February 3^rd, 2008

Dear Parents,

Brrrrrrr! I hope you’re all managing to stay safe and warm throughout this very cold winter season. Have hope, Spring is coming!!!

Today children age 3 through grade 1 heard the story “The Parable of the Great Pearl” from Matthew 13: 45-46. In this parable, Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant who sells everything he has in exchange for the Great Pearl. One way to look at this parable is that the Kingdom of Heaven is of such worth that we should be seeking to find it, and when we do, we should gladly be willing to give up our wealth and comfort to obtain it, knowing that God will provide for us as we do. Another possible explanation of the parable is that the Kingdom of Heaven is so wonderful that once we find it, we don’t want to let it go and would do anything to keep it. However we look at any of the parables, we should remember that Jesus was trying to teach us something important because he loves us.

After hearing the story, children were encouraged to respond to it by drawing their favorite parts of the story. They were also able to use play-doh to creatively respond to today’s story. To help your children remember and reflect on the story and their response to it, I hope that you will ask them some of the following questions: show/tell me how you responded to God’s word today. I wonder what could be so great that the merchant would exchange everything he had for the Great Pearl? I wonder what the Great Pearl could really be?

Important reminder: Next week, February 10, all children should report directly to their classrooms during the 9am service. In other words – do not start in the sanctuary as there will be no children’s time! Children will be visiting the Biblical Marketplace that morning, and will need the extra time to see it all. Furthermore, if your child usually attends the 10:30 service, but would like to visit the Marketplace, please plan to join us for 9am Sunday school that morning.

As always, if you would like to learn more about the program or have any questions about something in this letter, I would be happy to talk with you. Also, there are many ways for parents to help in classrooms…just contact me for those opportunities!

Thank you,

Jill Geurts

734-2677 ext. 317

jgeurts@appfumc.org

This Month’s Stories: “The Lenten Puzzle”, “Jesus and the Children” (from Matthew 19: 13-15, Mark 10: 13-16, Luke 18: 15-17), and “Jesus and Bartimaeus” (from Matthew 20: 29-34, Mark 10: 46-52, Luke 18:35-43).