Merry Christmas! News to Use and Christmas Kids Printables.

Merry Christmas!

With only 5 Days left until Christmas, I thought you might enjoy some Kids Printable Christmas Coloring Pages and Worksheets with Activities.

News:
-This Sunday kids will stay in the service with parents in order to allow for the planning of our Christmas Brunch.

-But, DON'T PANIC! We have these and other Coloring Pages and Christmas Activities, and maybe a little Surprise for you while you sit with Mom and Dad.

-Family Christmas Brunch will be directly after the service around 12pm.

-Don't Forget, Kids will get a chance to Sing our Away in the Manger and Joy to the World songs together for our Families during our Christmas Brunch. No practice needed, everyone can sing.

(shhhhh.....I heard a certain "Special Guest" might come to the Brunch to see if everyone is being good....)

 

 

Fwd: Pack a Shoebox, Uncle Si Style

Attention Moms, Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas!

THIS Sunday during Sunday School at Forestpark Community Church, Kids ages 4-5th Grade will be Packing a Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child! 

We have invited all the kids to bring 4 or 5 items to pack in a shoebox. (We also have lots of stuff to go with it too!)

The video below, that was sent to me by Samaritan's Purse, is VERY funny and a fun way of introducing the Shoebox program to your family! In fact, I bet several of you share it on to your friends and family as well.

I hope to see all of you this Sunday morning at 10:30 and we will Pack A Box!!

PS- We are having a Kids' Christmas Party (and Parents some time to Christmas Shop...) on Dec. 7th at 6:30pm!! Pass it on!!

Mary Conver

Children's Minister

Forestpark Community Church

Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)

                                                                   

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Email not displaying correctly? See it here » As Si Robertson might say, "Take a sip o' tea, mow a little grass" and get ready to pack shoeboxes! The beloved uncle of the family that makes the famous Duck Commander duck calls has teamed up with Operation Christmas Child to get the word out about sharing the Gospel through a shoebox gift. National Collection Week is coming November 18-25. Along with Si, you can be a part of sending love and joy to children around the world. Watch this brand new video to find out what Si wanted to pack in his shoebox—and what actually made the final cut. You'll also find exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from Si's video shoot, and some great ideas for packing your own shoeboxes. FOLLOW YOUR BOX Discover the destination of your shoebox by making your $7 per box shipping donation online. Samaritan's Purse will send an email telling you the destination of your gift, along with information about Operation Christmas Child in that country. DROP-OFF LOCATIONS Remember to drop off your shoeboxes November 18-25. It's easy to find the nearest collection site with our online locator. You can also build a shoebox online with our fun, interactive website.

© 2013 Samaritan's Purse PO Box 3000 | Boone NC 28607 | 828-262-1980 | SamaritansPurse.org facebook.com/OCCshoeboxes     •     twitter.com/OCC_shoeboxes     •     instagram.com/operationchristmaschild Forward this email to someone who would be interested in learning more about the ministry of Samaritan's Purse. If you do not want to receive future email updates on the ministry of Samaritan's Purse, you may unsubscribe by clicking here.

Today we got a letter from the guidance counselor at school about bullying. 

It outlines what pro-active steps the school will be taking to prevent bullying in our classrooms. I wanted to share some of the letter with you, in hopes that maybe it will speak to some kids out there, who need to know what to do, or to know they are not alone.

*I really want to encourage all parents to read this entry from the blog mentioned at the bottom, even if you don't read the letter. 

A Message from Your Counselor: (Excerpts from an Email to Christian Academy Families)

The American Psychological Association estimates that 90 percent of fourth- through eighth-graders are targets of bullying at some point. As believers we must take Christ’s command to “love one another” (John 13:13) very seriously and to raise the bar so that each student is challenged and held accountable to be “kind and compassionate to one another” (Eph 4:32).

It is important to define bullying, especially in these early elementary years when mean behavior may be a result of immature social skills, which require a different type of discipline. Bullying is:

• Intentional – the meanness is intended to hurt, on purpose, rather than accidental.
• Repetitive – the meanness occurs multiple times and in multiple situations.
• An Imbalance of Power – the meanness is intended to gain power over others in some way, either as a result of size, strength or popularity.

Bullying comes in three forms – physical (hitting, kicking, fighting or the threat of violence), verbal (unkind words, hurtful comments, teasing, using words to humiliate or embarrass) and relational (intent to damage friendships and/or self-esteem through excluding, isolating, rumors, gossip, eye rolling, cliques). These forms may occur together or separately. 

During the month of September I will be in classrooms to define what bullying is and what it looks like (above). I will read the book One by Kathryn Otoshi, which is a simple but powerful story about how to take a stand against aggression so that everyone can count.

If you haven’t had The Talk with your children at home, I encourage you to do so. Glennon Melton from www.momastery.com has written The Talk she has with her children, and has graciously allowed you to use this as a template for your own (compassion) Talk. You can find Glennon’s Talk here: http://momastery.com/blog/2012/08/23/the-talk/.

Many blessings,
Kristi C. Thompson, M.S., LPCC
Elementary Guidance Counselor
Christian Academy School System
(502) 244-3225x.1417
kthompson@caschools.us

I hope this will be useful to you! Have a great School Year!

