Sunday, December 22 our Kids are Singing!

Reminder:

Children ages 4 thru 6th grade are singing a few Christmas songs during the service THIS Sunday. Please have your children arrive at the following times below...

3rd-6th graders- Arrive at 9:40 and meet in the sanctuary

4 year olds-2nd graders- Arrive at 9:50 and meet in the Kindergarten Classroom

We are hoping to run through all the songs once more before the service, so please be prompt! 

Thank you for your help and participation :)

The Promised One

The Promised One -- Isaac/Jesus

Wednesday, December 18th & Sunday, December 22nd

Key Passage: Genesis 121:1-7 (also Gen. 22:1-14 in grades 3-6)

Basic Truth: Grace is a gift from God. 

Memory Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Think about it: 

A young mother-to-be forced, by the edict of a heartless government, to make a hazardous overland journey in the very last weeks of her pregnancy.  Her husband, financially strapped and facing the possibility of an “on the road” delivery of the baby, with neither shelter nor friendly help…

What kept them going, day after day and mile after mile?  Their implicit trust in their faithful God, who had given them unique messages concerning the child she carried; their God who down through the centuries had challenged their ancestors with both commands and promises. This couple’s own trust and obedience was anchored in the faithfulness of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: “…God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light…”  (Titus 1:2-3) 

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Why does God save us by grace, not works? 

A: No one could do the works required; instead, we must trust God's undeserved kindness. 

Grade 1-2

Q: Why did God give Abraham and Sarah a son?

A: Because He said He would! God was faithfully carrying out His plan to send the Messiah as one of Abraham's descendants.

Grade 3-4

Q: How does the story of Isaac remind us of the Messiah?

A: Both were a long-awaited fulfillment of God's promise to grace. Both were to become a sacrifice. God provided a substitute for Isaac, Jesus became the substitute. 

Grade 5-6

Q: Why is the story of Isaac really about God? 

A: The story of Isaac shows God's control, His grace, His faithfulness and His plan to provide Jesus, the Messiah to die as our subtitute. It's all about God. 

Family Activities:

1) Encourage each family member to write a letter to Jesus as your Christmas gift to Him. Record the letter in your journals.

2) Discuss specific ways you can make Jesus the center of your holiday celebration.

To see all of Lesson 15 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

God's Promises to Abraham

God's Promises to Abraham

Wednesday, December 11th & Sunday, December 15th

Key Passage: Genesis 12:1-7; 15:5-6; 16,17 & 18

Basic Truth: Mankind does not deserve God's kindness

Memory Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Think about it: 

From the “grace period” when we are late in paying a bill, to the kindly police officer who may not write an expected ticket, we all like receiving grace.  We don’t deserve it, and only our pride and foolishness can cause us to think that we have some right to it.

Jesus shed His blood on the cross to make it possible for God’s grace to cover our sins. And His promises of blessing speak to us of “grace in advance”.  Only our Creator can make sure prophetic promises.  He calls on us to believe Him, and to respond to the daily direction of the Holy Spirit who leads us to see those promises being fulfilled as we walk each day by faith.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command… I have called you friends….” (John 15:13, 15)

Take time to consider the greatness of God’s undeserved kindness!!

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What is grace?

A: Grace is God's undeserved kindness to sinners. 

Grade 1-2

Q: What did God plan to do for Abraham?

A: God planned to bless Abraham by making his descendants a great nation. From that nation the Messiah would be born.

Grade 3-4

Q: Why do we need God's grace? 

A: We are all underserving sinners, separated from God. We are completely helpless without God's grace.

Grade 5-6

Q: What is the proper response to God's gracious promises? 

A: God expects us to trust Him and to believe what He says. True faith makes us acceptable to God and causes us to obey Him. 

Family Activities:

1) "Faith Walk"--would you trust your family to blindfold you and lead you through the house or yard? Try it!

2) Discuss times you have walked in faith, knowing that God was leading.

To see all of Lesson 14 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

Don't forget, help us Fill the Sack!

We are raising money to be used by Encompass to fill sacks with clothing that will be distributed to people in the Central African Republic providing relief for the men, women and children affected by the recent violence and political instability.

Donations will be collected on:

Wednesday December 4th, 11th, and 18th

Please send donations with your child to their class during Family Night. Donations will be collected in their classroom. Don't have a child attending classes? Send your donation with any child 4 years thru 6th grade.