Hello Chapel Hill Families!

The kids did a great job singing “This Little Light of Mine” on Sunday. We had fun hearing the story of “An Angel Visits Mary” during Godly Play with Pastor Lisa. As a spiritual practice this Advent season, we are lighting the Advent wreath with the kids each week. This week we noticed how much more light shone with the addition of the second candle. We discussed how we can be a light in the world, and what that actually looks like in our everyday life outside of church.

I still have Advent activities  available on the check-in counter. You can come by the church during office hours this week, or pick them up on Sunday if you missed this week.

The NEW Faith Word for the month of December is, “HOPE”. Our memory verse is, “Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous news for all people.” (Luke 2:10) . Lessons include:

• 12/4 – “An Angel Visits Mary” (Luke 1:26-38)
• 12/11 – “An Angel Visits Joseph” (Matthew 1:18-24)
• 12/18 – “Jesus is Born” (Luke 2:1-7) & “Angels Visit the Shepherds” (Luke 2:8-20)
• 12/25 & 1/1 – NO SUNDAY SCHOOL – ONE Family Friendly Service at 11:00AM ONLY

Information for our new families:

• Our volunteers are supposed to arrive by 9:00, but life happens and sometimes they are running late. Please try to drop off kids between 9:15 and 9:30 AM to avoid waiting on them to arrive.
• Please walk your children back to their classrooms at drop off. We want our volunteers to see who goes with which kid to help speed up our pick up time.
• Don’t forget your pick-up ticket. You will show this to get back to the children’s wing and again to their teacher to pick them up.
• Remember that kids are now promoted to their next grade level so check that their name tags show they are in the right group. Please let Ryan know if it is incorrect.

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 “HOPE”.

In the Bible, God often uses dreams to send messages. This is the first of three visits an angel makes to Joseph in a dream. In addition to the announcement of Jesus’ birth, Joseph also receives angelic instruction concerning taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod.

Overall, the Bible mentions little about Joseph. We are told Joseph is a righteous man and this statement is supported by his actions. Upon learning Mary is pregnant, Joseph makes plans to divorce her quietly. In those days, once a couple was engaged, they were considered married. If Joseph had died during that time, Mary would have been a widow. For Mary to have become pregnant before they had marital relations would have been considered adultery. However, after the angel’s visit, Joseph still took Mary as his wife. Joseph’s willingness to trust God gives us a good idea of Joseph’s character.

Some people are hesitant to call Joseph the father of Jesus. However, Jesus was Joseph’s adopted son. The Bible refers to Jesus as the son of Joseph from Nazareth and as the carpenter’s son. It is through Joseph that Jesus’ lineage is traced back to King David. Joseph was a good man, who chose to trust God. We can learn from Joseph when we doubt in hard or even unfair situations; we can remember his dream of “Emmanuel” and trust, like Joseph, that God is with us.

In this week’s lesson, we will talk about Jesus’ name. Does your name have an important meaning? If so, do you feel like your name fits you and your life experiences? If not, look through a name book or look online, and see if another name fits. Although we can’t easily change our names, you can be present to the life you are living and how that aligns with the coming of Jesus. Jesus brings hope and joy. How do you bring hope and joy? What name could you choose for yourself that would share the important message of Jesus?