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	February2009
Teach Children to Love All People In today’s diverse world, people have an assortment of physical abilities, skin colors, cultural backgrounds, and religious beliefs. And children notice these differences among individuals. Kids of all ages may be unsure how to act toward people who are different from them. For example, young children may be fearful, while preteens may resort to name-calling. No matter a person’s appearance or situation, we can be sure of one thing: Jesus loves and values him or her and calls us to do the same. This issue of “The Parent Link” explores ways you can focus on that important message during February, a season of love. Acknowledge the differences that children notice in people. Answer children’s questions honestly and factually. Brushing over such inquiries may send the message that there’s something “wrong” with that person. Encourage children to look for positive qualities in people. Focus on what makes each person special and unique. Children who feel secure in themselves are less likely to feel prejudice toward others. Let children explore their differences. Allow them to interact with kids from other cultures. Talk about other religious beliefs, while acknowledging that there is only one true God. Be a role model of love and acceptance. If you want your children to respect differences, you need that same approach to life yourself. As your role model, use Jesus, who not only spoke about compassion but also befriended society’s outsiders and outcasts. Our Varied World ·         Nearly one in six children has mental disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or other developmental disabilities. ·         In America’s public schools, 42% of students are now racial minorities, up from 22% three decades ago. ·         Traditional nuclear families now represent only half of the U.S. population.	Ask God: 1.     To give your children a loving spirit toward all people. 2.     To help your children embrace and celebrate people’s differences. 3.      To help your children look beyond appearances and live out their compassion daily.
	Parenting Insights Even young children can learn that God loves people of all colors, shapes, and sizes. John Perkins, publisher of Urban Family magazine, offers these tips for overcoming racism: ·         Realize that love is every person’s most basic need. “The first step is to help children understand God’s love and its power,” Perkins says. “Our love for Jesus is to be demonstrated by the way we love each other.” ·         Treat people equally. By showing evenhandedness in your interactions, you model Jesus’ acceptance and draw others to accept his love. ·         Become secure in God’s love for you. “Deal with your insecurities and help others deal with theirs,” Perkins advises. “Insecurity causes one person to exploit another.”

“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other…. If we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.” 1 John 4:11-12 As children see on Valentine’s Day, love is meant to be given away. By loving all of God’s people, we show gratitude for his deep love for us. Teachable Moments 1.     Common Grounds—When children point out people’s differences, have them help you list ways that everyone is alike (we’re all God’s children, we all have feelings, and so on). 2.     It’s a Diverse World—Choose books, videos, and toys featuring a range of ethnicities. Read about people overcoming physical challenges. 3.     Make a New Friend—Invite someone with a different cultural background to your house. At dinner, have him or her share customs, traditions, and stories. 4.     Include Others—Ask people who might normally feel left out to join you on family outings (for example, single parents and their children, kids from less-privileged backgrounds, etc).

It’s often easy to love people who look like us, but God instructs us to look beyond appearances. Use these questions to start an important conversation with your children. Think about your friends: How are they all alike? How are they each different? Why do you think God made such a variety of people? What would life be like if everyone looked and acted the same? How does it feel to be judged based on what you look like? When you judge someone only by appearances, what might you miss out on? What are some ways to show love toward people who are different from you?

Family Experience: Love One Another Explore some ways to put love into action by using these ideas from Group’s Hands-on Bible. ·         The #1 Command—Grab some pencils, markers, and big sheets of paper. Have family members take turns lying down on the paper. Use the pencil to trace around each body outline. Use markers to fill in facial features, hair, and clothing. Then read Mark 12:28-31 together. Around your shape outline, write ways you can love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. On the bottom, write ways you can love your friend or family member as yourself. (If you’re stuck, think how you’d like to be treated!)    ·         God Is Love—As a family, cut a large heart out of white poster board. Mount it on a slightly bigger piece of colored poster board. Write the words of 1 John 4:7-8 around the heart. Hang it on a wall. Tear red construction paper into small pieces big enough to write on. Put the pieces in a bag or bowl near your poster. Every time a family member shows love, he or she should write it on a paper piece. Glue or tape the piece to the heart.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies Movie: Coraline (Feb. 6) Genre: Animated Fantasy/Adventure Rating: PG (for thematic elements, scary images, some language, and some suggestive humor) Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Dawn French Synopsis: When a girl walks through a secret door in her new home, she discovers an alternate version of her life. It’s very similar to her real life, but she actually perceives it as much better. This adventure soon turns dangerous when Coraline’s fake parents try to keep her in this alternate life forever. She must figure out a way to get back home to save herself and her real family.  Discussion Questions: What might it be like to have a different life or different parents? Why do you think God has placed you in this family and in these circumstances? How can we discover God’s plans for us? What Music Is Releasing Artist: David Cook Album: David Cook Artist Info: When he picked up a guitar at age 13, David Cook knew rock ’n’ roll was the style for him. He reluctantly auditioned for American Idol season seven and eventually won. A week later, he broke chart records when 11 of his songs debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Summary: Cook’s debut album deals with relationships, loneliness, and life on the road. The songs, ranging from ballads to rock anthems, are full of poetic, heartfelt lyrics. “Permanent” is about his brother’s struggle with brain cancer. Cook calls writing music “therapeutic,” saying it’s “an outlet to express negative energy.” Discussion Questions: What are some positive and negative ways of expressing tough emotions? When you’re having a bad day, what’s your best outlet or stress-reliever? What Games Are Out Title Content Rating & Platform WordJong Party This simple puzzle game has a low level of difficulty. Players compete to spell the longest words possible. E; Wii Prince of Persia: The Fallen King A cartoon hero battles corrupt forces. This game is tamer than its more-mature versions. There’s no blood or gore. E; Nintendo DS SPRay This adventure game features an angel and a devil who spew gross liquids from their mouths. The game contains mild cartoon violence, as well as burping and flatulence. E10+; Wii GAME RATINGS KEY: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+)

