March 16th, 2014 Push Out into Deep Water

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Mark off days on our Lent Calendar
5:10 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Lent Countdown Calendar: For Lent we'll be using our countdown calendar to help the kids understand how we are moving through the season. Cross off the days leading up to your day, and then ask the kids if they've done anything in their own families to celebrate lent. (Lauren will provide)

Music Suggestions: This weeks music leader is Greg Reach out to him and see if there are a few songs you can connect with for the kids. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: Each week of Lent, MCC is posting sounds of prayer and worship from around the world. "This week, we bring you a prayer in Afrikaans from Connie Jood, one of MCC’s Regional Peace Network associates in South Africa and part of South Africa’s Anglican church. She stresses that in her tradition Lent is a time for fasting and prayer. “Fasting for us is giving up some pleasures (e.g sweets) and giving the money to the church. We extinguish a candle every week to remind us how our sin puts us in darkness. We are encouraged to pray more, drawing close to God,” she says. (MCC website)

Click HERE for the full link. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

As we head towards the season of Lent, lets look at the life of Jesus. Ask the kids to recap what they remember from last week, you may want to refresh yourself as well. Today we are reading Luke 5:1-11

Remember that our job is simply to create a safe space for dialogue. Some fun ways to do this are by:

• having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways we can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: This season we're trying to find different Lenten traditions from each country or region that we are praying for. Lets gather some beads and think of creative patterns to make beautiful jewelry just like many South African craftspeople do.

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

March 9th, 2014 Jesus is Tested

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Mark off days on our Lent Calendar
5:10 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Lent Countdown Calendar: For Lent we'll be using our countdown calendar to help the kids understand how we are moving through the season. Cross off the days leading up to your day, and then ask the kids if they've done anything in their own families to celebrate lent. (Lauren will provide)

Music Suggestions: This weeks music leader is Dan Snook  Reach out to him and see if there are a few songs you can connect with for the kids. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: Each week of Lent, MCC is posting sounds of prayer and worship from around the world. "This week, we bring you a song from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where worship and prayers of petition and praise have been a critical part of how Haitians have responded to the Jan. 12 earthquake. As you listen to these Haitian Creole words to the familiar song, “Because He Lives,” sung by MCC Haiti staff, we invite you to remember Haitian families and churches now and in your prayers this week."

Click HERE for the link. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

As we head towards the season of Lent, lets look at the life of Jesus. Ask the kids to recap what they remember from last week, you may want to refresh yourself as well. Today we are reading Luke 4

Remember that our job is simply to create a safe space for dialogue. Some fun ways to do this are by:

• having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways we can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: This season we're trying to find different Lenten traditions from each country or region that we are praying for. Lets make these awesome Haitian Crosses. Click HERE for how to make them. 

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

March 2nd, 2014 Preparing for Lent

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: The music leaders have been really great about including us in their weekly emails regarding their song list. See if you can pull one or two from there. If you don't recognize the songs, reach out and contact the music leader to learn one. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: Lets pray for a friend who needs something. It could be as big as a place to live, or simply a little more fun in their lives. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions: I want us to pause for a minute this week and prep the kids for Lent. This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and some of the kids are going to see their parents come home with ash on their foreheads. 

1. Ask the kids if they have heard of Lent before. 
2. Ask them to tell you what they know.
3. Fill things in with this short kid friendly explanation:

• Lent follows Jesus from his adult ministry, through his journey to the cross during Holy Week, to his crucifixion and death on Good Friday, and then resurrection on Easter Sunday. 
• There are 40 days from this coming Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) until Easter Sunday. The Sundays in between are not included, since Sundays are always the weekly anniversary of the Resurrection and exempt from fasting.
• Lent is about making life simpler so that we may be more focused on Jesus and his journey. Often fasting a meal or specific food, or giving up something that we would consider a luxury is a way to simplify thing and help us focus. Other consider adding things, like more prayer time or volunteer work to serve others.
• Ask kids what they think about this, and if they would consider giving something up. We of course do not require that they give something up, but I think the conversation is worth having. www.sundayschoollessons.com 
• This Wednesday many of the adults will be coming to Circle for a special gathering time called Ash Wednesday. We put ashes on our heads to remind us that we came from the ground and will go back to the ground. Our ashes are the burned palms from last year, as is tradition. 
• Today we are going to draw with charcoals, which are made out of compressed ash. 

Art Making/Process Suggestions: Today we are simply going to draw with charcoal pencils. These are made out of pressed ash and remind us that Ash Wednesday is coming up this week. Lay out a large piece of paper on the floor, or tape it up on the wall, then encourage kids to make shapes, lines, drawings, whatever they want. I'm hoping using a new medium will make things fun. Some kids may need boundaries, you can do this by taping off sections on the floor where they sit or sand. Make sure you use smocks! and maybe have a bucket of water with paper towels near by. Lauren will provide the materials. 

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

February 23rd, 2014 "A Baptism of Life-Change".

