Church School/Junior Choir News December

Church School / Junior Choir News
by Ellie Donahue

The Church School Winter Term will begin on January 1, 2006
Teachers for the upcoming term:
Pre-K– Diane Peterson & Jill O’Neill will be alternating weeks with
Erin & Bobby Fisher downstairs enclosed classroom
Kindergarten - Mark VanderVoort - downstairs center area
Grades 1 & 2 - Chelsea Ambrozaitis & Rachel Mullin - library *
Grades 3, 4 & 5 - Elizabeth Bove library
Grades 6, 7 & 8 Jan Arcand Great Room *
*Please note change in classroom location.

A Church School Teacher’s Meeting will be held on December 1st, at 7:00 p.m.
in the church library. R.S.V.P Ellie Donahue at bnatural@earthlink.net.

Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Story will be retold by our church
school children on Sunday evening, December 18th. Jill O’Neill has graciously offered to
be our pageant director this year. Thank you Jill! The Sounds of Christmas is a narrated play with Mary & Joseph, baby Jesus, the Wisemen, shepherds, angels and stable animals. Props, costumes and candlelight set the mood for an evening of magic and wonder.
The evening begins with a potluck dinner at 5:00 p.m. in the downstairs area of the church.
The Pageant immediately follows in the sanctuary. Bring your family and friends, and a potluck dish to share!
Rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 17th from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Pre-K and Kinder – rehearsal from 10:30- 11:30 only.


The Children’s Center families have been invited to join in our Christmas Pageant festivities and Gift Sunday service. Please extend a warm greeting to those families attending. Take some time to get to know them and share with them information about our church family and activities. Invite them to join us in worship every Sunday!


A Church School Epiphany Party will be held on Sun. morning, January 1st during the regular church school class time. Epiphany means “Appearance.” The presence of God has appeared to us in human form in Jesus, who came to share God’s love with all people. Listen to the story of Matthew 2:1-12. Be a part of the procession of the three kings to the manger. Share ideas of good deeds to give as gifts to Jesus. Help decorate a Crown of Jewels Epiphany Cake. (The person whose piece of cake contains the secret trinket will be made king of the feast!) Make a CMB sign for your doorway at home. Can you smell the spicy incense?



Focus Scriptures / Events for Sunday morning church school:
December 4 Isaiah 40:1-11 Hearing God’s word of comfort and hope.
December 11 *Gift Sunday / Jr. Choir Sings / Intergenerational Worship / No Classes
December 18 Luke 1:26-38 Celebrating God’s gift to us.
December 25 *No church school classes / Christmas recess
January 1 Church School Epiphany Celebration! - Library/Great Room
*The Nursery will be available for childcare (infant through kindergarten) on the
Sundays when there are no church school classes.



Heifer Project Update - As of the end of November, our church school offering
total has risen to nearly $230.00! We are hoping to raise enough money by the end of May to purchase 5 goats ($600.00) to send to families in need, in another country. So far we are on target! If you would like a “Heifer Cup” to collect your coins at home during the week, see Mrs. Donahue.

Church School Wish List – A wish list has been posted on the kiosk in the Great Room. If you would like to donate any of these items for church school projects, see Ellie Donahue.



Junior Choir Anthem Date:
December 11 – What Can We Give To The King? - A song for Gift Sunday accompanied
by Jared Trudeau on piano.
Junior Choir rehearses each Sunday from 11:30 to noon in the downstairs area near the piano. Children in Kindergarten through Grade 4 are welcome to join in the fun! See Ellie Donahue.


What Can We Give To The King?
What can we give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can we give, what gift can we bring?
What can we give to the King?
What can we give to the King?
Give Him a heart that’s opened up wide.
Give Him a life that’s got nothing to hide.
Give Him a love that’s tender and true,
and He’ll give it all back to you.
Yes, He’ll give it all back to you.

Words and Music by Barry McGuire and Mike Deasy

For January:
This month, church school classes will focus on the following scriptures:
January 1 Epiphany Party – downstairs area
January 8 Mark 1:4-11 - God’s affirmation of Jesus’ baptism.
January 15 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) Where do we hear God calling us?
January 22 Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Jonah teaches us about second chances.
January 29 Mark 1:21-28 Jesus’ power in teaching and healing.