Culture & Trends What’s happening right now that may affect your children and family: ·         Facebook is the hot new hangout for parents. Millions of them now use the social-networking site to keep family and friends informed about their growing children. ·         More parents are turning to home remedies for the sniffles. Now that cold and cough medicines for children are out, chicken soup and nasal washes are in. ______________ Quick Stats ·         In an online survey, 73% of respondents said they secretly love their kids more than their spouse; 17% said they love both the same; and 11% said “my spouse comes first.” (nymetroparents.com) ·         About 1 in 200 children is a vegetarian. The rate for teenagers might be four to six times higher, surveys suggest. (Associated Press)

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9:15   Life Groups 10:30   Worship			5:15   Comm. Cafe   6:30   Planted (K-4)             Ground                       Zero (5-6)			9:00   Upward             Games
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9:15   Life Groups 10:30   Worship			5:15   Comm. Cafe   6:30   Planted (K-4)             Ground                       Zero (5-6)			9:00   Upward             Games
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9:15   Life Groups 10:30   Worship			5:15   Comm. Cafe   6:30   Planted (K-4)             Ground                       Zero (5-6)			1:00   Upward             Games
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9:15   Life Groups 10:30   Worship   2:00-4:00 Upwards Awards			5:15   Comm. Cafe   6:30   Planted (K-4)             Ground                       Zero (5-6)			9:00   Upward             Games

This is going to be a powerful time in the preschool area as all of our children will be learning not only of the great love that Jesus has for each one of us, but also as they come to understand that Jesus desires for them to love Him back.  Please join us this month in the Greenhouse area at 9:15 AM as we continue on this journey of learning about God’s vast love for each one of us.

Toddlers and 2’s

The toddlers and 2’s (the green, pink, and orange classes) are spending the month focusing on the concept that “Jesus Loves Us.”  This is a powerful concept for each of these youngsters and the lessons will be focusing on Mark 10:14-16.  The memory verse that these children will be hearing every week is, “Jesus loves children.”  Each lesson will be derived from this concept with the first lesson focusing on Jesus Loves Everyone and ending the month with children proclaiming their love for Jesus as well.

The lessons for the month are as follows:

Lesson 9       Jesus Loves Everyone                      

Lesson 10     Jesus Loves Children                        

Lesson 11     Jesus Loves Us All the Time

Lesson 12     We Love Jesus, too.

Preschool (3’s & 4’s)

Our preschool children (the blue and purple classes) will be focusing on the concept that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, with the emphasis that Jesus loves us.  Each of these lessons throughout the month will be focusing on a different aspect of the bible.  But throughout the month the memory verse will be the same.  The children will remember that “The Lord is my shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1a). 

The lessons for the month are as follows:

Lesson 9     Jesus Loves Us and Knows Our Names

                  (John 10:3-4)

Lesson 10   Jesus Loves Us and Keeps Us Safe

                  (Luke 15:1-7)

Lesson 11   Jesus Loves Us and Gives Us What We Need

                  (Psalm 23)

Lesson 12   Jesus Love Us and Wants Us to Follow Him

                  (Psalm 23 & Matt 18:10-14)

February Volunteer of the Month

The joy of the Lord is her strength.  Despite the recent loss of her mother, you never see her without a smile on her face, and an obvious heart of Joy.  She shows love daily to both our children and her many friends.

Our volunteer of the month is Allison Stephens. Allison and David have been married for the past nine years. They are a fabulous couple, and Allison says, “My biggest blessing in life is to be called Mrs. David Stephens.”  They share two beautiful children: Andrew, age 4, and Kaitlyn, 9 months.  When Allison is not at home enjoying her kiddos and wonderful hubby, she is working right here at SHBC, in both the Children’s Department and the Mothers’ Day Out program.  She is active in Bible study, has lots of good friends, and is an avid OU fan.

