{Toddler/Preschool Ministry} Christmas Countdown!

Christmas Countdown!

We’re having a “Christmas Countdown” this year, and we want you to be a part of it! Children love counting down to anything (How many times have you said 3, 2, 1, blast off?), and we wanted to bring that excitement into the Christmas season.

{Kids Under 2} Parent Cue November 2012

If you are a parent with kids under 2 this PDF is for you!

Click to download the PDF

{Kids Under 2} November 2012 Parent Cue

Here's a little something for parents with kids under 2 years old.

Download your Parent Cue Here!

{Toddler/Preschool} David's Story Pt.2

This month your child finished learning all about David. David's Story Pt. II- God Gives me Good Friends. The first two weeks of the month, children learned of David and Jonathan's amazing friendship. Then, they learned that David was such a good friend to Jonathan that he sought out Jonathan's remaining family and cared for Mephibosheth. During the first three weeks, preschoolers talked about what it means to be a friend, how to help and serve those around them.


Finally, preschoolers celebrated God and His friendship this past Sunday. They danced and sang and praised their heavenly Father!

Last month (October) Toddlers and Preschoolers learned that God can help us do big things. Stories included David saving his sheep from the lion, Samuel anointing David as king, David facing Goliath, and David being strong in battle.

We want to help you teach your toddlers and preschoolers about God so we've made available this fun coloring booklet that we handed out last Sunday. This way you can color with your kids and review all of the stories they learned this month as well as those they may have missed!

Download your copy of the Coloring book HERE!

{Elementary} November @ NL Kids

This month's...

Life App:
Cooperation- working together to do more than you can do alone.

Memory Verse:
"Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do."

Ecclesiastes 4:9, NIrV                            

Here's a quick clip to catch up on what your kids have been learning at New Life Kids this month:

{Elementary} Family Activity- Individuality

Incredible!

As a writer, one of my favorite pastimes is a little game called Mad Libs. And nothing shows each person’s individuality than a Mad Libs story. No matter how many people fill out each story, it’s never the same! Anyway, when I was a little boy, long before Mad Libs was ever invented, my brothers and I would play a game that we called Incredible! In this game we would use pictures from a magazine to tell some pretty incredible stories. Now that I look back, I realize it’s a great way to discover your own individuality. So grab a friend this week and see how many Incredible! stories you can come up with!

Materials
Magazines (with lots of pictures)
Scissors
Paper bags
Markers
Paper
Pencils

How To
Clip 10 fun pictures from your magazines from each of the following categories:
1. Person
2. Machine
3. Place
4. Food

Write the numbers 1 through 4, each on its own paper bag. Place the magazine clippings in the appropriate bag – bag #1 being the Person bag, bag #2 the Machine bag, and so on. Write the following story on a sheet of paper:

The (describe one person from the person bag) flew in/on the (name one machine from the machine bag) to the (describe one place from the place bag) and ate a very large (name one food item from the food bag). He/she felt pretty sick after eating the (same food item) . So he/she (make up a fun ending together!) .
One person draws a picture from the corresponding bag to help complete the story. At the end of the story, everyone shouts, “Incredible!” and the already used pictures are discarded before the next person begins drawing to tell his or her story in the same way.

Download & Print instructions HERE.

Let us know how it goes by leaving a comment below! Thanks & Enjoy!

{Kids Under 2} Parent Cue:: October 2012

Do you have a child under 2yrs old? Here is a Parent Cue for you called "Parent Time". Short thought provoking cards to help you parent with intentionality. We want to help you get a head start on Parenting with the End in mind. Take a look :

Parent Time

(Click to download PDF)

{Toddler/Preschool} David's Story Pt. I

October introduces the theme “David’s Story” to preschoolers. This theme will continue through November and share some of our favorites stories of David while teaching children that God has one Big Story. Not only will they learn that God has a Big Story, but they will see that they are a part of that story!

This month’s David stories teach preschoolers that God can help us do big things. Stories include David saving his sheep from the lion, Samuel anointing David as king, David facing Goliath, and David being strong in battle

Check out the First Look Video:

{Elementary} Individuality

Here is what kids are talking about this month at New Life Kids with their Small Group Leaders.

INDIVIDUALITY- Discovering who you are meant to be so you can make a difference.

