R50012 24 Easy-To-Do Holiday Events by Rose Publishing

This is a Preview of 24 Easy-To-Do Family Ministry Holiday Events Get a full version at www.hendricksonrose.com

24 easy-to-do

family Ministry Holiday Events by Shelley Henning

Everything You Need (Including Home Devotions) For:

Thanksgiving • Christmas • New year’s eve easter • fourth of july • mother’s day and Many more!

An imprint of Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Peabody, Massachusetts www.HendricksonRose.com

24 EASY-TO-DO FAMILY MINISTRY HOLIDAY EVENTS

Register your book at www. HendricksonRose.com/register and receive a free Bible Reference download. Cover & Interior Design: Nancy L. Haskins Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Verses marked ICB, are taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to the buyer of this book to photocopy student materials for use with Sunday school or Bible teaching classes only. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 10: 1-628625-18-X ISBN 13: 978-1-628625-18-9 RoseKidz® reorder number R50012 RELIGION/Christian Ministry/Children

Printed in the United States of America

01 08.2017.VP

Table of Contents Section Fall – page 7 September Labor Day Pages 9-13 content Pages 14-18 Reproducibles Grandparents Pages 19-23 content Pages 24-28 Reproducibles October Columbus Day Pages 29-33 content Pages 34-38 Reproducibles Halloween Pages 39-43 content Pages 44-48 Reproducibles November Veterans Day Pages 49-53 content Pages 54-58 Reproducibles Thanksgiving Pages 59-63 content Pages 64-68 Reproducibles

Section Winter – page 69

December Advent Pages 71-75 content Pages 76-80 Reproducibles Christmas Pages 81-85 content Pages 86-90 Reproducibles January New Years Pages 91-95 content Pages 96-100 Reproducibles Epiphany Pages 101-105 content Pages 106-110 Reproducibles February Valentines Day Pages 111-115 content Pages 116-120 Reproducibles Presidents Day Pages 121-125 content Pages 126-130 Reproducibles

Section Spring – page 131

March Lent Pages 133-137 content Pages 138-142 Reproducibles Passover Pages 143-147 content Pages 148-152 Reproducibles April Holy Week Pages 153-157 content Pages 158-162 Reproducibles Easter Pages 163-167 content Pages 168-172 Reproducibles Earth Day Pages 173-177 content Pages 178-182 Reproducibles May National Day of Prayer Pages 183-187 content Pages 188-192 Reproducibles Mother’s Day Pages 193-197 content Pages 198-202 Reproducibles Memorial Day Pages 203-207 content Pages 208-212 Reproducibles

section Summer – page 213

June Pentecost Pages 215-219 content Pages 220-224 Reproducibles Father’s Day Pages 225-229 content Pages 230-234 Reproducibles July Summer Pages 235-239 content Pages 240-244 Reproducibles 4th of July Pages 245-249 content Pages 250-254 Reproducibles Pages 255-256 More Amazing RoseKidz® Products! 3

From the Author

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

s Children’s Ministry volunteers and leaders we have been called to encourage families to have conversations with their children about the marvelous works of God. Families often feel that finding time for this is a challenge and is difficult. Where do you begin? Holidays are always fun and exciting times for family. Using events centered around these times throughout the year, we can begin to show parents what these casual conversations through life might look like. When we look at a holiday celebration to discover how we can focus on God and his works in it, we begin to see things differently! We start to look at our everyday sitting and walking, talking and sharing through a God lens. By modeling how to find God’s truth in life events and giving families conversation and activity cards to take home, you will create opportunities for families to practice finding God’s truths in everyday life. We can prepare and help parents to live out all that God asks of them to raise their children in the knowledge of the Lord! – Shelley Henning

How to use this book

• Each event includes: a Material List, an Opening script, Easy-to-Use volunteer friendly reproducible station cards, Step-by-step instructions, and a Closing script. • Use the first page as a master supply list for shopping and preparation. • Hand each volunteer at the stations a reproducible station card to use. Each card comes with step-by-step instructions and easy to follow script.

• Adapt each event and station to fit your budget and church size. Each church is different so make it your own. Modify activities and scripts to fit what works for you.