Ms. Mary

2013 Summer Send Off Party Aug 10

Kids Lock In July 12th

Kids age 5-5th Grade are invited for a Kids Only Lock In! July 12th 7pm-8am!

We will have pizza, games, crafts, scavenger hunt, s'mores, and a special guest! Robot Wars!!!

Register Now: 

http://tinyurl.com/nhbgp2z

Or on email: maryconver@doowop.com

Come Splash Into Summer with us This Saturday from 11-3pm!

**Attention Middle and High School Students! Come work this Saturday at the Splash Event, and Earn $30 Off your Forward Conference!

We need Volunteers to work this Saturday from 9:30-4pm! If you can work for an hour or two, let me know ASAP! Thanks!! This should be a great way to bring the kids in the neighborhood out!! Plus, a great time for all of us too!

• Human Hamster Balls - 4 People

• Giant Water Slide - 1 Person

• Alligator Bouncy - 1 Person

• SnoCone Machine - 1 Person

• Music/DJ - 1 or 2 People

• Food and Drinks - 2-5 People

• Contests and Games - 2 People

• Set Up - 5-10 People

• Clean Up - 5-10 People

• People to Eat and Have Fun - LOTS of People!!

I hope to see everyone there and be ready to have fun!!

Mary Conver

Splash Into Summer with Us! June 8th

Happy Derby Week!

Come Join us for a Derby Party at Forestpark Community Church!

Who: Everyone!!

When: This Saturday, May 4th, Derby Day

Time: We are meeting at 1pm and will hang out all day! Post time for the the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby will be 6:24 p.m. ET 

Cost: FREE! 

Where: Forestpark Church Church 5012 South Watterson Trail Louisville, Kentucky 40291

Activities: Make a Derby Hat, Crafts, Coloring, Run in the FPCC Mini-Derby, Play on the Playground, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, and watch the 139th Official Kentucky Derby on TV!! Lots of other stuff!!

What to Bring: Your Family, Your Friends, and YOU!

Other things you might want to Bring: Card Games, Board Games, Food for your Family (We have hot dogs and hamburgers + some chips) A Hat you can decorate or wear your own creation!

Songs for Easter

Here are the songs the kids are singing for Easter! (and some random thoughts by Mary...so skip ahead if you're in a rush!)

We are so excited that it is almost Easter!! 

You know, there is a lot to do between now and bedtime a week from Sunday! But, let's try (sort-of, maybe) to keep something in mind as we rush through this holiday...

Kids can only understand "Easter" in so far as we teach them about "Easter". 

They will only understand what they actually see around them, not what we split-second tell them in-the-car-headed-to-stop-#7.

Not that we can actually take them physically to the empty tomb in a week and a half, but...

If we spend the next 11 days rushing around, buying fancy clothes, frantically stuffing eggs, cramming their head full of song lyrics, desperately trying to get everything done and to church on time for breakfast, and then afterwards yell, "HURRY UP AND GRAB SOME EGGS! We've got to get to Grandmas!!!".....guess what they will learn? Well, not "peace and joy" anyway.

Now, that's not to say we can roll out of bed and head off in our blue jean cut-offs to church Easter morning, refuse to bother with Easter Baskets so we toss them some peeps from the gas station, wander in an hour late for church, and make Grandma mad because we forgot her! 

But, this year, I am hoping to try to take a few deep breaths, (remind me when you see me) and give Grace a little extra grace, when she has her dress on backwards, and let Thomas have a little moment of down time when he looses his left shoe (again.) And maybe, hopefully, take a second here and there to talk about the real point of this upcoming day! "He is Risen!" "He is Risen Indeed!" :-)

Anyway...on to the songs!!

A Couple of Notes: 

**If your little ones don't want to go up front, when we call all the kids this week for Palm Sunday to wave Palm Branches or on Easter Sunday, to sing, don't be too hard on them, we don't want anyone to be afraid, it's supposed to be fun! :-)

~Also, if you have other kids with you that day, friends or visitors, encourage them to come on up! It's easy to pick up and we want everyone to feel included!!!

Finally, PLEASE sing along Easter, if it seems like the kids get super shy or lost! It will help them stay together and not be afraid! (The words will be on the screen) 

Links to Songs: (Lyrics below)

1) This is a link to the first Easter Song for the Kids! 

Elena Carder is singing the first verse then everyone sings the chorus together. 

Then Keely and Brooke are singing the second verse, and again everyone together! 

The kids have learned some moves for both songs too! It should be cute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRcW5N8mW2o

2) This is the second Easter Song for the Kids! (Hallelujah version) FYI- The Kids learned it Sunday as "Allelu Allelu" not "Hallelu Hallelu" (Below I will post all the words) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pbNBKK2jA0&feature=share

*Actually, this came up Sunday too! So... here's some info on "Why Allelu Allelu instead of Hallelu Hallelu?" 