If your child likes a challenge help them memorize some extra Verses this month:

October Extra Memory Verses

Check out this month's video:



P.S. Be sure to stop by your kids classroom and use your phone to take pics of your child at one of our "Photo Booths"!

{Kids Under 2} Parent Cue:: September 2012

Do you have a child under 2yrs old? Here is a Parent Cue for you called "Parent Time". Short thought provoking cards to help you parent with intentionality. We want to help you get a head start on Parenting with the End in mind. Take a look :

Parent Time

(Click to download PDF)

{Preschool:: Toddler/Preschool} Go Team!

{Elementary} Flight Plan- Think A Little Higher

Our God spoke into the darkness and created the entire universe. He is big enough to control the wind and the rain, yet able to meet the needs of the smallest sparrow. God knows all things and still desires to hear each of our prayers.

As we learn more about who God is and what He does, respect becomes a natural response to God’s character. But not only does God have all authority, according to the Bible, He also sets up governing authorities on earth. So showing respect to those in authority over us is an extension of showing respect to God.

Elementary- CANCELLED

Our New Life Kids Elementary ministry environments will be cancelled for all services on Sunday, August 26th.

We don't like to cancel because we miss your kids and because we know the kids miss us too! But we are getting ready for a great kick off on Sunday, September 2nd, when we start our "new year" at New Life Kids.

We have lot's to do so that we can better partner with you, parents. We also are working to get the best Storytellers for our Large Group Time and we are working to get the best Small Group Leaders for your Kids!

So forgive us as we take one Sunday to prep for our "new year". We must say, we are super excited for what God has in store for us and you and your family.

It's going to be a phenomenal year at New Life Fellowship for kids and families.

We'll be praying for you during our preparations, will you keep us in your prayers as well?  Thanks a bunch and see you soon!

Many Blessings,
New Life Kids Staff

Promotion Sunday

We are all moving up!

Here's everything you Need to know:

Orange Conference 2012: Highlights

This past April 2012 our Staff and a few of our Volunteers had the opportunity to go to the Orange Conference. We had such a great time and learned so much.

We hope to bring many more people with us in 2013.  Here's a video highlighting what happened at the conference.


If you are interested in attending next years Orange Conference 2013 email us at children@newlifefellowship.org!

Orange Conference 2013
April 24-26
The Gwinnett Arena
Atlanta, GA

Summer @ New Life Kids!

This Summer at New Life Kids is going to be awesome!

We have a new group of Summer Small Group Leaders who will be with your kids during the 9:15 and 11:15 am services. They are psyched and ready to have a blast with them.


Here's what we are teaching your kids this Summer:

Preschool Ministry (Toddlers-Preschool):

Last month your kids learned the creation story, this month we continue that story to learn that GOD MAKES GOOD THINGS in our Creation Station series!

Pick up a Memory Verse card and help your child memorize Genesis 1:31 on Sunday!

"God saw all that he made, and it was very good."

Genesis 1:31, NIV

Our memory verse cards come with instructions on the hand motions to the verse.

To watch a video all about Creation Station, go here:

https://vimeo.com/41941014

Elementary Ministry (K-5th Grade)

This month in our Elementary Ministry kids are continuing their EPIC series. Last month we talked about TRUST... This month it's all about LOVE. Which is choosing to give someone your time and friendship no matter what.

Why is this important? Well, because we are talking about loving God. How can you love God? Jesus said you love God by loving others. 

We'll be sending home ParentCue sheets for you parents and God Time cards for the kids to do to help them explore and discover what it means to LOVE God and others. One of God's greatest commandments.

Matthew 22:39 is our memory verse for the month. Help your kids memorize it!

To watch a video all about it, go here:

https://vimeo.com/41938832

A Note from a Small Group Leader

This past Sunday after the last child was picked up by their parent we asked our volunteers for some highlights of their day. Here's a highlight from one of our K-1 Boys small group leaders, Joanne.

