Hello Chapel Hill Families!

We had fun hearing the story of “An Angel Visits Joseph” during Godly Play. 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 third candle. We discussed names, and talked about what it means when the angel said “He will take away the sins of the world”. It took the kids a little while to catch on to the Easter reference, but we got there!

This week we will hear the stories “Jesus is Born” and “An Angel Visits the Shepherds”. This Sunday will be our last Sunday School session of the calendar year. 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”.

“In those days Caesar Augustus declared that everyone throughout the empire should be enrolled in the tax lists.” These words begin the second chapter of Luke. At the time of Jesus’ birth, Caesar Augustus was the most powerful person in the world. Therefore, when Emperor Augustus decided that everyone needed to travel to their hometowns to be registered, that was what happened. It didn’t matter if this required a very long journey. It didn’t matter if the woman to whom you were engaged was about to have a baby. Emperor Augustus had decreed that everyone must go.

Joseph and Mary journeyed to Bethlehem. Although images of this journey often picture Mary riding on a donkey, the Bible doesn’t tell us whether they had a donkey or whether she traveled by foot. Either way, it was surely a long journey, with Mary nearing the end of her pregnancy.

We know what happened next. When they reached Bethlehem, it was time for Mary’s child to be born. However, many other people were in Bethlehem to be registered and as a result, there was no room for Mary and Joseph. And so Mary’s baby, Jesus, also known as Emmanuel, was laid in a manger on a bed of hay.

God’s Son began life humbly, in stark contrast to the power of Emperor Augustus. Jesus, God’s Son, was born to be a new king. A king, who would rule with hope and righteousness. Jesus was a new kind of king, and this is demonstrated from the very beginning of the Christmas story.

Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Each year Christmas comes, but what might make this year different? As you reflect on the hope Jesus brings, try to remember things that make you hopeful. You might also reflect on things that deflate your hope. Consider ways Jesus can be a light of hope in the midst of chaos and confusion. Jesus was born in utter chaos, but there was still hope. We might not always feel hope, but on Christmas, just for a moment, maybe you can find a glimpse of hope in the Christ Child.