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: The music leaders have been really great about including us in their weekly emails regarding their song list. See if you can pull one or two from there. If you don't recognize the songs, reach out and contact the music leader to learn one. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

As we head towards the season of Lent, lets look at the life of Jesus. Ask the kids to recap what they remember, you may want to refresh yourself as well. Today we are reading Luke 3:1-22

Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged. Ask them to pay attention for something, a word, a character, a pattern of some kind, etc.

• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For February lets restock some playdough options for the kids. Lauren will buy large plastic containers to store things in. This week you and the kids will make some Cloud Play dough. HERE is one recipe to try. Collaborate with your partner to gather materials for the recipe. 

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

February 16th, 2014 "They Found Him in the Temple"

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: The music leaders have been really great about including us in their weekly emails regarding their song list. See if you can pull one or two from there. If you don't recognize the songs, reach out and contact the music leader to learn one. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

We just finished the story of Jonah and has we head towards the season of Lent, lets look at the life of Jesus. Ask the kids to recap what they remember, you may want to refresh yourself as well. Today we are reading Luke 2:41-52

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged. Ask them to pay attention for something, a word, a character, a pattern of some kind, etc.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For February lets restock some playdough options for the kids. Lauren will buy large plastic containers to store things in. This week you and the kids will make some Chocolate Pudding Play dough. HERE is one recipe to try. Collaborate with your partner to gather materials for the recipe. 

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

February 9, 2014 Jonah Chapter 4

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: The music leaders have been really great about including us in their weekly emails regarding their song list. See if you can pull one or two from there. If you don't recognize the songs, reach out and contact the music leader to learn one. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

We are reading the story of Jonah. Remind our kids that the story of Jonah happens before Jesus comes, and so many ways that God makes decisions pre-dates Jesus's salvation. Talk to your team mates if you'd like to process this a bit more.  Ask the kids to recap what they remember, you may want to refresh yourself as well. Today we are reading Jonah Chapter 4.

• Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged. Ask them to pay attention for something, a word, a character, a pattern of some kind, etc.
• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For February lets restock some playdough options for the kids. Lauren will buy large plastic containers to store things in. This week you and the kids will make some Gak. HERE is one recipe to try. Collaborate with your partner to gather materials for the recipe. 

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

February 2nd, 2014 Jonah Chapter 3

Kids PM Time Schedule (4pm-6:30pm)

4-4:45 Prep

4:45 Meet & Greet/Centers

5:05 Sing a song to gather for worship

5:07 Worship with Song & Dance

5:20 Pass the Peace and Go around

5:25 Solidarity Prayer

5:30 Ages 3-5 go to Snack & and then outside

for Art Making & Game Centers.

Ages 6-10 sit for Snack/Readings & Dialogue

5:50  Ages 6-10 join Art Making & Game Centers outside.

Center Time (Games, Building, Books, Art Center):

These do not necessarily need to be connected to the theme of the evening. Rather than have each center totally wide open, select a few things you would like the kids to play with. If they want to swap out for a new activity, they must first clean up the old one. Give kids a heads up to let them know what time they will be called to gather for worship.

If you want, check out some of our links for coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.

Gathering Time suggestions: Think of a fun way to round up the kids (sing a song, clap your hands in a call and response, flash the lights). Show and tell kids how and where to gather.

Music Suggestions: The music leaders have been really great about including us in their weekly emails regarding their song list. See if you can pull one or two from there. If you don't recognize the songs, reach out and contact the music leader to learn one. You can also find links to our new COH albums and COH music log to the right on this blog.

Pass the Peace & Go around suggestions: Take a moment to have kids pass the peace to each other. Maybe think of a fun way for kids to do that (high five, elbow bumps, etc.). Ask a simple, fun question to help them settle in.

Solidarity Prayer: The adults continue to go back for prayer. Take a moment to ask the kids if they have any prayer requests. It's good to learn to pray for each other. 

I have found it best to quickly go around and have the conversation, then start the prayer and ask the kids to call out one or a few words that describes their request/blessing. Then we all close with Amen. You may have other creative ways to do this as well. 

Reading & Dialogue Suggestions:

We are reading the story of Jonah. Remind our kids that the story of Jonah happens before Jesus comes, and so many ways that God makes decisions pre-dates Jesus's salvation. Talk to your team mates if you'd like to process this a bit more.  Ask the kids to recap what they remember, you may want to refresh yourself as well. Today we are reading Jonah Chapter 3.

Giving kids a "job" helps them pay attention and stay engaged. Ask them to pay attention for something, a word, a character, a pattern of some kind, etc.

• Try having them take turns drawing parts of the story as you read the sections to them.
• Try having them act out the story, or creating a song about the story. 
• Try having or creating props or visual aides. 

Suggested dialogue questions: Can you think of a time when you ________? What are some ways you can remember to ________ this week?

Art Making/Process Suggestions: For February lets restock some playdough options for the kids. Lauren will buy large plastic containers to store things in. This week you and the kids will make some quick no cook play dough. HERE is one recipe to try. Collaborate with your partner to gather materials for the recipe. 

• Have a finished sample ready so that you know the project works. Have it out on display on a table with the materials set up under a cloth or blanket, to get kids excited about what is to come.) 
• If you want, check out some of our links in our side bar, and search for more coloring pages and word games and print them out for your centers.