 

Next time you see that infectious smile topped with all the curls, give Allison a hug and a thanks for her service to the Lord here at Southern Hills

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	December2008
Loosen the Grip of Materialism   During the Christmas season, our efforts to honor the holiday’s true meaning do battle with the consumer culture. But the temptation to overindulge our kids isn’t limited to December. All year long, children are bombarded by ads for “must-have” items that promise fun, excitement, and popularity. And parents often give in, either because they can or because they don’t want their kids to be deprived.   Research shows that overindulged children are less able to cope with stress, often lack self-control, and are at risk for being self-centered and depressed. From a spiritual standpoint, materialism shifts our priorities from heavenly things to earthly things. Consider these ways to tame the monsters of materialism and   overindulgence:  Emphasize the importance of nonmaterial values. Place a priority on spending time as a family, doing things other than shopping. Also watch what kind of example you set.   Help children explore their values. Instead of just saying “no” to every request, use the moment to discover what’s important to kids.   Realize that overindulgence comes in many forms. Avoid indulging your children emotionally by expecting too much or too little of them. Children crave boundaries, so don’t feel guilty about setting limits. Also, resist the temptation to do chores and tasks for your kids that they should be doing themselves.   An Overload of Overindulgence ·         The average American family spends $800 on Christmas gifts every year but only nine minutes playing together on Christmas morning. (Washington Dept. of Parks & Recreation)   ·         More children go shopping every week than read, go to church, play outdoors, or talk with their family. (Born to Buy, Juliet Schor)   ·         America’s 27 million preteens (kids ages 9-14) directly or indirectly influence $170 billion in sales each year. (Journal of Consumer Psychology)	Ask God: 1.     To give your children a joyful, Christ-centered Christmas.   2.     To help your children feel satisfied with what they have.   3.     To help your children place value on spiritual things, not material things.
	Parenting Insights In The Five Love Languages of Children, Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell explain that some children get their emotional tanks filled by receiving gifts. Yet parents must exercise caution:   1.     Remember children’s deep need for love. When kids don’t feel truly loved, they can misinterpret a gift, thinking it has conditions attached.   2.     Don’t offer gifts as substitutes. Time and emotional security are what children desire the most.   3.     Giving has little to do with an item’s size and cost. Children will be delighted by necessities that are lovingly offered, such as school clothes in fun wrapping paper.   4.     Not all gifts come from a store. For example, kids will cherish a wildflower or unusual stone you present creatively.

“Store your treasures in heaven…. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:20-21   Only God, not possessions, can satisfy our longings for love and belonging. Help your family treasure the baby Jesus this Christmas and focus on giving, not receiving.   Teachable Moments   1.     Adopt a Family—Purchase gifts and a holiday meal for a family in need. Then deliver everything on Christmas Eve. You can do this anonymously.   2.     Seasonal Celebrations— For younger children, make a birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. For older children, throw a baby shower for Jesus by donating items to a local crisis-pregnancy center.   3.     Make Allowances—Try this idea with money your kids receive for Christmas, and continue it year-round: Have children use 10% of their money to help someone else, whether it’s donated or used to buy a small gift. Together, keep a journal detailing how children use that 10%.

What do your children value the most, and how do they view Christmas gift-giving? Start some important conversations this month with these questions: What’s on your Christmas list this year? Why do you want each of these things?   How long will each of your Christmas presents make you happy? How will you feel if you don’t get something on your list?   How does it feel to give someone a special gift? How does it feel to receive a gift that you aren’t expecting?   Why do we exchange gifts at Christmas? Why is the baby Jesus the best gift we could ever receive?