"It was the end of the lesson and Mindy and I were getting ready to pray with the boys.  I asked them to bow their heads and close their eyes- which they all did!  Yay!  And then I started praying.  To my great surprise, the boys started repeating my prayer!  (I hadn't asked them to.)  It was so cool!!!!!!  So I started praying again, this time one sentence at a time, and they would repeat each sentence. And then we all ended with "Amen!"  I think what surprised me the most was that I hadn't asked them to repeat the prayer.  They just started doing it on their own. Perhaps it was the Holy Spirit touching their hearts.  :)

What an honor and privilege to serve Our Lord and these little people.  They're so cute!!!   "

We so enjoy listening to, praying with, laughing with and learning from your kids. When we have moments with them, like the one described above it makes our heart smile.

Please let us know how we can help you have special "God moments" with your kids. A good place to start is by using the Parent Cues we distribute weekly. We want to be your biggest cheerleader as you lead your child to know our loving Heavenly Father.

Thanks for bringing your kids! We love hanging with them!

Rosie V.

New Life Kids Director

To see some pics of what we do visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NewLifeKids

A Letter from A New Life Parent

Recently a parent from New Life wrote us this letter about the Parent Cue's that we give out monthly.  I wanted to share it with our parents and volunteers because it's both encouraging and inspiring. Enjoy!

Dear Rosie,

Just wanted to reach out and say thanks to you and your kids ministry team.  Let me explain why I'm particularly thankful.

A few weeks ago one of your team members gave me a Parent Cue.  I've seen these sheets of paper in the past but this time I wanted to read every single word on the page.  I was particularly motivated because I had been thinking about what I can do with my kids as we observe our Sabbath.

The Parent Cue gave me great ideas!  My favorite one was how it suggested taking Isaiah 1:17 and singing it to the tune of "farmer in the dell" and then singing it with your child.

So first I looked up the verse and I started singing it to myself and in seconds had it memorized because of the tune.  I then sang it to my kids as we played and sang it to them as I gave them a shower and soon enough they were singing it as well!

We were also given immediate opportunity to apply the verse since my two kids started to fight over some toys.  Learning to do what's right came in handy.

So that's it.  Thanks again to you and your team!  But that one little act of giving out resources you made a deposit into the spiritual atmosphere in the Sevilla home.

Redd Sevilla
Parent of a Toddler & a Preschooler

This Summer @ New Life Kids!

So summer is literally around the corner!

Not many of you know this, but our AMAZING Small Group Leaders are committed to being consistent mentors every Sunday for a group of 5-6 kids (either the 9:15 OR 11:15am services). They serve with the end in mind knowing that our mission is to lead kids in a growing relationship with Jesus. And since kids live in an information overloaded world we've decided that church should be a place where kids can be seen, known and treasured by an invested leader and a consistent group of friends who believe what they believe.

Partnering with New Life Kids

Why Orange?

Some of you may be wondering. . . What's up with the Kids Ministry always talking about oranges? Why Orange? What's the deal?

Great question! Here's the quick version:

Thank You New Life! A Letter...

Dearest New Life Family,

This letter is for you. Yes you! We wanted to take some time to say... Thank You. Thank you for your generosity and support as we worked to raise money to send 2 New Life Kids Volunteers to the Orange Conference for Free. Because of you, it was a success! We still have a few more funds to raise to cover some miscellaneous costs but... WE DID IT!

Matthew's Story

{Preschool} Jesus is my good Friend!

Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Isn’t that AMAZING? He wants to be MY friend. He wants to be YOUR friend. Jesus wants to be my friend, forever. What a life-changing truth. What a foundational truth. What an awesome thing to put in the hearts of our preschoolers.

{Elementary} April: "Puzzled"- Hope

Our theme this month is Puzzled: Believing There’s a Bigger Picture. In all of our lives, there are times when we can only see one piece of what’s going on, and it can be hard to picture something good coming out of it.

As we get ready to celebrate Easter, we’ll define HOPE as believing that something good can come out of something bad. We’ll look at five different Bible stories focusing on Jesus and some of the people who knew Him best.

Watch this video as a tool to get you ready to talk to your kids about what they are learning about this month at New Life Kids!

{Elementary} March: "Rooted"- Conviction

Get a head start to see what your kids will be learning this March at New Life Kids Elementary!

{Preschool} March: "Everyone!"

We are continuing our theme of love into March with the Bottom Line “Jesus loves everyone.” He does. He loves us even when we feel like nobody else does as He shows the woman at the well. He loves us even when we’ve made some very poor choices like Zacchaeus. Jesus loves us. Wow! Think about how the little hearts of our preschoolers can be impacted by that information. Even when we mess up, He still loves us. And, Zacchaeus shows us that accepting His love can transform us.

