CommunityKids

C-456 Van Buren

I want to fill you in on what's going on with the 456 class at the CBC Van Buren campus.  We are currently talking about choices and their effect and importance in our daily life.  The theme verse is Proverbs 2:6- "For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." The kids recently finished a unit on prayer and how integral it is to everyday life.

The kids are getting involved in class by bringing their Bibles, marking the verses for each Sunday’s lesson, and answering questions posted on their own protected website, which is provided as part of the curriculum we are using.  From the website they can download each weeks study, play appropriate games, post notes to their teacher, and vote for games to be played the following Sunday.  So far, the favorite game has been the ice cube relay.  

We are challenging the kids by getting away from an “I talk, you listen” type of format, asking those that have something to share to do so, with the leader of the class there to keep the message on track.  The kids, for the most part participate, and seem to enjoy the format. 

The kids are working towards the Incredible Pizza trip as a reward for their attentiveness and participation.  The earlier we teach the kids that Christianity is more than showing up for Sunday school, the easier it is for them to be transformed kids, who know how to study the Bible, talk about their faith, and show others that faith through their actions as well as their words.  The system we have set up will reward them for their work with the website, but will also give them a basis for the later years of Bible study in a small group format, as well as in “alone time”.

A special thanks to Kacee for her help in setting up each weeks class and to Mark Nelson for leading this class.  And ultimate thanks to God for bringing it all together.  The Van Buren C-456 class is really hopping and the kids are getting into it.

(Mike Crain with info from Mark Nelson)

excited

I'm taking a break from expounding on our philosophy for this week, because something exciting happened to me this Sunday morning...

So there I was, in the foyer of the Van Buren campus, talking to some people between services when all of the sudden I felt something latch onto the back of my leg.  I turned around to see that it was not something, but rather someone.  It was a boy from our K-3 class and he excitedly announced, "Mr. Mike I have something to tell you.  I want to be baptized."  The level of excitement in his voice was unbelievable.  Upon hearing the news I was almost as excited as he was.

Tonight I had the honor of talking to him and his parents about his desire to be baptized.  I was amazed at his understanding of the gospel and of what baptism meant.  He clearly understood that baptism is not a means to salvation, but is an outward profession of what Christ has done in his heart.  Of course he didn't say it quite like that, but it was obvious that he understood.  His sincere trust in Jesus and love for Him was also obvious.  

It was so neat to see the smiles on his parents' faces as he explained how he believed in Jesus and that He died on the cross for his sins.  But to me the coolest part of the night, by far, was when the child took a moment to write out a prayer in the form of a letter to God.  With no dictating from us (but with a little spelling help from his dad) he wrote out such a simple yet genuine and heart felt prayer to God.  It blew me away.  It was such a joy to see such faith in such a young person.  Hallelujah (Praise the Lord).  God is working amongst this generation of kids.  Keep leading the way for them and keep praying.

(Mike Crain)

Rolling Out

This past Sunday was the final Sunday of our On the Trail series in the VB C.K-3 class.  We decided to give this western themed series a proper farewell, so Ross Devers and Robert Flanagan brought a covered wagon and gave kids wagon rides.  The Pre-K class, the Wall, even got in on the action.  Here are some pictures...

The Key Verse this week is Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have you," says the Lord.  "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Take a few moments this week to go over this verse with your child.

(Mike Crain)

Wrapping Up the Round Up

After this Sunday we will say happy trails to the On the Trail series that we have been doing for the past 7 weeks in C-123 Fort Smith, C.K-3 Van Buren, and C-456 9:30 service Fort Smith.  For the past 7 weeks we've learned about the Exodus, watching the Israelites leave Egypt, cross the Red Sea, wander in the wilderness, and finally, this week, enter the promised land.  Last week the kids learned about the twelve spies entered the promise land and how only two believed God (Numbers 13-14:25).  The main point from last week's lesson was "I Can Choose to Believe God's Promises," and the key Bible verse was John 3:16.  You have a great opportunity to remind your child of that verse this week and to go over with them what that verse means to us.  It is very fitting that in this season of giving we should teach kids that Jesus has already given us the greatest gift possible: Eternal Life!!!!!!!

John 3:16 - 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. (NIV)

(MIKE CRAIN)

New Series Launch

On Sunday many of our elementary kids got their first taste of On The Trail, our new lesson series. The groups that are doing this series are: 1st-3rd grade during both services and 4th-6th during 1st service at the Ft. Smith campus, and the kindergarten-3rd grade at the Van Buren Campus. Through a wild west theme the main characters, Cookie and Tex, will teach your kids about Moses and the Israelites as they experienced the Exodus, the Wilderness, and the entry into the Promised Land.
Here's a quick recap of lesson one, for more info on the lesson check out the parent flyer,Download ParentFlyer_Lesson1.pdf.
Main Point: I obey God because I trust Him
Key Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
Bible Story: God calls Moses (Exodus 3 & 4)

Take a moment this week to ask your child about what they learned on Sunday. It will be a great reminder for them and a great way to connect the Bible to every day life.

(Mike)

Well Child Policy

Well Child Policy

We want to provide a healthy environment in our nursery, preschool, and children’s area, so we ask parents to keep their child at home when they observe any of the following:

*Fever

*Vomiting

*Diarrhea

Green or yellow runny nose

Questionable rash

Excessive coughing

Discharge in or around eyes

Any communicable disease

*if it has occurred any time in the past 24 hours.

If a child shows any obvious signs of the symptoms above, you will be asked to keep them with you so that we do not expose the other children in the classroom.

Parents will be notified promptly through our paging system if a child becomes ill while in our care.

Please make sure a child being treated with an antibiotic has received treatment for at least 24 hours before coming to the children’s area.

Thanks for your cooperation -  Children's Ministry Staff

Recap of Sunday

We had a great day in children's ministry on Sunday at Van Buren. The Kindergarten thru 3rd grade class (C.K-3) had some high energy fun as they learned how important it is to always keep praying. Their key verse was 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Ask your kid if they know the verse, it will be good to jog their memory. C.K-3 is in the last two weeks of a really fun series called Super Sports Spectacular, check it out here.

After some serious Nintendo Wii, air hockey, and Connect Four the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders got in their comfy chairs for some Bible study. The discussion centered around how God can be everywhere. The group heard the story of Jonah and how it is impossible to hide from God. And they also looked at Jesus' promise in Matthew 28:20 to always be with us. C-456 this week had a great balance of serious time and hilarious moments.

Welcome!!!

Finally we are up and running.  Thanks to Joel who spurred us on to the goodness of the 21st century, Becca and Kerry who built it and Mark who saved us a bunch of money. (don't ask) This blog is for parents, volunteers and kids a like.  We want to do our best, as a children's ministry to communicate what is going on in the lives of children, birth through 6th grade, with you the reader.  We want you to see pictures, read our posts, leave your comments, and communicate with us at any time.  To the right of this post you can see how to navigate through the blog.  If you need to contact one of our children's staff either FSM/VB you can click on the name.  If you want to only read post about specific ministries you can click under catigories to whatever pertains to the ministry you want to read about.  Thanks for taking time to read our post.  Check back each day.  If you have any questions give us a shout. 

Remember...Transformed Children Will Transform Their World

Thanks for letting your child be a part of what we are called to do and work hard at doing...Children's Ministry at Community.

Matt Whitson, Children's Pastor