Hello Chapel Hill Families!

We had fun hearing the story of “Jesus is Born” and “Angels Visit the Shepherds”. We talked about what made baby Jesus so special and how by telling the shepherds of his birth first, it showed the people that Jesus came for EVERYONE! Check out the video and Bible story preview for “Angels Visit the Shepherds” below if you would like to talk more about this story with your child at home.

This Sunday and next, we will not have Sunday School. We will resume Sunday School on January 8th. There will be one service on Christmas and New Year’s day at 11:00 only. No 9:30 service or Sunday school on these dates.

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”.

Although we hear the Christmas story every year, the message remains inspiring and empowering. God did not choose to make a flashy and attention-gathering entrance. Instead, God chose to reveal God’s presence with us through the birth of a baby born in humble yet holy circumstances.

The angels appeared to the shepherds. At the time Jesus was born, shepherds were on the very fringes of society, looked down upon as shiftless and untrustworthy. Shepherds often slept outside with their flocks. Yet, it was these shepherds who were the first to receive the news of Jesus’ birth.

The shepherds received the news of Jesus’ birth from an angel. One can imagine the sudden appearance of an angel and then an entire heavenly host must have caused some trembling in the fields. In response to the surprising angelic announcement, the shepherds hurried off to Bethlehem. The shepherds’ response was almost as surprising as the angel’s visit. The shepherds went quickly to find Mary and Joseph and the child of whom they had been told. Once they had seen the baby, the shepherds went and told the news to others. This news was far too wonderful to be kept.

The entire Christmas story is one of surprise. A young girl, an unexpected father, a long and tiring journey, stinky animals, and a baby who is a newborn king. Although we participate in the telling of the Christmas story every year, we must not forget the unexpected ways the joy of the world can show up. Christmas is a never-ending miracle when you remember that even shepherds are given the gift of God’s unfailing love.

The shepherds were the first ones to receive the message that Jesus was born. Have you ever been the first person to receive good news? Is there someone in your life who needs good news? Take some time during this busy season to see a friend or family member who might need the gift of your presence. Invite someone to church, pray with them, or simply send them a card. We can always share good news.