Bear Cub Facts October 7, 2018
Dear Parents,

The children enjoyed music with Mrs. Widmann on Tuesday.  We sing, clap, tap and stomp in rhythm, play instruments and feel the beat.  We also practiced our song "Jesus Loves Me" which we will be singing next Sunday, October 14, in the 8 a.m. service at Bethany.  We hope that you can join us.


We are planning to have a fire drill this month on October 9.  This is a great opportunity for us to talk to children about community helpers and staying safe at school.  If you would like to speak in your child's classroom about your job as a community helper, please contact your classroom teacher to set a date and remember to bring measles and pertussis immunization records to the office.

Communication with our families is very important here at Bethany.  In an effort to enhance communication, we have a system called SchoolMessenger which allows us to record phone messages, or send e-mails or texts to our families.  The text capability is an "opt in" function.  You can opt-in by texting the word yes to the SchoolMessenger short code 67587 from each device you wish to receive SMS text messages on.

Special thanks to all of the children who participated in our Jog-A-Thon fundraiser as well as all of our family members that came to cheer them on and all of those who have made donations.  It's not too late to pledge.  You can send in a check or go online to www.pledgestar.com/bethany.

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

What is the greatest gift your child has ever received?

Some of us might have to think about that for quite some time; while others might have an answer immediately. The Bible reminds us of a "can't miss" answer: "Be baptized and you will receive the Holy Spirit.This gift is for you and your children."  (Acts 2:38)

At Bethany we want to be sure that all of our students (and their families, too!) have the opportunity to receive this precious gift! The place to start is with our Baptism Class.

We will be holding our Baptism Class several times throughout the fall. This is a one-time
session that will last about 45 minutes.  We will talk about the meaning, reason, power and purpose of Christian Baptism.

Our Baptism Class is intended for kids AND parents! Kids who attend will receive a special gift in addition to the gift of learning and possibly planning their baptism.

Our next Baptism Class will be Sunday, October 14 at 9:30.

We hope to see you there!
Blessed to be at Bethany,
Pastor Kritzer
Dates for your calendar:

October 9 Fire Drill 10 a.m.
October 14 Preschool sings in 8 a.m. service "Jesus Loves Me" in English and Spanish
October 19 Fall Fling Open House
October 24-25 Picture Days
October 26 Evening with Dad 6 p.m.
October 28 Oktoberfest - Pumpkin Patch
October 31 Pumpkin Day Celebration
 
2018-2019 Preschool Calendar

Art  Gallery This Month
 
We'd like to invite you to visit our Art Gallery located outside the classroom for Mrs. DeJongh, Miss Kara, and Miss Angela and in the preschool hallway above Miss Vannessa's cubbies for Miss Vannessa, Miss Kathy and Miss Mandy.   Each month new artists from each class will be featured.  This month's featured artists are: Brooke and Charley in Miss Vannessa's class; Aria and Ben in Miss Mandy's class; Elias and Adrian in Miss Kathy's class; Ethan, Abigail and William in Miss Kara's class; and Dorothy and Trevor in Miss Angela's class.

Our featured art this month is from Miss Vannessa's class. 
God said, "I am with you." Genesis 28:15
This week in Jesus Circle: 

God Has a Plan for His People
Moses' Birth (Exodus 2:1-10)
Discovery Points
Law:   Sometimes bad things happen and we don't know what to do. 
Gospel:   God has good plans for us.  He gave us salvation through Jesus, His Son.
Sanctification:   Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we recognize that God is almighty, and we trust God to help us, now and in the future
Bible Words:
"My times are in Your hand." Psalm 31:15

Connections at home: 
There are two important ideas to teach your child as you talk about the story of baby Moses.  First, assure your child that God watches over us all.  And God also blesses us with special people who help take care of us.  For your child, it may be you as parents, other  family members, babysitters, preschool teachers, or anyone else who assists in the well-being of your child.  God gives us people who are a blessing to our lives.
 
Another key idea is that God had a good plan for that little baby Moses.  Part of God's plan was that Moses would be raised in  his early years to know the love of God and the traditions of the Israelite people.  Another part of God's plan was that Moses would also live with his adoptive, Egyptian family.  God knew this experience would help Moses in the future, teaching him the Egyptian language and culture.
 
God also has plans for you and for your child.  We may not always understand His plans, but we can trust that He knows what is best.  The Bible says, "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"  (Jeremiah 29:11).
 
Read more about the story on pages 98-100 of The Story Bible.

