Hello Parents! We believe you (parents) are the most significant influence in your kids' lives and are in the best position to help your kids know God. We also believe that we can uniquely equip and partner with you along the way as a kid’s ministry. With this in mind, this newsletter will highlight resources, events, and opportunities for us to partner together in raising the next generation.
December Series Description: It’s Christmas time at Tippy’s Mouse House! Just as mice are prone to do, Tippy has tiptoed into the preschool room and scurried off with the Christmas story pictures. Together, the preschoolers get to peek into Tippy’s festive Mouse House and search for the pictures amongst all the other doodads that Tippy has collected. It’s a yuletide search that culminates in the discovery of God’s greatest gift — baby Jesus.
Monthly Memory Verse:
- “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” John 3:16
- “Let us give thanks to God for his gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15
Weekly Bible Story and Idea:
Week 1: December 6th
Bible Story: The Angel’s Big Announcement - Luke 1:26-38
Week 2: December 13th
Bible Story: Joseph Has a Dream - Matthew 1:18-25
Big Idea: God gives us baby Jesus
Big Idea: God gives us baby Jesus
Week 3: December 20th
Bible Story: Baby in a Manger - Luke 2:1-7
Week 4: December 27th - NO SERVICE
CHRISTMAS BREAK- CHURCH CLOSED
Big Idea: Praise God for baby Jesus!
Find the weekly videos and parent guides on our Preschool Resources Page.
December Series Description:
There are so many things to love about Christmas — music, presents, decorations, bad sweaters, and crazy uncle Sal dressed as Santa! And to top it all, the twinkling lights. Christmas is sometimes referred to as the season of light. Not just because of the colorful lights you see hanging on houses and trees, but because we celebrate the birth of Jesus — the Light of the World. During “Light It Up,” kids will get clues about the contents of a present. At the flip of a switch, the present will light up, magically revealing the contents and shedding light on the amazing story of Jesus’ birth.
Key passages, verses, and questions for this month: Read the passages together as a family and ask the following questions. Also, take the time to watch the weekly lesson video (around 10 minutes) together as a family.
December 6th: John the Baptist is Born
- Big Idea: Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, so we can prepare our hearts for Him.
- Bible Basis: Luke 1:57-80
- Key Verse: “God create a pure heart in me. Give me a spirit that is faithful to you.” Psalm 51:10
- Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
- What was your favorite part of this story?
- Why do you think baby John jumped for joy in his mom’s belly?
- Discussion Questions for Older Kids:
- Why do you think God sent John to help people get ready for the coming of Jesus?
- What did John do to help people get ready for Jesus?
December 13th: The Greatest Gift: Jesus is Born
- Big Idea: Jesus is the greatest Christmas gift of all time, so we can give glory and praise.
- Bible Basis: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20
- Key Verse: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but have eternal life.” John 3:16
- Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
- What was your favorite part of this story?
- Do you think Jesus is the greatest gift ever? Why or why not?
- Discussion Questions for Older Kids:
- What do you think this story teaches us about God?
- Do you think Jesus is the greatest gift ever? Why or why not?
Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.
December 20th: NO ELEMENTARY - CHRISTMAS BREAK
December 27th: Wise Men Worship the King of Kings (NO IN-SERVICE)
- Big Idea: Jesus is the King of Kings and worthy of our worship.
- Bible Basis: Matthew 2:1-12
- Key Verse: “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? We say his star when it rose. Now we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2
- Discussion Questions for Younger Kids:
- What was your favorite part of this story?
- Why do you think the Wise Men traveled all that way just to see Jesus?
- Discussion Questions for Older Kids:
- What do you think this story teaches us about Jesus?
- In what ways do you think Jesus is different from an earthly king?
Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.
Find the weekly videos and parent guides on our Elementary Resources Page
December Series Description:
Key passages, verses, and questions for this month: Read the passages together as a family and ask the following questions.
December 6th
- Big Idea:
- Bible Basis:
- Key Verse:
Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.
December 13th:
- Big Idea:
- Bible Basis:
- Key Verse:
Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.
December 20th: NO PRETEEN - CHRISTMAS BREAK
- Big Idea:
- Bible Basis:
- Key Verse:
Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.
December 27th: NO PRETEEN - CHRISTMAS BREAK
- Big Idea:
- Bible Basis:
- Key Verse:
Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.
FG Kids Serving Need: Sign up to serve with Kids Ministry for a Sunday service! Join us to connect with amazing kids, be a positive influence, and serve the many families that will visit us throughout the summer. Register here to sign up for a Sunday in the summer.
We are in need of leaders for Thrive 9 & 11 AM; Preschool Lower (18-24m and 2 years old) 9 & 11 AM; Preschool Upper 9 AM & 11 AM; K-3rd 11 AM; Preteen 9 AM & 11 AM. If you are interested in serving, please fill out the Serve Form.
Gingerbread Bash - Sunday, November 8th: After service please stop by our table in the commons to enter in a raffle for our Gingerbread Bash. Your family can win all the supplies to take part in the best birthday party ever! It’s a swell time for Noel time, so grab your candy and join the Bash! This is a fun and interactive experience designed for your family to do at home. Together, you’ll build a gingerbread nativity, hear the Christmas story from the Bible, and discover why the very first Christmas was the greatest birthday party ever! Best of all, there’s a video that walks you step-by-step through the entire experience.
Parents Night Out - Friday, December 4th @5:30-8:30PM: This event is offered for our Single Parents, Thrive and Foster families. While you enjoy a little time to yourself, your children will get to participate in Christmas themed games, crafts, and cookie decorating. If your children are too young for that much fun, we will also have volunteers on hand who thrive on cuddling infants and entertaining toddlers. We invite children from birth to 5th grade to be part of this special evening! This year's theme is pajamas so we encourage kids to come in their most comfy and fun pajamas for the event. Dinner will be provided for the children. Registration closes on November 29th!
If you have any questions about our ministry or doing life with a preschool and elementary child, please let us know by reaching out to us!