The Generosity of a Child   In November, we asked our Orchard children to donate some of their hard earned Kids Kash to help out hungry families here in Tulsa.  They can earn $1 in Kids Kash by either brining a friend to church with them, memorizing Bible verses, bringing their Bible or by writing in their journals.  They then get to spend their Kids Kash in our store by purchasing anything from gum & candy to Webkinz.   For each $5 in Kids Kash donated, the SHBC Children’s Ministry made a donation equal to one Thanksgiving Dinner to the John 3:16 Mission here in Tulsa.   The following kids donated $180 in Kids Kash which was equal to 36 Thanksgiving Dinners for the John 3:16 Mission:   Sarah Goggan, Jonathan Harrington, Maddie Kizziar, the Kindergarten Class, Austin Lilly, Lauren Love, Sarah Miller, Natalie Nell, Sara Rose Nell, Sabre Parker, Mariah Priddy, Joshua Vincent, Kaylee Vincent, and Kaleb White.   The next time you see one of these kids, give them a pat on the back.   During December, we are again asking our Orchard children to make a donation.  This time, their $5 Kids Kash donation will help provide 7 meals for hungry families in Eastern Oklahoma through the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies   Movie: Delgo (Dec. 12) Genre: Animated Adventure Rating: PG (for sequences of fantasy action violence) Cast: Val Kilmer, Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anne Bancroft, Kelly Ripa Synopsis: In this computer-animated fantasy film, Delgo is an adventurous teenager in an exotic but divided land. He must rally his unlikely group of troubled friends to protect their world from conflict. There’s an uneasy peace between the Lockni, who rule the land, and the winged Nohrin, who rule the skies. The plot involves Delgo trying to rescue a kidnapped princess and clear his name about a crime he didn’t commit. Discussion Questions: When your friends start arguing, how do you decide whether or not to get involved? How does it feel to be a peacemaker? Read Hebrews 12:14. How do peace and holiness work together? Why are they both so important to living a Christlike life?     What Music Is Releasing   Album: David Archuleta Artist Info: David Archuleta, a high school student in Utah, was the runner-up on American Idol season seven. He began singing at age 6 and was winning the favor of Star Search audiences by 12. Archuleta attributes his song selection to his Mormon faith. His fans are known as “Archies” or “Arch Angels.” Summary: Archuleta’s debut release is an adult-contemporary album with soulful ballads that will appeal to his many young, female fans. Several songs are piano-based and mid- to low-tempo, allowing Archuleta to feature his rich vocals. “Crush” and other songs address the ups and downs of relationships. Discussion Questions: How would you define a crush? Why do so many kids experience such powerful crushes? How does a crush compare to true love? How can you determine what you’re really feeling toward someone?     What Games Are Out Title Content Rating & Platform Bella Sara This online game allows girls to care for hundreds of virtual horses through trading cards and an online community. E; Nintendo DS, PS2, Xbox Little Big Planet This community-based game lets kids play, create, and share what they build with other PlayStation Network games. E; PS3 Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Banjo and Gruntilda compete to own Spiral Mountain. A new character (LOG) tries to settle the conflict. Contains mild cartoon violence and comic mischief. E10+; Xbox GAME RATINGS KEY: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+)

Culture & Trends What’s happening right now that may affect your children and family:   ·         This year’s hot holiday toy for both boys and girls is Elmo Live, which retails for about $60. Other popular presents include e-pets and kid-friendly digital cameras. (Toptoysguide.com)   ·         Even before this fall’s financial crisis hit, 25% of parents surveyed said they planned to forego gifts for each other this Christmas to keep up with their spending on presents for their kids. (America’s Research Group) ______________ Quick Stats ·         More U.S. children now receive drugs for chronic conditions. Between 2002 and 2005, kids’ prescriptions went up: o        50% for type-2 diabetes o        46% for asthma o        40% for ADHD (Pediatrics)   ·         In a study, kids who played a musical instrument had 15% better vocabulary scores than nonmusical peers. (PLoS ONE)

 

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Download Filelist View this photo

	December2008
Loosen the Grip of Materialism   During the Christmas season, our efforts to honor the holiday’s true meaning do battle with the consumer culture. But the temptation to overindulge our kids isn’t limited to December. All year long, children are bombarded by ads for “must-have” items that promise fun, excitement, and popularity. And parents often give in, either because they can or because they don’t want their kids to be deprived.   Research shows that overindulged children are less able to cope with stress, often lack self-control, and are at risk for being self-centered and depressed. From a spiritual standpoint, materialism shifts our priorities from heavenly things to earthly things. Consider these ways to tame the monsters of materialism and   overindulgence:  Emphasize the importance of nonmaterial values. Place a priority on spending time as a family, doing things other than shopping. Also watch what kind of example you set.   Help children explore their values. Instead of just saying “no” to every request, use the moment to discover what’s important to kids.   Realize that overindulgence comes in many forms. Avoid indulging your children emotionally by expecting too much or too little of them. Children crave boundaries, so don’t feel guilty about setting limits. Also, resist the temptation to do chores and tasks for your kids that they should be doing themselves.   An Overload of Overindulgence ·         The average American family spends $800 on Christmas gifts every year but only nine minutes playing together on Christmas morning. (Washington Dept. of Parks & Recreation)   ·         More children go shopping every week than read, go to church, play outdoors, or talk with their family. (Born to Buy, Juliet Schor)   ·         America’s 27 million preteens (kids ages 9-14) directly or indirectly influence $170 billion in sales each year. (Journal of Consumer Psychology)	Ask God: 1.     To give your children a joyful, Christ-centered Christmas.   2.     To help your children feel satisfied with what they have.   3.     To help your children place value on spiritual things, not material things.
	Parenting Insights In The Five Love Languages of Children, Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell explain that some children get their emotional tanks filled by receiving gifts. Yet parents must exercise caution:   1.     Remember children’s deep need for love. When kids don’t feel truly loved, they can misinterpret a gift, thinking it has conditions attached.   2.     Don’t offer gifts as substitutes. Time and emotional security are what children desire the most.   3.     Giving has little to do with an item’s size and cost. Children will be delighted by necessities that are lovingly offered, such as school clothes in fun wrapping paper.   4.     Not all gifts come from a store. For example, kids will cherish a wildflower or unusual stone you present creatively.

