Easter Is On Its Way!
Palm Sunday Procession on March 16
Easter Egg Hunt on March 16
at 4 p.m.
Easter Children’s Worship on March 23
Did you notice Easter is early this year?
It’s almost time to worship our risen King. We’ve already started preparing for
the celebration, and we hope all St. Andrew’s children will join in the
festivities.
On Palm Sunday, all children will be
waving palms during the 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. worship services. Then, that
afternoon, the children are invited to our first annual, giant Easter Egg
Hunt! Don’t miss this FUN event! (See accompanying articles below.)
Easter, March 23, will be an extra joyous
day for the children. First, our Children’s Choirs will be singing at both the
8:30 and 10:45 a.m. worship services. This is the first time in many years the
Children’s Choirs have praised God on Easter. At 8:30 a.m., the children are
invited to a fun Easter Children’s Worship service planned by our talented
Children’s Worship team. Then at 10:45 a.m., our 5th
graders will present the Easter service they have planned for the younger
children. It is always very special. Parents are encouraged to attend.
Palm Sunday
Procession on March 16
Palm Sunday is March 16. On this day we
remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Just as God’s people
waved palm branches long ago, the children will process through the Sanctuary
waving palm branches. It will take place at the beginning of both the 8:30 and
10:45 a.m. services. Please bring your children DIRECTLY to their Sunday School
classroom that day, rather than to the Sanctuary. After the procession, the
children will remain at the front of the Sanctuary for the Children’s Message,
then proceed back to Sunday School.
1st
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, March 16 will be our first annual
Easter Egg Hunt here at St. Andrew’s! This event is open to all children
up through 3rd grade
(parents are, of course, encouraged to stay with their children). The hunt
begins right at 4 p.m. on the NE campus. There will be ice cold Eegees as well.
You may want to arrive a few minutes early so you don’t miss out!
In order to pull everything off, we are
asking for some help. First, we need plastic eggs—the more, the better! We also
need Easter candy—jelly beans, M & Ms, chocolate eggs… you get the idea.
Our own 4th &
5th
graders will help hide the eggs for the children, but we could definitely use
some people to help stuff Easter eggs! If you can help out in any or all of
these areas, please give Barbara or William a call at 297-7201.
Joyous
Easter Worship Services on March 23
7 a.m. Sunrise
Communion Service on the Patio (NE Campus).
This service will then process into the Chapel and conclude there at
approximately 8:15 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
Contemporary Service in the Sanctuary (SW Campus) with
Worship Team and Brass Ensemble
10:45
a.m. Traditional Service in the Sanctuary (SW Campus) with
Chancel Choir and Orchestra
There
will be no evening worship on Easter night.
“God’s Big
Backyard”
St. Andrew’s
Vacation Bible School 2008
June 23—27 ~ 8:45 a.m.—12 p.m.
Hey
Kids!
Come and play in “God’s Big Backyard!”
That’s where you’ll find your friends in June—at St. Andrew’s Vacation Bible
School 2008! In God’s Backyard, you’ll have a blast serving Jesus. Each day the
adventure will get bigger as you take your love for Jesus out into your home,
neighborhood, and community! It’s going to be so much fun to be in the Backyard
Bible Club, make Clothesline Creations, sing, dance, and play with buddies from
your neighborhood. As always, we’ll have a blast with puppets, skits, and
surprises at our daily Backyard Bash in the Sanctuary!
Detailed information and registration
packets will be mailed to your home the last week in March. Church members can
turn in their packets on Sundays, March 30 and April 6. Children from the
community can register beginning March 31. Packets can be dropped off or mailed
to the church office. Almost 500 children just like you enjoy St. Andrew’s
Vacation Bible School each year—it’s fantastic fun! See you there.
VBS is All Caps
Back in the early days, it was called
vacation Bible school—vBs for short. Then, one year it was decided the vBs
should be written in all caps like this: VBS. This wonderful legend (which I
just made up) helped spark a fun idea for this year’s Vacation Bible School at
St. Andrew’s! Every child who brings a new friend to our Big Backyard VBS
will receive a “God’s Big Backyard” ball cap! Remember, these are only for kids
who bring NEW friends, those who have never been to VBS before!
So kids, once you are ready to invite a
friend, you’ll need to give them a registration form. Remember, only kids who
are registered for St. Andrew’s VBS can attend. You can get an extra
registration form three ways: by copying one from the St. Andrew’s website; by
picking one up in one of the church offices; or by calling the office and
having an extra one sent to your home. Your friend should mark on the
registration form that they are a first timer and that they were invited by
you. If they need a scholarship, they should mark the appropriate area on the
form. Start thinking about whom you want to invite!
K’Deo
is “Making Waves” With a New DVD
You’ve been asking for it, and at last
it’s here… The brand new K’Deo
DVD, Making Waves, is finally available! Making Waves features the very best of K’Deo’s
fourth season at St. Andrew’s. There are nine different episodes on two discs,
running right around three hours… that’s a LOT of Bernard! Each show is packed
with humor, music, and a wonderful message that never feels too “preachy”. If
you want to take a DVD home with you, it’s available for a donation of $10
after K’Deo, or you could
stop by the Children’s Ministries office on the NE campus Monday—Friday from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m.
