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"For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them." -- Jesus


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SSTN # 94 - October 20, 2004


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IN THIS ISSUE OF THE SSTN e-NEWSLETTER:


--> "His Name Shall Be Called..."

1) Western themed vbs
2) Lessons in a Box
3) Cain & Abel
4) Children in Church

--> Redeeming Halloween

5) Skit ideas for Thanksgiving?
6) I need some advise?
7) Christmas song?
8) Posting & Used materials?

--> Holiday FUN-draising

9) Pumpkin / Leaf Review Game
10) Halloween & Christians?
11) Lyrics and music for preschoolers?
12) Beginning Ventriloquist?


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--> "His Name Shall Be Called..."

The God of the Old and New Testament is known by many names. These names
help us to understand his nature and reputation. They define him as
Protector, Defender, Friend, Advisor, Judge, and Savior to name just a
few. The Third Commandment says, "Do Not Misuse God’s Name". It is my
desire that this study will help you to teach respect and honor for God to
the children in your ministry. Free USA shipping!

To learn more, go to this page:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/curriculum.html 
(you may need to copy and paste this address to your browser)


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1) Western themed vbs

I am interedted in western themed vbs materials. I know that Promise
Publishing has used this theme in 2003 and 2004. If you have materials I
would be glad to purchase them from you. I am also interested in any
suggestions you might have on this theme.
Thanks
Jill Durham
vjdurham@yahoo.com


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2) Lessons In A Box

God Bless you Sarah for this wonderful site.  I have benefited
tremendously from the contributions made by all.  Is there anyone with
some idea on how to prepare lessons in a box.  We are having a workshop
for teachers in November and I would like to give each teacher a box to
prepare a lesson as part of the practical side of the workshop.  I have
searched the archives but have not found anything.  The idea is to
supply the teacher with a scripture verse and a box with a few items in
it from which they have to use their own creativity to prepare a lesson,
game, memory verse, art etc.  Thank you.

Charlene
Cape Town
South Africa

--from SSTN: one game idea I love to use is "Seeing God In Everything".
You can find it listed in our Games section at:
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com .
Have attendees break into small groups and play in teams. It really
inspires creativity!
Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><
PS, thank you for your kind words!


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3) Cain & Abel

Hi, Lisa.  I team teach the 2-5 year olds in our church using the New
Tribes Mission materials.  We just did Cain & Abel.  It is a challenging
lesson.  The NTM focus is on foundational truths in each lesson.  So with
C&A, the focus was again on obedience.  The lamb sacrificed for clothing
for Adam & Eve set the 'stage' for us to remember than sin causes death. 
Abel's sacrifice revealed his heart understanding of this truth.  Cain's
sacrifice revealed a desire to exalt his own abilities rather than
acknowledge human sin & the need for God's salvation.  Other themes
emphasized through Cain & Abel were:  we must come to God His way not
ours; God loves us when we are mistaken, He seeks us and tries to reason
with us as He did with Cain; we choose whether we will turn to God or live
without Him, God judges our decision & God is faithful & will accomplish
His purposes (Seth given to Adam & Eve).  They are all huge concepts for
little hearts but seeds are planted and foundations begun.  I love the NTM
materials because they help us go beyond the 'story' with the little ones;
they don't 'get' everything but I believe God will produce fruit from the
seeds that are planted.  Blessings to you and yours. 
Billie Jo, Port Crane, NY


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4) Children in Church

About a year ago my church used the "bags" in our church as well for the
kids.  We put in a coloring book, a four-pack or crayons, and a small
treat in each one.  We have a basket at the entrance for them to pick the
bags up and drop them off.  It worked well for a while, until they got
bored with it.  We're now in the process of starting a worship service for
our kids.  Even though we only have five now, we are starting an outreach
mission to bring the unchurched and their families in to the church.  We
have a Sunday School program called, "One Room Sunday School" from
Cokesbury.  It is designed for multiple age groups in one class and has
worked very well. 


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Redeeming Halloween

On October 31 when little ghosts and goblins come calling, Christian
parents face a dilemma. How can you allow your kids to celebrate without
compromising your faith? The authors offer fun-filled suggestions for
crafts and games, theme parties with a Christian message, ways to
commemorate All Saints Day, and more.
From the authors: "We hope that those who read this book will discover
that they too can celebrate without selling out by honoring the remarkable
historical traditions of Halloween that have their roots deep in the
gospel of the Christian church."

In the bookstore, Holidays Section:
http://www.christiancrafters.com/bookstore.html 


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5) Skit ideas for Thanksgiving?

