Kaleidoscope

Summer Team Schedule

2011-06-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

June 19th- Father's Day-No Gathering!

June 26th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4

July 3rd - Home Parties!
July 10th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1
July 17th- Beautify Sunday
July 24th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
July 31st - Home Parties!

Aug 7th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 3
Aug 14th- Mosaic in the Park-TEAM 4
Aug 21st- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1
Aug 28th- Beautify Sunday

Spring Rotation

2011-04-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

Apr 3rd- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1
Apr 10th- MOSAIC BEAUTIFY SUNDAY
Apr 17th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
Apr 24th- EASTER SUNDAY! - TEAM 3 (babies & preschool only)

May 1st- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4
May 8th- Mother's Day @ the Majestic
May 15th- Home Parties!!
May 22nd- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1

May 29th- Serving @ SKI TO SEA!

June 5th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
June 12th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 3

June 19th- Father's Day-No Gathering!

June 26th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4

Not sure what team you are on? Click on the button in the top right corner of the blog!

2011 Team Rotation

2011-01-06T15:53:00.000-08:00

Jan 9th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1

Jan 16th - MOSAIC BEAUTIFY SUNDAY

Jan 23rd - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
Jan 30th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 3

Feb 6th - Super Bowl Parties!!
Feb 13th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4
Feb 20th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1
Feb 27th - MOSAIC BEAUTIFY SUNDAY

Mar 6th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
Mar 13th - Home Parties!!
Mar 20th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 3
Mar 27th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4

Apr 3rd - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1
Apr 10th - MOSAIC BEAUTIFY SUNDAY
Apr 17th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
Apr 24th - EASTER SUNDAY!

Not sure what team you are on? Click on the button in the top right corner of the blog!

Mosaic Kids Video Project 2010

2011-01-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it... Our kids are the coolest! Thanks to Ian & Arlene for all the hard work on this project!

2011 Mosaic Kids Teams!

2011-01-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

Team 1:
grades K-4
Team Leader: team leader needed
Andrea G
Matt & Elinor M
Susan T

Fred H

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jason & Alli

Shaun P

Babies, 1s & 2s
Amia F
Erin H

Team 2:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Brad Sim
Emily S
Kara L
Steven L

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Kristina C
Trevor/Sarah VW
Jackson H

Babies, 1s & 2s
Annie O
Jody H

Team 3:
grades K-4
Team CoLeader: Maren A
Team CoLeader: Joanne S

Sarah K

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jim & Beth P

Babies, 1s & 2s
Jeremy & Kjirstin

Team 4:
grades K-4
Carla C
Betty Stratton
Dave G

Eric J

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Shara P
Laura A

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sarah S
Anni H

One More Christmas Post

2010-12-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

I recently read a wonderful perspective on Santa Claus. I think this is a great way to break the news to your kids and let them in on the magic of Saint Nick! You can read it here.

image here

A wonderful Advent Resource

2010-12-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

I've posted about the Jesse Tree before, but there's a new booklet out this year that I wanted to share with you!

Find it here.

And watch the calendar next Fall for a Jesse Tree ornament party!

More Advent ideas here and here

image here

Mosaic Kids Christmas Film Project

2010-12-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

We are currently filming a wonderful project for Christmas with our kids, thanks to this fellow:

If you want to get involved, contact me ASAP at mosaickids@gmail.com

12 Questions of Christmas Video series

2010-12-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

There is a really fun series of videos here that takes kids through 12 different questions about Christmas. A fun thing to follow each day as part of your Advent celebrations.

Beware: Santa Spoilers!

image here

Fall 2010 Teams

2010-10-21T15:46:00.000-07:00

Team 1:
grades K-4
Team Leader:
Andrea G
Matt & Elinor M

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jason H

Jason & Alli

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H
Erin H

Team 2:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Brad Sim
Emily S
Kara L
Steven L

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Molly M
Carla S
Jackson H

Babies, 1s & 2s
Annie O
Jody H

Team 3:
grades K-4
Team CoLeader: Maren A
Team CoLeader: Joanne S
Julie H
Savannah S

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jim & Beth P

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi M

Team 4:
grades K-4
Carla C
Betty Stratton
Dave G
Delia Brands

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Shara P
Laura A

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sarah S
Anni H

Winter Team Rotation

2010-08-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

Dec 5th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2

Dec 12th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 3

Dec 18th - MOSAIC BEAUTIFY SATURDAY @ THE COMMUNITY TOY STORE
Dec 19th - Family Christmas Gathering @ the Majestic. No kids teams.

Dec 26th - No Gathering - Merry Christmas!!!!

Jan 2nd - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4

Not sure what team you are on? Scroll down!

Team Rotation

2010-05-07T20:04:00.001-07:00

May 9th-Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
May 16th-HOME PARTIES
May 23rd-Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 3
May 30th -SKI TO SEA SUNDAY

Jun 6th-Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4
Jun 13th-Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1
Jun 20th-Father's Day - stay tuned for plans!
Jun 27th-Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2

Jul 4th--Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 3
Jul 11th- BEAUTIFY SUNDAY
Jul 18th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4
Jul 25th- Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1

Aug 1st - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 2
Aug 8th -Listening Sunday-TEAM 3
Aug 15th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 4
Aug 22nd - BEAUTIFY SUNDAY
Aug 29th - Mosaic @ Majestic-TEAM 1

Not sure what team you are on? Scroll down!

Summer 2010 Teams

2010-05-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

Team 1:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Tanya Hedine
Jamie M
Andrea G
Matt & Elinor M

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jason H
Heather T
Amanda S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H
Erin H

Team 2:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Brad Sim
Emily S
Molly M
Kara L
Steven L

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Shannon M
Carla S
Jackson H

Babies, 1s & 2s
Annie O
Jody H

Team 3:
grades K-4
Team CoLeader: Maren A
Team CoLeader: Joanne S
Julie H
Savannah S

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jim & Beth P

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi M

Team 4:
grades K-4
Carla C
Betty Stratton
Dave G
Delia Brands

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Shara P
Laura A

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sarah S
Anni H

2010-01-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

This week, we will be starting a lovely new series at Mosaic kids.

We're going to go through this book:

which I highly recommend for every household.

We're also taking some of the ideas from the lessons from here.
Thank you to Tony Kummer for posting these, they've been very helpful!

This series is super fun and we're looking forward to all the things we will learn about God's Story!

Pick up a copy so you can follow along at home!