Under the Sea: Fin-ishing Strong
“Our Father, who art in heaven, halibut be
Thy name…” No wait—how does it go?
This year, our children have been
splashing around in the high waters of the Lord’s Prayer. It’s been a time of
praising God, following Jesus, and singing worship tunas together. We
believe it is important that they understand this is not just a long string of
words, but that it is really a powerful prayer. Each line has an important
meaning, and each month a new part of the prayer has been explored. Silly
puppets, skits, games, and songs have allowed the words Jesus taught us to come
alive for our children. Many kids have already memorized the Lord’s Prayer,
which is a wonderful accomplishment! Everyone who knows the Lord’s Prayer at
the end of the school year will receive a special gift, courtesy of the Salty
Seas Sweet Shoppe (our very own underwater candy store!). We encourage you to
help your children learn this special prayer by praying it with them every
night.
Dear
Barbara,
I became a Christian as a teenager. I asked
Jesus into my heart at a Christian summer camp. My second grader has very
strong faith; much stronger than mine was at that age. Is it possible for
children to become Christians when they are children?
Faith Istrong
Dear
Faith,
Absolutely!
Children can and do make commitments to Christ. That’s why it’s crucial for
parents to take their job as spiritual guides to their children very seriously.
Creating a Christian home and consistent attendance at church and Sunday School
is critical. My advice to parents is talk to your child about devoting his/her
life to Christ. See if they’re ready. If they are ready, guide them in making
that decision. Pray with them. Don’t
wait until the world influences them with false ideas and it’s too late.
Dear
Barbara,
Have you ever heard the term “kagoy’? I
think it has something to do with kids.
Lovey
Nuwurds
Dear
Lovey,
It just so happens we talked about KAGOY
at the 2008 Children’s Pastor’s Conference I attended recently. KAGOY is an
acronym that stands for “Kids Are Getting Older Younger”. Examples of KAGOY
would be 8-year-old girls who wear make-up or preschoolers whose parents get
them a tattoo. Scary, huh? Unfortunately, KAGOY is rampant in our society now.
I hope parents will be on their guard against KAGOY intruding upon their little
ones, keeping them pure for as long as possible.
Appreciate
Your Child’s Sunday School Teacher on May 4!
We are
blessed with fantastic Sunday School teachers here at St. Andrew’s. Our
teachers are committed volunteers who love children, work hard, and enjoy
serving God. On May 4, we will show our appreciation by letting them know all
the ways they have blessed our children. With your child, think about ways to
show your gratitude. In the past, students have brought cards, flowers, and
small gifts. Anything will do. To help you remember names, we have listed the
names of our current teaching staff below.
2007-08
Sunday School Teachers
2s/3s: Rick Mason and Jenny Hamilton
4s/K: Kris Lantz and Sarah Mancini
1st/2nd Grades: Andrea Herrera and Craig Wheeler
3rd/4th/5th Grades: Mary Beth Spiece and Lynda Sawchuck
10:45 a.m. Children’s Sunday School
2 year olds: Ann Swaney and Betsy Leach
3 year olds: Elizabeth Agan and Kate Agan
4 year olds: Jenna Alexander, Kathleen Cochran, and
Alyson Degnan
Kindergarten: Sarah Williams, Adrea Graun, Erica Slaton,
and Carissa Stratton
1st Grade: Kim Williams and Jill Wadsworth
2nd Grade: Will & Sandy Kreamer
3rd Grade: Lori Marvin and Teresa Sanders
4th Grade: Gayle McClure and Brian Schmitt
5th Grade: Linda Glaze and Kassie McClure
Special Needs: Karyn Buser and Nancy Murtagh
Bible Blitz: Jim & Sandy Seymour
Choirs: Susie Melton, Director; Emily
Carroll, Assistant; Carolyn Rapp and Dottie Sutherland, Accompanists
Please Give Our Teachers A Break!
Did you know many of your children’s
Sunday School teachers return to teach year after year? They are truly
professionals! That’s why it’s so important we give them a break each summer to
rest. You can help give them this much needed time off by joining our summer
teaching staff! Your assignment is only for one hour for about 10 weeks. The
classes are much smaller and you’ll love the kids. We furnish you easy-to-use
curriculum and lots of support. Call Barbara at 297-7201 for more information.
works.h.o.p. community
calendar
March 7,
8, & 9
Family
Retreat
March 16
~ Palm Sunday
Children’s
Palm Processions at 8:30 & 10:45 a.m.
Easter
Egg Hunt at 4 p.m.
March 23
~ Easter Sunday
Choirs
sing at 8:30 & 10:45 a.m.
Children’s
Worship in Room F
Vacation
Bible School flyers mailed this week
March 30
VBS
Registration begins
April 6
Children’s
Worship in Room F
All
Church Family BBQ at 4 p.m.
May 4
Children’s
Worship in Room F
Teacher
Appreciation Day
May 11 ~
Mother’s Day
May 18
Last K’Deo until Fall
May 25
Last day school-year
Sunday School
June
23-27
Vacation
Bible School 2008