Hi, I enjoy reading your responses since everyone has some great ideas.  I
am in need of a skit or program for Thanksgiving for our Kids Church to do
before the congregation.  The majority of the kids are ages 3-6.  I need
something that is short and simple and doesn't require them learning any
long lines (preferably 3-4 words max per kid) or require them to read
since
they can't.  It can have a narrator, which would be one of the teachers,
but we need something that is easy for young kids to do that relate to
Thanksgiving.  I thought of maybe the kids holding up some posters while
someone narrated but I can't come up with anything nor can I find anything
on the internet.  Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks
Bren in Ohio

--from SSTN: check the skits page at: http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 


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6) I need some advise?

I am constantly are being put down from my church family. I am the one
whoever, needs any help, I am there, no questions ask.
 
It has gotten so bad, I have missed church, and my self esteem, has gone
so low. They have laughed in my face and has talked about me behind my
back. I feel as  though I am a loss call.
 
How can your church family treat there sister in the Lord so BAD! I have
always been there to help and do what I could for them.
Please any support anyone could give me I would appreciate it


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7) Christmas song?

I am looking for a Christmas song for the 2-5 year olds to sing for a
short Christmas program. I wandered if there was a song to the tune of
Mary had a little lamb. If you know of this or any other song, I would
love to hear some ideas. Thanks.
Holly


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8) Posting & Used materials?

Hi Sarah,
I wonder if you could help me.
I sent out a posting to the SSTN twice now, but have not rec’d a response.

Not certain if I am doing this right, please enlighten me how to do this.
While I’ve got you, thought I would tell you what I sent out.

I was asking if anyone knew where we could send slight used or dated
Sunday School curriculum.  I have a bunch of this and would like to send
it somewhere that could use it as opposed to putting it through recycling.

Please advise on both counts.
Many thanks!
Dick

--from SSTN: posting guidelines are listed at the top of SSTN (third
section down).
As to not receiving SSTN or not seeing your posting, make sure your server
isn't blocking SSTN and sending it to your junk/spam mail folder. As to
dated materials, there have been quite a few of these type postings,
(giving and needing). To find these in the archives, type "used" into the
search box at:
http://christiancrafters.com/archives.html 


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Holiday FUN-draising

This holiday season raise funds for your youth group or school,
or earn extra cash for yourself by selling Sarah Keith's
popular Christmas crafting book, Chrismon Snowflake Ornaments!   
There is NO financial risk. Learn how on this page:

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


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9) Pumpkin / Leaf Review Game

Trace a pumpkin on orange paper and cut out. (I made eight) Make a pocket
on the back. Draw a cute face on the front and place a number on the
stem. I also put magnets on mine as I have a magnetic dry erase board.  I
bought a pack of business cards at Wal-mart that you can print on your
computer.  I wrote one question on each and placed them in the pockets of
the pumpkins.
I then placed the pumpkins on the dry erase board and wrote an amount
of points under each.  A child picks a pumpkin by number and their team
tries to answer the question for points.  I placed several questions in
each and changed the point value underneath each time I put it back up. 
I also made a set of leaves using red, orange, and yellow paper.  I used
these with a different group.

Esther


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10) Halloween & Christians?
 
For anyone 35 years and older, I am interested in hearing and learning if
Halloween was considered a forbidden holiday by your church or
denomination when you were a child. I am NOT asking whether it is
forbidden or looked down on in today's Christian community. If it was,
please say why. If it wasn't, how did you celebrate it?
 

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11) Lyrics and music for preschoolers?

Hi Sarah,

I was wondering if anyone could help me with an easy to learn song for
preschoolers
for our Nativity play.  Last year they sang "away in a Manger" but it was
really hard for the little ones to learn.
A short and sweet song about Jesus's birth would be ideal. I would also
know where we could get the words and music to such a song.
Thank you and God bless!
Stacy Wilson
kayleynkennasmom@aol.com


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12) Beginning Ventriloquist?

Dear Sarah Keith:                                   
    By means of the "slow mail" I am sending check for support of SSTN. 
In addition, I am sending an E-mail to seek suggestions/materials to be
used for a beginning ventriloquist in teaching Bible, etc., to children. 
I have obtained several books with ventriloquist's skits using a puppet,
which I am gradually adapting to my own ministry with children.  But, I am
open to any suggestions or offers.
 
Thank you for your ministry through the SSTN, etc., for your personal
encouragement.
 
Bob Cooper
bob82@kennett.net

--from SSTN: thank you so much for your encouragement and support!
As your ministry develops I look forward to learning more!
Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><
http://www.ChristianCrafters.Com 

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Help Support SSTN

Only one dollar a month helps to provide the Christian educational
resources in the website and newsletter. For more info, go to this
webpage:

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

Or, mail your US check or US money order to:

Sarah Keith <><
ChristianCrafters.Com
438 East Ilex Drive
Lake Park, FL 33403
USA

(In the memo section of your check write: "SSTN Subscription".
Please include your email address.)

Your webservant,
Sarah Keith <><


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--Copyright 2002 S.A. Keith--All Rights Reserved. ----

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