Bear Cub Facts April 9, 2017
Dear Parents,

Promises are important in our lives.  In many ways, children thrive on promises.  A promise of a trip to a favorite amusement park elicits excitement, feverish preparation, and even efforts to complete long-neglected chores by a deadline.  Promises are important to God's people for other reasons.  Joshua encouraged the people to be faithful to God because "not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed" (Joshua 23:14).  Solomon acknowledged that he became king because "the Lord has kept the promise He made" (1 Kings 8:20).  Abraham was credited with righteousness because he was "persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised" (Romans 4:21).  The promise of righteousness is for all "who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Romans 4:24)  During this week we have the great priviledge and joy of teaching your children that God has kept His promise to take away our sins through the Savior who rose from the dead on Easter morning just as He had promised.  The church of the apostles' day and the church of today hears and believes the Gospel, not on the basis of regular or spectacular appearances of the risen Lord, but on the basis of God's promises.  Indeed, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).  The Lord is risen; He is risen indeed!

The students will participate in an Easter Egg Hunt and special snack on Thursday of this week.  Sign up sheets are available in the classrooms.  On Friday we will be closed in remembrance of Good Friday.   

In His Service,
Mary Wolfinbarger
Bethany Lutheran Preschool
562-429-7335 
 
http://www.bethanylutheran.org/

Dates for your calendar:

April 13 - Easter Egg Hunt
April 14 - Good Friday - Preschool Closed
April 17-20 - Easter Vacation - Preschool Open for Full Day Students
April 21 - Teacher In-Service Day - Preschool Closed 
May 1-5 - Teacher Appreciation
May 12 - Evening with Mom 6 p.m.

2016-2017 School Year Calendar

This week in Jesus Circle:

Jesus Gives Us New Life - Easter Morning (Luke 24:1-12)
Discovery Points
Law : Without a Savior, we would remain in our sins.
Gospel: Because Jesus rose and is alive, we will have life in heaven.
Sanctification : Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we marvel at what Christ has done for us, and we joyfully tell others the Good News that Jesus overcame sin and death. 
 
Connections for home: (from One in Christ, Preschool B 2013 CPH)
At Easter, we celebrate new life!  More than the new life we see at springtime, we are talking about the new life we now have in Christ and the life we will have eternally with Him in heaven.  Consider these Easter symbols in that light. 
Easter eggs remind us that just as the tiny birds break free from their eggs, Jesus broke free from death and the grave.
Easter lilies that burst from the ground to new life can remind us that even though Jesus was buried in a grave, He burst forth as the risen Christ!  Jesus is alive!
Butterflies remind us that caterpillars bury themselves in a cocoon and emerge alive as something beautiful.  We can remember that Jesus will take us from this earth to heaven someday to live a beautiful new life there with Him forever.
   
Read more about the Bible lesson on pages 402-408 in The Story Bible
  

Chapel is held in the church on Tuesdays at 9:15 a.m.  Chapel money will be collected this year to benefit Mission India, Mission Alaska, and Corazones Para Guatemala (Hearts for Guatemala).
Snack for the week of April 10-13:

Monday:  AM Cheez-Its, apples & water 
PM cauliflower, hummus, Saltines & water 


Tuesday:  AM turkey sandwich & water  
PM watermelon, animal crackers & water  

Wednesday:  AM Cheerios, milk  
PM pears, cheese & water

Thursday:  AM eggs, Ritz & water  
PM toast, apple butter, tangerines & water
 
Friday:   Closed in observance of Good Friday

Snack Prayer this Month:  
Thank you for the world so sweet.  Thank you for the food we eat.  Thank you for the birds that sing.  Thank you, God, for everything.  Amen.

 
Did you know that you can purchase your child's lunch delivered to the school through Choice Lunch.  The password is Bethany.
Staff in the Spotlight - Abby Einspahr, 7th Grade


"This is my second year at Bethany and my 11th year of teaching.  I enjoy being able to pray with my students.  I am originally from Colorado and root for the Denver Broncos."

From Our Handbook -  Community Service


Each year the preschool may participate in a toy drive, food drive or clothing drive to help a mission, our military or the people in need in our community.

Extracurricular Activities: 

Bethany Lutheran Preschool offers Webby Dance on Mondays at 8:45 a.m. and Thursdays;and   Play Sports on Mondays from 10-11:30.   For more information, please see the sign up forms in the preschool hallway.
Conscious Discipline Tip:  What does positive intent mean?

