This week in Sunday school, our children will return to their classrooms following two successful weeks of hosting families from Family Promise Metrowest. I think it’s wonderful that our children have the opportunity to see their classrooms transformed from a place of learning about God’s love for them into a place where they can show God’s love for those in need.

On Sunday morning, our preschoolers through 3rd graders will begin in the sanctuary as they continue to rehearse songs they will sing on Palm Sunday next week.

Later, in their classrooms, our 1st through 3rd graders will encounter the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet in John 12:1-8. They will “speak” with their actions to show their love of Jesus, as Mary did. Our preschoolers through kindergarteners will review the past three Sunday school lessons about the life of Moses.

Our 4th through 8th graders will continue to rehearse the dramatization of The Passion of Our Lord According to Luke to be presented during the Palm Sunday worship service. Please let me know if your student will be available to participate this Sunday and on Palm Sunday, March 24.

I look forward to seeing you and your children together this week in Sunday school.

“The Christian education program at Peace, where your child can experience God’s love through worship, learning, and fellowship with others.”

-Kim

Immediately following worship, our younger children, preschool through 3^rd grade, will meet with Kathryn in the sanctuary to rehearse music being prepared for Palm Sunday.  Following this rehearsal, they will join the potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall.  Once our children have eaten they will meet with their teachers for about a half hour in the big Little Dove room.  They will discuss The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother from Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.  Children will hear about the loving father and his sons and grow in knowing that God’s love is with them wherever they are.

Our older students, 4^th grade through middle school, will begin with the potluck.   Once they have eaten, they will meet in the sanctuary to rehearse a Palm Sunday dramatization.  Our students will be familiar with the dramatization since they performed this one last year.  I think they will enjoy revisiting the story.

-Kim

This week during Sunday school your children will have an opportunity to welcome guest families from Family Promise by creating door banners for them. These banners will grace the doors to our Sunday school classrooms which by then will have been transformed into inviting bedrooms for at least two families. We will also discuss the bible verse from Isaiah 55:1-9. Here are some thoughts I shared with our Sunday school teachers earlier today while preparing for this lesson:

Isaiah 55:1-9 is a great lesson for us to focus on this Sunday with families arriving at Peace later in the day. One of the questions (and answers) posed in this bible verse reads: “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food.” In context with Family Promise Sunday, one way I respond to the answer provided here is to realize that we are being asked to do those things in communion with others, share with others that which is good. I mean, think about it: when we experience something good and when we take delight in something, we want to share that experience with others. And, by sharing what is not only delightful but also important with those in need, we are close to God.

Take note of this week’s Session Goals:

Pre-K through 3rd grade students will feast on God’s great gifts and give praise to God for giving them what they need.

Fourth and fifth graders will savor (love that word!) God’s promise of abundant life in Isaiah and invite others to the feast.

Middle School students will dig into Isaiah’s words and describe the nature of our generous God.

As I read these goals, I raise an obvious question: If God gives us what we need, then why are there children coming to Peace who don’t have a home? One answer is that, for two weeks, we are giving them a home. They will receive what they need: a roof over their heads, a warm place to sleep at night, food on the table. And their family is together. These are things we can do to show God’s love and to express gratitude for having a roof over our heads, a warm place to sleep at night, and food on our table, too. God has given us everything we need, and more!

Please come to church on Sunday morning, listen to Isaiah, and hear how God provides for each of us, in abundance.

-Kim

I feel like I never take the time to share my thoughts with the
dedicated Sunday School teachers we have. My girls take home their work
form class each Sunday and show it to me proudly. I am especially
enjoying their advent work from last week. The church helps me really
enjoy and appreciate the Christmas season. I easily get turned off by
all the commercialism.  But my girls are opening their advent calendar
with a bible verse each day, and a note about what they can do for
another person.  I feel like they get it – what Christmas is all about.
I have not even heard what they want from Santa this year.  We’ve
gathered toys they’ve outgrown and donated them for children in need.
We include the children they’ve befriended through family promise in our
prayers. My girls are truly grateful for all they have, and so am I. I
am most grateful for our Peace family. It is really helping me through a
tough time and helping us to raise our girls in a way I feel proud of.

Thank you so much for all you do.

God bless.
Kim