1st Quarter 2010 Schedule

2010-01-08T12:29:00.001-08:00

Sunday, Jan 10th - Mosaic Evening Gathering Starts! TEAM 2
Sunday, Jan 17th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3
Sunday, Jan 24th - BEAUTIFY
Sunday, Jan 31st - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1

Sunday, Feb 7th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 2
NO EVENING GATHERING FEB 7TH!
Sunday, Feb 14th - BEAUTIFY/Special Event - no kids teams
Sunday, Feb 21st - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3
Sunday, Feb 28th - Home Parties - no kids teams

Sunday, Mar 7th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1
Sunday, Mar 14th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 2
Sunday, Mar 21st - BEAUTIFY - no kids teams
Sunday, Mar 28th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3

Sunday, Apr 4th - EASTER @ the Majestic - TEAM 1
EASTER = MORNING GATHERING ONLY
Sunday, Apr 11th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 2
Sunday, Apr 18th - BEAUTIFY - no kids teams
Sunday, Apr 25th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3

1st Quarter 2010 Teams

2010-01-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

Mornings

Team 1:

grades K-4
Team Leader: Tanya Hedine
Jamie M
Andrea G
Matt & Elinor M

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jason H
Mady S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H
Erin H

Team 2:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Brad Sim
Emily S
Molly M
Jaime C
Kevin C

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Shannon M
Mady S
Carla S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lauren R
Annie O

Team 3:
grades K-4
Team CoLeader: Maren A
Team CoLeader: Joanne S
Kate W
Julie H

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jim & Beth P

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi M

Evenings

Team 1:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Jacky S
Kelli G
Dave G
Joanne S

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Shara P
Team Member Needed

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sarah S
Kate W

Team 2:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Ethan L
Maren A
Demi B
Jeremy H

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Laura A
Kate S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Team members needed

Team 3:
grades K-4
Team Leader: Delia B
Demi B
Betty S
Brandon W

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Tressa T
Team member needed

Babies, 1s & 2s
Becky C
Anni H

Upcoming Weeks

2009-12-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

Sunday, Dec 13th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3
Sunday, Dec 20th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 4
Sunday, Dec 27th - NO GATHERING

Sunday, Jan 3rd - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1
Sunday, Jan 10th - Mosaic Evening Gathering Starts! TEAM 2
Sunday, Jan 17th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3
Sunday, Jan 24th - BEAUTIFY
Sunday, Jan 31st - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1

Not sure what team you're on??? Find out here.
January teams will be posted very soon!

Advent Celebrations!

2009-12-02T14:16:00.000-08:00

We are celebrating and learning about Advent together with your children at Mosaic.

If you are looking for ways to celebrate Advent with your family at home this year, Here are a few ideas:

One of my favorites is The Jesse Tree which I posted about last year.

I also came across a great family devotional here. It has references included so that you can use it with The Jesus Storybook Bible. Our favorite!

Also, Misha has posted tons of links and ideas here. So check them out!

And, you can watch this video together, straight out of the Jesus Storybook Bible.

Enjoy!

A fantastic way to give

2009-11-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

I read a post today over here that I think is a FABULOUS idea families can use to give on the go. They make "sock lunches" to keep in their car and hand out to the homeless when they are out together as a family. What a great opportunity to share with your kids the importance of beautifying others and living a sent life!

Go check it out!

The Big Picture Story Bible

2009-11-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

I have an item for your Christmas list to Grandma!

In January, we will be starting a lovely new series at Mosaic kids.

We're going to go through this book:

which I highly recommend for every household.

We're also taking some of the ideas from the lessons from here.
Thank you to Tony Kummer for posting these, they've been very helpful!

This series is super fun and we're looking forward to all the things we will learn about God's Story!

Pick up a copy so you can follow along at home!

Mexico Shoeboxes

2009-11-24T11:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Mosaic Families-

Sunday we talked about giving with your kids! We have been learning about what it means to be the Church: The People of God. So far, we have discussed that God’s people BLESS, believe, meet, and obey. Today’s topic was: God’s people give, share and encourage. We also revisited this idea from last year.

I thought it would be helpful for our kids to have a practical way to participate in this aspect of being God’s people: Giving.

My good friend, Erin Blinn, is a Mission’s Pastor in Texas and has started a program which provides shoes for needy children in Reynosa, Mexico.

Mosaic Kids has signed up for two shoeboxes this year! We will be filling shoeboxes for a 7 year old boy and a 3 year old girl, who are siblings.

Your kids are encouraged to bring a little allowance money to help cover the cost of the shoes (which Mosaic will purchase), OR to go to the dollar store and pick out goodies for the child. We encourage you to pick out crayons, toothbrush and toothpaste, stickers, matchbox cars or anything else you can think of that would fit in a shoebox! Please bring these items back with you next Sunday, November 29th! We will ship them off to Mexico with Erin and her team to two children in Mexico.

After the trip, Erin and her team will have pictures and information for us about the children we were able to help!

We are very excited to partner in this program.

Here's a note from Erin:

Thank you for your willingness to help with our shoebox program! The little guy in the photo attached this note is Bryan. Last year when we met up with him to give him his shoes, the excited little guy marveled at the Spiderman shoes in his box. Whoever packed the box added some other 4-year-old appropriate goodies.

Bryan unpacked them with delight. Upon discovering a box of crayons in his shoebox, Bryan set the box down, took the crayons out and started dancing in the dusty dirt street shouting, "Colores, colores!" My team and I blinked back tears. Here's a little boy dancing over a box of crayons that you can buy at Wal-mart for $.20 during back-to-school.

This will be the fifth year Grace Vineyard, the church I work at, has participated in bringing shoes to the children of Vamos Tamaulipas, a low-income community in Reynosa, Mexico just south of McAllen, TX. Bryan's story perfectly captures why we take shoes: we believe God's love is practical and that sharing can be as simple as a box of shoes for a little one who might otherwise go without. The community's 520 kids will receive shoes this year, and Grace has committed to providing 300 pairs through our attendees and friends. Which is where you come in. :)

Here's how it works. In September, volunteers traced the feet of each child in the program and sent them to us. We then take the footprints and buy a pair of closed-toed shoes (athletic shoes are best) based on the tracing. The shoes are packed in a Rubbermaid shoebox, and the shoebox is stuffed with age-appropriate goodies (socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, matchbox cars, crayons, stickers, etc).

A team from Grace Vineyard then delivers the shoes door to door December 16-20.

It's pretty simple. It brings a lot of joy. I'd love for you to share in that joy.

And thanks for participating. After the trip I'll send you an update with photos so you can see how your gift affected a community. It's been incredible!!!

Thanks,

Erin

The 12 Disciples - UPDATE

2009-11-24T11:19:00.001-08:00

We are still working on the names of the 12 disciples!

