FAMILY NEWSLETTER JAN 12 - FEB 9

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1 ONE BIG CHURCH FAMILY NEWSLETTER JAN 12 - FEB 9 THE CREEDS OF OUR FAITH This year we are focusing on teaching some foundations of our faith. Most of our story choices have been based around the Apostles Creed. This rotation focuses on teaching from the following statement of faith: I believe in the holy Catholic Church and in the communion of saints Or as we like to paraphrase it for kids: I believe everyone who follows Jesus is part of one BIG church We hope that in this rotation kids will be able to: Recognize that they are a part of God s big church Embrace that God s people are all unique and that they worship Him in a wide variety of ways Empower children to pray for believers across the world Know that God is doing great things in the world and the work of Jesus isn t just in the Bible - it continues today! We recognize that this is one BIG topic and that we will not be able to cover even a fraction of the stories or lessons we could learn about God s church around the world. We hope that as kids adventure through their workshops, the lessons will serve as an introduction to God s story that continues today. STORIES IN FOCUS: DANIEL 3 JOHN 4 MATTHEW 5:14-16 MEMORY VERSE We encourage families to make scripture memorization a priority in their faith journey! Consider implementing an incentive program as a family to encourage your children in their memorization journey. This can be as simple as a sticker chart or even include prizes or special family activity rewards. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 VOLUNTEER WITH US We are always looking for volunteers to help with teaching, buddying and general supervision. If you haven t yet signed up to help out, are willing to sign up again or would like some more information please let us know. We have plenty of short-term opportunities that suit a wide variety of skills, interests or abilities. Contact Amy Thiessen, our Street 2:52 Volunteer Coordinator for more info! Have a question? Want to volunteer for an upcoming rotation? Want to make a suggestion? Get in touch with the Street 2:52 leadership team: street252@zbcc.ca

2 WHERE AM I GOING? PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN GRADE 1-3 GIRLS GRADE 1-3 BOYS GRADE 4-6 JAN 12 KICK-OFF: ONE BIG CHURCH All ages together in Chapel. JAN 12 JAN 19 LOAVES & FISHES WOMAN AT THE FISHERMANS. NET BIBLE TIMES SQUARE JAN 19 FISHERMANS. NET FISHERMANS. NET JAN 26 FISHERMANS.NET JAN 26 LOAVES & FISHES FEB 2 BIBLE TIMES SQUARE FEB 2 COMMUNION SUNDAY All children join their families for a worship time. Parents, keep your eyes and ears open for a special presentation from Street 2:52. FEB 9 BIBLE TIMES SQUARE WOMAN AT THE FEB 9 ONE BIG CHURCH - WRAP UP All ages together in Chapel. CURRENT VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE Loaves & Fishes Steph Christensen the Well Hailey Crump Thou Art Studio Sunja Kahler Soul Station Chris Weston Chapel Melinda Elgot Fishermans.Net Jennell Bertsch Thou Art Deanna Fuellbrandt Bible Times Square Leslie Fithen Kick-Off Andrea Anderst Wrap-Up Andrea Anderst, Joelle Bakker, Jennell Bertsch Preschool Buddy Jennifer Winters Hall Monitor Ruth Laflech Hall Monitor Heather Unger

3 MORE TID-BITS FOOD ALERT Listed below are the foods that will appear during this rotation. If your child has allergies, sensitivities or restrictions, it is the parent s responsibility to provide an alternative food option. If you have any further concerns please talk with Andrea or Marla at least one week prior to the session of concern. WRAP-UP: Children at the wrap-up will be making and tasting a tasty treat from the Philpines. Flour Bananas Oil Sugar FRIENDLY REMINDER Please make sure that your kids are ready for their workshops by: Arriving on time Taking your child for a washroom break before the workshop begins (especially young ones) Providing a snack for your child before the 11:00 service workshop - snacks are generally not provided at Street 2:52 Reminding your child to bring their Bible (particularly important for children Grade 1-6). If your child does not own a Bible please let us know, we would be happy to provide one for them. Leaving toys or other distracting items at home or with a parent PARENT/VOLUNTEER DESSERT NIGHT Monday, Feb 7:30pm On Street 2:52, we are passionate about kids getting to know Jesus and developing a life-long relationship with Him. Each Sunday, volunteers and parents help to make that passion a reality. We want to make sure that each volunteer or parent involved in Street 2:52 feels like they are on the same team - a team dedicated to mentoring and caring for the kids of Zion. If you have kids in Street 2:52, serve as a volunteer in any capacity or are interested in getting involved - this night is for you! The evening will include: A quick review of how the rotation model works and why we ve chosen it A look at the long-term teaching goals for a child journeying through Street 2:52: what they ll learn, teaching strategies and weekly goals so that parents know what their kids are learning and volunteers are aware of the part they play in the process Samples of curriculum/lessons to view Focused prayer time to pray for the kids, the program and each other as volunteers A chance to ask questions and connect with others involved in the program Treats! PLEASE RSVP (street252@zbcc.ca) by January 31st.

