It all started out fine.  I got to church and found out a lady in the church had reset up all my things (they had to be taken down for a funeral) and it was wonderful of her to go to all the trouble of taking it down and putting it back up before I had even heard the funeral was going to be at the church or I could get there today.  The program started out ok - but we had lots of small children and a few older ones BUT my medicine was acting on me something fierce.  I probably appeared drunk - I was talking slow and could barely stay awake.  So my husband took over and some of the ladies threw in.  I don't know what is going on with my medicine.  I can be ok for 4 or 5 days then the next I am so grogged out I can barely lift my head off the pillow.  I don't know which med it is.  I don't want to stop either because I NEED both - the Geodon for my bipolar disorder and my Lyrica for my fibromyalgia.  So why did it have to be the day of the Easter party that I went loo-loo?  I spent the party in the pastor's office sleeping and came home and slept to about 4!  I could barely eat lunch before getting to bed!  And I missed all the cupcakes and stuff at the party - bummer!  But I'd rather know what is going on with my meds.  And the Easter party I wanted went all awry - the kids didn't get any Easter story.  I hope they got something out of it at least, but we didn't even get through half the eggs (see a previous blog for the Easter story told with eggs) and my hubbie wouldn't take over doing what I wanted.  Instead he let them go out to hunt eggs and so why they had fun, the program I planned to teach the children about the Lord's death and Resurrection didn't happen - just like the Valentine's party where I was in the hospital.  I'm tired of planning something that doesn't happen - the Devil is there blocking my path at every turn.  Next year (if I do children's activities then) I will have a tape that can be played on a VCR - tape that shows how old school I am - a DVD!  That way if I go kafloowy the show can go on!  Well, this is all for now.

CHRISTmas Program 2009 for Children’s Church

“Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!”

The focus of this program is that CHRIST is the reason for CHRISTmas and we should act Christ like at all times.  All activities are designed to impart this message to the children. 

BEFORE PROGRAM: 

1.       Set date for a Sunday around Christmas (check with the Pastor).  Arrange for help (will need it during craft time).  Publish in bulletin.  Announce and explain purpose of program during the Sunday service.   We are asking the children bring a Christmas present for Jesus (Stockings for the Hope House.  We will make a CHRISTmas card and each child needs to bring a small toy, a small Christian gift, etc. to put in a stocking – Our goal is to fill 4 stockings).

2.       Don’t forget to arrange for refreshments.  Keep them light – cupcakes/ cookies and juice bottle.  Have enough for 24. 

3.       Make about 24 goodie bags before program.  May need to buy extra stuff – but should have plenty to fill them if you bought after last year’s program.  Will need to buy candy for bags right before filling them.  Children from church that did not come to program and those in the Nursery will also want to get one before leaving church so we need extra and any extra goodie bag items can be recycled.  Extra items can be saved for next year, used for the Christmas boxes or in the “Treasure Box” for Children’s Church (prizes given to children every first Sunday for being “good”).  Give the extra candy to the next Children’s Church teacher to pass out.

4.       Make sure there is cardstock in office – ask Bro Ken to buy some if there isn’t any.

5.       Give out invites/reminders the Sunday before the program in Sunday School and ask children to bring a friend to the program.   Give an extra invite to anyone who wants to invite someone – “What do we ask you to do all the time? {invite a friend} We have asked you to invite someone to Sunday School and this would be a great time.  Tell them we are having a CHRISTmas party.  During the program they will hear about Jesus”.  We are asking the children bring a Christmas present for Jesus (Stockings for the Hope House.  We will make a CHRISTmas card and each child needs to bring a small toy, a small Christian gift, etc. to put in a stocking – Our goal is to fill 4 stockings).

6.       Copy coloring books.  

7.       Get anything else ready for program.

 

DAY OF PROGRAM:

8.       Gather supplies and put them in Fellowship Hall:  scissors, tape, glue dots, crayons, craft materials, camera, etc.

9.       Have children meet in Children’s Church right after Sunday School until the choir passes.  Use time to pray for the world to know Jesus is the reason for the season and bless the food.

10.   Have children sit in a semi-circle on the floor in Fellowship Hall (gets their attention better) and discuss the program.  Lead into that CHRISTmas is ALL about CHRIST.  Talk about why Jesus is the reason for the season, why we should act Christ like and how we do it.  Ask how they can be Christ like – give them a sticker when they answer.

11.   Read poems and versus from coloring book (goes home with child – don’t color during program unless you run out of program before Sunday Service is up).

12.   Ask for non-tangible gifts we can give to Christ (ex: being kind, good, being nice to other people, etc.).

13.   Ask kids what songs we can sing about Christ being the reason for CHRISTmas.  Let them name them themselves – ex:      .  Sing 2 or 3.

14.   Ask kids if they’d like to give Jesus a CHRISTmas present.  Gather the children around the tree and ask them to hold up their item (or the one you gave them), let the 4 youngest hold up the stockings and take a picture to be put in the bulletin – give it to Bro. Ken.  Then let the children put their gift into an appropriate stocking – two girls’ and two boys’ (buy a few extra presents so everyone can put one in.  Can use extra items from goodie bags for this if you need to).  

15.   Do crafts:  There are several crafts for CHRISTmas in the zip lock bag – you can choose one or two.

a.       Make a CHRISTmas card – have each child make one for someone they know.  Ask 4 older children to make cards so one can go in each stocking (2 girls and 2 boys).  We will put Carmel’s address on the card.

b.       