• As you prepare, do a practice run on all object lessons, experiments, or crafts beforehand. This will allow you and your volunteers to confidently approach each station. If something doesn’t work exactly how you’d like, modify! There are many variations to activities found online. • If your group is small enough, have them go through each station together in the order they appear. If you have a large group of families consider creating rotation groups. (See Size Adaptation for schedule suggestions.) Most events do not have to happen in numerical order. • For events that would benefit from being done only in order (Such as Holy Week) consider duplicating stations so all families can go through the stations in order. • Plan your physical space to make sure you have chosen an area that works with the activity listed in each station.

Tips & Suggestions

• Create an environment of celebration by decorating for the holiday.

• Consider having food with each event. If you are unable to provide it free, charge a small fee to cover costs. • Have an event sign-up at a table inside your church. Use decorations from your event to 4

set theme and get families excited about the holiday. This will help you to know how many groups and stations you will need to prepare.

• Include a worship team in your opening and/or closing if you are able, to lead your group in a time of praise and worship.

Size Adaptation:

• If you have a large number of families and are unable for them to go through the stations together, use the following suggestions to create groups that can rotate. • Families sign up to attend, letting you know the total number for each family. • Determine the total number of people that can fit at each station.

• Divide the families into groups to accommodate the capacity at each station. If you are unable to get all groups through with one station each, even with rotating, consider limiting the number of families that can attend or increasing the number of stations.

• Determine the number of stations you need and volunteers. Recruit to fill these spots to have a successful event.

• As families arrive to the event, assign them to a group using a number or color. This will identify what group they travel with through the event. • Prepare a handout for volunteers and families that gives a layout of stations and a schedule of the event. This will help them to know where to go and when.

• Larger groups may need to set up more than one of each station. When creating two identical stations for each event, you will be able to divide into 10 groups. Three of each station will give you 15 groups and so on.

• Don’t forget to include travel time in your schedule! It takes families time to move from station to station. Include buffer time to make sure your event has enough space to run without compromising time at a station.

Rotation Model

family Ministry

Fa ll

SEPTEMBER

Labor Day

Key Verse: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. – Colossians 3:23

OPENING 20-30 MINUTES

Objective

Learning how everything we do should be done to God’s glory, and understanding what God says about work.

5 STATIONS

CLOSING

TIME NEEDED

15 MINUTES EACH

10-15 MINUTES

105-120 MINUTES

Overview: While traveling through 5 stations, families will discover what God says about work in his Word. They will understand how we’ve each been created for special work and see how we should be doing the work God has for us.

Instruction sheet - 1 per table

Master Station Supply List Station One: Placed by God

• Scripture poster • Jumbo craft sticks - 1 per person • Stick Instruction sheet - 1 per table • Set of 20 sticks per zippered bag - 1 per family • Markers • Zipper bags • Copies of Gifts I Can Give cards

Station Two: Be Hard Workers

• Scripture poster • Chopsticks - 1 per person this station • Plastic bowls - 1 per family this station • Round candy-coated candies (you can also choose to use a different type of candy) • Zipper bags

Station Three: Work is for God

• Scripture poster • Tall clear vase • Turkey baster • Pitchers of water • All Work is For God card - 1 per family

Station Four: Appreciate Workers • Scripture poster • Thank you cards, copied front and back • Pens/pencils; • Decorative ribbon • Markers • Tiny package bows • Zipper bags - 1 per person • Appreciate Workers card - 1 per family Tip: Make extra Thank You cards to have on the table.

Station Five: Don’t Give In to Laziness

• Scripture poster • Cotton balls • Petroleum jelly • Paper plates • Wet wipes

Opening • 20-30 minutes • 1 Leader

Greeting/Intro: Today/Tonight we are going to explore what

it means to work. Everyone here today probably has a different job or career. The holiday we celebrate this month is one that honors those who work.

Ice-Breaker:

Set up:

Have families sit at tables or in units on the floor.

Station Instructions:

We will be traveling through five stations. To discover what the Bible says about work, and what that work should look like. When you have finished the last stations return here for a wrap up. (Share instructions on how families will proceed through the stations, as applies to your church. Pray over this experience).

1) Who knows what holiday we celebrate this month? (Allow answers) 2) Turn to the family next to you and share one thing your family does to celebrate over the last weekend of summer.

