Sunday, December 14th

Teaching Staff:
Preschool: 9:30 Karen Hoffman 11:15 Jen Turner
Lower Elementary: 9:30 Janie Schwab 11:15 Jen McKinnon
Upper Elementary: 11:15 Dan Carrel

Monthly Worship Songs: Do You Hear what I hear? Away in a manger, Joy to the World

This week In Preschool & Lower Elementary...
CNX Kids learned: “Jesus is God’s Son!”
On Sunday, preschoolers and lower elementary students learned the second part of the true story of Christmas. Joseph and Mary had looked and looked but couldnt find a place to stay anywhere, and Baby Jesus was about to be born! Finally, someone let them stay in their stable with the animals, and that is where Jesus was born.

Together, we shared in the joy of this wonderful news as we practiced our special worship songs and then created a stable craft to remember our Bible story.

This week in upper elementary
CNX Kids learned: Wise people seek Jesus every day.

This Sunday, Upper Elementary kids heard the story of the wise men and saw how they processed what God was doing through the Bethlehem star.

Heres the thing. Anyone could have followed that star, but not everyone did. Most people missed out. As far as we know, no one else even noticed the star. If they did, they didnt know what it meant or have the courage to do anything about it.

CNX Kids learned that wise people seek Jesus every day. It was true 2,000 years ago. Its still true today.

This week God may not hang a new star right over your houses to get your attention, but He will try to get your attention in other ways. It may be through a Bible verse or a song. It may be through a thought that pops into your head while youre praying. It may be through something someone says to you or just through something that happens to you in your day.

However God speaks into their lives this week, CNX Kids are ready!

Hey Parents,
Want to explore this week’s lesson with your child at home?
Here’s how!!

Preschool & Lower elementary School:
Review the weekly Bible story by reading it together
Luke 2:1-7
Jesus, Gods only son, is born in a stable.

Help your children live out this weeks Bible verse by finding examples of it in their own lives and yours.
“God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. John 3:16

Try out the following activity:
Name one specific Christmas decoration before you begin to drive. It can be anything! A Christmas tree, snowman, lightswhatever you want it to be. Every time you see that decoration, point it out and together say, “Happy Birthday, Jesus! After all, Christmas is all about Jesus birthday! Without Jesus there would be no Christmas. Hes that special! Why is Jesus special? Jesus is Gods Son.

Set aside time throughout the week to pray together:
“Dear God, thank You for loving us so much that You would give us all of our friends and family. Thank You for (name of loved one) and for (repeat with each loved one). But more than anything, thank You for loving us so much that You gave us Your only Son, Jesus, to be our friend forever. We love You, God. In Jesus name, amen.

upper elementary School:
Encourage your child to explain to you how they have learned ways that: Wise people seek Jesus every day.


Review the weekly Bible story by reading it together:
The wise men worship Jesus (Matthew 2)

Help your children live out this weeks Bible verse by finding examples of it in their own lives and yours.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Try out the following activity:
This week your kids learned that the wise men recognized the activity of God in their lives, processed it, and put what God showed them into action by seeking out Jesus. Make a game of finding Jesus this week with your kids. Take a baby Jesus figure from a nativity set or cut out a picture of Jesus from a Christmas card if you dont have a nativity set. Hide the figure or the picture in plain sight somewhere new every morning. See who can be the first person to find Jesus each day. Let whoever finds him hide Jesus the next day.

Have a Dinnertime Discussion!
At dinnertime this week, ask one of these questions to get your family talking.
  • How hard was it to find Jesus today? 

  • Who do you think is going to find him first tomorrow? 

  • What are some ways we can look for the real Jesus every day? 

  • How can we put what Jesus tells us into action? 



Use these questions to help kids develop the habit of looking for Gods activity in their every day circumstances, processing it with family and spiritual friends, and acting on what God tells them to do.

Set aside time throughout the week to pray together:
God, thank You that You love us and that You want to us to find Jesus every day. Thanks for showing up in our lives in really cool ways. Help us to pay attention and look for You with all of our hearts this week.

Amen.

