This Week's Children's Ministry Update

Are you a Good Friend? We learned a lot about being a good friend. Peanut got hurt this week on the playground when a mean dog hit him, poor Peanut. In Proverbs 17:17 it says, A friend loves at all times, and a brother helps in time of trouble. So this week we read about the Good Samaritan and how he was a good friend to a Jewish man. He was the only one that didn't walk on by, but stopped, took care of the man wounds and took him to the inn. In Chapel we acted out the story with Peanut's hurt paw, and the kids really liked it. During JAM we made our own art scene of the Samaritan's story. This week each child received a band aid to take home and help someone who got hurt. So if they might be asking you about your boo-boos.

This Week's Children's Ministry Update

We've been finding out about how special we are to God. It was perfect timing because Peanut really needed help with that this week. He was so upset and he thought he wasn't as good as the other puppies. He wasn't as fast, smart or had different color hair. We all had to help Peanut remember what God thought about him, and it made it all better. Our verse this week is from Genesis 1:27 "God made man, in His likeness, He made them male and female." We talked about God's special gift,  and how it wasn't things or even looks, but it was them. They liked knowing that they were God's special gift. In JAM we talked about how our parents and grandparents like to take pictures of us. So we made a picture of ourselves for God because He thinks we are special!

This Week's Children's Ministry Update

Peanut and I had a great time this week at Chapel and Jam. We've been learning about forgiveness, and it's really helped Peanut be more like Jesus. We read the Prodigal Son story from Luke 15:31-32; The father said, "We will celebrate! My son was gone, but is alive, he was lost, but is found." We talked about how when we disobey God, our teachers or parents, or when we hurt others we need forgiveness. Our hearts are white and clean, but when we disobey or hurt others it gets really dirty like the boy in the pig pin. So how do we get our hearts clean and white... forgiveness! We practiced asking for forgiveness; I'm sorry, please forgive me. Peanut needed a lot of help with forgiveness this week. He took a toy from a friend at school and that friend was hurt. We told Peanut that it wasn't right to take things and needed to ask for forgiveness and get clean. He finally did. Also in Chapel we took a clear vase and talked about how our hearts are clean, but when we hurt others or disobey God it gets dirty. So we put some dirt in the vase. Then we talked about how forgiveness is like the water rising the dirt out of the vase. The kids really liked it! In JAM we took a picture of a boy or girl and drew their hearts dirty. Then when we opened it they were white because they asked for forgiveness. It was a great week of learning how to give and receive forgiveness, so hopefully you can practice this at home this weekend.

Jam Picnic @ Holly Tree

This past couple of weeks we've had two Jam Picnics. Brentwood and Cool Springs had a joint picnic on September 1st. We also celebrated the Grand Opening of Holly Tree Priest Lake this past Friday September 9th. Both picnics were a huge blast and fun was had by all. Below are some pictures from both events. Be looking for more to come from JAM and Branches.

This Week's Children's Ministry Update

It's been a great week at Holly Tree. We've been learning about how to be a good student like Jesus. In Luke 2:46 we read, "Jesus was sitting in the temple, listening to teachers and asking questions." We talked about how it's important to raise our hands when we want to ask or answer questions. This helps our teachers and our class. In JAM we painted our hands in Fall colors and then put it on a stick, so we can raise it in the air. In Chapel Peanut was really silly he thought it was dinner time, but I told him it was time for Chapel. We talked about how there is a time for everything and we have to wait for dinner time, play time or going home time. It was a great start to this new school year for Holly Tree and JAM!