This past Sunday was a time crunch Sunday, so we ran out of time to hear everyone recite the 12 names. Some of your kids knew them and were so eager to share and they did a great job! Prizes and celebrations will be had this coming Sunday, November 29th!

Continue to work on them with your kids. It might even be worth a $.99 investment on itunes for a song that will help. Just type in "the 12 disciples", there are several options.

There's always the good old fashioned way of using Matthew Chapter 10 as well.

Good Luck!

The Jesus Storybook Bible -Videos!

2009-11-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

Check this out! There are videos available, with animations and dramatized readings of The Jesus Storybook Bible, on Sally Lloyd-Jones' blog. This has long been a favorite Story Bible at Mosaic Kids, and now you can listen and watch the stories together. There are only a few on there for now, but go check them out here.

Mosaic in the evening???

2009-11-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

If you haven't noticed, we have had a very full room on Sunday mornings! We are moving toward adding an evening Gathering in the near future, which you will be hearing about over the coming Sundays. This Gathering will also have a focus toward a church plant in the future. Exciting stuff! Our very own Aaron Walters is here in Bellingham as a church planter and is looking forward to getting to know some Mosaic folks who may have a heart to join him.

This brings with it some changes! We will be adding a kids program with the same ages and content to our evening Gathering. So, you will have your choice of when to attend, depending on what works for your family.

If you are currently a Mosaic Kids Volunteer, be thinking about when you would prefer to serve: Morning or evening? We will be dividing teams up accordingly.

Please be in prayer for us as we move toward this exciting new change.

Upcoming Weeks!

2009-11-10T17:50:00.000-08:00

Sunday, Nov 15th - BEAUTIFY SUNDAY - Majestic, 10am
Sunday, Nov 22nd - THANKSGIVING BASKETS @ the Majestic - TEAM 4
Sunday, Nov 29th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1

Sunday, Dec 6th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 2
Sunday, Dec 13th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3
Sunday, Dec 20th - BEAUTIFY SUNDAY - Majestic, 10am

Not sure what team you're on??? Find out here.

Who are the 12 Disciples??

2009-11-10T17:41:00.000-08:00

We were talking this past Sunday about the disciples... how many were there? What were their names? I decided it would be fun to have our kids learn a bit more about them, so I issued a little challenge:

Learn the names of the 12 disciples and the next time we meet you will get a little surprise!

My goal is that we ALL learn them, so I will have Bibles out and work with your kids on the assigned Sunday (November 22nd)... so that everyone gets a special prize and some Biblical literacy too!

So, here's where you come in. Take some time over the next 2 weeks to learn the disciples names and learn what you can about who they were together with your kids. (Hint: Try Matthew 10)

image from here

Looking for a weekday volunteer for next week - Oct 19-22

2009-10-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am looking for someone who has a couple of hours during the day next week. We need to spend a little time sorting and inventorying our craft supplies in the closet at the Majestic. If you are available next week (any day), and would like to help organize, please contact me and we'll make a plan! Thanks!

Carla

mosaickids@gmail.com

image from here

Upcoming Weeks

2009-10-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

Sunday, Oct 18th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1
SATURDAY, Oct 24th - Make a Difference Day!

Sunday, Nov 1st - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 2
Sunday, Nov 8th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3
Sunday, Nov 15th - BEAUTIFY SUNDAY - Majestic, 10am
Sunday, Nov 22nd - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 4
Sunday, Nov 29th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1

Sunday, Dec 6th- Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 2

Not sure what team you're on??? Find out here.

NEW Fall 2009 Kids teams

2009-10-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Team 1:

grades K-4
Megan F - set up
Joanne S - set up
David G
Matt & Elinor M - clean up
Jamie M

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Kelli G
Laura A
Mady S - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lauren R - set up
Erin H - clean up

Team 2:
grades K-4
Betty S - set up
Maren
Andrea
Ethan L
Jaime C
Kevin C

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Beth P
Jim P
Carla S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi

Team 3:
grades K-4
Julie H - clean up
Jacky S - set up
Brad S - set up
Emily S - clean up
Demi B

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Shannon M
Becca T
Kate S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Annie O
Sarah S

Team 4:
grades K-4
Delia B - clean up
Molly M
Ian M
Arlena M
Rachel R

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Marilu M
Shara P - clean up
Jason H - clean up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H - clean up
Kate W -set up

Memory Work!

2009-10-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

Your kids are doing a fantastic job memorizing Acts 2:42-43. We did an activity together yesterday to help them learn it and they were amazing! Most of them could quote it by the end of the morning. I encourage you to keep working on it with them this week.

Here are the verses from the NIrV:

“The believers STUDIED what the apostles taught. They SHARED LIFE together. They broke bread and ATE together. And they PRAYED. Everyone felt that God was near...”

So far, in our series on what it means to be the Church, your kids have learned that:

God's people BLESS
God's people BELIEVE, and
God's people MEET

Talk about this with them!

I love having these conversations and learning moments with your kids. They are awesome!

Have a fantastic Fall week, everyone.

THANK YOU!

2009-10-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning I arrived at Mosaic needing 16 people to complete the Fall rotation for the kids ministry. And 16 people signed up. Thank you to each and every one of you who made that possible!!!

Acts Bible Memory

2009-10-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

We are learning about what it means to be the church at Mosaic Kids!

So far, we have reviewed our BLESS rhythms and talked about how at Mosaic, there are 5 ways that we try to live our lives in order to be the church: we beautify the lives of others, listen to God, eat together and make friends, study the Bible and send others to live the same way!

The kids made some framed posters with the word "BLESS" on them to take home as a reminder.

Then, this last Sunday, we learned that God's people BELIEVE. Your kids came up with an amazing list of things that we believe about God:

He is near
He died on the Cross and rose again
He came to earth
He is good
He loves people
He made everything

and on it went. I loved it!

As we continue through this series the next couple of months, your kids will be learning a couple of verses. We sent home the first half this week. Hopefully you can learn it together as a family!

It is Acts 2:42 & 43 in the NIrV:
“The believers STUDIED what the apostles taught. They SHARED LIFE together. They broke bread and ATE together. And they PRAYED. Everyone felt that God was near...”

In the coming weeks, we will add verses 45 and 46:
“They sold what they owned. They GAVE each other everything they needed. Every day the MET TOGETHER in the temple yard. In their homes they broke bread and ATE together. Their hearts were glad and honest and true.”

I love it and look forward to having this be a part of the DNA we build into our kids of what it means to be God's people!

We also revised a familiar rhyme:

"Here is a building
there is no steeple
but open the doors!
The church is the people!"

Volunteers Needed!

