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SSTN - Number 250
November 24, 2001


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:

1) Jr. & Sr. High Using Popular TV Shows
2) Christmas recitations?
3) Old Fashioned Christmas Float decorations
4) Words to the animal song?
5) Sunday school material to donate to homeless shelter
6) Prayer bracelet
7) Children's ministry courses
8) Pastor vs. teacher
9) Santa and Christmas
10) How do you do it?
11) Crafts for one year olds?
12) Angel Costumes


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1) Jr. & Sr. High Using Popular TV Shows

We use Group's Core Belief Bible Studies, but I also developed my own
curriculum that really grabs the kids' attention. I videotape popular
shows such as Rugrats, Sponge Bob Square Pants, and other Nickelodeon and Disney
shows, and then do the research on my own to tie in scripture. You would
be amazed how much you can pull out of these shows, particularly dealing with
character building. Many Teen Bibles have indexes that direct you to
certain issues.The kids now analyze the shows at home and fill me in on
lessons they discover. Some have even requested certain episodes that they
think are poignant. These segments are only fifteen minutes long so they
are less time-consuming than movies.

We use not only cartoons, but shows like Lizzie Maguire and Even Stevens,
etc. The kids are more apt to come as well, knowing that they are going to
watch one of their favorite shows. I don't have much in writing as far as
a specific curriculum, but I can try to draft one for you when I have more
time. We have really neat discussions following the viewing and I also
have them pick out how many broken commandments they spot. We haven't found one
yet that does not break the golden rule!

God Bless, Christine Stoneham, MA

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2) Christmas recitations?

Dear Sarah: i have enjoyed your sight very much. i have received many
inspirations skits, etc for my sunday school class. i was wondering if
you can help me as soon as possible. i need a site for christmas
recitations for our sunday school children's program. can you help me??
thank you gail cummings

--from SSTN: Hi Gail, have the kids take turns reading the Scriptures
pertaining to the prophecies from the Old Testament and the New Test.
events of the birth of Christ.

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3) Old Fashioned Christmas Float decorations

If possible, a tree on the float with handmade decorations from children.
Also, some of the citizens may wish to donate an item to be displayed on
the tree from popcorn strings, to wooden horses and/or nutcrackers.

Another suggestions may be to have church members to dress as Joseph,
Mary and baby Jesus and sit on the float. Pinups of stable animals can
be used with straw.

Have fun and let us know how the float turns out.
Ahreita Griffin
Charlotte, NC


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Make a Christ-Tree!

Chrismon Snowflake Ornaments contains 32 ornaments of faith to decorate
your Christmas tree! To see a video of the Angel Snowflake being cut, go
to: http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com/page2.html 


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4) Words to the animal song?

>There's a song I think is called "The Animals' Christmas" and it goes
>through a list of the animals in the stable and what they did for Baby

Hi...I just started to receive this very helpful newsletter and wanted to
know if we could get the words to the animal song that was described in
#1. It would be greatly appreciated as I am teaching the age four and
under class and would like for them to learn this in time for the
Christmas program. Thank you!
Blessings, Deidre Bradford
DEIDREBRADFORD@37.COM

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5) Sunday school material to donate to homeless shelter

Hi Sarah, Julie Richardson here. I called the Christian based homeless
shelter that our church financially supports to ask how our kids could be
of service to their kids this holiday season. I was told that a Sunday
school supply box would be great. Then I had the idea that many churches
have curriculum they don't use or will not
return to and maybe would be happy to donate to someone who needs it. I
would like to put out the request for anyone with material they would like
to donate to contact me and I can work to get it to me and then put
together in an organize way for these folks. The lady I spoke with said
this was real need as they do not receive any monies from the government
but only from donations and there was little in the way of materials for
Sunday school. The children at our church will design a box and help
label and put the material in order. Thanks for this site! And thanks
to anyone who responds. You can reach me at jaisrich@hotmail.com or (360)
256-1214. I live in Vancouver, WA. Thanks!
Trusting Jesus,
Julie Richardson
Children's Ministry Director
Cascade Comm. Church
Vanc. WA USA

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6) Prayer bracelet

Here is something that apparently meant a lot to my husband for
the item is still in his drawer. One Sunday we made prayer
bracelets. You could call them something different. Each student
selected letter beads for his name and strung them on a thin
elastic strip. Each student made their own name and then with
help they tied it so that it could easily come off and on the
wrist. Then we had our lesson about praying for each other and
then we passed our bracelets to the person on our right. We were
encouraged to wear it and pray for that person, call them, send
them a note, etc for the next week. IT was fun and apparently
made an impression on some. :) I noticed some people wearing
their bracelets for the next month!