Holiday Story: Labor Day has a history that is not often talked

about. Today, Labor Day is still celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, fireworks, and other gatherings. For most Americans, it means the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season. Yet this holiday didn’t begin with such a celebration. It was out of sad and difficult circumstances that Labor Day was established to pay tribute to American workers. In the late 1800’s the work environment was very hard. Work weeks for an average person were seven days long. The work day was a full twelve hours. The working conditions were often unsafe, dirty, and unfair. Labor groups began to organize to bring attention to workers who were being treated badly. The very first Labor Day, then called the workingmen’s holiday, was in 1882 when 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march to New York City. With so much unrest in America, Congress hoped that making Labor Day a legal holiday would help build better relationships between workers and employers. They did so in 1884. Labor Day officially became a day to celebrate hardworking Americans.

Opening Activity: Invite each family to discuss what do you or did you want to be when you were growing up?

Link to the Bible: Work is something that God’s Word talks

about, too. There are many verses in Scripture that give us direction on how we should work. For example, Colossians 3:23 says: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” This tells us that all we do should be done to God’s honor and glory. No matter what we do, we have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus through it by working at it with our whole heart. Even more importantly, the Bible tells us why we should work. Let’s read John 13:12-17. Jesus has just washed the feet of his disciples. Now, Jesus showed us the perfect example of what that looks like. He tells us that the work we do is actually an act of service to others. He showed us through his actions and his attitude that any chore we take on should be done with a spirit of joy and humility. He also tells us that when we live out our work as a gift of serving others, it will be a blessing and gift to us, too.

STATION

Placed for Work by God • 15 minutes to Complete • 1-4 Volunteers

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Jumbo craft sticks - 1 per person • Stick Instruction sheet - 1 per table • Set of 20 sticks per zippered bag - 1 per family • Gifts I Can Give card - 1 per family • Zipper bags

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

STATION

Be Hard Workers • 15 minutes to Complete • 1 volunteer

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Chopsticks • Plastic bowls • Round candy-coated candies (you can also choose to use a different type of candy) • Zipper bags

Scripture:

Proverbs 12:11 (ICB): “The person who works his land will have plenty of food. But the one who chases useless dreams isn’t wise.”

Step 1: As families enter hand each of them a jumbo craft stick. Have them write their name on the stick. Direct their attention to your scripture poster and read the verse. Say: This verse tells us something very special. Each one of us is a beautiful work of God’s hand! Not only that, there is a job that he created each of us especially for. (Hold up your stick with your name on it.) These sticks represent our life. Step 2: Gather the families over to a main table or long floor area. Start off the chain with your stick and invite each person to approach and add their stick. Allow this to continue until everyone has their stick on the chain. Before you release say the following. Say: God has brought us all together in this faith community to make a difference. When we obey God and serve using our talents together, amazing things can be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. (Release your stick. It should explode all over the place.) Wow, what an impact we can have. Step 3: Hand each family a baggie of sticks. Have them return to their table. Say: Take a minute as a family at your table, to write the different ways God has created you. What talents or qualities do you have that God can use. For instance, you like music, you are organized, you like being friendly, etc. Write something on each stick in your bag. When you are done, try the chain together as a family. If you need help let us know and we will come over and help you. There is an instruction handout on your table. (ALLOW TIME FOR THIS.) You can continue this at home if time runs out. Step 4: Hand out the Gift’s I Can Give cards. Say: We see when are talents come together we can have a huge impact as a family. On these cards are ways to go deeper with this idea. Dismiss families to the next station Say: How many of you are looking forward to working hard when you get older? (Wait a moment to see if anyone raises their hand) Working hard is hard work! Usually, it’s not a whole lot of fun to work hard. There are times, though, when hard work really pays off, right? Step 1: Gather families around tables. Have round candy-coated candies spread out in the center. Give each person a set of chopsticks and a plastic bowl. Say: We are going to do some work that will certainly pay off - if you work hard at it! When I start the timer, you have two minutes to collect as many candies as you can in your bowl. You get to eat everything that you get in your bowl. The hard part is that you can only use the chopsticks to get the candy from the table to the bowl. Step 2: Start a 2-minute timer and have everyone try to get as many candies as they can. After the time is up, have everyone count their candies, and share with the group. Say: Did you work harder knowing that you could eat all the candy you worked for? (Allow answers). It can be easy to give up when we have to work hard to achieve something. Step 3: Read Proverbs 12:11. Say: Can anyone tell me what this means? (Allow answers) It tells us that when we work hard we have plenty of food. Then it tells us that when we chase the easy path, we are not wise! God is reminding us that hard work always pays off. Even when our work seems too difficult, God can help us to stand strong and finish the job he has for us. Step 4: Hand out zipper bags for anyone who wants to take their candies with them. Dismiss families to the next station