2009-09-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

We are currently in need of 15 people to keep our kids program running! If you are interested in helping with the kids from now through the end of 2009 (about 3 Sundays), e-mail Carla at mosaickids@gmail.com

Quote of the day

2009-09-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

"What would happen if we saw our mission… our purpose… rather than to teach kids about God but to help children find their place in the Body of Christ and to help the adult members of the Body to nurture and mentor and include children in the mission God sent His entire Church on in this world?"
- Henry Zonio, posted here

This is totally how I want to view the ministry to our children at Mosaic. They are a part of the body along with us, and it's our job to mentor them and include them as much as possible!

Upcoming Weeks!!!

2009-08-26T17:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday, August 30th - MOSAIC 3RD ANNIVERSARY - Zuanich Park, 5:30 pm.
5 "bouncers" needed to man the bouncy house. E-mail me if you can help!

Sunday, Sept 6th - Home parties & Surf Trip
Sunday, Sept 13th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1
Sunday, Sept 20th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - Babies and Preschool only
Sunday, Sept 27th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 2

Sunday, Oct 4th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 3
Sunday, Oct 11th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 4
Sunday, Oct 18th - Mosaic @ the Majestic - TEAM 1
SATURDAY, Oct 24th - Make a Difference Day!

not sure what team you're on? check over there! to your right! at the top of the page. there's a list.

Upcoming Weeks!

2009-07-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

July 26th - Beautify Sunday & Middle School - no kids teams

August 2nd - Team 2
August 9th - Team 3
August 16th - Beautify Sunday - no kids teams
August 23rd - team 4
August 30th - 3 Year Anniversary Party at Zuanich!

Sept 6th - No Mosaic
Sept 13th - Team 1

not sure what team you're on? check over there! to your right! at the top of the page. there's a list.

This Week - July 12th - Team 4

2009-07-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Team 4:

Grades K-4
Molly M
Ian M
Arlena M

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Meghan V - set up
Jason H - clean up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H - clean
Maren! - set up

Sunday, July 19th - TEAM 1

2009-07-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

grades K-4
Joanne S - set up
David G
Matt & Elinor M - clean up
Delia

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Kelli G
Laura A

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lauren R - set up
team members needed

image from here

Volunteers needed to cuddle Mosaic Babies!

2009-06-24T16:43:00.001-07:00

We are looking for people to hang out with our babies in July:

1 person is needed on July 12th
1 person is needed on July 19th

We also need 2 people on August 2nd

Thank you so much! Please e-mail me if you are interested.

Video fun: God is...

2009-06-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

silly. but happy. and true.

a little above where our kids are thinking, but I think good for us to think about.

what do you think?

thanks to henry zonio for posting.

The Big Picture Story Bible

2009-06-11T16:55:00.001-07:00

We've begun a lovely new series at Mosaic kids.

We're going through this book:

which I highly recommend for every household.

We're also taking some of the ideas from the lessons from here.
Thank you to Tony Kummer for posting these, they've been very helpful!

So far, we've learned the following:

WEEK 1: THE VERY GOOD BEGINNING:
God made everything simply by speaking words.
God's people were in God's place with God's good rules to obey.
God made us in his image - as beings who are made in God's image we are responsible for making the world a better place. To symbolize this role, they made a flower and wrote on it one thing that they could do to make the world better.

WEEK 2: A VERY SAD DAY
We learned about choices!
and that... Even when I make bad choices, God will rescue me
along with these three questions:

What was the choice? The people had to choose between obeying God or listening to Satan.
Why did God have to punish Adam & Eve? God punished them because they disobeyed his Word, which was meant to rule over his place and his people.
What was the promise? The promise was that one day someone would come and crush Satan’s power over people.

The kids also had a fun time acting the story out and making snake bracelets!

This series is super fun and we're looking forward to the other things we will learn about God's Story!

Our Kids!

2009-06-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

Just having fun downstairs on a Sunday:

Mosaic Kids needs your help!

2009-06-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

We have lost a few volunteers recently due to the schedule changes that come with summer. We are currently seeking about 10 people to help with the kids on Sundays. If you would like to beautify the lives of some of the children in our community, please e-mail me. You will help 5 or 6 times, starting in July, & ending at the end of the year.

We are also open to summer only helpers!

Help is needed in each class. You may choose your preference of babies, preschoolers, or Kindergarten through 4th grade.

Thank you so much!

2009 Kids Teams - Summer and Fall

2009-06-11T15:53:00.000-07:00

Team 1:

grades K-4
Megan F
Joanne S - set up
David G
Matt & Elinor M - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Kelli G
Laura A

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lauren R - set up
team member needed

Team 2:
grades K-4
Betty S - set up
Maren
Andrea
team members needed

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Brett B
Katie B
Madison S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi

Team 3:
grades K-4
Julie H - clean up
Jacky S - set up
Brad S - set up
Emily S - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Amia F - clean up
Rose S - set up
team members needed

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lael & Drew - clean up
team members needed

Team 4:
grades K-4
Delia B
Molly M
Ian M
Arlena M

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Meghan V - set up
Jason H - clean up
team member needed

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H - clean
team member needed

Oh the questions kids have...

2009-06-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

I found this on Scot Mcknight's blog and it made me laugh! I have had conversations like this one. Kids have very serious questions about God, and it's my job to answer them as well as I can! Sometimes that's a challenge.

Upcoming Weeks

2009-06-03T14:43:00.001-07:00

June 14th - Beautify Sunday - no kids teams
June 21st - Father's Day - no kids teams
June 28th - Team 3

July 5th - Home Parties! - no kids teams
July 12th - Team 4
July 19th - Team 1

not sure what team you're on? check over there! to your right! at the top of the page. there's a button that says, "what team am I on?" Click on 2009 TEAM LIST

Team 2 - This Week - June 7th

2009-06-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

Grades K-4
Betty
Lorien
Charissa
Brenna

Ages 3-4
Brett, Mady and Katie

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you Sunday!

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

A happy quote about kids

2009-05-01T14:26:00.001-07:00

"A child can always teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires."

— Paulo Coelho, The Fifth Mountain

found here

Volunteers needed this week - May 3rd

2009-04-30T09:32:00.000-07:00

We are mixing things up a little bit with the kids this Sunday and I am looking for 3 people to help.

I am looking for someone who would like to join me and the 3-9 year olds for a movie (fun!)

I also need two people who would like to hang out with our babies (who are also very fun!)

If you are interested, please e-mail me: carla@mosaicnw.com

Thanks!

Jelly Telly for Children's Ministry

2009-04-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

Phil Vischer has done it again. If you don't recognize his name, he is the brain behind Veggie Tales.