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7) Children's ministry courses

Thanks for the information on Pfeiffer University.
I am also searching for Children's Ministry courses offered on-line or in
the East coast (New Jersey or Philadelphia or Delaware).
Kim Pate

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Give the gift of creativity!

Inspire creativity in your children with Chrismon Snowflake Ornaments
and 'Kids Can @ Christmas Time' this year! To learn more, go to:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/kt_kit.html 


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8) Pastor vs. teacher

>A married man with CHILDREN - I will have to study this one out. I know
>plenty of pastors without children, and I do not remember reading this in
>the Word.

I Timothy 3:1-7 are qualifications for a bishop (elder/pastor).
Following
that are the qualifications for a deacon who must also have children.
Hope this helps.
Rebecca

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9) Santa and Christmas

<< How do people deal with the issue of Santa. >>

We leave Santa out of our Christmas programming. The story we tell about
Christmas is true, as are the other stories that come from the Bible.
Bringing the fictional Santa into the church could associate the church
with non-truths and place doubts about the rest.
Kathy Garland

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TWO FREE CHRISTMAS CRAFT PROJECTS!

KIDS CAN @ CHRISTMAS TIME - An Advent celebration of 28 crafts and
recipes. Many of the projects are great for gift giving! Some of them
include: Epiphany Ornaments (a six-sided three dimensional ornament
inspired from the Orient), Ribbon Stars, a Paper Lace Angel, Paper Lace
Luminaries, a Nativity Windsock, a Chrismon Snowflake Butterfly (new
design), an Edible Nativity, Church Window Cookies, and the Jesus in the
Manger cupcake, to name just a few! To learn more, click the link or copy
and paste it to your browser:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/crafts_Christmas_Advent.html 


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10) How do you do it?

Hi. First I'd like to say thank you for this service. It has proven to
be an excellent service and VERY helpful! Now, my question. I need help!
I am a Sunday school teacher and head of the Children's department at our
church. I am only 16 but God has put me here. I was wondering if any one
has any helpful hints, ideas, websites, resources etc... that would help
me on my way. We are a new church and don't have any resources for Sunday
school. I've taught before but have no personal curriculum. I have
approximately 2 months before we have to put the new stuff in place (as we
are working on Christmas things right now.) It just seems weird how
children's ministry is always last in the budget and forgotten about. Any
help you can provide will help. Also, any one looking to be Sunday School
Pen Pals, that would be an encouragement as well. I'd really like to here
your ideas and about your classes. Kids are GREAT! Thank you for any help
you can provide.
M. in Ontario

--from SSTN: dear "M in Ontario", SSTN is your online Sunday School
"Pen-Pal" Network. :o) I think it is wonderful that you are serving the
LORD this way. What ages will you be teaching? Check out the Curriculum
and Bookstore section of the site. You will find various resources for
your church to purchase that are VERY affordable, and may be used by
multiple aged groups. ysic, sarah
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 

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"Get em' in the LOOP!"

Invite your friends, pastors, and coworkers
to join our discussion in SSTN.

http://www.christiancrafters.com/page3.html 


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11) Crafts for one year olds?

In December I am to start teaching a Sunday School class for our one year
olds. I will only have three to five children at a time and I will also
have a helper. In the past I have taught our older two and three year
olds. I am looking for any ideas or suggestions on things to do and ways
to teach them. I dont want to just babysit. I want to do crafts and so
forth. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Angel

--from SSTN: you'll find crafts difficult to achieve for younger one year
olds. Music is a great option though. For older ones, who are closer to
two, try the Pray & Play Bible book:

http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore_bibles.html 

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12) Angel Costumes

To the person looking for angel costumes: Please check Making Friends
site, Bible Crafts.  They have a nice idea for angel costumes. Hope this helps, Ljiljana

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