“Store your treasures in heaven…. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:20-21   Only God, not possessions, can satisfy our longings for love and belonging. Help your family treasure the baby Jesus this Christmas and focus on giving, not receiving.   Teachable Moments   1.     Adopt a Family—Purchase gifts and a holiday meal for a family in need. Then deliver everything on Christmas Eve. You can do this anonymously.   2.     Seasonal Celebrations— For younger children, make a birthday cake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. For older children, throw a baby shower for Jesus by donating items to a local crisis-pregnancy center.   3.     Make Allowances—Try this idea with money your kids receive for Christmas, and continue it year-round: Have children use 10% of their money to help someone else, whether it’s donated or used to buy a small gift. Together, keep a journal detailing how children use that 10%.

What do your children value the most, and how do they view Christmas gift-giving? Start some important conversations this month with these questions: What’s on your Christmas list this year? Why do you want each of these things?   How long will each of your Christmas presents make you happy? How will you feel if you don’t get something on your list?   How does it feel to give someone a special gift? How does it feel to receive a gift that you aren’t expecting?   Why do we exchange gifts at Christmas? Why is the baby Jesus the best gift we could ever receive?

The Generosity of a Child   In November, we asked our Orchard children to donate some of their hard earned Kids Kash to help out hungry families here in Tulsa.  They can earn $1 in Kids Kash by either brining a friend to church with them, memorizing Bible verses, bringing their Bible or by writing in their journals.  They then get to spend their Kids Kash in our store by purchasing anything from gum & candy to Webkinz.   For each $5 in Kids Kash donated, the SHBC Children’s Ministry made a donation equal to one Thanksgiving Dinner to the John 3:16 Mission here in Tulsa.   The following kids donated $180 in Kids Kash which was equal to 36 Thanksgiving Dinners for the John 3:16 Mission:   Sarah Goggan, Jonathan Harrington, Maddie Kizziar, the Kindergarten Class, Austin Lilly, Lauren Love, Sarah Miller, Natalie Nell, Sara Rose Nell, Sabre Parker, Mariah Priddy, Joshua Vincent, Kaylee Vincent, and Kaleb White.   The next time you see one of these kids, give them a pat on the back.   During December, we are again asking our Orchard children to make a donation.  This time, their $5 Kids Kash donation will help provide 7 meals for hungry families in Eastern Oklahoma through the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies   Movie: Delgo (Dec. 12) Genre: Animated Adventure Rating: PG (for sequences of fantasy action violence) Cast: Val Kilmer, Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anne Bancroft, Kelly Ripa Synopsis: In this computer-animated fantasy film, Delgo is an adventurous teenager in an exotic but divided land. He must rally his unlikely group of troubled friends to protect their world from conflict. There’s an uneasy peace between the Lockni, who rule the land, and the winged Nohrin, who rule the skies. The plot involves Delgo trying to rescue a kidnapped princess and clear his name about a crime he didn’t commit. Discussion Questions: When your friends start arguing, how do you decide whether or not to get involved? How does it feel to be a peacemaker? Read Hebrews 12:14. How do peace and holiness work together? Why are they both so important to living a Christlike life?     What Music Is Releasing   Album: David Archuleta Artist Info: David Archuleta, a high school student in Utah, was the runner-up on American Idol season seven. He began singing at age 6 and was winning the favor of Star Search audiences by 12. Archuleta attributes his song selection to his Mormon faith. His fans are known as “Archies” or “Arch Angels.” Summary: Archuleta’s debut release is an adult-contemporary album with soulful ballads that will appeal to his many young, female fans. Several songs are piano-based and mid- to low-tempo, allowing Archuleta to feature his rich vocals. “Crush” and other songs address the ups and downs of relationships. Discussion Questions: How would you define a crush? Why do so many kids experience such powerful crushes? How does a crush compare to true love? How can you determine what you’re really feeling toward someone?     What Games Are Out Title Content Rating & Platform Bella Sara This online game allows girls to care for hundreds of virtual horses through trading cards and an online community. E; Nintendo DS, PS2, Xbox Little Big Planet This community-based game lets kids play, create, and share what they build with other PlayStation Network games. E; PS3 Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts Banjo and Gruntilda compete to own Spiral Mountain. A new character (LOG) tries to settle the conflict. Contains mild cartoon violence and comic mischief. E10+; Xbox GAME RATINGS KEY: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+)

Culture & Trends What’s happening right now that may affect your children and family:   ·         This year’s hot holiday toy for both boys and girls is Elmo Live, which retails for about $60. Other popular presents include e-pets and kid-friendly digital cameras. (Toptoysguide.com)   ·         Even before this fall’s financial crisis hit, 25% of parents surveyed said they planned to forego gifts for each other this Christmas to keep up with their spending on presents for their kids. (America’s Research Group) ______________ Quick Stats ·         More U.S. children now receive drugs for chronic conditions. Between 2002 and 2005, kids’ prescriptions went up: o        50% for type-2 diabetes o        46% for asthma o        40% for ADHD (Pediatrics)   ·         In a study, kids who played a musical instrument had 15% better vocabulary scores than nonmusical peers. (PLoS ONE)

