Advent Day 1

Hope... expectation... waiting for something to be fulfilled... today is the day we remember the hope they had long ago that the Messiah, the one who would rescue them, would be there soon.

If you haven't done so already, talk as a family about how you are going to spend the days of Advent. I am spending them surprising my husband with little gifts each day. As we prepare to spend our first Christmas together. It doesn't have to be that big or exciting but even an Advent calendar helps to remind us each day of the hope we have in Christ our Savior.

Preparing for Advent

Advent is the first season in the church calendar. It marks the beginning of our church year. Advent has become a time of buying gifts, baking cookies and running ourselves ragged. While preparing to celebrate is certainly an appropriate response to the anticipated coming of God incarnate (become human), the true meaning of Advent is inward reflection, repentance of sins, and preparing our souls to meet Christ, the Redeemer. The season of Advent gives us a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of our families. To provide traditions and memories that bond families together while giving each member a chance to enrich their own spiritual lives.

One way we can do this is through the making of an Advent Calendar. It is a way to count down till Christ’s birthday. An idea for an Advent Calendar:
http://new.catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/2010_advent_chain.pdf

Another way is to make a family Advent wreath. This is a way that families can gather each night and have a devotion about the coming of Christ. An Advent wreath is made from greens to symbolize continuous life and contains four candles— three purple and one rose. Often a fifth candle (white) is added to the center of the wreath for lighting on Christmas Eve, in celebration of the birth of Jesus. (http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas_advent.htm)

First Sunday of advent : Hope
light one purple candle to symbolize Hope
Prayer
Read Isaiah 60:2-3
Extinguish the flame

Second Sunday : Peace
Light two purple candles - Hope and Peace
Prayer
Read Mark 1:4
Extinguish the flames

Third Sunday : Joy
Light two purple candles (Hope and Peace)
and one rose to symbolize Joy
Prayer
Read Isaiah 35:10
Extinguish the flames

Fourth Sunday: Love
light all four candles - Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
Prayer
Read Isaiah 9:6-7
Extinguish the flames

Christmas Eve
After Sunset...
Light all four candles and add the fifth white candle
(the light of Christ)
Prayer
Read Luke 1:68-79 and Luke 2:1-20
Keep the candles lit a bit longer, or safely
throughout the evening.

Kidz News

Some children's ministry events coming soon:

Shadman's Birthday is November 30th! On November 28th we will be celebrating his birthday by having a birthday party. The first and second grade class is opening up a cupcake bar after first service for anyone who would like to come to their room and decorate their own cupcake.

Girls Night Out! Friday, December 3rd. 6p.m. - 8:30p.m. Fun Girly Movies, Crafts,Pizza, Snacks and great friends. Cost $5.00/person. Childcare available for 2 and under. Please RSVP to Lisa Michelle Wilson. 797-2651

Christmas Pageant December 12th both services. We will have a Christmas party for children of all ages during the kids worship time.

Family Christmas Movie Night! Wednesday, December 22 4:00 p.m. Room 208/209 Pizza, Soft Drinks, popcorn and other goodies will be provided. We’ll also be doing fun Christmas Crafts and activities! Can’t wait to see you there!

Preschool Kids Worship
Starting this Sunday Kids Worship will be a little different for kids ages 3 - 5. They will be having their own worship time in the nursery area. They will have a lesson, craft and song time that is specific for their age group.

Children's Missions - Room in the Inn
This year each guest at Room in the Inn will find a handwritten card containing an encouraging verse of Scripture on his pillow each week. Ask your children--they may have made a card or two already in Sunday School. We thought families might like to participate in this project together, so we have put together take-home bags that contain a suggested verse and 5 cards. If you are interested, please pick up a bag from the 1st/2nd grade Sunday School classroom, write the verse on the cards, decorate them, pray for the recipients, and return them to Barry Prince. Our guests always enjoy seeing the kids' artwork (because it's awesome!). They will be blessed by your sharing God's word and His love in this way. Thanks!

Kids Worship

Starting this Sunday we will be dividing the children into age groups during the Kids Worship time. The preschoolers (children ages 3, 4 and 5's that are not in K) will meet downstairs in the nursery area and the elementary children will meet in room 208-209. Andrew Kimbrough started this a few weeks back during the second service. Starting this week we will divide into two groups for both services. This is to give both age groups age appropriate stories, crafts, and music. This week Susan Holt will be leading the preschoolers during first service and Andrew Kimbrough will be leading second service.

Opportunity to serve Room in the Inn

This year each guest at Room in the Inn will find a handwritten card containing an encouraging verse of Scripture on his pillow each week. Ask your children--they may have made a card or two already in Sunday School. We thought families might like to participate in this project together, so we have put together take-home bags that contain a suggested verse and 5 cards. If you are interested, please pick up a bag from the 1st/2nd grade Sunday School classroom, write the verse on the cards, decorate them, pray for the recipients, and return them to Barry Prince. Our guests always enjoy seeing the kids' artwork (because it's awesome!). They will be blessed by your sharing God's word and His love in this way. Thanks!

Halloween Safety Tips

TIPS FOR KEEPING HALLOWEEN SAFE

When walking in neighborhoods:

Go to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses.
Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant.
Consider using face paint instead of a mask; as masks can obstruct a child's vision.
Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks and avoid crossing yards.

For parents:

Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.
Drive Slowly.
Watch for children in the street and on medians.
Have children get out of cars on the curb side, not the traffic side.

Halloween Safety

A fun Halloween Treat to Make

Children's Sabbath - Downtown Sanctuary

Children's Sabbath is this Sunday Oct. 24!

Both services

Kids and families will be helping out with different parts of the service.

Our children's choirs and chimes will be presenting some of the pieces that they have been working on.

See you Sunday!