Are you a mind reader? I'm not, yet I find myself walking through the day attributing intent to other people's actions and words. The waitress is an idiot because she didn't give me correct change. My husband is being spiteful by leaving his shaving can on the tile after I specifically told him it leaves a rust ring. My child is being selfish by grabbing things out of my purse without asking.
Are stupid, spiteful and selfish the "real" motivations these people have when they open their mouths or take a certain action? There is no way for us to know for certain. We make up their intent in our minds. We can choose to see the best in others or to see the worst. Once we've judged the nature of another person's actions or words, we reap a slew of emotions of our own. When we attribute negative intent, the emotions that we experience are equally nasty. Attributing negative intent to them creates negative feelings within us and throws us into the lower centers of our brain. If we're making up the intent, why in the world would we want to attribute an intent that results in nasty feelings for us? We can just as easily attribute positive intent to these situations and reap positive emotions.
Negative intent does more than just flood us with nasty feelings, it also inhibits our ability teach others how to treat us and how to treat each other. Particularly when dealing with children, seeing the best in them is the only perceptual frame that will enable us to teach new skills rather than project guilt, hurt and other negative feelings. Children convey their wants and needs through actions such as hitting, grabbing and fussing. When they don't get what they want, they tend to fuss louder and bigger. To be effective parents, we must shift from viewing "louder and bigger" with negative intent (she's being selfish), to viewing it with positive intent (she's missing social skills).
The habit of attributing negative intent is so ingrained in most of us that it is difficult at times to recognize, much less reframe positively. Yet this shift is 100% necessary if we want to raise children with self-esteem, responsibility and self-control. It is also essential for teaching them a new skill and solving problems. Below are common examples of attributing negative intent followed by possible positive intent for the same situation. Remember, we are making it up; it is our choice which way to perceive the situation.
Casey is just mean.
Casey wanted the crayon and didn't know how to ask for it.
I've told her 1,000 times not to come in without knocking!
She gets excited and forgets to knock.
Mathieu sure pushes my buttons!
Mathieu is giving me an opportunity to practice staying calm.
Devon is acting crazy!
Devon has a lot of energy and needs help to focus.
Keri is disrupting my quiet time just to irritate me.
Keri is having trouble finding her blankie.
"Wait a minute," you're saying, "You mean nothing the child does is wrong?" Attributing positive intent doesn't mean the rules fly out the window and limits don't need enforcing! Rather, positive intent allows you a frame of mind from which you can better teach the skills the child needs. First attribute positive intent, then set the limit and teach as necessary.
Step 1 - Breathe and attribute positive intent to the action. You could reframe the situation with the child calling for love, displaying a need for skills, etc. Make the shift to positive intent in your own mind first, and then say, "You wanted_____." "You wanted my attention."
Step 2 - Put words to the child's action. No judging words allowed; just describe the action. "So you_____." Your verbal description will bring the child's action into his/her awareness. "So you hit me in the knee."
Step 3 - Finish speaking the positive intent out loud. Define the child as a worthy person who made a mistake. You might say, "You didn't know how to_____." "You didn't know how else to get me to look at you." Your child may correct you. If this happens, repeat the correction and reframe. "Oh, you hit me in the knee because you were mad at me. You didn't know how else to tell me you were angry."
Step 4 - Assertively set the limit and explain why. Give the child a clear limit and a simple reason why the limit is set. Be assertive. Relate the limit to safety whenever possible. Setting the limit fits nicely into this sentence: "You may not ____, ___ isn't safe (hurts, etc.)." "You may not hit. Hitting hurts."
Step 5 - Finally, teach what is acceptable behavior. Once you have taught the appropriate action, ask the child to practice the new skill. It's helpful to use these words to frame the learning: "When you want ______, say (or do) _____. Say (or do) it now "When you want my attention, touch my arm gently. Try touching my arm gently now."
Step 6 - You did it! Reinforce the action by telling the child how his/her new skill is successful. Say, "You did it!" and describe the action. "You did it! You touched my arm gently so I would know you wanted my attention."
With positive intent, we can transform hurtful situations into teaching moments. With negative intent, we will continually punish our children for not having skills that they have not been taught. The choice is ours.


