Hello Chapel Hill Families!

On Sunday we heard the story of “Jesus’ Baptism”, and discussed how John the Baptist and Jesus were able to cross paths again on their own separate journeys. We talked about people who come into our lives, and make a difference. K-3rd grade got to do some water science, and our preschoolers-1st graders enjoyed running a “Dove Relay” game. 2nd-5th graders made name art to remind them that they are important to God and bring Him happiness. I hope you will join  us this Sunday for “Temptations in the Desert” at 9:30AM in the children’s wing.

COVID UPDATE: Masking is required for children in Sunday school and unvaccinated adults. However, we are highly encouraging all people to wear masks at church right now as an added precaution due to the rising COVID numbers in our area. Thank you for helping us keep our church family healthy and in-person!

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.

Mark your calendars for our annual “Sled-In Movie Night” on Friday, January, 28th from 5:30-7:30pm. At-will donations will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will go towards this year’s VBS. Sunday school, preschool and KDIC kids have been voting on which movie to watch over the last couple of weeks, and the numbers are in… We will be watching ‘How to Train Your Dragon” for this year’s event. I hope you will join us!

We will be doing “Knights of North Castle” LIVE for VBS 2022 at Chapel Hill. We did this VBS virtually during 2020, but are excited to deck out the church with snow, Christmas trees, and castle décor this Summer. Child attendance will be capped at 250 kids. We will open child registration on Palm Sunday, April 10th and registration will close by Sunday, June 5th (unless we hit our 250 mark sooner). If you would like to help plan and prep for VBS this year, please contact me. If you would like to volunteer during the week, click here!

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 January is, “JOURNEY”.

Temptation is a part of the human experience. The temptation story reminds us of Jesus’ humanity. The way Jesus dealt with temptation can be an example for us.

It is apparent Jesus has been raised in the Jewish faith. All of his responses to his tempter in the wilderness come from Scripture. When tempted to turn stones into bread, Jesus replies with words from Deuteronomy 8:3: “People don’t live on bread alone.” When Jesus is tempted with power, offered all the kingdoms of the world, he responds with words based on Deuteronomy 6:13: “You will worship the Lord your
God and serve only him.”

The tempter attempts to beat Jesus at the Scripture game. In tempting Jesus to throw himself off the highest point in the temple, the tempter quotes Psalm 91:11-12. Jesus does not deny these words, but points out that it is also written in Deuteronomy 6:16: “Don’t test the Lord your God.”

Are we then to go around quoting Scripture in order to resist temptation? While this might work in some situations, to do so entirely would be missing the point. Jesus had studied Scripture. He had been raised in the faith and was therefore prepared when faced with temptation. He had a solid foundation and understanding upon which to draw. Such a foundation will help the children make wise choices when faced with temptation in their own lives.

Along the journey of life we will all be tempted to do things we shouldn’t do. One of the ways we can follow Jesus’ example is by stopping, breathing, thinking, and then deciding what we should do next. We can remember God’s presence in our breath and remember our values when we think. This week when you are tempted, try to stop, breathe, think, and then decide.