STATION

All Work Is for God • 15 minutes to Complete • 1 volunteer

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Tall vase • Turkey baster • Pitchers of water to fill the vase • All Work is for God card - 1 per family

Scripture:

Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Say: We all have very busy lives today. We have so many different things that we work at. We have work to do in our homes, work to do at our school and our jobs, work at practice, and work when we are working-out! Step 1: Read the scripture from your poster. Say: The Bible tells us everything we do, God asks us to do as if we are doing it for him with our whole heart! That makes doing our work wholeheartedly even more important! Let’s see what it’s like when we do our work without God. Step 2: Direct everyone’s attention to the objects in front of you. Begin by pouring the water from your pitchers into the vase. Say: Let’s pretend this pitcher is your life. This water represents God. God is all around. He is with us everywhere, all the time. (Hold up the baster). This baster represents the work we do. If I simply place the baster in the water, or work in our life without including God, let’s see what happens. Step 3: Place the empty baster in the water. Say: What’s the baster doing? It looks like it won’t straighten out, and doesn’t seem to be doing it well. When we do work and don’t include God things don’t go as they should. Now watch closely as I fill up my work with God. (Press the bulb of the baster to fill it with water. Let it go so it floats in the vase of water.) See how when we work with our heart focused and filled with serving God, things line up just right? When we fill the work we do with God as our focus, it goes better for us. When we make him a part of all the work we do, we allow everything to line up just right. That lets us focus on God in all that we do, and reminds us to work with all our hearts. Step 5: Hand out the All Work is for God card. Dismiss families to the next station

STATION

Appreciate Workers • 15 minutes to Complete

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Thank You cards, copied front and back • Pens/pencils • Decorative ribbon • Markers • Tiny package bows • Zipper bags • Appreciate Workers card - 1 per family

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:12a: “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you,”

Say: There are so many people in our neighborhoods, schools, churches, and cities that work hard. It takes a lot of people to serve in all these different areas. Imagine what the world would be like if we didn’t have people working in our schools? What would the church look like if there was nobody to work there? How would our cities or states run without all the workers it takes to make everything function? Having people to work in and take care of all these areas is a great gift to God, to us, and to others! Step 1: Hand out a Thank You card to each person. Set extras out in the center of each table so families can write more if they choose. Say: Think about all the places I just mentioned. You might see faces as you think about people who work at them. Step 2: Direct attention to your scripture poster and read it aloud to the group. Say: God tells us in his Word that we need to remember to say thank you to those around us for their gift of hard work. Very often, we take the work people do for granted. It is a blessing to us and others when we remember to acknowledge the work people do around us. Step 3: Give instructions on completing and decorating the card. Say: Choose someone who you thought of earlier that works around you. Write a kind word of encouragement to them inside the card. Use the supplies around you to decorate the front to look like a gift. Step 4: After everyone has completed their card, give them a zipper bag to carry it in, along with an Appreciate Workers card. Dismiss families to the next station

STATION

Don’t Give In to Laziness • 15 minutes to Complete • 1 volunteer

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Cotton balls • Petroleum jelly • Paper plates • Wet wipes

Scripture:

Proverbs 6:9-11 (ICB) “How long will you lie there, you lazy person? When will you get up from sleeping? You sleep a little; you take a nap. You fold your hands and rest. So you will be as poor as if you had been robbed. You will have as little as if you had been held up.”

Say: Raise your hand if you have ever felt lazy? Sometimes it feels nice to have a lazy day, doesn’t it? But have you ever been stuck in laziness? When we get stuck, it can be difficult to get unstuck. Step 1: Divide families into teams at a start line where a table is set with paper plates filled with cotton balls. Set petroleum jelly jars on the table. Set the finish line with a table and an empty paper plate for each team. Say: We’re going to see how tough it can be to get unstuck. You are each going to dab petroleum jelly to your nose. That is the last thing you can use your hands for! You’ll stick a cotton ball to it, and run it to the other table. You need to get it unstuck from your nose onto the paper plate. You’ll race back and the next person will do the same until your team is finished. Remember that you cannot use your hands! Step 2: Give the “on your mark, get set, go” command when everyone is ready. Cheer everyone on as the go! When the last team completes the challenge, settle everyone. Hand out wet wipes as needed then gather their attention back to you. Say: Getting unstuck can be very challenging! Yet, it is very important not to stay “stuck” when we are talking about laziness. In fact, God’s Word tells us about laziness, too. Step 3: Show your Scripture poster and read the passage. Say: This tells us just how important God views work. There are many times when we can feel lazy. It may be when we don’t feel like doing our chores or when we don’t have a desire to learn something new. It might also be when we just don’t know what to do next in a situation. All these things can cause us to get stuck, and when we do, we need to ask God to help us get unstuck before we become lazy. Dismiss families to the closing