Conscious Discipline Website

Bethany Lutheran School News:

Bethany Lutheran School follows a similar calendar year to Bethany Lutheran Church Preschool.  Keep up with our elementary and middle school students in our Bear Facts  publication.    

The school office is now selling limited quantities of Bethany tote bags.
Parent Teacher League:

Parents, you are ALL members of our Parent Teacher League (PTL), our amazing group of parent leadership and an important part of making Bethany such a special place.
Would you like to get involved in a PTL activity? There's a place for you! Just contact our PTL President, Jen Deeble: drdeeble@gmail.com   

Our next PTL meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library.  Babysitting is provided. 

Save the date for our Lego Fun Day on Saturday, May 20 from 11 a.m. -3 p.m.  Do you or someone you know own a local business?  Please consider asking for a donation for the fun day raffle.  Contact Jennifer Newton for more info at 714-337-2722.
Opportunities to Worship Faithfully, Form Spiritually, Serve Passionately, Give Proportionately, and Share Intentionally:

  • Follow Bethany on Twitter @RevKevBethany and  www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach 
  • Renew your Ralphs Club cards each year after August 31 using our Bethany NPO # 83441.
  • Box tops for education is a program that allows our schools to get 10 cents for every box top turned in.  The money received from the program helps our schools buy needed equipment and supplies.  Clip the box tops and place them in the container on the sign-in shelf.
  • Labels for Education is a program where our school and church families can work together to earn "free stuff" for our schools.  Labels and caps can be placed in the collection container on the sign-in shelf.
  • Home Bible Study Groups are now forming.  Contact Pastor Seth, Pastor Kritzer, or Karl Fink for more information.
  • Lazy Acres contributes 4% to Bethany.  Make sure to show your Lazy Acres Community Card. 
  • Griefshare meets on Sundays at 1 p.m. in the Conference Room.  Contact kfink@bethanylutheran.org for more info.
  • Family Lenten Devotions will begin on March 8 and continue every Wednesday in Lent at 5:30 p.m. in the church.  Classic Lenten worship services will continue at 7 p.m. with Soup Suppers being offered between 5-6:30 p.m.
  • Challenge yourself to read the Bible in 2017.  The study is posted on our blogspot www.bethanylutheran.blogsport.com.
  • Join us for Tea at Bethany on May 6.  Our guest speaker is Sister Maryama Burger author of From the Crescent to the Cross.  Contact Cindy Stock 562-818-4643 for more information.
  • Do you have Kohl's charge?  You can buy Kohl's Care Fundraising Gift Cards from Scrip to pay your bill.
  • Join us Friday, May 5 for a fun filled evening watching the Angels take on the Houston Astros at 7 p.m.  More information coming soon.
  • Are you looking for a playgroup for your kids that provides both play for your child and conversation with other parents and caregivers?  Join us on Tuesday, April 25 from 8;30-9:30 a.m. in the Bethany Nursery for our first Parent Play Group.  Contact Christi Koehlinger for more information at footprintsinthesand@yahoo.com
  • Our annual Men's Retreat will take place October 7-9 at Luther Glen Retreat Center in Oak Glen, CA.
  • Save the date for Vacation Bible School 2017 which will be held June 19-23.  Our theme is Maker Fun Factory - Created by God, Built for a Purpose.
  • All little bunnies are invited to Bethany's 9th annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8.  The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with crafts, a short Easter message, 2 age appropriate hunts (preschool - 4th grade), snack and prizes!  Contact Sarah O'Conner at smo17636@yahoo.com
  • Our short term missionaries do not depart for Alaska until June, but you can start supporting them today!  When you purchase SCRIP you can designate your rebate to go directly to Mission Alaska.  You can attend our Cooks Night Out at Souplantation on Sunday, April 2.  You can also give at the Mission Alaska GoFundMe Page:  www.gofundme.com/missionalaska2017.
  • Bethany Music Ministry announces the return of our summer fine arts camp for kids entering Kindergarten - 7th grades.  "Weather the Weather" is our theme.  Registration is $100 per child.  Contact Mara Widmann for additional information at 562-421-4711 ext. 55.
  • Save the date for our annual Raise a Glass event on Saturday, October 21.  This is a unique fundraiser event to support our Student Success Program.  If you are interested in donating auction items, please contact Sheri Esswein at 714-863-5615.
  • Beginner bike riding group is starting at 8 a.m. on 4/1, 5/6 and 6/3.  Contact Greg for more information 714-229-0757.