4 BIBLE STORY BACKGROUND OVERVIEW OF WORKSHOPS AND OBJECTIVES: Throughout an entire rotation children learn through a variety of learning styles, repetition and varying story viewpoints. The entire rotation is designed to increase memory retention, dig deep into scripture and inspire a long term faith journey. This rotation is a little unique for Street 2:52 as we are exploring the BIG topic of God s BIG Church. To get the best view of the overall teaching objectives, we ve broken them down by workshop for you to see. KICKOFF The Christian Church is bigger than you think! Over the 2000 years since Jesus chose his small band of disciples in the Roman province of Judea, it has grown into a family of over two billion believers, who today can be found in every country of the world. The kick-off will include a presentation that takes a peek at churches all over the world. Kids will learn that they are all a part of the same BIG church - CROSSES Around the world today the cross is, arguably, the one universally recognized symbol of the Christian faith, but this unifying sign for diverse Christian communities has been decorated and interpreted to convey particular faith stories that are dear to the community from which they come. Children will explore how Christians around the world relate to Jesus through creating their very own cultural representations of the cross. - PRAYER CANDLES Kids will learn how candles represent Christ and are often used in worship. They will also be reminded about how Christians are lights for the world. Children will create and take home prayer candles to remind them to let their light shine brightly and to spend time in prayer for believers around the world. Students will read from: John 8:12 (When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Matthew 5:14-16 ( You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.) - MUSIC Raising voices in praise to God is a common form of worship across the world. Kids will join with the voices of the nations as they learn a worship song in a different language! Kids will be presenting their song during the 11:00 service on February 2nd. You can watch the video that inspired this workshop on youtube. Just search for Chris Tomlin s How Great is Our God - World Edition Children will travel around the world through participation in worship practices traditional to a variety of cultures. They will learn different ways that cultures greet each other during times of worship, how church services are started and even explore some unique styles of prayer.

5 Bible Times Square This fun station will help kids to learn ways that they are similar or different from other children around the world with cultural games. These cultural games will also provide an opportunity to learn about countries where Christians are often persecuted for their beliefs. Students will join together in prayer for children in each country featured. FISHERMANS.NET Children will begin by hearing the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as written in Daniel 3. This story will help to introduce the theme of persecution as children then hear real life stories of Christians persecuted for their beliefs. Kids will have a chance to pray for each of these countries as they are also inspired by the faith of each believer they hear about - BIBLE STORY EXPERIENCE Children will meet and hear from the Samaritan woman as they learn about Jesus love spreading beyond the Jewish community. The Samaritan woman will teach them about her encounter with Jesus as written in John chapter 4. A special focus is on Jesus being living water for all people. CHECK IT OUT LOOKING TO LEARN MORE AS A FAMILY? Check out Kids of Courage resources help parents and educators teach children ages 5 to 13 about persecuted Christians around the world, and provide opportunities for the children to serve and pray for them. The Kids of Courage blog is updated frequently and includes feature stories, current news from countries where Christianity is restricted; crafts, activities, and recipes; suggestions from readers; interviews with VOM workers and Christians in restricted countries; projects to help the persecuted church; stories from past heroes of the faith; facts about other countries and religions; and encouragement for readers to become Kids of Courage. More than 8 years of past web posts are available in the Archives section. There are even free activity books! The Download section includes activity books with 40+ pages of stories, color photos, activities, and cultural information about one topic or country. The Learning About Islam book helps parents and teachers share the truth about Islam from a Christian perspective with students age 8 and up. And don t forget to check out the videos! The video section features a variety of VOM video clips, generally appropriate for children, and clips from animated Torchlighters DVDs about past heroes of the Christian faith. (Please preview any DVDs or video clips before showing them to younger children.

6 2014 WINTER/SPRING SCHEDULE Looking to plan ahead or know what s happening on a certain Sunday? Here is the official Street 2:52 schedule for January - June 2014! The year on Street 2:52 has been focusing on some creeds of the Christian faith taught through stories in the Bible. We have covered: I Believe that there is one true God Elijah & the Prophets of Baal I Believe that God is the creator of Heaven and Earth - Creation Story I Believe in Jesus, God s son, born of Mary - Christmas Story We will be covering: I Believe in the universal church - Exploring God s Big Church around the world I Believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again - Jesus Trial and Resurrection I Believe that through Jesus my sins will be forgiven and I will have new life - Saul & the Road to Damascus I Believe in the Holy Spirit Pentecost I Believe that all people can have life everlasting - Great Commission You will also notice in the schedule below additional opportunities for you to attend the 11:00 service together as a family. This decision was made intentionally so that families can worship together and children can learn to participate in a church service so that their faith experience is developed in a more well-rounded manner. JANUARY 12 - & 11 - One Big Church 19 - & 11 - One Big Church 26 - & 11 - One Big Church FEBRUARY One Big Church 11 - Family Service (Kids will be performing special music) 9 - & 11 - One Big Church 16 - Family Camp - No Street 2: & 11 - Saul MARCH Saul 11 - Family Service 9 - & 11 - Saul 16 - & 11 - Saul 23 - & 11 - Jesus Trial 30 - & 11 - Jesus Trial APRIL Jesus Trial 11 - Family Service 13 - & 11 - Jesus Trial 20 - Easter - No Street 2: & 11 - Pentecost MAY 4 - & 11 - Pentecost 11 - & 11 - Pentecost 18 - Long Weekend - No Street 2: & 11 Great Commission JUNE Great Commission 11 - Family Service 8 - & 11 Great Commission Great Commission 11 - Year End Party