On Tuesdays we go to chapel in the church.  Chapel offerings this year will go to benefit  Mission Alaska, Mission India, and Hope and Care for Children.  Last year we raised almost $600 for each mission.  The first Tuesday of the month we will celebrate Baptism birthdays in chapel.  If you have not already done so, please return your Baptism birthday form to your teacher. You can view our chapel sessions each week with your child on our website blog.

October Meal Prayer:  
For health and strength and daily food, we praise thy name O Lord.  For health and strength and daily food, we praise thy name O Lord.  Amen.

Snack for the week of October 8-12

Monday:  
AM cottage cheese, peaches & water
PM cantaloupe, Cheez-Its & water

Tuesday:  
AM Go-Gurt, pears & water
PM toast, apple butter, sunflower seeds & water

Wednesday: 
AM chicken nuggets, apples & water
PM Nutri Grain Bars & water

Thursday: 
AM apples, Ritz & water
PM ham sandwich & water 

Friday: 
AM broccoli, hummus, Wheat Thins & water
PM oranges, grahams & water

October Meal Prayer:  
Round this table, here to pray. First we thank you for this day. For our families and our friends. Countless blessings that God sends. Amen.
From Our Handbook - Worship Opportunities

We encourage you to take part in weekly worship, Sunday School, and Adult Bible Studies. If you are seeking a church home, we invite you to consider the Bethany Lutheran family. In addition, baptism is offered to all families. Please feel free to contact the church office for additional information.
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. Worship Service times are: Sunday at 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. (convergent/blended style). Further information about the church is available through the church office at 562-421-4711.


Staff in the Spotlight - Younger 3 Year Old Teacher - Mandy Gunsolus


I have been a part of the Bethany family for 2 years now, working as a lead teacher at the preschool. I was raised locally in Bellflower, and currently live in Bellflower with my husband, Ryan, of four years. I have my bachelor's degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Cal State Long Beach, and have grown to really love this field. I also grew up in a Christian home and went to a Christian school my whole life, giving me a genuine love for God and His Word. Some of my hobbies include playing soccer, hiking, and scrapbooking.
Extracurricular Activities: 

Bethany Lutheran Preschool offers Webby Dance at 9:00 a.m. and   Play Sports starting at 9:30 a.m.on Mondays.   For more information, please see the sign up forms in the preschool hallway.  
Conscious Discipline Tip: How can I say "no" and be heard?!"


In its simplest terms, saying "no" and being heard is called "assertiveness." It is a key skill that both adults and children must cultivate in order to develop healthy relationships. Assertive commands focus on what you want to have happen, give clear information about what to do, and are given in a tone of voice that says "just do it."  Conscious Discipline (educators) and  Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline (parents) spend ample time focusing on the skill of assertiveness. The following tips from these publications will get you started:
Focus on What To Do: When you are upset, you are always focused on what you don't want. Use active calming techniques to regain your composure as necessary, and then shift your focus away from what's wrong. Instead, focus on what you want to have happen. Have you ever heard an Olympic athlete visualize "not losing?" No! They focus on diving their cleanest dive or running their fastest race in order to achieve their goal. You must do the same with your goal is to paint a picture with your words and gestures of exactly what you want the child to do.
"Don't you dare touch anything in this store" focuses on what you don't want (don't touch). Pivot and reframe it in the positive, "Keep your hands in your pockets." All assertive commands give usable information. "Don't ____" is not usable information because it doesn't tell what to do. "Don't hit your brother" becomes: "When you want your brother to move say, "move please."
Give the Command Assertively: There are three tones of voice we use when we communicate: passive, aggressive and assertive.
A passive approach says, "Approve of me, love me, is it okay with you if___." A passive approach does not engender respect or compliance, so a passive person often resorts to manipulation or 'going through the back door' to get their needs met. Passive communication is not effective communication.
An aggressive approach says, "I am right and you are wrong, no matter what." It often includes threats, blame, severe consequences or "you" statements that are focused solely on the other person. An aggressive approach invites a defensive response and engenders fear. Aggressive communication is not effective communication.
An assertive approach says, "Do this," in a clear and respectful manner with a voice of no doubt. With children, follow these steps to deliver an assertive command:
  1. Establish eye contact by approaching the child, getting down on his/her level and moving closer until he/she notices you. For easily distracted children, you may need to get as close as six inches.
  2. Verbally tell the child what you want him/her to do. State your expectations clearly and simply. Be certain that the statement is formulated in the positive... focus on what you want them to do and paint a clear picture with your words. "Hold my hand so you are safe when we cross the street." "Give me the scissors. They are sharp and could cut you." "Use a quiet voice while we are in the museum." "Pick up the markers and put them in the shoe box."
  3. Give visual, auditory and tactile cues as often as possible. Demonstrate a gentle touch, gesture in the direction you wish the child to move, practice what a soft voice sounds like, etc.
  4. Send the nonverbal message "just do it" with the tone of your voice and with your nonverbal stance as you give the command. If your nonverbal cues are passive, your child may easily refuse. If your nonverbal cues are aggressive, your child will resist in self-defense. When nonverbal and verbal communication both say, "Just do it," you let the child know your command has meaning.
  5. Celebrate your child's success. The minute the child begins to show any degree of compliance, jump in with praise. Even if s/he wasn't really going to comply, s/he likely will comply once you begin to praise him/her. "Good for you," "You did it," and "way to go" followed by a description of the child's action are great ways to celebrate them without judging. "Way to go! You're reaching for my hand so we can cross the street safely!"
  6. If your child chooses not to comply, repeat the request and say, "I'm going to show you what to do." Lead the child gently and instructively in completing the request. Say, "I'm going to show you how to cross the street safely" and take the child's hand in yours.

