IMTC KG-A Newsletter
Ms. Serena Thomas and Mrs. Aksa Alex
Week of Feb 14th
In this newsletter
- Lent Season
- Class Room Updates
- Related Video
- Family Activity Guide
- Gratitude Journal
P:S - Looks like no one in class has a February Birthday :-)
Lent Season
The church season of Lent is a wonderful time to start weekly family devotions. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and lasts forty days (not including the Sundays). Sundays excluded because those are the days we remember Jesus’ resurrection. Every Sunday is a little celebration of Easter and thus a time of joy. Historically during Lent, the Christian church has recognized this as a time to deliberately bring oneself closer to God. Individuals and groups have engaged in Bible study, in mission and service, and in fasting to prepare themselves for Easter. The 40 days of Lent are symbolic of Jesus’ time in the wilderness before he began his ministry. During that time, he was tempted; but he stayed true to God. We hope to share few scripture reading and activities that will hopefully help you have a family time of devotion for the weeks of lent.
Scripture: Mark 1:9-15
Symbol: Water
Discussion & Activity: Have water in a pitcher and an empty bowl. Pour water from the pitcher into the bowl. You may each want to dip your fingers into the water. Talk together about all the things that water does: It nourishes us. It cleans us. It offers us beauty. It provides transportation. Think together about these and other ways that water makes our life healthy and fun and beautiful.
Talk together about baptism. When we use water in baptism, we remember again Jesus’ baptism. If you would like, access this short video on baptism and view together: http://www.umc.org/newsand-media/baptism-gods-gift-to-us-all.
This was the start of Jesus' ministry of teaching us about God. When Jesus was baptized, he heard a voice saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved.” Naming is still an important part of our ritual of baptism. Create Name Posters for each person. Print your name on the poster. Then draw or cut out pictures from magazines that tell something about you. Say together the name of each family member, adding after the name, “God loves you and calls you by name.”
Take time for family members to say how they are doing with what they have added to and given up in their life.
Class Room Updates
Bible story lessons covered last week
Birth of Jesus
Few related questions. Please ask children to finish the maze at the back of the story.
What was the name of Jesus's parents?
Mary and Joseph
Why was Jesus born in a stable?
There was no room to stay in an Inn, so they stayed in a stable.
Was Jesus born in Jerusalem or Bethlehem?
Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
What did Mary wrap Jesus in after he was born?
Mary wrapped Jesus in a cloth to keep him warm.
How do you think your family felt when you were born?
Excited, happy, thankful etc
(Please discuss this with children so they can answer accordingly)
Memory verse
"She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins"
Video of Story of Jesus's birth
Family Activity Guide
This month's activity guide revolves around Cooperation – Working together to do more than you can do alone
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwwLC0nzO9elOHlfSVBWR1JTUUE
Thank You Book or Gratitude Book
This concept is taken from the Hawn foundation started by Goldie Hawn. This is basically to remind children as they grow older about all the blessings they have in their life. America as a country is seeing children who start to get very stressed out and depressed as they grow older and these little things like the gratitude book remind them of the blessings they have in their life. So please encourage them to participate actively.