Church School Winter Plan
JANUARY
January 4th: Intergenerational Worship
Learning about Epiphany & the Magi
Mandatory meeting after church for high schoolers going on the Eastport Mission Trip
January 11th: How the Bible Came to Be and What it Is
Focal Story: The Story Collectors (~Luke 1:1-4) from The Bible for Normal People Children’s Bible, p. 139
Activities: Comparing & contrasting texts by ages— older kids will do this with Scripture, younger will do this with The Gruffalo & The Grufalo’s Child
Middle School Youth Group 4-6: Vision Boards for the New Year
January 18th: Looking for Jesus!
Focal Story: Anna & Simeon
Activity: Scavenger Hunt (Children will take home their own mini Jesus)
Sunday January 25th
Focal story—Jesus goes missing (Luke 2)
Where do you find yourself “Home”?
Children’s Chorus rehearsal after church
No Parent Huddle— parents are invited to Annual Meeting
February
Sunday, February 1st: Intergenerational Worship
Focal Story: Baptism of Christ (Matthew 3)
Sunday, February 8th
Story: Jesus in the Wilderness (Matthew 4): Teaching about Lent
Activity: Making crossed with the Ash Wednesday Ashes (and glitter!)
[Pastor Amelia out, Galen Rier will be lead teacher this Sunday]
Middle School Youth Group 4-6
High School Mission Trip participants selling chili after church
February Vacation Camp Monday 2/16- Wednesday 2/18
Sunday, February 15th
Story: Teaching about Lent II
Activity: Sand art
March
Sunday, March 1
Intergenerational Worship, New Members & Children’s Chorus-
Story: Transfiguration of Christ, and Spiderman! (Matt. 17:1-9
Sunday, March 8
Story: The woman at the well (John 4: 5-42)
Snack: Yogurt Cups (veggie sticks available for anyone with allergy)
Story: The Woman at the Well, p. 168 In God’s Big Picture Bible (N.T. Wright)
Framing:
Explanation that Jews and Samaritans were enemies with deep disagreements about worship, and it would have been unusual (scandalous!) for Jesus to talk to this woman while they were alone. Jesus chose *this* woman to proclaim that he was the Messiah– one of the first people he tells!
Activity: Making cards for elders served by the Falmouth Food Pantry
Connection: Jesus reached out to someone who was cast out, bullied, seen as unworthy. As Christians we practice making people feel loved & seen.
Sunday, March 15
Jesus heals and teaches (John 9:1-41)
Story: Jesus the Healer, The Peace Table Bible p. 198
Snack: Breakfast bars (nut free)
Short Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2d3eh1yuas
Key points:
Back in Bible times people used to think that things like blindness were caused by sin, eg wrong-doing
We can still think this way sometimes today– thinking that if someone is sick, or poor, or sad they must have done something wrong
→ This is not what Jesus teaches, nor the story of our faith
When Jesus comes near the kingdom of God is near– these miracles help us to experience God’s kingdom (like we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, Kingdom Come)
God's realm is one of healing, inclusion, compassion
Here we see Jesus restore sight to a man– which would also have meant he could enter into the life of his community
It also shows that blindness, and other illness, is not a punishment from God
He healed on the sabbath, which makes the authorities mad– people in power want to decide how and when God’s mercy happens, but God is compassionate all the time, over and above any human rules
Activities (focusing on sight/ light)
Flashlight/ headlamp hide and seek with allergen friendly candies [yum earth fruit snacks]
“Keepy- uppy” with glow in the dark balloons
Search & finds
Sunday,March 22
The raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45)
Parents Huddle & Children’s Chorus after church
Sunday March 29
Palm Sunday. Intergenerational worship & communion.
April: Eastertide
April 5: Easter Sunday
No Church School, nursery open for children 5 and under.
April 12: “Doubting” Thomas and butterfly craft with Easter Eggs
April 19th: Eating with the risen Christ. Pastor Amelia out, Galen Rier lead teacher.
April 26: Christ the Shepherd (John 10:1-10), making lambs ear wreaths
Parent Huddle & Children’s Chorus after church
May 3rd: Intergenerational Worship, Communion, and baptism
May 10th: Christ our Advocate (John 14:15-21). Pastor Amelia out, Galen Rier lead teacher
May 17th: Ascension Day! (Luke 24:44-53)
May 24th: Pentecost!(Acts 2:1-21) Children invited to join a processional in church. We will introduce the Epistles in Church School.
May 31: Rejoice! (Romans 12:9-16b)
June 7th: Church School Send off & After Church picnic! Intergenerational worship, honoring of graduates, & awarding Pond Scholarship (2 Corinthians 13:11-13)