 

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November Children's Ministry Newsletter

	November2008
Help Children Be Grateful Pray-ers   There’s an important significance to the fact that Thanksgiving comes before Christmas. It’s tough to experience “Joy to the World” without first having had the opportunity to “Give Thanks.”   Gratitude receives special emphasis as Thanksgiving nears, but parents can keep it at the forefront of children’s minds year-round. A great way to start is by helping kids pray with grateful hearts.   Read on to discover ways to show children the value of thanking God for all he provides and does for us:   Make prayer a part of your children’s lives by incorporating it into   daily living. Model frequent prayer, showing children that requests aren’t the only reason to talk to God. Use the “ACTS” model of prayer to get started: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.   Show thankfulness by saying spontaneous prayers throughout the day. Remember to tell God thanks for life’s “little things”—from pretty clouds to favorite foods. Also, thank God for your children’s kindness and help.   Direct children’s gratitude toward the giver of “whatever is good and perfect” (see James 1:17). Let children know that only God deserves credit for all of our blessings. Recognize and affirm children’s feelings of gratitude, and point your children to the real source.   Insights About Prayer and Gratitude In a nationwide survey conducted by the Barna Group, only 34% of children ages 8 to 12 said that prayer is very important to them. Researcher George Barna said that poses a challenge to parents, who “must take the lead in establishing the centrality of faith experiences and practices for their children.”   Some good news about gratitude: Researchers tell us that it’s both a feeling and a habit of mind. In addition, the experience of gratitude motivates people to be kind, especially toward the giver of what we’re grateful for.	Ask God: 1.     To help your children be thankful for their many blessings.   2.     To give your children a desire to talk with God often.   3.     To help your family keep an attitude of gratitude all year.
	Age-Appropriate Prayers In Children’s Ministry Magazine, Kathy Downs offers insights into children’s perceptions of prayer—and some ways to help kids pray:   Ages 2 to 3 Children this age understand that Jesus is their friend. Say simple, conversational “sentence prayers” that relate to children’s life.   Ages 4 to 6 These children want to know how God works in their lives. Help them think of other people to pray for. Point out examples of how God answers prayers.   Ages 7 to 9 Children this age feel a need for God’s help and can verbally express thoughts. Offer examples of delayed answers to prayers.   Ages 10 to 12 Preteens understand that God is more personal but may doubt his love. Help kids express joys and fears, using the Bible to support their prayer lives.

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2   Prayer is a natural response to hearts that are overflowing with thankfulness. Talking to and praising God is the best way to express our gratitude for his endless love.   Teachable Moments   1.     Prayer Prompts—To help children get started with prayers, write or say some sentence-starters. For example, “God, you are….” “I’m happy you made….” and “Please help….”   2.     Prayer-and-Praise Journals—Use an inexpensive scrapbook to keep track of ways God answers your family’s prayers. Children also can color or paste in pictures of things they’re thankful for.   3.     Popcorn Prayers—For a fun twist on prayer, have family members take turns saying one thing they’re thankful for or one person they want God to bless.   4.     Pray Without Ceasing—Show children the value of prayer and gratitude during difficult times. Together, thank God for his constant care and for loving and forgiving us even when we mess up.

The approaching holidays offer many opportunities to have conversations about gratitude and prayer. Use these discussion-starters to explore the topics with your children:   What are some nice things people do for you? When you are treated kindly, what does that make you want to do?   What are all the things God has given you just today? Why do you think God does all that for us?   What are some good words we can use to show God that we appreciate his many blessings?   What are some ways besides praying that we can show God how thankful we are?

An inside View of Children’s Ministry An Article by Jenny Sherier “Children Ministry Guest Author” Hi, I’m Jenny Sherier. I’m a 6th grader that goes to church every Wednesday night and Sunday morning. The children’s pastor is Patrick Jackson. He is funny and has great ideas.           On Wednesday nights we meet upstairs at 6:15pm and then get into 4 groups. Each group is assigned the kitchen, bathroom, or a bedroom. Then it’s off to someone’s house. We clean the room we are assigned and it’s all lot of fun most of the time. Then, when we are all done, we go back to church and play in the gym. And we always say, “We serve others because Jesus served US!”           Then, on Sundays it’s all different. We still meet upstairs, but at 9:15 am. All the kindergarteners through 4th graders meet in a big room and sing songs. Then they pray and go to their individual classes, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade. They have their lessons and play a game. Now I bet you are wondering what the 5th and 6th graders do. They have their own lesson by themselves. After the group lesson, they split into two groups usually boys and girls. They do prayer requests and do a small activity.           Now I have gone to SHBC ever since I was born and it has changed a lot, but I think Patrick has done a great job. He has a great plan for this school year. He’s an awesome guy and I’m glad he’s my children’s pastor. You go Patrick!

