Happy New Year Parents!
What a fun time we had in December with all of our Christmas celebrations. I have never seen so many people attend our Kids Christmas Celebration. The sanctuary was full and we ran out of food! We didn’t run out of energy, at least the kids didn’t, as they participated in games and crafts after the program. Thanks to Miss Dana for organizing the event and to all those who helped us.
Christmas Eve services were a bit less hectic as we moved to two family oriented services due to the many young families here at Riverside. At both services the kids were able to hear a children’s Christmas story read by Miss Megan and play hand bells to Christmas music. What a special time it was to remember Jesus and the gift He is to us.
We are kicking off the New Year in the 3-5yr. class introducing them to Jesus’ interactions with His family and friends as a boy and as an adult: staying behind in the temple, going to a wedding, and visiting Mary and Martha.
The K-1st grade will learn three attributes of Jesus and understand the commands He gives us related to these attributes. They will hear the story of Jesus healing two blind men, and learn that Jesus is loving and we are to love others. They will hear the story of James and John asking Jesus to declare them “most important.” They will learn that Jesus is a servant and we are to be servants, too. And the kids will hear the story of Jesus calming a storm, and learn that Jesus is all-powerful and He can help us when we’re afraid.
“Extreme Teachings” of Jesus will be the subject in the 2nd-3rd grade class. His teachings were extreme because they went the extra mile beyond what was expected. Children will learn that by following Jesus’ teachings, they can live their lives in extreme ways, which is the best way. They will learn that Jesus asks us to love others by loving our enemies and loving those who hurt us. Through the story of the woman caught in adultery, they will learn that Jesus taught us to forgive in extreme ways. We must forgive for free, even when it is difficult. Kids will learn about extreme serving. We need to serve others as if we are serving Jesus, to serve just like He did, and to serve quietly, without asking for attention or reward. At the end of this unit, kids will understand what it means to follow Jesus’ teachings in order to live an Extreme Life—the very best possible life.
Our 4th-5th grade kids will hear about God’s plan for community. They will learn how to do life together in Groups, which is one of the 5-Gs. They will learn that God has given us the Church, as a place for community, to learn and grow closer to Him and to one another. As part of community in Groups, kids will also learn the Bible’s teaching on conflict resolution. They will discover that in God’s community, they can get to know each other, pray for and serve each other and celebrate. Each lesson is designed to lay the foundation so your kids will see the advantages of doing life together with God in the picture.
My hope and prayer as we start the New Year off, is for you to use some of the tools we have given you to be in the Word and in prayer with your children. If your child does not have a Bible or if you have not received the Biblical Virtues to pray with your child(ren), please let me know and I will get them to you.
God’s blessings to your family,
Dar Muehlhausen