Children and Family December Newsletter

As we enter into December, we enter into a time of busyness as we go through preparations for the Christmas season. However, before we get to Christmas we have Advent - Four weeks of Advent. This time is set up to allow us to prepare our hearts and minds for what is to come. We hear stories of the coming of Jesus and how we are to be prepared.

The people who walked in darkness;

Have seen a great light

Take time this month to allow yourself to truly prepare for Christmas - not just with decorations and wrapped presents, but with eager, waiting hearts. Take time to be the light that we are called to be.

God's Peace,

Katie Rykal, Director of Children and Family Ministry

Children and Family DECEMBER Schedule

12/03/16	POP Tots Playgroup Christmas Party Sunday School Christmas Program rehearsal Parents Afternoon Out
12/04/16	Sunday School * PreK-K: Advent Celebration * 1st-6th Grade: Program Rehearsal Kids Choir
12/10/16	Sunday School Christmas Program Rehearsal
12/11/16	Sunday School Christmas Program Kids Choir (meet at 9:00 am)
12/18/16	Movie Morning Kids Choir Rehearsal (10:30)
12/25/16	NO Sunday School (Christmas Day Worship @ 9:30)

POP Tots: Christmas Party

For the month of December, we are changing it up a little bit and we are giving our POP Tots group their own little Christmas Celebration. Join us on Saturday, December 3rd in the CLC for a time of playing, snacks, and a special Advent/Christmas craft. There will also be some supplies available to make an Advent chain if you choose. At 10 am we will break for a short story where we meet Rufus and his encounter with a very special baby. POP Tots meets from 9:00-11:30 and you are welcome to come for any or all of that time.

Sunday School Christmas Program:
The Big, Big Story

Join us on December 11th for our Annual Sunday School Christmas program. This year we will meet three reporters as they follow some leads on a developing story. The word on the street is that this story is BIG - as in REALLY BIG! The program will take place during worship with a joint service @ 9:30 AM

IMPORTANT Information for Program Participants:
* Saturday rehearsals are on December 3rd and 10th @ 9:30.
- For those with speaking parts, we will meet at 11:00 on the 3rd
- On the 10th we will run the program from start to finish
* On December 11th, please have your child here by 9:20 and meet in the CLC. When the service is completed you will pick you child up in the CLC.

* Lyric sheets and music CDs are available for pick-up at Church.

PARENTS AFTERNOON OUT

Have you ever wished that you had a few extra hours to yourself in December? Maybe you need to finish some shopping, or decorating - or maybe you need to simply catch up on sleep!

If you thought that ANY of these options sound appealing, we have the answer here at Prince of Peace. Join us for the 2nd Annual Parents Afternoon Out. On Saturday, December 3rd we will have members of our High School Mission Trip team (and Katie) here to hang out with your kiddos while you take some time for yourself. The cost is $20/child for the afternoon and we will be here from 12-4.

To register for our Parents Afternoon Out, simply click Registration Link

Giving Opportunities

During the month of December we have a variety of giving opportunities here at Prince of Peace.

Our CEAP TOY DRIVE is up and running and we will be collecting toys through December 11th. The CEAP tree is located in the Welcome Center and is loaded with ornaments. Feel free to take an ornament, buy the gift that is listed and return it by the 11th.

New this year is the Brooklyn Avenues giving tree. This tree is also located in the Welcome Center and you can find an extensive list of gift ideas. We will be collecting these gifts through the 11th.

And if these options aren't enough - join us on December 4th for our Quilt/Bake and Alternative Gifts sale. This will be happening in the Welcome Center all morning long. There will be opportunities to buy quilts, baked goods (which will support our Hearts and Hands to Jamaica team) and other opportunities for giving that will support our various ministry partners in Tanzania and other mission opportunities. Check it out!

PreK-K Advent Celebration

All PreK-K Sunday School children are invited to join us for our Annual Advent Celebration. Through a variety of activities our young people will prepare themselves for this Christmas season. This celebration will take place during their regular Sunday School hour.

Childrens Ministry Movie Morning

On Sunday, December 18th we invite your children to our 3rd Annual Movie Morning. This special event takes place during the Choir's Christmas Cantata. This year they will be presenting their Cantata with one service at 9:30. After the opening song all children will be invited to the Youth Room for a movie and other activities. There may also be some snacks :)

There is no pre-registration needed for this event, simply send your child with Haley and company after the Opening Song and pick them up in the CLC after the Cantata has finished.

December Worship Schedule

During the month of December we offer a variety of worship opportunities.

December 4th: Regular Sunday Schedule (two services at 9:00 and 10:30) 2nd week of Advent: Candle of Peace

December 11th: Sunday School Christmas Program with ONE Service @ 9:30. 3rd week of Advent: Candle of Joy

December 18th: Choir Christmas Cantata with ONE Service @ 9:30. 4th week of Advent: Candle of Love

December 24th: Christmas Eve Worship Services

* 3 PM: Contemporary feel with music by the Band and Kids Choir
* 5 PM: Contemporary feel with music by the Band (Candlelight)

* 7 PM: Traditional feel with music by the Choir (Candlelight)

December 25th: Christmas Day Worship Service @ 9:30

January 1st: New Years Day Worship Service @ 9:30

Random Acts of Kindness

During the month of December we invite you to be a light in a world that could use a little shine. If you are looking for some easy ways to share a little love and kindness, here is a calendar to help you. A larger version is available by request.

Upcoming January Dates

Mark your Calendars: Here are some important dates to mark on your January calendar.

01/01/17	NO Sunday School (New Years Day Worship @ 9:30)
01/07/17	POP Tots Playgroup and Faith Frolic
01/08/17	Sunday School and Kids Choir Resumes
01/15/17	Sunday School and Kids Choir
01/22/17	Sunday School and Kids Choir POPpers Event
01/27-28/17	AXIS Lock-In (6th graders invited)
01/29/17	Sunday School and Kids Choir

Church Wide Announcements

* If you ever miss Church, and would like to hear the Sunday Sermon, please follow our podcast (the Sermon is usually posted by Tuesday Afternoon) by clicking HERE . You can also subscribe to our weekly devotional email by contacting Lynell .

* Starting on Sunday, December 4th there will be a remembrance tree in the Welcome Center. If you have had a loved one pass away and would like them to be remembered this Holiday Season, feel free to bring an ornament and place it on our remembrance tree.

Center for Good Work Presentation

Wednesday, December 7 ^th , at 6pm, we're having Andy Jolivette here from The Center for Good Work.

The CFGW is a place that helps people start to figure out clearly what they value and how they act on those values in the real world.

There's a lot of talk in the public sphere about "inner work" and we think it's really important to spend time on understanding who we are and why we do what we do.

This course will help us begin to reflect seriously on how our beliefs do or do not align with our actions. Having it here free of charge is a BIG DEAL and an opportunity not to be missed!

RSVP in the facebook event if you can come so we have a somewhat accurate number to give to Andy!

Childcare is provided!

Church-Wide Calendar Dates

12/03/16	Advent Decorating (for parents) during program rehearsal
12/04/16	Quilt Sale and Bake Sale Alternative gifts opportunities Annual Budget meeting
12/07/16	Center for Good Work Presentation (details above)
01/22/17	Ask the Pastors Baptism Class Annual Meeting

May you be surrounded by the love and joy of Christ

God's Peace, Katie Rykal