift and share your faith! Pastor Debbie