Closing

Leader:

Say: We found out we are specially created to do work that God will show us along our life. We should take time to appreciate and thank all the people that do their job around us. When we do any chores or job we are to do it, as if we are doing it for God. When we get hit with the lazy bug, we are to ask God for help to snap out of it and do our very best for the people we are working for.

Activity:

Say: Turn to the family next to you and share what your favorite station was and why.

Home Devotion:

Say: You each have cards to take home that will help you to continue the conversation. Spend time this week talking about different ways you can work in your communities as a family. There are many ideas listed on the back that your family can give as gifts to those who serve in that area. Also think about those who work around you. Talk about how you and your family can show your appreciation for their hard work!

Bonus Activity:

Set up an area with all different kinds of ‘work’ costumes and/or hats. Have families dress up and take a fun picture.

Dismiss in Prayer:

Father God, thank you that you sent Jesus as a perfect example of how to serve others. We do not always find joy in our work. Please help us to remember that we do everything for your glory, and not for any other reason. Give us everything we need to do the work you have for us with joy. Amen!

4 Step 1:

Begin by making a simple â&#x20AC;&#x153;plus-signâ&#x20AC;? with two sticks.

Step 4:

Next, place stick 5. This stick goes under the right end of stick 2, and on top of stick 4. Keep your left hand steady on stick 1.

Add the third stick vertically over stick 2.

1 4

Place stick 4 horizontally under stick 1 and over top of stick 3. Press down on the bottom of stick 1 to keep the sticks from releasing.

er bind 3

2 Step 3:

Next, place a binder to hold this set together. This stick goes on an angle under stick 1, and on top of sticks 2 and 3. Keep your left hand holding stick 1. 14

Step 2:

Step 5:

Stick 6 goes under stick 3, and on top of stick 5. Continue weaving in an over and under pattern until you are out of sticks. Always keep your left hand holding the side steady. When you are ready to launch, remove the binder stick from the top, then stand back and watch!

•• Say hello to everyone you see

•• Bring cookies to the custodian

•• Write a letter of thanks to someone on your city council

•• Say thank you to road workers as you pass in your car

•• Hold the door open for someone wherever you go

•• Bring baked treats to your fIre or police station

•• Return someone’s shopping cart at the store

•• Visit a nursing home and meet new friends

•• Leave happy notes around the city

•• Volunteer at a food pantry

GIFTS I CAN GIVE TO SERVE IN MY CITY

•• Help a friend with homework

•• Help clean up seats after a worship service

•• Start a circle of prayer for those in need

•• Bring cookies to the offIce staff

•• Talk to a new visitor

•• Be a pen pal to a missionary supported by your church

•• Be a greeter to people as they come to worship

•• Visit someone who has been absent from church

GIFTS I CAN GIVE TO SERVE IN MY church

•• Bring up a neighbor’s garbage cans for them

•• Shovel a snowy sidewalk

•• Talk to someone new

•• Pick up trash on the playground

•• Check on an elderly neighbor

•• Make a thank you poster for your trash carrier

•• Help your teacher clean up after class or during recess

•• Be a helper in a class of younger kids

•• Wash someone’s car

•• Bake dessert for a neighbor.

•• Share your lunch or snack

•• Bring an apple for your principal

•• Pick up litter

GIFTS I CAN GIVE TO SERVE IN MY NEIGHBRHOOD

•• Let someone else go ahead of you in line

PLACED FOR WORK BY GOD

When we always put God first, our work fits in all around him. If we forget to put God first, we run out of room for him in our life. That’s how important it is to serve God in everything we do!

