Preschool: Easter

What a happy day Easter was! We joined the Elementary and Preschool classes together for a very special, very energetic Easter celebration :)

We began reading and thinking about what makes us happy? Is it ice cream, is it soccer, is it climbing a tree or dancing? We learned about Jesus's friends, John and Peter and Mary. We learned about how happy they were. Why? Because Jesus was ALIVE!

What does that mean for our kids? We too are so happy that Jesus is alive because for us, it means NEW LIFE! What is new life? We planted seeds and are ready to watch them grow (I hope your seeds start to sprout here in the next few days). This is new life. A baby who is in their mom's belly and then is born? That is new life too! What a gift that we and our kids are given, a new life in Christ.

Next week: Preschool will learn about Jesus and the woman at the well, focusing on what it means to be thirsty and be given water. How Jesus is our living water.

Some wonderful pictures

Torrey Edwards (aka, Olive's mom) took some really wonderful shots of life at Sanctuary on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago. You can see some of them (especially the great shots of the little beans) here.

Thanks Torrey!

-mark

Preschool: We love a parade!

 

The kids were so cute in the service this morning-- thanks for helping them wave palm branches! I know God was praised and the congregation loved it.

Today in class we celebrated Palm Sunday with a parade! We marched around the room shaking shakers and blowing blowers to get in a celebratory mood. We then read the story of the Triumphal Entry and how those kids waved palm branches at a parade. The kids at that parade shouted Hosanna for Jesus, their King, who was riding on a donkey. We talked about Jesus, our King-- the King of our hearts.

We then made crowns to remember to celebrate Jesus, our King!

Next Week: Easter! We are going to be planting seeds next week and taking them home to watch them grow. We'll talk about new life rising from the earth. Be sure to have a sunny(ish) spot ready at home for your child's bean plant. You can watch it grow together next week and remember Easter means new life.

Preschool: The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Jesus told his followers the story of the Lost Sheep. How the shepherd counted his sheep, looked for his sheep, called for his sheep, and was so happy when he found his sheep! What a great story of love for our precious kids.

We played hide and seek-- the kids were the lost sheep and the shepherd came and found them. Then we made pictures of sheep with cotton balls (as you probably know :) to take home!

Next week: Palm Sunday! The kids will help lead Halelu/Praise Ye The Lord in the 1st service, complete with palm branches. They'll be standing in the aisles, so if you can sit throughout through the theater, that will help. If there are any kids available for the 2nd service, we'll do it then too. Thanks!

Preschool: Jesus calms the storm

Last Sunday, the kids heard the story of Jesus calming the storm. We introduced the idea of finding calm when we are afraid or anxious. The kids talked about their lovies, night lights and other items and then we all sang Jesus Loves Me at the top of their lungs. We then prayed and talked about how we can call on Jesus when we're scared, like the disciples did.

We made boats and played Awake/Asleep as Jesus woke up and calmed the storm!

Next week we'll study the parable of the lost sheep.