16.   Have refreshments. 

17.   Give children goodie bags and coloring books on the way out of the Fellowship Hall.

 

AFTER 2009 PROGRAM: 

1.       Chose theme for next year’s program: 

2.       Check supplies in hall closet.  Order any items needed for goodie bags to go with theme from Oriental Trading and buy sale items at stores after CHRISTmas while on sale.  Put in large labeled zip lock bag that is in hall closet.

3.       Keep receipts and turn in to Brother Ken.  This program is under Children’s Activities (write on receipt) – keep within the budget!

 

Valentine Program 2009 for Children’s Church

“God Gives The Best Valentines!”

The focus of this program is that God gave us the greatest Valentine of all – Jesus.  All activities are designed to impart this message to the children. 

AFTER 2009 PROGRAM: 

1.       Chose theme for next year’s program:  Jesus is MY Valentine, Is Jesus YOUR Valentine?, God’s Gift to the World, What is YOUR Valentine to God/Jesus?

2.       Check supplies in hall closet.  Order any items needed for goodie bags to go with theme from Oriental Trading after this Valentine’s Day and buy sale items at stores after Valentine’s Day while on sale.  Put in large labeled zip lock bag that is in hall closet.

3.       Keep receipts and turn in to Brother Ken.  This program is under Children’s Activities (write on receipt) – keep within the budget!

BEFORE PROGRAM: 

4.       Set date for a Sunday around Valentine’s Day (check with Pastor).  Arrange for help (will need it during craft time).  Publish in bulletin.  Announce and explain purpose of program during the Sunday service.

5.       Don’t forget to arrange for refreshments.  Keep them light – Valentine’s cupcakes/ cookies and juice bottle.  Have enough for 24. 

6.       Buy candy canes after CHRISTmas for hearts.

7.       Make about 24 goodie bags before program.  May need to buy extra stuff – but should have plenty to fill if you bought after last year’s program.  Will need to buy candy for bags right before filling them.  Children from church that did not come to program or those in the Nursery will want to get one before leaving church (extra goodie bags can be recycled).  Extra items can be saved for next year, used for the Christmas boxes or in the “Treasure Box” for Children’s Church (prizes given to children every first Sunday for being “good”).  Give the extra candy to the next Children’s Church teacher to pass out.

8.       Make sure there is cardstock in office – ask Bro Ken to buy some if there isn’t any.

9.       Give out invites/reminders the Sunday before the program in Sunday School and ask children to bring a friend to the program.   Give an extra invite to anyone who wants to invite someone – “What do we ask you to do all the time? {invite a friend} We have asked you to invite someone to Sunday School and this would be a great time.  Tell them we are having a Valentine’s party.  During the program they will hear about Jesus”.

10.   Make a red poster board heart and outline with big plastic candy canes (in bag in hall closet).  Write “God Gives The Best Valentines!” on the big red heart.  The children will put their “Valentine for Jesus” heart around the big heart.

11.   Consider having children bring a Valentine present for Jesus (something for the Christmas boxes –  give kids suggestions:  like write a Valentine to put on item and give name and address if Mom approves, a small Christian gift, etc.).

12.   Copy coloring books, hearts (use pink paper if we have it), etc.  Cut out hearts.  Get anything else ready for program.

 

DAY OF PROGRAM:

13.   Gather supplies and put them in Fellowship Hall:  scissors, tape, glue dots, crayons, craft materials, etc.

14.   Have children meet in Children’s Church right after Sunday School until choir passes.  Use time to pray for the world to know Jesus’ love and bless the food.

15.   Have children sit in a semi-circle on the floor in Fellowship Hall (gets their attention better) and ask the children to tell who they have gotten a Valentine from or given a Valentine to (focusing on family and school friends).  Talk about what the best Valentine they have ever gotten is – steer focus away from Jesus if needed (will cover Him later).  What made it the best?  What was the best Valentine you ever got?

16.   Lead into that God gave us the best Valentine of all – Jesus.  Talk about why Jesus is our Valentine and how God gave His only begotten Son to US.

17.   Read poems and versus from coloring book (goes home with child – don’t color during program unless you run out of program before Sunday Service is up) and Valentine’s Day Around the World or the history of Valentine’s Day – keep the celebrations around the world and the origin short. 

18.   Ask kids if they’d like to give Jesus a Valentine – do hearts and help younger children “write” or ask them to draw a picture (for ex: they are going to do something nice for someone they don’t know, they are going to be kind to someone they don’t like, they are going to give their grandparent a Valentine – the candy cane heart, etc).  Have children hang them in hall (to not interfere with V-day banquet decorations) around a red poster board heart outlined with big plastic candy canes.  Write “God Gives The Best Valentines!” on the big red heart.

19.   Ask kids what songs we can sing about God giving us Jesus as our Valentine.  Let them name them themselves – ex: Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Children of the World.  Sing 2 or 3.

20.   Do crafts:  There are several crafts for Valentine’s Day in the zip lock bag – you can choose one or two.

a.       Foam hearts: Glue magnets on large foam hearts with hot glue before program.  Make a Valentine with foam hearts and flowers, dollies, beads, glitter glue, ribbon, lace and Christian conservation hearts.

b.      Candy cane heart: On Bristol (cardstock) have children glue (use glue dots) candy canes on the paper in the shape of a heart.  Ends of candy canes may need to overlap.

c.       Other craft.

21.   Have refreshments. 

22.   Give children goodie bags and coloring books on the way out of the Fellowship Hall.