Faith Focus December 2000

Faith Focus

Volume XIX
Number 10
December, 2000

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:14

STORY HOUR NEWS

This year Story Hour has 30 kids registered, and each week about 25 kids attend. The kids are very enthusiastic about participating in the Story Hour program. Songs, Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and playtime keep them all quite busy. We are thankful to have a very quiet and well-behaved crowd this year.

We did have one little boy, Michael, who had a difficult time leaving his mother. He cried and cried and could not get comfortable. Michael’s mom decided not to bring him to Story Hour until he seemed a bit more mature. We hope that he does return to be part of this very special program. Also, we hope that his mom finds a way to attend Coffee Break-she really enjoys the fellowship and Bible study time. They both could benefit from your prayers. Happily, Michael was very content in nursery last week.

There are five Story Hour volunteer leaders this year: Mrs. Jan B., Mrs. Wilma P., Mrs. Karen B., Mrs. Deb L., and Mrs. Nancy T. Mrs. Mary D. is Story Hour director this year. Each week we take turns with the story, craft, etc. The Bible stories we covered during November are “The Seven Times Miracle”, “A Queen and Her People”, “Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz”, and “Three Men in a Fire”. Thank you for your prayers and support of this program. We are grateful to be part of this ministry at Faith.

We will be meeting only two times during the month of December. The Bible stories we’ll read are “His Name is John” and “A Very Special Birthday”. The Story Hour kids will have the opportunity to sing Christmas songs for their moms on Wednesday, December 13. We will also have a birthday party for baby Jesus and make a special craft. Coffee Break/Story Hour resumes on Jan. 10, 2001!

Our Kids’ Choir had fun last month learning a mouthful of words to a song and then reflecting on what those words meant:

“For alone you are holy enthroned on the praises of Israel.”

They shared many ideas of how our great God could be enthroned on our praises; some kids even tried drawing what was going on in their minds. You can see two of their beautiful pictures later on in this issue of Faith Focus.

This is a very versatile group of kids! They love singing different kinds of music and learning many new techniques. We praise God for the gifts and talents He’s given these kids—from singing to playing to drawing!!

T’was the night before JESUS came . . .

	And all through the house, Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on a shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away o the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that JESUS was here! With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray, I knew in a moment this must be The Day! The light of His face made me cover my head. It was Jesus! returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth, I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in his hand Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When he said, “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were read He rose without a sound While all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear: The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There’s only one life and when comes the last call We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

GEMS

            During our opening singing/aerobic time (ask a GEM about that sometime), we always have a short devotion time as a group. This past month we held a presidential Election (George W. Bush won by a landslide), as well as discussing our ultimate “vote” for ruler over our lives. While the presidential election takes place every four years, our decision for ruler is one that lasts a lifetime and an eternity. Please continue to pray that our girls choose God (the one who keeps every promise made) over Satan (the ultimate liar). We have also discussed being seedless Christians (taking the easy way out) or planting seeds in God'’ kingdom (the harder path, but much more fruitful). Please pray that our counselors continue to plant seeds in our girls and that our girls plant these truths in others.

            Our 2^nd graders are learning lessons from children in the Bible with the help of their “God’s Kids” book this year. Our 3^rd graders learn their lessons this year from, “Women in the Bible.” Our 4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders use lessons from “Touch” magazines, a publication from GEMS in Grand Rapids which focuses on the theme for the year (Danger Ahead: Join the Rescue Squad!) Our 7^th and 8^th graders are working on their “Finishing Touches” books which include both inner and outer beauty secrets.

            Our 2^nd and 3^rd graders work on badges only as a group, not individually. The 2^nd graders just earned their very first badge last month. Congratulations! The 4^th through 8^th graders all have the opportunity to work on badges individually at home as well as with their class at GEMS meetings. At a recent meeting, we only had time to sing two songs since we needed time to pass out badges to almost every girl in our club—way to go girls! Keep up the hard work!

            The girls volunteer for Christian service projects over the course of the year. Some of the project planned (or already done) include sorting clothing at the Pass It On Thrift Center, working at PASS and collecting food for the Tinley Park Food Pantry.

            On November 29 we had a crazy hair and shoe night. Unfortunately, this article was due before that night, but I’m sure I’ll have some great stories for you later. Be sure to check out our bulletin board for pictures of this one!

                                    Nancy G.

365 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

            Ever say to yourself, “Enough of Christmas! I can’t stand the tension of rushing around and the traffic and having to cook and the stores full of pushy people and then ending up buying another tie and purse anyhow! I’ve had enough of Christmas already!!”

            Well, with that in mind, we bring to you this year’s Christmas program, “365 Days of Christmas.” We want to look at the real joy and happiness of the season spread out through the year. Couldn’t the Christmas story be fresh every day? Couldn’t it warm us in January, bring true love in February, rejuvenate us in the spring, inspire us in the summer, and give us the spirit of thank-fulness and praise in the fall?

            The whole idea of Christmas is to give us hope and joy for the whole year. Come to think of it, the idea of 365 days of Christmas sounds intriguing and more practical all the time. SO—join us on Sunday evening, December 10^th, here at Faith Church at 6:00 p.m. for the musical drama, “365 Days of Christmas Each Year.” Leading us in celebration will be Walk out Worship, the Church School chorus, Kids’ Choir’ ETM actors and high school assistants.

TREES
WREATHS
NUTS
POINTSETTIAS
CALENDARS

On Monday night, December 4^th, you can pickup all those Christmas items that you ordered from ETM and Young Peoples. Your tree and/or wreaths will be here that day for pick up. Also, your Koeze Nut decanters and boxes will be on hand. (A few of these Koeze gifts may still be available.) Poinsettia plants will be ready for the Advent season and the 2001 Creation Calendars are in. (These can still be purchase for $6 this month.)

The youth groups thank you for your tremendous support and wish you a happy holiday season. Thanks!

ETM NEWS

Junior Highers—save December 17 for a special surprise meeting at around 4:00 p.m.

YOUNG PEOPLES NEWS

Join us on Sunday evening, December 3^rd, at 7:15 p.m. for our “GIFTS TOO” session here at Faith in the Fellowship Hall. We will be discovering what gifts we have to give, as well as finalizing plans for the ice skating outing this month.

ADVANCE NOTICE: January 14 and 15—Ski Retreat

On Sunday and Monday, January 14 and 15, there will be a ski retreat to Madison, Wisconsin, along with other church youth groups. We will be leaving the church lot around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and returning on Monday night between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. We will be crashing at a church in Madison Sunday night and then hitting the slopes in the morning and skiing or snowboarding until 4:00 p.m., when we will return home. Costs will be $35 for a lift ticket, plus ski/board rental, if needed ($20-$30); and two meals on the road ($10?).

Registration/permission slips will be passed out in two weeks. Since this is out of state, forms will be mandatory to attend. (P.S., January 15 is a school holiday.)