He's been up to something new, called Jelly Telly. And today, I found out that Jelly Telly now has videos available for download to use in kids ministry. I'm excited to check out their introductions to the books of the Bible and use them with our kids this summer! I plan to take them back through the Bible - God's Big Story, so these should be fantastic at helping them grasp the stories of the different books of the Bible and where they fit in the grand scheme of things.

Here's a little sampling for you:

can anyone say, Flight of the Conchords?

What can you do?

2009-04-29T21:02:00.001-07:00

This is a fun video about helping others. It's from the Jelly Telly series called "Kids like you." "Kids like you" is a series of videos where kids talk about how they can serve others. So, gather the kids up again and you can have a great conversation with them about why we do BEAUTIFY projects at Mosaic and what we can do on a daily basis to help others. Check it out!

More at jellytelly.com

Preschool Crafty Craziness

2009-04-23T21:05:00.000-07:00

I ran across this blog today and thought it was worth sharing. She has TONS of ideas for fun crafty and entertaining things to do at home (cheaply!) with young children. Many of these would be great for summer.

I love the under-bed-storage-sand box

and the shower curtain liner TOWN

Like I said, tons of cool ideas. It's called Filth Wizardry, and you can find it here.

This Week - April 26th - Team 3

2009-04-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Grades K-4
Julie - clean up
Jacky - set up
Emily - clean up
Brad - set up

Ages 3-4
Amia - clean up
Meg M - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Drew & Lael - clean up

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you Sunday!

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

Shout out to Jude!

2009-04-17T11:49:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard, we have been doing some Bible memory around Mosaic Kids this quarter. The kids have learned 4 songs, which contain a total of 9 verses! The songs we learned together are from the fine folks at Seeds Family Worship, and I encourage everyone to pick up their albums for your kids! Each song is a verse, or series of verses, taken directly from the NIV text.

As we were talking about Scripture memory and its purpose, Jude volunteered a story. He said that when he's feeling nervous or upset at school, he repeats a verse to himself. It goes a little something like this, "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives me strength!" I was so pleased to hear that he has captured the purpose of scripture memory: comfort and strength through the truth of the words of God.

So, Jude, this video is for you. Everyone - gather your kids around and enjoy this fun song:

TEAM 2 - Kids Party Chaperones!

2009-04-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

This week we are partying with our elementary kids and also watching babies and preschoolers while parents BEAUTIFY!!

Grades K-4
Maluhia - set up
Betty
Charissa & Brenna - set up
Lorien

Babies, 1s & 2s, Ages 3-4
Brett - set up
Katie - set up
Madison -

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you then

PARTY!!!!!!!

2009-04-15T14:22:00.001-07:00

This week is our culmination party in celebration of the kids’ hard work on their memory verse songs and all they’ve learned about the Sermon on the Mount! Please bring your kids if you are available – they’ve been promised this party for the last 3 months and are very excited!

This week is a Beautify week! BUT – the elementary aged kids will be partying downstairs!

We will be celebrating with ice cream and fruit! If your children have any allergies, please bring ice cream that they can consume. We will provide the good old fashioned vanilla and chocolate varieties.

For those of you who have preschoolers and little ones, we will also have a room open for them, allowing you to go and bring some beauty. There will be several projects nearby.

Sound good? Sounds like a party to me!

See you Sunday.

image from here.

What is Church?

2009-04-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Quote:

"Church isn't where you meet... church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let's not go to church, let's be the church." Bridget Willard

Found here.

Seasons of the Soul

2009-04-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

Enjoying Matt's thoughts here

and my good friend, Erin's, here

Read and enjoy!

This Week - April 5th - Team 4

2009-04-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Grades K-4
Delia B - set up
Molly M - set up
Ian & Arlena

Preschool
Amia F - clean up - (subbing for Meghan)
Lauren R - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H - clean up - SUB NEEDED
Allison L - set up

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you Sunday!

Big Picture Story Bible

2009-03-25T16:20:00.000-07:00

I've recommended this Story Bible before, but felt it was worth mentioning again!

It's the Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm (Author), Gail Schoonmaker (Illustrator).

It is awesome and I highly recommend it - for kids of all ages!

from Amazon.com:

Product Description Rather than simply retelling the most familiar short scenes from the Bible, this book presents the big picture the unified story running through the Old and New Testaments. This delightful book will help children learn the Bible's whole story and begin to appreciate the fulfillment of God's promise to his people. The Big Picture Bible Story Book is perfect for parents to read to their children, and eventually, for children to read on their own. It is an excellent way to introduce them to a book that will guide them through all of life.

The themes it traces are simple, and super encouraging to me as well! They are as follows:

God has always wanted a place for his people. And He wants to be their King.

But:
We consistently doubt God's goodness
We choose to disobey God's words
We don't let God be our King - instead, we rule the world in evil ways

The book follows these themes throughout the big picture of scripture to reveal how God makes it right again.

So, pick this one up for your family. You can buy it locally at the Christian book store in town, or order it online from the link above.

And, if you haven't purchased the Jesus Storybook Bible, you can buy them together on amazon.com for $27.18. Not a bad price for some good theology for your little ones.

images from amazon.com

Communion Questions

2009-03-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier, I found some questions here to use when leading children in Communion. I thought this was a super idea and would be very useful in helping the children to understand more about what Communion is all about and why we practice it together. I adapted the questions I found and came up with the following four:

Q Why do we remember Jesus?
A Because he was sent from God and he gave up his life for us on the cross. God raised
him from the dead so that we might see that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new life, the life Jesus showed us how to live.

Q Why do we use bread?
A Because Jesus took bread at the Last Supper. It is a sign of Jesus body that was given up to die for us.

Q Why do we use wine?
A Because this wine is a sign of Jesus' saving love, through his blood, poured out for us when he died on the cross.

Q Why do we come to his table for Communion?
A He invites us because he accepts us. We are his people and we share in his
heavenly life.

We used three of these on Sunday and it went very well! I chose three children to read the questions aloud. The child would read the question, and then I would respond with the answer. After all three questions were read and responded to, I lead us in a prayer for our time of Communion. Then we headed upstairs! It was great, and I look forward to using these again.

April/May Team Schedule

2009-03-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

March 29th - Team 3

April 5th - Team 4
April 12th - Easter - Team 1 for shortened story time
April 19th - Team 2 - beautify Sunday and Kids' PARTY downstairs
April 26th - Team 3

May 3rd - Home Parties
May 10th - Team 4
May 17th - Team 1
May 24th - Ski to Sea Sunday!
May 31st - Team 2

image from idahostudios on flickr.