 

November brings thoughts of Thanksgiving and cooler weather.  What a great time to spend time with your children sharing a cup of hot chocolate.  Don’t forget what matters as the holidays approach and the busyness of the season takes over.    Use the following summaries to converse with your kids about some tough questions and topics as the 1st – 4th graders spend seven weeks in Faith Launch.  During this time, your children will be using Bible Drill to learn more about what the Bible says and will be using ACTS to learn about the importance of prayer.  ACTS stands for Adoration - Praise, Confession, Thankfulness, and Supplication - Asking.  This is a time to pray that these lessons will speak to your child through the Holy Spirit.  It may open the door for them to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life or it may build a foundation that is needed for them to make that decision later.  If your child has already accepted Jesus as their Savior, pray that the lessons will help them grow.  These are important lessons and we welcome parents to visit their child’s class especially during Faith Launch.

www.Southernhillskids.com     Beginning Sunday Nov. 2nd the Orchard children can exchange Kids Kash to feed a hungry person Thanksgiving Day. For every $5 Kids Kash Southern Hills will make a donation in the child’s name to the John 3:16 Mission which feeds hundreds of Tulsa homeless. Visit the Orchard store to donate $5 Kids Kash.  Children who choose to sacrifice in this way will have their names posted in the December edition of the CM newsletter.

FIRST THRU FOURTH GRADERS   November 2 Û   Topic – Who is God? Û   What the Bible Says – God is Creator – Genesis 1, God Loves Us and Forgives Us – Luke 15:11-32 Û   Memory Verse – “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1 Û   Prayer – Praise God for being our creator.  Praise Him for caring for us.  Confess sins and ask God to forgive us of our sins.  Ask God to help us remember that we can come to Him with anything because He cares for us. Thank God for having compassion on us.  Thank Him for sending His son to die on the cross for our sins.   November 9 Û   Topic – Who am I? Û   What the Bible Says – I am made in the image of God – Genesis 1:27, I am free to make my own choices and sometimes I make the wrong choices which makes me a sinner – Romans 3:23  Û   Memory Verse – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”  Genesis 1:27 Û   Prayer – Praise God for making us, for giving us a wonderful mind, a soul and a will.  Praise Him for loving us.  Confess to Him the sins in our life and the times we have made the wrong choices.  Thank God for His amazing love.  Thank Him for giving us the strength to say no to sin.  Ask God to help us become more like Him by obeying His word and loving Him and others.      November 16 Û   Topic – The Bible Û   What is the Bible and why is it important?  The Bible is the word of God and we should hide it in our hearts.  It shows us how God feels about us and that God is a powerful God.  Psalm 19: 9 – 10, Matthew 10:29-31, Psalm 74:12-17 Û   Memory Verse – “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 Û   Prayer – Praise God for His book that He gave us.  Confess to God that sometimes we don’t do what the Bible says to do.  Thank God for forgiving us.  Ask God to help us to read and memorize His word Û