 At Bethany, worship is a celebration of what God has done for us in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior-His initiative in our life, His saving events throughout history. Worship is a remembrance, a reenactment-if-you-will, of God's redemptive acts for all people throughout history; it is also a joyful reception through faith, by God's people now, who live to proclaim His redeeming grace to all the world. The Lutheran understanding of "Gottesdienst" or "God's service to us" and "our service to God" are foundational to all that we do in worship. God first comes to us, and we respond in confession, joyful praise, prayer and humble faith. 

 

Lenten Worship Services:

Wednesday Night March 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5 at 7 p.m.  Please join us for soup supper prior to service.  Children's Family Lenten Devotions are at 5:30 p.m.

 

Palm Sunday Worship Service will be held Sunday, April 9 at 10 a.m. under the tent on the grass field.  We will be serving lunch afterwards from the Corner Bakery.  Please sign up in Friendship Square after service on April 2.  

Cost is $12 and free for kids with rsvp.

 

Holy Wednesday Seder Presentation will be held on Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m.

 

Maundy Thursday Worship Service will be held April 13 at 7 p.m.

 

Good Friday Worship Services will be held Friday, April 14 at 1 and 7 p.m.

 

Easter Festival Worship Services will be held April 16 at 8, 9:30 and 10:55 a.m.  Hop on over to the gym and enjoy a delicious breakfast before or after church, as Boy Scout Troop 75 will have their Annual Easter Breakfast from 8-11 a.m.

 

Worship Service times are: 
 Sunday at 8:00AM, 9:30AM and 10:55AM (convergent/blended style) 


SCRIP

Are you purchasing SCRIP?  If not, you are passing up an easy way to help with your tuition payments and to help Bethany.  SCRIP is simply gift certificates.  You purchase them from us, and use them as you would any gift card.  Since Bethany is able to purchase the cards in bulk, the gift cards cost less than their face value; and the profit is divided between your tuition and funds for various groups at Bethany.  If you have any questions about the Scrip program contact Carol Grudt, 420-7783 x58 or cgrudt@bethanylutheran.org.

FISH Opportunities:

We suggest opportunities that will help you fulfill your FISH commitments; while taking care of some of our needs.  We will post these needs/opportunities in the weekly newsletter, by email and in posters that will be put up on the parent board by the sign in sheet.     Opportunities currently available include:
 
  • Attend our PTL meeting Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the library
  • Sign up to bring Easter party supplies
  • Sign up to work at the Fun Day on May 20

Once you have completed a FISH opportunity, you may complete a form located in the preschool hallway or online.

Helpful Websites and Links for Parents and Children:


Preschool play websites:
  
Websites and links for parents:
 NEW!     Parent Pages - April 
Devotions:
 
Ideas you can use at home:
 Numbers - HWT
Gross and Fine Motor Activities from Chancy and Bruce
Mental Health Chancy and Bruce
 
Healthy snacks for kids:
10 tips to decrease added sugars
Healthy celebrations
NEW!    Resurrection Rolls
Renaissance Update:

BLS Alumni Event at Blair Field
Bethany Lutheran School invites its alumni and friends to a ballgame at Blair Field!  Join fellow BLS alums on Saturday, April 8 at 2pm at historic Blair Field, home of the Long Beach State Dirtbags.  Tickets are only $5 when you use the code "BLS70" online at www.longbeachstate.com/tickets and click on the "Promotions" link.  The Dirtbags Pavilion will be reserved for our party, where we can watch the game, socialize, and share more about the Renaissance Project.
- Sara Cerulle & Carrie Evans, School Emphasis Team Leaders

In Our Prayers:

Thank you for your continued prayers for the loved ones connected to our center. If there is a need in your family and you would like to add someone to the prayer list, please let me know.  
 
In addition, we pray for the children and staff in our center (one a day), look for your child's name listed below throughout the year. 
 
Please join the Board of Evangelism in praying for The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod; Pacific Southwest District-LCMS; Concordia University Irvine; Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Missouri.

"They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever." --Revelation 22:4-5 
STAY CONNECTED:
Bethany Lutheran Preschool | 562-429-7335 | Email |   www.bethanylutheran.org