Sunday, December 7th

Teaching Staff:
Preschool: 9:30 Nicole Humphrey 11:15 Tomra Bazer
Lower Elementary: 9:30 Ant Abraham 11:15 Nicole Humphrey
Upper Elementary: 11:15 Steve Hand

Monthly Worship Songs: Do You Hear what I hear? Away in a manger, Joy to the World

This week In Preschool & Lower Elementary...
CNX Kids learned: “Jesus is God’s Son!”
On Sunday, preschoolers and lower elementary students learned how the angel Gabriel brought Mary the greatest news everthat she was going to give birth to Gods son and name him Jesus!

Together, we shared in the joy of this wonderful news as we practiced our special worship songs and then created an angel craft to remember our Bible story.

This week in upper elementary
CNX Kids learned: We can share what God tells us with others.
This Sunday, Upper Elementary kids continued to talk about how really great news just cant be contained!  They learned that the shepherds couldnt keep the news of Jesus birth to themselves. The Bible says that, after they had seen Jesus, they told everyone about what had happened and everything the angels had said about this child. He was here! He was finally here! The Savior had come at last!

CNX Kids learned that the same is true for all of us! Just like the shepherds, you can share Gods good news with everyone you meet. Not just at Christmas but at any time. The biggest, greatest news you could ever share is that on that first Christmas many years ago, Gods Son came to earth to invite all us to be friends with God no matter who we are or what weve done. Thats really good news!

Hey Parents,
Want to explore this week’s lesson with your child at home?
Here’s how!!

Preschool & Lower elementary School:
Review the weekly Bible story by reading it together
The angel told Mary she would have a special baby.
The Angel and Mary • Luke 1:26-33, 38, 46

Help your children live out this weeks Bible verse by finding examples of it in their own lives and yours.
“God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. John 3:16

Try out the following activity:
While sitting with the family, play a little game of messenger. Tell your child he will be the messenger and its his job to deliver the messages you give him. Whisper a message in his ear and tell him which family member to deliver it to. It can be anything encouraging such as, “I like your shirt, “You are super smart! or “You have a great smile! Remind your child about how God sent an angel to deliver a special message to Mary. What was the message? She was going to have baby Jesus.

Set aside time throughout the week to pray together:
“Dear God, this is such a special time of year. We are so thankful You loved us enough to give us Jesus to be our friend forever. Thank You for giving (name of child) Jesus to be his friend. And thank You for giving me Jesus to be my friend. Knowing You love us and that Jesus is our friend forever is the bestest news ever! We love You, God. In Jesus name, amen.

upper elementary School:
Encourage your child to explain to you how they have learned ways that: We can share what God tells us with others.

Review the weekly Bible story by reading it together:
Jesus sends out the disciples (Luke 10:1-10)

Help your children live out this weeks Bible verse by finding examples of it in their own lives and yours.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. Luke 2:17

Try out the following activity:
This week your kids learned about how the angels shared the good news of Jesus with the shepherds, who then shared it with others. They also talked about how they could share Jesus with the People of Peace in their lives those who are open to receiving whatever God wants to say through you to them about Jesus.

For this weeks challenge, place any Christmas cards youve received in a bowl. Let one of your children close his or her eyes and draw out a card before dinner or bedtime each night. Take some time to pray for whoevers card they choose. Give thanks for people in your lives who have helped you follow Jesus and pray for God to connect you with People of Peace to share Jesus with this Christmas as well.

Have a Dinnertime Discussion!
At dinnertime this week, ask one of these questions to get your family talking.
  • Who are some of your favorite people to spend time with? 

  • Who are some new friends that God has brought into our lives this year? 
  • Who are some of the People of Peace that God has brought into our lives? 

  • How can we serve and share with these People of Peace this week? 


Use these questions to help kids learn to identify the People of Peace in their lives and to share Jesus when God supernaturally opens a door.

Set aside time throughout the week to pray together:

God, thank You for sending Jesus so we can be Your kids. Thank You for sending the angels to tell the shepherds about Him, and thanks for sending the shepherds to tell all the other people too. Please show us some People of Peace this week whom we can love and talk to about the real story of Christmas. Amen.