November 23 Û   Topic – The Fall Û   What the Bible says – Adam and Eve sinned and were kicked out of the Garden of Eden – Genesis 3, We have all sinned – Romans 3:23, Jesus was tempted by Satan, but did not sin – Luke 4: 1-13, God made a way for us to be saved by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins – Hebrews 2: 14-18, Jesus defeated Satan when He died on the cross and rose from the dead – Matthew 28: 5-6. Û   Memory Verse – “So obey God.  Stand up to the devil.  He will run away from you.” James 4:7 NIrV Û   Prayer – Praise God for giving us a way to fight temptation.  Praise God for giving Jesus to win the fight against Satan.  Confess that we often make the wrong choice because it’s easier than stopping and asking for help.  Thank God for giving us protection against sin with the Bible.  Ask God to show us the right thing to do.  Ask God to help us fight Satan when we are tempted.   November 30 Û   Topic – Jesus Û   What the Bible says – Jesus is the Son of God.  Jesus was crucified and didn’t stay dead, but came back to life.  This shows Jesus’ power over death and that we can trust God’s promise of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. Romans 5:8-9, Mark 10:14, Matthew 27: 32-65, Matthew 28 Û   Memory Verse – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Û   Prayer – Praise God for sending his son and sacrificing Him for us.  Praise Jesus for loving us enough to take our punishment and for teaching us the right way to live.  Confess that sometimes we sin because we don’t live the way Jesus wants us to live and by the example He gave us.  Thank God for His never ending love.  Ask God to help us know Jesus personally, to make better decisions, to share His message with others, and to live the way Jesus wants us to live.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.
What’s Playing at the Movies   Movie: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Nov. 7) Genre: Animation/Comedy Rating: PG (for some mild crude humor) Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen Synopsis: In this sequel, four animal friends try to return to New York’s Central Park Zoo. The crafty penguins try to help by building a plane, but that only gets the group to the African plains. There they meet animals like themselves and explore their different traits and homes. Then the friends must decide whether or not to stay in Africa. Discussion Questions: What are some traits that make you unique? Why did God make everyone so different? Think about the range of characteristics and talents in your own family: How can we use that variety to give glory to God?     What Music Is Releasing   Album: Don’t Forget Artist Info: Demi Lovato’s career began at age 6 on “Barney & Friends.” Eventually, she began playing piano and guitar and writing songs. Lovato played a regular role on Disney’s “As the Bell Rings.” Now 16, she’s best known for her role as Mitchie in the Disney Channel movie Camp Rock and for touring with the Jonas Brothers. Summary: Lovato’s debut album tackles topics such as young love and relationships, staying true to yourself, and having a positive self-image. Compared to other Disney artists, Lovato is edgier. But her music is still appropriate for preteens. Lovato credits the Jonas Brothers with helping her lighten up her darker, personal lyrics. Discussion Questions: In “Believe in Me,” Lovato sings, “The mirror can lie; doesn’t show you what’s inside.” What do you think she means?  Read 1 Samuel 16:7. What matters most to God, and why?   What Games Are Out Title Content Rating & Platform De Blob Players use de Blob and the Color Underground to restore the gray city of Chroma to its original color. Contains mild cartoon violence. E; Wii Dinosaur King This game, inspired by Pokemon, teaches knowledge about dinosaurs as you collect them. Contains fantasy violence. E; Nintendo DS LEGO Batman: The Videogame This game is based on the TV series, not the blockbuster movie. Contains cartoon violence, with LEGO-block characters breaking apart as they fight. E+; Nintendo DS, Wii, PS2, PS3   GAME RATINGS KEY: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+)		Culture & Trends What’s happening right now that may affect your children and family:   ·         Financial fears can trickle down from parents to kids. Assure children that your family will always take care of one another. Turn off the news and share stories of God’s help during troubles.   ·         More kids are sharing rooms, even when separate quarters are available. Room-sharers may grow closer and become better problem-solvers, experts say. _____________ Quick Stats ·         The flu hits hardest in ZIP codes with more children. Now doctors recommend that almost all kids get a flu vaccine. ·         At FamilyEducation.com, 47,000 people were asked if it’s OK to reward good grades with cash. The results: ü       61% — Yes; it’s a good incentive. ·         39% — No; learning is its own reward.
November in the Kindergarten   Memory Verse: “Never stop Praying” 1 Thessalonians 5:17   Nov 2nd  Bible Lesson: Daniel 6:1-10         Bible point: God wants us to pray only to Him    Nov 9th Bible Lesson: Daniel 6:11-15      Bible point: God want us to pray no matter what people say   Nov 16th Bible Lesson: Daniel 6:16-23      Bible point: God wants us to pray when we’re in trouble    Nov 23rd Bible Lesson: Daniel 6:25-27      Bible point: God wants us to pray and give thanks	November in the  Toddlers, 1s, and 2s Verse: God made me     Gen 1:27-28 (adapted)   Subject: God made me in His image, which makes me special and worthy of being loved.   Threes and Fours Verse: The Lord Himself watches over you    Psalms 121:5   Subject: Daniel and his Friends had to leave, but God was always with him as well as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace
	Family Experience: “God, I’m Grateful For…” Thanksgiving is about more than just food. So give your family an opportunity to “feast” on the many blessings God provides each day. Try these fun ideas this year: ·         Blessing Tree—Start a new pre-Christmas tradition by setting up a small artificial tree during November. Together, cut out some colorful paper circles. Punch a hole near the edge, and thread yarn through it to make a hanger. Have everyone write on the circles things they’re thankful for or recent answers to prayer. Throughout the month, hang the circles on the tree. ·         Thanksgiving Countdown—Play this “giving thanks” game with your family to help them focus on all their blessings. You can do one per day as you count down the week before Thanksgiving Day. Take turns naming: 1.      One gift you’ve received this year that you’re thankful for. 2.      Two things you’ve learned about God this year that have changed your life. 3.      Three things you’re thankful for about our family’s faith. 4.      Four things you’re thankful for about our family. 5.      Five experiences our family had this year that made you happy. 6.      Six things in creation you couldn’t live without. 7.      Seven people outside our family who blessed you somehow.

 

 

 

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						Sharefest
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Friends Day Be sure to invite your friends!		Don’t forget to vote today!	Catapult Registration Due Today $30	Upward Basketball Coach/Referee Training 6:30 p.m.
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Upward Basketball Coach/Referee Training 2:00 p.m.					Catapult Retreat
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						Boundaries with John Townsend Cost: $15
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			No Wed Evening Activities	Happy Thanksgiving	Church Office closed
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