Hello Chapel Hill Families!

This Sunday,  we will continue the Advent season with “Mary & Elizabeth” (Luke 1:39-66).  I have a few more Advent Guides and coloring sheets available if you would like to do some weekly activities with your kids at home.  I also have a few pre-cut advent paper chain sets  left if you missed last week. I will have these resources available at the children’s check in area.

We sponsor cousins, Neema & Kikwete, who live in the Angel House Orphanage in Tanzania, Africa. We have pledged to give $90/month in order to provide food, clothing and schooling to these children at Angel House. Each Sunday, kids have the opportunity to bring money to put into our offering for Neema and Kikwete. Would you help us meet our goal by sending your child with $1.00 each week? Our former Director of Children’s Ministries, Raegan Brane, has visited Angel House in the past. You can find out more information about the Grassroots Organization and Angel House by clicking HERE.

REMINDER:

If you have a 3rd, 4th or 5th grader that has a Deep Blue Bible, please help them remember to bring it with them to Sunday school each week! We don’t have many extras of that particular version at the church and they will be looking up and reading scripture every time they come to church from now on.

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, please make sure you do so as soon as possible. I have marked it as an announcement so you can easily find it. 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.

Blessings to you and your children,

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.

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

The Advent candle for the third Sunday of Advent is the Joy candle. If your church uses purple candles, the Joy candle is the pink one. We have already heard about the joy Elizabeth and Zechariah experienced when the angel gave them news of a son to be born to them. Last week we heard about Mary’s joy at the announcement of the upcoming birth of Jesus. Today, the two stories come together as Mary travels to see her cousin Elizabeth.

Mary greeted Elizabeth upon her arrival. When she did, Elizabeth’s child leapt in her womb. Elizabeth told Mary that the child jumped for joy in the presence of the Lord. Elizabeth knew that her baby knew that Jesus was God’s Son, even while both were still in the womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and told Mary that God has blessed her and her baby. Elizabeth also wondered why she was given the honor of God’s Son visiting her.

Elizabeth, by her presence and words, must have reassured Mary that God had chosen her for a very special job. Mary joyfully praised God with a song that has become known as the Magnificat. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months. It must have been comforting for Mary to have the presence of Elizabeth as she waited for the coming baby. What joy the two must have felt preparing together for the birth of their sons.

The third week of Advent we light the candle of Joy. As you light the candle of Joy, reflect on the symbolism of the circle representing God’s eternal love. Ask God to be present with you and hear your prayer. Lift up a name of someone who brings you joy. Lift the name up in prayer throughout the day. In the evening, thank God for being present with you and hearing your prayer.