This Week - March 29th - Team 3

2009-03-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Eucharistic Prayers

2009-03-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

I found a helpful list of questions to ask before giving the blessing prayer as we head to Communion. I thought these would be super helpful in getting the kids prepared to join their parents for Communion. I plan to adapt them, and come up with a few of my own, and begin using them in the coming weeks!

Preambles before the Eucharistic Prayer

This might be a set of biddings or reasons for giving thanks, spoken by children or others, before the opening dialogue. Jewish-style questions and answers such as the following might be compiled, perhaps to echo the theme of the service. A child might ask the questions, which the president or deacon might answer, and not all questions need be attempted every time.

Q Why do we give thanks and praise to God?
A Because he has created all that is, and he has given us life. He is Lord of all, and yet loves each of us.

Q Why do we remember Jesus?
A Because he was sent from God and he gave up his life for us on the cross. God raised
him from the dead so that we might see that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new life, the life Jesus showed us how to live.

Q Why do we use bread?
A Because Jesus took bread at the Last Supper. It is a sign of Jesus feeding us as we hare with others around his table.

Q Why do we use wine?
A Because this wine is a sign of Jesus' saving love, poured out for us when he died on the cross.

(or)

Q Who are we remembering and who is here with us?
A Jesus Christ the Lord who lives today.

Q Why do we take this bread?
A To show that his body was given up to death for us.

Q Why do we take this wine?
A To show that Jesus shed his blood for our sins.

Q Why is there one loaf and one cup?
A Because we are one family; we belong to each other like the parts of a body.

Q Why do we come to his table?
A He invites us because he accepts us. We are his people and we share in his
heavenly life.

Q For how long will Christians celebrate like this?
A Until Jesus comes to take us to be with God in heaven.

Whatever happens, the actions, style and approach of the president, while being accessible to children, should make clear that the Eucharistic Prayer which follows is addressed to God, in whose presence it is right to be filled with awe. The sense of mystery should not lose out to a chatty educational or instructional approach.

I really like these! I'm thinking that as the kids line up downstairs, I will choose two children to each read a question, which I will answer. I will follow this up with a prayer of blessing for Communion before we head up!

source: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/newpatterns/notes/children.html

image from here

Children and Lying

2009-03-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

A helpful post and link list for parents dealing with lying habits in their children. Click here!

Middle School Gathering - This Sunday - March 15th

2009-03-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Middle School Meeting
this Sunday!

Stay tuned for details
(or e-mail Carla)

Up Next - March 22nd - Team 2

2009-03-09T12:32:00.001-07:00

Grades K-4
Maluhia - set up
Betty
Charissa & Brenna - set up
Lorien

Ages 3-4
Brett - set up
Katie - set up
Madison -

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you then

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

Mosaic Middle School!

2009-03-09T12:27:00.001-07:00

Check out these awesome Mosaic Pieces:

This Week - March 1st - Team 4

2009-02-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

Grades K-4
Delia B - set up
Molly M - set up
Amanda - clean up

Preschool
Amia F - clean up - (subbing for Meghan)
Meg M - set up - (subbing for Lauren)
Jason H - clean up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H - clean up
Allison L - set up

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you Sunday!

March/April Team Schedule

2009-02-23T14:55:00.000-08:00

March 1st - Team 4
March 8th - Team 1
March 15th - Beautify Sunday
March 22nd - Team 2
March 29th - Team 3
April 5th - Team 4
April 12th - Easter - TBA!

image from idahostudios on flickr.

This week - February 15th - Team 3

2009-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

Grades K-4
Julie - clean up
Jacky - set up
Emily
Brad - set up

Ages 3-4
Amia - clean up
Lauren (subbing for Meg) - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Drew & Lael - clean up

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you Sunday!

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

This Week - Feb 8th - Team 2

2009-02-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

Grades K-4
Maluhia - set up
Betty
Charissa & Brenna - set up
SUB NEEDED

Ages 3-4
Brett - set up
Katie - set up
Madison -

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you Sunday!

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

This week - Feb 1st - Team 1

2009-01-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

Team 1:
grades K-4
Carla C
Ethan L
Joanne S - set up
David G
Matt & Elinor M - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Kelli G
Laura A
Rose S - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Josh & Annie

Alan Hirsch on Missional

2009-01-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

"A proper understanding of missional begins with recovering a missionary understanding of God. By his very nature God is a “sent one” who takes the initiative to redeem his creation. This doctrine, known as missio Dei—the sending of God—is causing many to redefine their understanding of the church. Because we are the “sent” people of God, the church is the instrument of God’s mission in the world. As things stand, many people see it the other way around. They believe mission is an instrument of the church; a means by which the church is grown. Although we frequently say “the church has a mission,” according to missional theology a more correct statement would be “the mission has a church.”

Love it.

Read more here and here.

2009 Kids Teams

2009-01-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

Team 1:
grades K-4
Ethan L
Joanne S - set up
David G
Matt & Elinor M - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Kelli G
Laura A
Rose S - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Josh & Annie P

Team 2:
grades K-4
Maluhia V - set up
Charissa & Brenna - clean up
Betty S - set up
Lorien T

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Brett B
Katie B
Madison S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Sam & Heidi

Team 3:
grades K-4
Julie H - clean up
Jacky S - set up
Brad S - set up
Emily S - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Amia F - clean up
Meg M - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lael & Drew - clean up

Team 4:
grades K-4
Delia B
Amanda A
Molly M
Ian M
Arlena M

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Meghan V - set up
Jason H - clean up
Lauren R - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta H - clean
Allison - set up

Middle School Gathering - January 25th

2009-01-19T11:22:00.000-08:00

Middle School Meeting
at the Wiley’s

It’s that time again!

Join us on January 25th for a fun time together! The Middle School students are gathering at the Wiley’s for food, fun, sandwich making for Church on the Street, study time and much more!

We hope to see you there.

What: Beautify, Listen, Eat, Study and Send!
When: January 25th, 2009
Where: 4784 Nettle Ln
Bellingham, Wa
Time: 11am-1pm
Other: Just bring yourselves! Food will be provided

Up Next - Team 1 - Feb 1st

2009-01-19T11:16:00.000-08:00

grades K-4
Ethan
Joanne S - set up
Kelli G
Matt & Elinor M - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Dave G
Laura A
Rose S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Josh P
Annie P

A post for Erin

2009-01-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

I have this friend Erin. We became friends in Poland. We lived in an apartment in Czestochowa with two other girls. But, Erin and I would stay up late into the night, sitting across from each other in these super ugly 80s chairs. We would talk about what God was doing in us. We would talk about how God was using our team. We would talk about what Jesus was doing in the lives of the young people we were hanging out with in Czestochowa. But, often, we would just talk about the Gospel. We talked about what we had learned to be the Good News, what it was that was so good about Jesus and what He had done. We talked about our favorite things that we had learned through the Bible, sermons, YWAM schools. Eventually, we decided, that all the quotes and scriptures and sermons we loved... they were all saying the same thing. They all taught the same one thing (well, a few things bundled together into one thing): The Gospel. We decided, then, that there was really only one teaching. And we started calling it "the one teaching." So, whenever we came across the kind of Good News that just makes your heart happy, we'd look at each other and say, "it's the one teaching."

