01.05

What is the church? (12.29)

Talk to your children about what the church is.

The big emphasis should be "It is not a building.  It is people!"

Title:  What is the church?

Our Church’s mission:  To Glorify God by Making Disciples who Love God, Live out the Word, Love Others

Lesson Goal:    Students will understand the purpose of the church.

Bible Truths:  God created the local church to make His name know throughout the world.

The local church is not a building or location.  It is people.

Passage:  Matthew 28:18—20; 

More Passages:  Acts 2:42 – 47;  Ephesians 3:20, 21;  Ephesians 5:25 – 32  (more information on how to use these passages will be at ekidzresources.blogspot.com on Monday 12,23)

Principle:  God has designed the church to encourage and help people live life God’s way.

UPDATED: What God wants for Christmas

Family Life has many resources for families. 
One of those resources is What God Wants for Christmas.  

This book and manger scene is a countdown to Christmas.  There are 7 "presents" to open.
1.  Gabriel
2.  Mary
3.  Joseph
4.  Baby Jesus
5.  Shepherd
6.  Wise man

The seventh "present" is a mirror.  The final gift is a mirror. 
The book explains that the gift God wants is you and your worship. 


This is very similar to the resurrection eggs.
 Check out www.lifeway.com/Product/what-god-wants-for-christmas-P005483996

This is the activity the 4 & 5 years old did today in class.
http://www.familylife.com/~/media/Files/FamilyLife/Products/WGWFC_activity_sheets.pdf

What God wants for Christmas

This is the activity the 4 & 5 years old did today in class.
http://www.familylife.com/~/media/Files/FamilyLife/Products/WGWFC_activity_sheets.pdf

More details on what to do Christmas morning will be online tonight.

12.22 - 1st through 5th graders are in church!

At Emmanuel, we want every kid INTENTIONALLY discipled
With this intentionality in mind, I want to explain why we occasionally have the kids in the service with their parents.

1.  It is good for children to see their parents worshiping God.
2.  It is good for children to see the church worshiping God.
3.  It reminds the children that the focus of the church is not children's entertainment.  It is about worshiping God.
4.  It reminds the parents that the focus of the church is not the parent's convenience.  It is about worshiping God.
5.  It prepares children to be part of the service when they get older.
6.  It allows children to be part of the service today.

This is why we have 1st through 5th graders in church with their parents this Sunday.

Check out the kids in church post.  Click HERE

A Great 3 Nights of UPWARD Registration

We have over 140 kids signed up to play UPWARD basketball this year.  That is a lot more than we expected.  Because of the number of kids we had sign up we need more coaches than we originally thought.
Now you might be thinking to yourself  "I have never coached basketball before. I don't even know where to begin."  Let me use a common phrase today to help ease your fears.  "There's an app for that."  No kidding UPWARD has an app to help coach.  UPWARD has a coach's resource page which has a link to their coach's handbook app.   The website is www.upward.org/Site-Coach/Coach/upwardCoach.aspx?id=7872.
If you haven't coached before or if you have, UPWARD lays out each practice for you.  The drills, things to say and devos are all supplied. (see picture below).  You could even print out the pages if you wanted to go old school.
There is only one practice a week and one game on Saturday.
If you are interested in helping out come to one of our two coaches meetings tomorrow 6:15 to 7:30 OR 8:15 to 9:30 OR email upward@emmanuelbaptist.com.

God sovereignly protected Jesus from harm

Don't Forget Next Week December 22, 1st through 5th graders are with parents in the service.

Kid's Sermon Note Sheet:

www.emmanuelbaptist.com/images/File/children/childrenssermonnotesblank.pdf

Title:                    The King is preserved.

Passage:               Matthew 2:13—23

Principle:             God sovereignly protected Jesus from harm.

Praise:                   What Child is This?

Prompt:                Ask your child these questions:

· How did God keep Jesus safer from Herod and other wicked men?

· In what ways were Mary and Joseph obedient and why was their obedience important?

Practice: Help your child apply these truths in the following

ways:

· By trusting God and relying on His protection and guidance every day.

· By obeying God’s word and other authorities    without delay or debate.

Memory verse:

2 year olds through kindergarten:  

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  (Matthew 2:2)

1^st through 5^th grade: 

“Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”  (Matthew 2:13b)

Missionary:   The Stevensons in the USA

Ministry: Children’s Ministry (UPWARD)

Activity: Check ekidzministry.blogspot.com