Hello Chapel Hill Families!

I hope you all had a relaxing and healthy Christmas and New Years. I know I definitely enjoyed slowing down and spending time with my family. We kicked off this month’s lessons with “The Magi” and will move onto “Jesus Baptism” this week. I have had so much fun recording kids each week for the Sunday School videos. If your child would like to be featured in one of these videos, please let me know!

Don’t forget to check our Chapel Hill Kids Facebook Group regularly for the most up to date information. If you haven’t checked your child’s information on the birthday post I posted last week, please make sure you do so as soon as possible. If you have moved in the last year, please contact the office so that we have your correct address on file so they can receive some birthday mail. The office number is (316) 684-1117.

Happy New Year!

Allison

Celebrate Wonder is a Sunday school curriculum that engages children’s natural sense of curiosity to help them understand God’s love. It creates a safe environment for kids to ask big questions — helping them explore the Bible in ways that feed their imagination and encourages creativity. Through carefully-selected Bible stories, songs, videos, and hands-on activities, Celebrate Wonder gives children the tools to explore their faith while incorporating it into their daily lives.

Since we are not able to meet in person, I have been mailing Sunday School Kits to families each month with printed lesson plans, activity sheets and craft supplies. If you would like to be added to our mailing list for February, please sign up by clicking the button below. I will also continue to attach digital copies of the material to our weekly e- news for you to print at home if you prefer that option.

Each month, our weekly stories will align with a Faith Word. The Faith Word for the month of January is, “Include”.

When we read or hear this story, we often turn our focus on Jesus. While Jesus is an important part of the story, we overlook the crowd. Before Jesus arrived on the scene, a large crowd was being baptized. We might wonder who was in the crowd.

Jesus did not begin as the example in this story; the people did. When Jesus chose to be baptized, he showed that his ministry would be different. He demonstrated his humanity and connectedness to God’s people. Jesus was like the people, and Jesus is also like you.

God spoke to Jesus during his baptism and showed a deep sense of joy and happiness in Jesus. God finds happiness in each of us too. The voice from heaven was a voice for all. We all are examples of Jesus’ message and ministry. Each of us plays an important role. We are like the crowd. Each one is called to be named and claimed by God so that we can spread the joy and happiness we find in God through Jesus.

What role do you play in your relationships? Are you the leader, the listener, the comic relief? We all have roles we play, and in these roles, we have gifts. Baptism is a way God claims us, names us, and honors our gifts.

This week place some water in a bowl. Gently touch your fingers to the water, and then let the water slowly drip off. As you feel the water leave your skin, say this prayer:

“With every drop of water, I remember your love. With the gifts I have been given, I will share your love. With your happiness, I will be an example of love. Amen.”

Check out the Green girls in last week’s video, Session 5- “The Magi” (Matthew 2:1-12)