Take the craft sticks you were sent home with from this event. Turn over each stick you used at the event and write a gift of good work that your family can do to serve in your church, school, city, Try this experiment at home as a reminder: and neighborhood. You can find all kinds of ideas on the cards you brought home, or you can come with unique ideas together. • Place a clear mason jar with a lid on the table or counter. Fill it with dry rice within an inch from the top. The rice is our work. Place your sticks upright in a small jar or vase. Choose one out each week to do as good work together as a family! • Now place a golf ball in the jar. The golf ball reminds us of God. Without spilling out any rice, are you able to close the lid with the ball at the top? Once you have good works written on all your sticks, you can use them to create the chain reaction again and again! It’s a perfect • Now pour the rice from the jar to an empty bowl. Put the reminder of the amazing explosion of impact your family can golf ball in the jar first. Return the rice to the jar. Now make when you are placed in just the right spot by God! you can close the lid, right?

When we fill our work with a focus on God, it changes our outlook dramatically. While we may not be very excited to help our siblings with their chores, remembering how it makes God feel gives us a feeling of great reward! The difficult part is remembering that all our work is for God.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

For we are God’s handiwork,created in Christ Jesus to do good works,which God prepared in advance for us to do. Proverbs 4:18

God has plans specially for you. An important part of those plans includes knitting together your family to do good works for the kingdom of God!

ALL WORK IS FOR GOD

PLACED FOR WORK BY GOD.

As a family, choose someone from each group listed that you can thank. You could send a simple card, or bring a plate of treats to show your appreciation for the work they do. Whatever you do, you will be blessed and be a blessing!

Write down as many workers as you can think of on the back of this page. Include all the things you discovered as you traveled through your community.

Go for a walk through your neighborhood. Go for a drive through your city. As you travel, look at different building and places and talk about people who work there and what jobs they do.

For example: have you ever considered people who work at a water treatment plant? What would we do if they didn’t do their jobs each day?

It takes many, many people to make our schools, churches, cities, states, and nation work the way they do. Very often some of these people and their jobs go unnoticed.

1 Thessalonians 5:12a

“Now I ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you,”

Appreciate Workers

•• My Nation:

•• My city or state:

•• My neighborhood:

•• My church:

•• My School or Job:

Appreciate Workers

FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU DO!

Thank you for your gift of good work!

SEPTEMBER

Grandparents Day

Key Verse: Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. – Proverbs 17:6

OPENING 20-30 MINUTES

Objective

To understand the importance of generational learning and God’s calling to pass on his wonders through families.

5 STATIONS

CLOSING

TIME NEEDED

15 MINUTES EACH

10-15 MINUTES

105-120 MINUTES

Overview: Families will travel through stations to see how God’s Word tells us to respect our families

through generations. They will explore how we grow strong through the wisdom of senior friends he gives. (Tip: An ice cream social is a great ending to this event. Invite seniors from your congregation to join families during this time so they can fellowship together).

Master Station Supply List General:

• Sheet of white construction paper for each family • Pen/pencil for each family • Scripture poster for each station • Bag to hold station papers in

Station One: Listen

• Grandparents Interview and Then and Now worksheets copied front to back - 1 per person • Pens/Pencils Ahead of time: Print extra interview sheets for them to take home to do their own interviews.

Station Two: Bless

• Sheets of grey construction paper • Water spout reproducible copied onto grey paper • Water drops copied onto blue paper (tip: use the blessing drops as written, or create your own ideas in the blank drop) • Scissors • Tape Ahead of Time: Make enough templates for each family to have one per station.

Station Three: Respect

• Tree reproducible page - 1 per family • Green construction paper • Scissors • Glue • Black markers

Station Four: Encourage

• Thank you card - 1 per person • Brown construction paper • Red construction paper • Pink construction paper • Green construction paper • Scissors • Tacky glue • Pencils

Station Five: Appreciate • Jumbo craft/popsicle sticks - 4 per person • Decorative paper tape • Rulers • Scissors • Construction paper (various colors for them choose from) 19

Opening • 20-30 minutes • 1 Leader

Greeting/Intro: Today/Tonight we are going to talk about a very special group of people. Our grandparents are very special people who can teach us and help us grow. Ice-Breaker:

Set up:

Hand each family a small paper-sized bag with a pencil or pen in it as they enter. Have families sit at tables or in units on the floor. Give each family a sheet of white construction paper and a pen.

1) Raise your hand if you knew that grandparents have their own holiday? (Allow answers) 2) Take just a few minutes in your family to create a simple family tree on the paper we gave you. Place your family at the bottom of the page, with grandparents above. Above them, write great-grandparents if you know them!

Holiday Story: National Grandparents Day is a holiday not as

well-known as other holidays. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. September was chosen to represent the “autumn” years of a grandparent’s life. The day was proclaimed officially in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter.