I share this story today, because I read something today, and my mind and heart went back to those chairs in Poland.

Check it out:

"In order to live out the life God intends for us to live, we must understand and believe the gospel AND it must permeate all of life. Many Christians believe the gospel is the starting point in their relationship with God, but that they move on to something more after that. If this is the case, they are deserting the one who called them by grace and turning to another god to save them – they are no longer living in line with the very truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:6-10; 2:14). The gospel is the power of God to save everyone who believes (Romans 1:16) and to make them righteous by faith in the work of Jesus Christ, accomplished on their behalf (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21). However, it’s not only the beginning of our Christian life, but it is also the ongoing means by which we are changed (Colossians 2:6- 7). As Tim Keller has stated, “The gospel isn’t just the ABCs of Christianity, but the A to Z.” It is the way in which we are to live everyday of our life. The reason why so many Christians fail to experience ongoing transformation is because they have forgotten what God has done for us in the Gospel (2 Peter 1:3-9)."

The Gospel is not the starting point. Oh no, it's the only thing. We could read about it, talk about it, process through it, learn about it forever. And we must. It's how we'll be changed. And 2 Peter 1:3-9 is one of the things I thought about a lot that summer. We have everything we need for life and godliness, and we need to be reminded of that a lot, so that we don't forget.

The above paragraphs come from "The Gospel Means" by Jeff Vanderstelt of Soma Communities in Tacoma, WA

Thanks Amber and Erin for letting me use this picture without asking :)

A note to Current Mosaic Kids Volunteers

2009-01-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

It's that time again! Kids Teams are up for rotation.

If you are currently serving with Mosaic Kids, your commitment to your team actually ended at the end of 2008. What I would like to do is keep you on your teams for the next 6 months with the option to opt out again at the end of June. If your schedule has changed, if you’re moving or have other commitments, or if working with the kids just isn’t working for you, please e-mail me and let me know that your January Sunday will indeed be your last Sunday. I will need to start filling your spots. If I don’t hear from you, I will keep you on the schedule, and your Jan/Feb dates are already posted (below). Thanks everyone!!

I appreciate you all more than I can express!

January/February Team Schedule

2009-01-09T17:57:00.000-08:00

January 11th - team 3
January 18th - team 4
January 25th - beautify Sunday
February 1st - team 1
February 8th - team 2
February 15th - team 3

image from redstamp.com on flickr.

This week - January 11th

2009-01-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

grades K-4
Julie
Jacky - set up
Sarah S
Steve
Brad - set up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Jason H - clean up
Kenzie & Sierra
Amia - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Krysta - clean up
Martinsons

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

Wondering when we're Gathering?

2009-01-09T17:53:00.000-08:00

Check the sidebar under "Upcmoing Events"

I try to keep our Majestic Sundays and Beautify Sundays and other events listed so that you can plan and keep up!

More of what I'm reading

2009-01-05T21:33:00.001-08:00

Carla Barnhill's thoughts on children and faith here and here.

Epiphany

2009-01-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, our elementary kids learned about God’s Epiphany: His big Show and Tell to the world of His Son Jesus. We read the story of the Wise Men. They heard that the long promised King had been born and they set out to find Him, bearing gifts and following a star to the most unlikely of locations. The kids looked at the story in Matthew chapter 2 and also in the Jesus Storybook Bible, where it reads like this:

“Far away, in the East, three clever men saw the very same star. The star that God had put in the sky when Jesus was born. They knew it was a sign. A baby king had been born. They had been waiting for this star. They knew it would come. ‘He’s here!’ they shouted. ‘He’s here!’ (And I’m sure if you’d been there, you would have heard them laughing and dancing and singing until the sun came up!) At dawn, they packed up their camels and wrapped gifts for the baby. They brought their most precious treasures of all: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. Special, sparkly, lovely-smelling, gleaming things – just right for a king. The three Wise Men (actually, if you’d met them, you’d have thought they were kings because they were so rich and clever and important looking) set off. They rode their camels… Across endless deserts… Up steep, steep mountains… Down into deep, deep valleys… Through raging rivers… Over grassy plains… Night and day, and day and night, for hours that turned into days, that turned into weeks, that turned into months and months, until, at last, they reached… Jerusalem. Jerusalem was by far the most important city for miles around and, as anyone can tell you, that’s where a palace would be and kings are born in palaces. So that’s where they went. But they were in for a surprise. They went to see King Herod. Surely he’d know where this baby was. But he didn’t. In fact, he didn’t like the sound of a new king – it made him cross. He didn’t want anyone to be king, except him. But Herod’s advisors told the three Wise Men what was written in their books – what God had said about the baby king: ‘Go to Bethlehem. That’s where you’ll find him.’ Suddenly, the star they had seen in the East started moving again, showing them the way. So the three Wise Men followed the star out of the big city, along he road, into the little town of Bethlehem. They followed the star through the streets of Bethlehem, out of the nice part of town, through the not=-so-nice part of town, into the really-not-nice-at-all part of town, down a little dirt track, until it stopped right over… a little house. But wait. It wasn’t a palace. Ant there weren’t any guards. Or servants. Or flags. Or red carpets. Or trumpets. Or anything. Did they get it wrong? Or was this what God meant? Sure enough, in that little house - there, sitting on his mother’s knee – they found him. The baby King. The three men knelt before the little king. They took off their rich royal turbans and gleaming, golden crowns. The bowed their noble heads to the ground and gave him their sparkling treasure. The journey that had begun so many centuries before had led three Wise Men here. To a little town. To a little house. To a little child. To the King God had promised David all those years before. But this child was a new kind of king. Though he was the Prince of Heaven, he had become poor. Though he was the Mighty God, he had become a helpless baby. This King hadn’t come to be the boss. He had come to be a servant.”

It was a great way to introduce them to the tradition of Epiphany, or "the revealing," which has long been celebrated after the 12 Days of Christmas, on January 6th.

image from here

Quote of the Day

2009-01-05T11:57:00.001-08:00

"The gospel is not about my individual happiness or God’s plan for my life. It is about God’s plan for the world."

from here.

