December 2, 2007

Dear Parents,

Wow! December will be wrapping up our Fall semester of Sunday school. Can you believe it’s here already? Today, children heard a story of Advent; “The Prophets & Mary and Joseph Show the Way to Bethlehem” (from Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2). They learned that we are in the season of Advent, the time we get ready to celebrate the mystery of Christmas, the time we are all on our way to Bethlehem. Also, we learned that the prophets, those who listen to and speak the word of God, can show us the way. Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ human parents, can also show us the way. They heard about the angel that came to Mary and Joseph and said, “Do not be afraid. Be joyful. You will have God’s special Son. You will name him Jesus.”

As a response to the story, children were encouraged to create a luminary to light the way for the holy family as they look for a safe place for the Christ child to be born. They will need you to help them find a tea light to put in their bag to complete their luminary. The goal in doing this was for the children to feel like they have an active role as they are each on their way to Bethlehem, making their own special journey. To help your children think about this, I hope that you will ask them some of the following questions: show me how you responded to God’s word today. I wonder what it would be like to have God’s special child, Jesus? I wonder how Mary and Joseph felt on their way to Bethlehem? I wonder what it would be like to have an angel speak to you? I wonder how your journey to Bethlehem is going?

This Month: Children will hear the following stories: “The Shepherds and the Magi Show the Way to Bethlehem”, and “Meeting the Christ Child” (both from Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2). Please note: There will be NO SUNDAY SCHOOL DECEMBER 23 & 30!

There are many family-fun activities planned for Advent this year. Please check your newsletter or the church website for information about those. We hope you can join in some of the fun! Also, please plan to join us and support our children as they lead worship and present the Christmas program at 10:30am on December 16^th. During this service they will be collecting a special offering of baby supplies to be donated to BABES, Inc (a local child abuse prevention program). The program’s greatest need is for smaller sized diapers.

I have just started planning the classroom schedules for Spring (Jan 6 – May 18), and I NEED YOUR HELP! Our Sunday school classes are fun, loving and caring places for children to learn about the stories of Jesus and the love of God. In order for the program to remain so wonderful, we need parents to participate as assistants and storytellers. Please contact me ASAP to sign up in your child’s classroom(s)! Brief training is available for anyone interested in becoming a storyteller, and no training is necessary if you’d like to be an assistant.

As always, if you would like to learn more about the Nurturing Faith program, or you have any questions about something in this letter, I would be pleased to talk with you individually!

Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Jill Geurts

734-2677 ext. 317

jgeurts@appfumc.org