Opening Activity: Invite each family to discuss one thing they have learned from a grandparent or senior friend.

Link to the Bible: The Word of God guides us in all things.

It tells us how important we are as grandparents, parents, and children! Proverbs 17:6 reads: “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Kids, did you know that you are the crown of your grandparents? That is very special! Did you also know that that your parents are your pride? That means we are proud of them. We all have times when we don’t honor them in that way that shows them we are proud of them. It’s important to understand that our parents, grandparents, and senior friends deserve our respect because of their wisdom. Job 12:12 tells us: “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” In return, they deserve our pride and respect. There are many places in God’s Word where he instructs us on how we can show this. Let’s explore them today so we can learn how we can grow up strong and wise!

Station Instructions:

We’re going to travel through five stations that teach us what Scripture says about grandparents and senior friends. We’re going to learn how we can grow strong because of them. When you have finished the last of 5 stations return here for a wrap up. (Share instructions on how families will proceed through the stations, as applies to your church. Pray over this experience, and dismiss families).

STATION

Listen • 15 minutes to Complete • 1 volunteer • 1 storyteller

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Grandparents Interview and Then and Now worksheets, copied front to back - 1 per person

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 32:7: Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.

STATION

Bless • 15 minutes to Complete

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Grey construction paper • Water spouts copied onto grey paper - 1 per family • Water drops copied onto blue paper, blue curling ribbon • Scissors • Tape

Scripture:

1 Peter 5:5: In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Say: Our grandparents and senior friends can teach us so much. They have experienced many things in their lives. They have seen things that we never have! They are living history that we have the privilege of learning from. The Bible tells us in Deuteronomy 32:7 (read from poster): It is important that we take time to listen to our elders and ask questions of them so that we can learn from them. Step 1: Introduce your special guest. Say: I’d like you to meet ________________. He/She is here today to share special memories with us. Step 2: Give each person a Grandparents Interview worksheet and a pencil. Step 3: Allow your guest to introduce themselves. Ask them to share a story pertaining to one of the interview boxes on the worksheet. They could choose to share about their schooling, what games were favorites when they were young, how they celebrated their favorite holiday, or other ideas. Step 4: As your guest shares, have families fill in any boxes pertinent to their story. Step 5: Allow a few minutes for questions at the end of your time together. Say: There are more fun things that you can learn listed on your worksheet. Your challenge is to take time to interview your own grandparent. See how many things are different or the same! If you don’t have a grandparent, find a senior in the church to interview. Step 6: Thank your special guest and dismiss families to next station. Option: Talk with the guest ahead of time to see if they have any interesting visuals to bring like an old toy or item from when they were young to show the kids.

Say: God’s Word says in 1 Peter 5:5: (Read the poster) We can learn from our grandparents, parents, and senior friends in simple ways every day just by spending time together. We can serve them by helping with everyday tasks. Doing this helps us grow, and it also pours blessing onto us and our grandparents! Remember, you are their crown! Step 1: Direct families to materials to create a watering can. Say: We are going to create a reminder that shows ways we can bless our grandparents or senior friends. Here are the steps: • Take a sheet of grey construction paper to use as the body of your watering can. • Cut out the spout and tape it to the side of the grey construction paper. • Cut out the water drops and attach each one to a short section on blue curling ribbon. • Tape the curling ribbon drops to the back of the water spout. • Decorate the front of your watering can. Your challenge is to use a drop each week to grow yourself and pour blessing onto your grandparents! Step 2: Have them report out on fun things they have done with grandparents or seniors. Say: How many of you have done fun things with grandparents or seniors? Share with us some of your favorite memories. (Allow them to share) Wonderful! Let’s all try and spend special time with older people in our life. Dismiss families to the next station

STATION

Respect • 15 minutes to Complete

Materials:

• Scripture poster; • Tree reproducible page - 1 per person • Green construction paper • Scissors • Glue • Black markers

Scripture:

Leviticus 19:32: “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.