-Jeff Vanderstelt of Soma Communities

What I'm reading

2009-01-05T11:31:00.001-08:00

Kathy Escobar's thoughts on what the church could be. Here.

Don Miller & the New Year's Day Parade

2009-01-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

A great post from Donald Miller, telling the story of the New Year's Day Parade his friend started in San Diego. Read the post here.

Our staff got to hear Donald Miller speak earlier this year, and he told us this story. He used it as an illustration that no one in ministry should get to watch the parade, it takes all of us! He left us with the challenge to "Join the parade!" I am so thankful for everyone at Mosaic who has done so. It's awesome to be living out this life with all of you.

This Week - Dec 21st - Team 1

2008-12-17T12:29:00.000-08:00

grades K-4
Carla C
Ethan L
Joanne S - set up
Kelli G
Matt or Elinor M - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Dave G
Laura A
Rose S - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Hannah A - set up
Andrea G - clean

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

Quote of the day

2008-12-11T01:46:00.000-08:00

In keeping with our recent series through the Beatitudes:

SANTA says, "You better not cry."
JESUS blesses those who mourn.

-Roger Fields

See the whole post here.

The Jesse Tree

2008-12-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is too cool. Has anyone ever heard of this? It's an advent calendar of sorts, but combined with family devotions and tons of meaning! It's called the Jesse Tree.

You hang an ornament on the tree every day and there are devotions to go with each one. It's basically a journey through the lineage of Jesus and the Story of the Bible as you count down the days to Christmas. I think this is a great idea. Imagine how much of the Story your kids would learn each year as you continue this tradition. Maybe next year we'll have a Jesse Tree party and make the ornaments together for families to use throughout the Advent season.

The information is put out by the RCA (Reformed church in America). Here is a description from their website:

The Jesse Tree

"Advent is a time of waiting, a time of anticipation and preparation for the coming of Jesus. There are many ways to get ready for Christmas. One way is through a Jesse Tree.

What is a Jesse Tree? It is a tree branch decorated with symbols representing the stories of people in Jesus' family tree. In Isaiah 11:1 we read, "A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots." Jesse was the father of David, Israel's greatest king. And it was from David's lineage that Jesus came. That's where the idea of using a Jesse Tree to celebrate Advent came from. Before a symbol is hung on the branch, a Bible passage or a story from a story Bible is read."

Seriously, go check it out!

or buy a book with patterns...

More of What I'm reading

2008-12-01T15:08:00.000-08:00

Sojourn Kids has an interesting series of posts called 9 Reasons Not To “Ask Jesus Into Your Heart”

Don't worry, they believe in the power of the Gospel and in teaching it to children.

So do I, so do I.

I find their thoughts on this to be really interesting!
I especially enjoyed point 2 of this post.

What do you think?

Middle School Gathering

2008-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

The Middle Schoolers are gathering once again on December 14th!

Keep your ears open for the time and place.

We will have a Bible discussion, eat something yummy, hang out, and wrap presents for a needy family.

Looking forward to it!

Advent Conspiracy

2008-12-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

If you missed the video on Sunday, or you'd like to share it with someone else, here it is.

What if we did things differently? What if we could give more, but spend less.

If you're looking for a way to get involved with clean water, try our friends at Charity:Water.

Prayers for Advent

2008-12-01T12:04:00.000-08:00

Last year, Johnny and I started a new tradition of having an Advent wreath. Each week, we light one candle. And the First day of each week (Sunday) we read a set of prayers and scriptures as we light the new candle.

If you are looking for prayers and Scriptures to read with your family each week of Advent, Scot McKnight is posting some. The first one is here.

image from ladinka on flickr.

What I'm reading

2008-12-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

Scot McKnight's thoughts on young people and church. Here.

The Kingdom is for Everyone

2008-12-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

The elementary kids read from the beatitudes on Sunday. I found N.T. Wright's translation so beautiful and helpful:

“Wonderful news for the poor in spirit! The kingdom of heaven is yours.
Wonderful news for the mourners! You’re going to be comforted.
Wonderful news for the meek! You’re going to inherit the earth.
Wonderful news for the people who hunger and thirst for God’s justice! You’re going to be satisfied.
Wonderful news for the merciful! You’ll receive mercy yourselves.
Wonderful news for the pure in heart! You will see God.
Wonderful news for the peacemakers! You’ll be called God’s children.”

-Matthew 5:1-12, translation by N.T. Wright

We talked about how God's Kingdom is any place where God is King. He wants to be King in our hearts and in our lives. And he wants that, not just for us, but for everyone: the broken-hearted, the lonely, the hurting, the homeless. Your kids shared some amazing stories of how they have blessed and shared the Kingdom with others - serving food on Thanksgiving, delivering gifts to single moms, helping the elderly with chores and yard work, delivering lunches with Salt on the Street. They are being hugely impacted by the ways we are living out the Gospel as a community and as individual families. It blesses me big time. God's Kingdom is here, now, and we are helping others to see who He is and how He works, and that He is good.

Advent is here!

2008-12-01T11:05:00.001-08:00

Christmas is coming!

We are preparing at Mosaic by putting together a sweet and simple Christmas program with the children. If your kids are interested in joining us, make sure they are present this Sunday, December 7th to rehearse!

image from t.moos on flickr.

Preschool Lesson from Sunday, Nov 30th

2008-12-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Our preschoolers got a special treat yesterday! They watched a video about Stanley the Stink Bug and learned that, "A friend loves you all the time." - Proverbs 17:17

Here's a summary of the story:

There's someone new coming to the garden's Summer Camp this year, and, well he has a problem. He stinks! But that's what stinkbugs do. So, when Stanley arrives at Camp-Bug-a-Boo he creates quite a, well, stink. Everyone tries their best to put up with the unusual odor, but things don't go so well. But then God helps the summer camp to realize that the reason Stanley stinks is because he is afraid. And the thing he is most afraid of is others not liking him and accepting him the way he is. Our garden friends soon learn that God created each of us for very special reasons and that even though Stanley is different, they need to show him love and be his friend.

This week - Dec 7th - Team 4

2008-12-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

Team 4:
grades K-4
Delia - set up
Rob & Willow W - set up
Arlene´M
Ian M
Amanda A

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Meghan V - set up
Lauren R - set up
Katie & Madison

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lael A - clean up
Drew F - clean up

image from: http://www.metro.co.uk

Quote of the Day

2008-11-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

"Faith is a gift from God.

It is not a set of beliefs; nor is it a well-developed
cognitive understanding of all things spiritual.

It is an act of grace, in which God chooses to be
in relationship with humanity."

-Karen Marie Yust, author of Real Kids, Real Faith

What do you think?