Later in the month, we will introduce the idea that because Jesus loves us, we should spread His love through the story of the Good Samaritan. This is a favorite story among the preschool set (because of the Band-Aids I think), and such a great lesson for them. The love of Jesus needs to be shared. Our final week encourages them to go and tell others about Jesus’ great love. What an amazing month!

See what's coming up for your Toddler/Preschooler this March:

{Preschool Minisrty} New Song: "This is How!"

Hi Preschool & Toddler Parents! (Yes, this means you too Toddler Leaders.)

My daughter (2 yrs old) has been signing this song all week long after coming home from church on Sunday and so I looked up the words and hand motions to the song. We totally love it and we've been playing the song over and over in our house.

So to help everyone learn the words and the hand motions/dance moves I have put together an instructional video for you!

Hope it's helpful & Have fun with it!

Also, you can download the lyrics and hand motions HERE!

Kid's Baptism @ New Life Fellowship

(For a more updated Kids Discipleship & Baptism Process visit our Kids Discipleship Page.)

Kid’s Baptism Process
(K-5th Grade)

Step 1: Parents and Kids attend We Believe- January 29
We Believe is a unique presentation for parents and kids where we share God’s plan for salvation (via John 3:16). We share the Gospel with parents and their children and then send them home with homework and tools to continue the conversation at home and invite your child to a personal relationship with Jesus. Before a child is baptized, he or she is required to attend ‘We Believe’. (A New Life Kids Leader will be following up with you in the days following We Believe to answer any questions you may have.)

Step 2: Kids Baptism Class- February 19 (Must attend 'We Believe’ FIRST)
A class for kids and parents where they learn about what is baptism, why do we do it and get details on the process. After this class kids will have the opportunity to share their story (testimony) of how they came to know Christ as savior via video.


Step 3: Meet with Us (By appointment)
We want to take this opportunity to answer any questions that you or your child might have about his or her decision to follow Christ as their personal Savior. We will also answer any questions that your child may have concerning baptism. This is a great opportunity for us to talk with you and your child before we move to the final steps of preparing for baptism.


Step 4: Kids tape a video for our Family Baptism Celebration! (Kids Baptism service)- TBD
Part of the Baptism process is to share your story of how you came to know Jesus as your personal savior. We will play your child’s testimony in the Family Baptism Celebration (Kids Baptism Service) just before they are baptized.

ONE more thing… We’re going to need you to submit a digital picture of your child. We will be using this picture during the Family Baptism Celebration. A fun, candid, horizontal shot is best!


Step 5: Get Baptized (Family Baptism Celebration!)-March 17 (Must attend 'We Believe’ AND Kids Baptism Class FIRST)
Woo Hoo! Your child is getting baptized. Family Baptism Celebration is an incredible event. Our hope is that it is something that your child NEVER forgets! So plan to invite your friends and family to join the party!

Should you have any questions about this process please feel free to call Rosie, New Life Kids Director, at 718.424.0122 or email us at children@newlifefellowship.org.

We Believe!

Kids ask a lot of questions!

Some are easy like... Are we there yet? and Why do I have to take a bath?

Some are harder like... Do frogs go to heaven? and How does God hear me when I pray?

If your child is asking questions about faith, we'd like to help!
If you want to engage your kids in conversations about faith and aren't sure how, we'd like to help!

January @ New Life Kids {Parent Cue}

Hi Parents!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's a new year and a new month.  And that means we have NEW THEMES in our Preschool (Nursery, Toddler & Preschoolers) and Elementary (K-5th grade) environments.

At New Life Kids we want to give you tools, tips and Cues for different ways you can have conversations about the things of God in your home with your kids. You can piggy back off of what the kids are learning at church and do your own family time devotions, and even take advantage of some of the games and converstion starters we provide for you every month (via Parent Cue sheets).

In the mean time a good place to start is here on this blog. Take a few moments to watch these videos and see what kids will be learning this month with their Small Group Leaders and Storytellers:

Parents of Preschoolers and Toddlers watch this!

Parents of Elementary kids watch this!