STATION

Encourage • 15 minutes to Complete

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Thank you stand - 1 per person • Brown, red, pink and green construction pape • Scissors • Tacky glue • Pencil

Scripture:

1 Timothy 5:1-3: Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Say: Leviticus 19:32 reads: (Read poster) A tree that is healthy stands tall and proud. It gets what is needs to grow strong. We can stand tall and proud when we respect and learn from our grandparents and older friends. A tree that is healthy gets what it needs to grow strong through many different sources. We too have different sources of learning. We learn from both grandparents and those who are older than us that have wisdom to share. Step 1: Direct families to their supplies for the tree activity. Say: We are going to do a tree activity to help us remember all the people that have helped us stand strong. Here is what to do: • Take a tree page, scissors, and green construction paper. • Cut out simple leaf shapes from the green construction paper. • On each leaf, write a name. Begin with a leaf for each grandparent you have and your parents. • On the next leaves, write names of those who are older than you that are able to teach you such as teachers, church leaders, coaches, directors. • On the rest of the leaves, write names of people who you respect because of their godly example, such as pastors or community leaders. • Glue all your leaves to the tree page. Step 2: Draw their attention back to you. Say: There sure are a lot of leaves in this room with names on them. Look how many people God has placed in our lives to help us learn and stand strong. Take your tree home as a reminder of those who are helping you to grow strong. Your challenge is to commit to pray for a different ‘leaf’ each day. Reach out to each person and let them know how much you appreciate all they have done. Dismiss families to the next station Say: How often do we take the time to thank the people in our lives that have encouraged us along the way? We can show love to our grandparents and elders by writing them a kind note of encouragement. Step 1: Direct the families to the supplies. Say: We are going to make a card of encouragement to give to your grandparents or special older friend. Here is what to do: • You will need a Thank you stand template, a sheet of brown construction paper, scissors, and pencil. • On the construction paper, trace your hand to just below your wrist. This will make your tree. • Cut out your hand tree and glue to the center of the Thank you stand. • Use the colored paper to cut out various sized hearts to form leaves for your tree and glue them on. Step 2: Draw their attention back to you. Say: On the inside band of your card, write a note of thanks and encouragement to your grandparent or senior friend. Take your card with you to deliver this week! Dismiss families to the next station

STATION

Appreciate • 15 minutes to Complete

Materials:

• Scripture poster • Jumbo craft/popsicle sticks - 4 per person • Decorative paper tape • Rulers • Scissors • Construction paper

Scripture:

Job 12:12: Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

Say: Job 12:12 tells us: (Read poster) We should remember to look to our grandparents and senior friends for wisdom. They can help us learn and understand through all that they have learned throughout their lives! Step 1: Direct families to their own supplies. Say: Today we are going to create a reminder of those who we can look to for wisdom. Here is what to do: • Take four jumbo craft sticks to form a picture frame shape. • Pick out decorative paper tape roll. • Wrap each of your four sticks with the tape • Lay your popsicle stick on top of each other to form a frame • Wrap the tape around the corners to attach the sticks to each other to form a frame. Step 2: Hold up the string. Say: Create a hanger for your frame by tying one end of the string to the top left edge of one craft stick. Knot the other end of the string to the top right edge of the craft stick. Step 3: Hold up the construction paper. Say: Lay your craft stick frame on the construction paper and cut it out a small amount smaller than the frame. Measure in the center of your paper a 2 ½ x 2 ½ inch square and cut it out. Attach the paper to the back of your frame using more decorative tape. Step 4: Hold up a finished project. Say: Let’s see what everyone has done. Awesome! Your challenge this week is to take a picture of you and your grandparent. Tape the print to the back of the frame and hang it somewhere in your home as a reminder to look to them for teaching and wisdom. Move to next station or dismiss to closing.

Closing Leader:

Say: I pray you all learned how special and important our grandparents and senior friends are! We learned that the world was very different when they were your age. They have been through a lot and learned many things. We need to spend time with them getting to know more about them. We learned that God calls us to listen to them, and treat them with respect. Make sure you spend time with your grandparent or senior friend and let them know how much you appreciate them.

Activity:

Say: Turn to the family next to you and tell them one new thing that you learned today.

Home Devotion:

Say: Each station gave you an activity to do throughout the coming week and weeks. Take time when you get home to talk about how you can accomplish each of the challenges from the stations we learned at today. (Tip: If ending with an ice cream social, ask each family to sit at a table with a senior. This will give them a chance to fellowship and use some of the tools they just learned!)

Dismiss in Prayer:

Jesus we ask you to bless each of the people in our lives who are elders. Thank you for the wisdom you have given them. Help us to look to them for the best way to live. We are so blessed by your perfect plan for families. Give these special people all they need to help us grow. Amen!

Photo Station:

Set up an area for families to take photos together.