JAM Kids - December 16, 2009

The JAM Kids celebrate Christmas.

Our scriptures for today are both from the New Testament:

We should keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, who himself said,
“Happiness lies more in giving than in receiving.” Acts 20:35

“You will be joyful, and no one shall rob you of your joy.” John 16:22

We started with play time in the gym.

And then it was time for our meal.

We all went upstairs to learn more about the First Christmas.

Because we have been using Dr. Seuss books each month,
it was natural that our story for December would be
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
Lily talked with the children about the book.

The Grinch hated everything about Christmas,
and he decided that he would keep it from coming to Who-ville.
He is miserable.
The thing that makes the Grinch the most angry, the most miserable, is this:
Other people’s happiness.
He hates anyone who has found happiness, contentment, and love.

Perhaps the Grinch needed someone to love him.
Could he be transformed? YES!
The change took place when the Grinch realized the the Whos
were happy, even if they did not get all of the things
that he had stolen.

He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! It came!
Well . . . in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch’s small heart Grew three sizes that day!”

And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!”
The Grinch learned to become a giver instead of a taker.

Why are the Who’s always so happy? Because it is Christmas.
Christmas means the coming of God in Christ to all of us.
Christmas brings the kingdom of LOVE to all the people.
Nobody will ever be able to steal Christmas from us
if we hold Jesus in our hearts.

And then, the JAM Kids got to do a drama of the First Christmas.

We had angels, shepherds, kings.
We had Mary and Joseph and a kind innkeeper.

Mary (Mary) and Jack W. (Gabriel)

An angel also appeared to Joseph to tell him about Jesus.
Ryan and Madeline.

Gavin was the innkeeper.

Nathan, Grace B, and Molly are shepherds.

King Herod (Aidan) tells the other kings to find the baby.
The kings are Jack K, Zachary, and Allison.

Jack

Zachary

Ryan and Mary were Joseph and Mary.

Do you know how hard it is to get a cast photo?

"Hanging of the Greens"

It is the first Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2009.   We arrive for the morning worship and we find that the sanctuary is not ready.

The Thanksgiving banner is still in place.

The worship service begins, and the air is filled with music.

Melissa plays the flute, Mike plays the clarinet.

Ron directs and plays the saxophone.

Shawn is on the drums, Lisa on piano.

Pat plays the bass.

Jim and his trumpet.

Little drummer boys.

We learn about many of the traditions that surround us at Christmas time.

Everyone joins in helping to trim the tree,

hang the banners of Joy, Hope, Love, and Peace,

bring in the poinsettias

and sing carols.

NOW we are prepared!   Christ is the light of the world.

What a wonderful family event!   Melissa, Mike, Millie, Bob, Bruce and Judy.

  

JAM Kids - November 11, 2009

Each month, as we arrive at JAM Kids, we add two things to our sign chart.
One sticker is the story of the month.
The other sticker is a scripture that relates to the story.

Each child has a chart at the church,
and they each have been given a chart to take home.
An extra set of stickers goes home each month so that they can continue to add to their chart at home.
Parents can also talk about the scriptures with their children.

Our word for the day was "Listen" and this was written on the chart.
We will listen for God's voice.

We missed some of our regular JAM Kids this month.
There is lots of flu in the schools and in the town.

We decorated elephant banks for our craft.

Horton, the kind, lovable elephant, was the hero for November.
In this story, Horton serves as sort of a God figure,
one who listens and hears the voice of all.
He has keen ears and a big heart.

After our elephant banks were all decorated, we went into the other room
to listen to the story "Horton Hears a Who."

After a discussion about listening for God's voice, we had a group prayer
and then went downstairs for pizza, apples, grapes, and dessert.

Gym Time

Sound baffles are being installed in the gym,
so there was some large equipment at one end.
It was hard to play our favorite game, so the
big kids helped push the smaller ones around in the cars.
It was lots of fun!

Lily with Grace C.

Grant pushes Courtney.

Mary plays ball.

Grace B. likes the big orange ball.

Look out, Gavin, here comes Lily I.

Elizabeth is a passenger, helped by Madeline and Ryan.

Allison and Zach. He could really go fast on this little car!

Fun at Campfire

There were lots of elephant songs at campfire this month!

Parents are welcome to come and join the singing.

Next month, we will focus on the birth of Jesus.