Sunday March 25, 2012

Kidz Express is a place where we are dedicated to doing 2 things; helping volunteers explore their giftings through practical ministry and helping the children experience the love of God in a powerful, authentic and personal way. Right now we are currently looking for 12 people to join our team and help see these goals accomplished. If you are interested in Test Driving or for more information about raising up the youngest generation, please contact me at robhagstrom@elimgospel.org.

In the grade school class this Sunday we are going to be discussing Palm Sunday and the triumphal entry.
1s and 2s: This month’s lesson is about the story of Easter and how much God loves us
3s: This week’s lesson is about the birth of God’s Son Jesus
4s: This week’s lesson is about God creating the plants of the earth
5s: This week’s lesson is about Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep

April & May

Parentz-
Here's a heads up on some dates you want to put in your calendar for the next several weeks!

Summer Participation:

1. We are currently looking for 12 adults to Test Drive in the nursery or preschool rooms on Sunday mornings from now until October. No training necessary, we will train and equip you to successfully minister to the youngest generation and help them experience Christ's transforming LOVE.
2. If you are interested in Test Driving or serving in this or another capacity, contact me, Pastor Rob at 585-624-5560 or robhagstrom@elimgospel.org. 

Pancake Breakfast:

1. Pancake Breakfast sales are currently under way. For every ticket your child sells, $3.50 will go towards their cost of Camp Judah. Pick up information and a packet at the table in the Kid's Lobby Sunday mornings now until April 29, or call the church office for more information. 
2. The Pancake Breakfast event is Saturday, May 5 from 9-10:30am at the EBI cafeteria. 

Kidz Quest:

1. No KQ Sunday April 8 for Easter.
2. Pajama Party Invite Night. Your grade schoolers are challenged to invite a friend (or several) to join us at Kidz Quest Sunday, April 29. We are going to have an awesome night of fun, games, and a special treat.
3. No KQ Sunday May 13 for Mother's Day.

Camp Judah:
Registrations and camp info will be available April 22 in the Kid's Lobby.
Camp Judah is $169 and is June 24-29 for ages 8-12

Prophecy???

As we close out our series on Jonah, we are going to be talking about what it means to be a prophet of God and what prophecy is. After church today ask your grade schoolers what are the 3 things that 1 Cor. 14:3 says about prophecy (it is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort others). After we talk about what prophecy is, how God speaks to us, and who is allowed to prophecy (all should desire the gift of prophecy), then we will take some time to get with a partner and ask God for a word for them.

Take some time with your kids this week and pray for each member of your family, asking God, "What is Your favorite thing about [this person]?" Then write it down and share it with them.

3s Lesson: Will learn how God helped David to defeat the giant Goliath.

4s Lesson:  Will learn about Joseph forgiving his brothers when they came to him in Egypt.

5s Lesson: Will learn how God used a talking donkey to get Balaam’s attention.

Kidz Express

This week your elementary age children are invited to hear our special guest speaker, David Clark. Mr. Clark is going to be sharing with us out of the life of Jonah and how God is "The God of Another Chance."

Understanding Your 2nd & 3rd Graders

(This is the seventh of an 8 part series on Understanding Your Youngster. Check back each week for helpful, age specific information on how to help your child's spiritual development and creating a godly foundation.)

"In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings." Ann Landers

I'm a second or third grader. Welcome to my world. I'm gaining confidence and competence. I want life to be fair and rules are important. I enjoy doing real-life tasks. Walk with me and see what I'm learning and what I like to do.

• I ask increasing questions about the Bible and God and heaven. How can God be everywhere and see everything? How does God answer everyone's prayer?
• I enjoy hearing and learning Bible stories.
• I am beginning to reason logically in a concrete matter. 
• I accept that God made everything.
• I am learning: God wants me to grow and become like Jesus. I can trust God no matter what. God wants me to develop my talents. God is all powerful. I can pray anytime, anywhere and about anything. 
• I experience God's love through friends, teachers and leaders in my community at church.
• I like to work for an immediate reward. 
• I have an increased ability to solve problems. 
• I understand more deeply what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus.
• I understand cause and effect.
• Listen to my questions, give honest answers and assure me of God's love.
• I am beginning to inconsistencies between people's words and their actions. 
• I am beginning to understand symbols and their meanings. 

"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." Charles Swindoll

(Information pulled from Willow Creek's "Thought You'd Like to Know" series.)

It's All About Me

This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen... Then the LORD said... "Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness,[a] not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?””

So here's the question, do you want to live your life being selfish and focusing on all the things that you want or trying to make sure that things are always fair, or do you want to live a life of purpose, the life that God intends for you to live where you can change other peoples lives and not get caught up in the silly things in life but change eternity for other people. God made you for a special reason and you can either be like Jonah and pout and through a fit when God does a miracle that you don't like, or you can be like Jesus and the disciples who said, "it may not be easy but God made me for a reason and I want to find out what that reason is.

2s Lesson: This month’s lesson is about Jesus using a boy’s lunch to feed thousands.

3s Lesson: We will learn about Jesus calming a storm.

4s Lesson:  We will learn about Joseph and his jealous brothers.

5s Lesson:  We will learn about Satan tempting Adam and Eve in the garden.

Understanding Your K's & 1st Graders

(This is the sixth of an 8 part series on Understanding Your Youngster. Check back each week for helpful, age specific information on how to help your child's spiritual development and creating a godly foundation.)

"If you want to see what children can do, you must stop giving them things." Norman Douglas

Hi, I'm in kindergarten or first grade. Welcome to my world! I enjoy attention from others but I'm often self-conscious. I'm learning how to read and write. Join me and see what I'm learning and what I like to do!

• Give me opportunities to explore and discover things I can do alone and with others. 
• I need clear, simple directions with modeling. 
• Listen to my questions, give honest answers and assure me of God's love. 
• I am beginning to understand the concept of what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus.
• I accept that God is everywhere all the time but I am perplexed because I can't see Him. 
• I understand the difference between a need and a want.
• I enjoy hearing stories about friends of God/Jesus from the New and Old Testament and accept them as true. 
• Share your faith stories with me. They help me form and shape my beliefs, values and behaviors. 
• I can learn such truths as: The Bible is God's book. It tells us about God, His promises and how we should love Him and love others. God is the creator of the world and everything in it. God is loving. 
• Consistent Adult leaders help me understand and experience God's unconditional love and commitment. 
• Give me ongoing encouragement that I have what it takes to learn.
• Give me chores. They let me know I have something to contribute and am part of the family. They teach me responsibility and give me skills for a lifetime. 
• I am beginning to see inconsistencies between people's words and their actions.
• I understand that prayer is talking and listening to God and believe that He hears our prayers. 

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." Frank Adams

(Information pulled from Willow Creek's "Thought You'd Like to Know" series.)