Children’s Ministry wanted to send out a deep thank you to everyone who was involved in VBS this Summer. While this may seem a little delayed, we wanted to post some pictures from the week so that as a church we can celebrate God’s work in our community through VBS.VBS collage 1

Morning journey through the Wardrobe

 

VBS collage 2

Assembly

VBS collage 3

Art in Mr. Tumnis’ Cave

VBS collage 4

Bible with the Beavers

VBS collage 5

Games in the yard

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 The busy Hall throughout each day!

 

This morning we had our first day of VBS at CCC. It was a blast! We entered a wardrobe, felt the chilly winter air come through the wardrobe doors, walked through a winter path past the lamppost and into Cair Paravel. We sang worship songs, we watched a Narnia movie clip, we had a knight playing the piano, we ate Turkish Delight, ran races, painted a lamppost snow globe, learned how our speech reveals our heart, and sent encouragement to Gainesville firefighters. SAM_3553

Turkish Delight

As you know our theme is based on the book by C.S. Lewis The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. We hope most of you have read it by now. We have never done a VBS based on a book before. This is new to us, and many volunteers have gotten really creative to write the curriculum, design art projects, work out games and cook up Narnian snacks. We have poured over the book and fallen even more in love with Lucy and Peter, Aslan, the Beavers, Mr. Tumnus and other creatures with noble character. We have forgiven Edmund and overlooked Susan being bossy and loved them in the end too.

It doesn’t matter if you are a child or adult these stories capture our heart, and in the clip below Sally Lloyd-Jones will tell us why these books and this author is so special.

Capturing the Heart of a Child

 

 

 

This coming Sunday, June 30th, Children’s Ministry will be hosting a book discussion of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. This is for children who are in the Kindergarten – 4th grade classes this summer.

If you are unable to make the discussion this week, but still want to be digging into the book as a family here is an in depth workbook that families can enjoy together.

The link is below

http://www.saisd.net/admin/curric/bilingual/pdffiles/lionquestions.pdf

 

 

 

What is the meaning of the lamppost, why Journey to the Lamppost?

“When she was about seven, her best friend got lost one day. The little girl ran up and down the streets of the big town where they lived, but she couldn’t find a single landmark. She was very frightened. Finally a policemen stopped to help her. He put her in the passenger seat of his car, and they drove around until she finally saw her church. She pointed it out to the policeman, and then she told him firmly, “You could let me out now. This is my church, and I can always find my way home from here.”

And that is why I have always stayed so close to mine–because no matter how bad I am feeling, how lost or lonely or frightened, when I see the faces of the people at my church, and hear their tawny voices, I can always find my way home.”

Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies, Some Thoughts on Faith (pg 55)

 

We hope you are all enjoying your summer. While you are planning your summer vacations and road trips to the beach we wanted to give you some family music resources. I say family because most of this music can and is enjoyed by the whole family. Thanks to my husband I am well aware that there is some really bad sounding children’s music out there. Here you will find some child-friendly music, that even adults will enjoy.

Seeds Family Worship

You might recognize this wonderful music company already. Seeds was started when a worship minister was asked to write a few songs for his church’s VBS to help children memorize bible verses. The songs were catchy, well-crafted and came right from scripture. There are 7 total volumes and each is packed with new verses that will get everyone singing them all day long. You can also go to their website to get downloads for children for more resources to help children with each verse, including PDF memory cards.

http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/kids-stuff/

 

Rain For Roots

Rain for Roots is one of the most beautiful children’s CD’s you will ever encounter. With female vocalists like; Sandra McCracken, Elle Holcomb, Flo Paris and Katie Bowser you can’t go wrong on this folk-sounding CD. It has the feel of a lullaby and is based on a Sally Lloyd-Jones baby bible, Hug-a-Bible.

Glory and Grace cover art

The Spares, Glory and Grace

This album is one of our family favorites. You might feel as though you are in a worship service led by Allison Krauss. It is actually designed to follow a liturgical service order. There is a call to worship, confession and assurance. This album was born out of the following verses that shape its “service” order

Matthew 11:28-3: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [ESV]

Isaiah 6:5-7: And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” [ESV]

While this is not a children’s CD it is a gentle, beautiful worship album, including several songs we sing in our own worship services each Sunday. What is so wonderful is that it follows a traditional order of service through music, so it is comfortable and uplifting.

You can test it out here first        http://thespares.bandcamp.com/album/glory-and-grace

Forever/Home cover art

Forever Home

This album was written with families in mind. Its not your normal cheesy kids music that sends music critics running the the other direction. Forever home is a delightful CD that focuses on God’s Big Story, “From Abraham to David and Paul”. Its full of biblical truths with a rhythm that will keep you going all day long.

Enjoy Your Summer Listening!