(From Wikipedia) - "Hallelujah, Halleluyah, or Alleluia, is a transliteration of the Hebrew word הַלְלוּיָהּ (Standard Halləluya, Tiberian Halləlûyāh) meaning '[Let us] praise (הַלְּלוּ) Yah (יָהּ).' It is found mainly in the book of Psalms and has a similar pronunciation in many, but not all, languages. The word is used in Judaism as part of the Hallel prayers, and in Christian praise. It has been accepted into the English language, but its Latin form Alleluia is used by many English-speaking Christians in preference to Hallelujah."

Then Here is a very cute video of some kids singing the version we are singing "Allelu Allelu" at a Mission Trip VBS. We will do it in rounds too like they are! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj_QAD1mILY&feature=share

Lyrics:

Mighty to save  Laura Story 

Everyone needs compassion

Love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Take me as you find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything that I believe in

Now I surrender

Yes I surrender

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Shine your light and let the whole world see

We're singing

For the glory of the risen King

Jesus,

Shine your light and let the whole world see

We're singing

For the glory of the risen King

Savior

He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty save

Forever

Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

Your my Savior

You can move the mountains

God You are mighty to save

You are mighty to save

Forever

Author of salvation

You rose and conquered the grave

Yes you conquered the grave

You are mighty to save.

Praise ye the Lord

Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia
Praise ye the Lord.
Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia
Praise ye the Lord.
Praise ye the Lord, alleluia
Praise ye the Lord, alleluia
Praise ye the Lord, alleluia
Praise ye the Lord.

Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)

Help a Hopper Out! Big Announcements

Help a Hopper Out 

The Easter Bunny needs candy! We are having our Easter Egg filling party 3 weeks from today, Wednesday March 28th! Please bring individually wrapped candy to church this Friday night during the Family Fun Night or on Sunday Morning!  Please no hard candy or unwrapped candies, thanks. Want to help fill and tape? Come meet us in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday March 28th at 7pm! 

Three Big Announcements from the 

K.I.D.S. Ministry!

• Winter Family Fun Night is This Friday!

Come have Dinner and a Movie Friday night at 6:30pm! Enter our "Most Medieval Munchies Contest!" Bring a dessert or snack with a "Medieval" theme! Prizes, Prizes!! We will watch "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" at 7:30pm with an Intermission and Popcorn!! Invite your friends! Invite your family! 

Please RSVP now so we can plan for dinner:maryconver@doowop.com

• Palm Sunday Children's Parade:

Hey kids! Prepare to Parade! On Palm Sunday, March 24th, kids are invited to come to the Cry Room (The room behind the sanctuary with a glass window) at 10:45am! All kids are invited and parents are welcome too! Get your very own live palm leaf to wave, and let us cry "Hosanna to the King!" as we parade around the sanctuary!

• Easter and a Song:

We want our families to be together to celebrate the Easter Holidays, so as in previous years, we will not have Sunday School classes on Easter Sunday. (Kids will have a special treat waiting in the Sanctuary! Shhh!) The Nursery will be open for kids 3 and under. All children are invited to come up front and sing a special song during the service!

**This Sunday and next, right after worship, we will practice in the basement for our Easter Songs! (You can thank the lovely ladies in the worship band!!)

Come be a King, Queen, or Knight for a Night!!

Help us Kick off our Kingdom Rocks VBS with a Knight to Remember!

- All Ages and Absolutely Everyone is Invited (kids or not!) PLEASE RSVP if you can, so we can plan for dinner and treats!

6:30pm - Have dinner (Hamburgers and Hot Dogs) as a church family with your family! 

7:30pm - Come watch Narnia on the big screen in the Sanctuary! 

- Surprises and Fun! Bring LOTS of friends!! (prizes for anyone with friends!)

Also, check out the video below about Kingdom Rocks, our 2013 VBS!

http://group.com/media/979768/kingdom-rock-promo-video.m4v

Kingdom Rock VBS Website is LIVE!

Pre-Register Now to Volunteer or Bring Your Kids into the Kingdom!

• Click Here to see our VBS Website: www.tinyurl.com/forestparkvbs

Planning the Kingdom

Kingdom Rock Planning Meetings are in the Planning Stages!

The Royal Court is Meeting on.....

• Sunday February 24th After church
• Friday March 8th 6:30pm VBS Kick-Off "A Knight to Remember" (no planning just partying!)
• Tuesday March 12th at 6:30pm
• Sunday April 28th After church

Come One Come All!!!

It's Official!! 2013 VBS Will Be......

More info coming soon.....Stay tuned.....

Ok, well here's a sneak peek!

http://group.com/vbs/kingdom-rock/bible-memory-buddies#section46208

Come be a King, Queen, or Knight for a Night!!

A Knight to Remember....Winter Family Fun Night!

Help us Kick off our Kingdom Rocks VBS with a Knight to Remember!

- All Ages and Absolutely Everyone is Invited (kids or not!) PLEASE RSVP if you can, so we can plan for dinner and treats!

6:30pm - Have dinner as a church family with your family! 

7:30pm - Come watch Narnia on the big screen in the Sanctuary! 

- Surprises and Fun! Bring LOTS of friends!! (prizes for anyone with friends!)

Also, check out the video below about Kingdom Rocks, our 2013 VBS!

http://group.com/media/979768/kingdom-rock-promo-video.m4v