We are starting a special group just for you!  Please contact Jennifer or Tabitha at mops@bethanylutheran.org or call 562-429-7335.  Our meetings are held in Room 215 on the first and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.
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.  

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, Box Tops, send in your Box Tops!  Please save your Box Tops and start sending them in now.  
  • Lazy Acres contributes 4% to Bethany.  Make sure to show your Lazy Acres Community Card. 
  • Challenge yourself to read the Bible.  The study is posted on our blogspot www.bethanylutheran.blogsport.com.
  • Do you have Kohl's charge?  You can buy Kohl's Care Fundraising Gift Cards from Scrip to pay your bill.

  •  
  • Bible Discovery for Preschool meets every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in Room 101.
  • Men's Bible Study Fellowship meets every Monday from 6:55 p.m. -8:30 p.m. in the Choir Room starting September 10.  Contact Don at 562-596-0489 for more information.
  • WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH?
     
    Bethany 101 and Bethany 201 are courses that explore the key truths of the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective and the process and purpose of membership at Bethany using the Bethany Blueprint as our design.
     
    Attendance at 101 is required for those joining Bethany Lutheran Church. Bethany 201 is required for those joining Bethany Lutheran apart from the transferring of membership from another LCMS congregation. Those transferring membership are welcome to attend.
     
    Bethany 101 is a one session experience where we talk about the history of Bethany, our vision, structure and the Bethany blueprint.
     
    Bethany 201 covers the core basics of the Christian faith from a Lutheran perspective, in 4 sessions. We use discussion, instruction and video presentation in each session.
     
    The next Bethany 101 session is Sunday, September 16th.   This session will be held in the Choir Room and begins at 10:55 AM, running approximately an hour to an hour and a half. Child-care is available with an RSVP.
     
    The next Bethany 201 sessions begins on Sunday, September 23rd and concludes on Sunday, October 21st. Once again sessions are held in the Choir Room, beginning at 10:55 AM, and running approximately an hour to an hour and a half and offer Child-care with an RSVP.
     
    Please RSVP your attendance with our church office (562) 421-4711 or by emailing our Office Administrator, Cindy Morrison at cmorrison@bethanylutheran.org

     
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. 

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


Bethany Bullet

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 Carlson: msjencarlson@gmail.com.  We meet the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  Childcare is provided.
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:
 
  • Stitching our cots
  • Bringing supplies for Evening with Dad or our Pumpkin Day Celebration.  See your child's classroom to sign up.
  • Coming to our classrooms and sharing your occupation for Community Helper Month.  (See your child's teacher and remember your vaccinations.)

Once you have completed a FISH opportunity, you may complete a form located in the preschool hallway or online.  Please check with your child's teacher for additional opportunities to help in the classroom such as ordering Scholastic books, making play dough, supplying gardening items, etc.

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.

Helpful Websites and Links for Parents and Children:


Let's Be Disciples
Do You Know Who Jesus Is?
Sharing Your Faith
Learning to Pray
The Easter Story
The Christmas Journey
The Bully

Preschool play websites:
  
Websites and links for parents:

Devotions:
 
Ideas you can use at home:
 Numbers - HWT
Gross and Fine Motor Activities from Chancy and Bruce
Mental Health Chancy and Bruce
Responding to Your Child's Bite
Understanding Your Child's Behavior: Reading Your Child's Cues from Birth to Age 2

Healthy snacks for kids:
10 tips to decrease added sugars
Healthy celebrations
Frozen yogurt
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 of our center and staff of Bethany Lutheran (one a day), look for your child's name listed below throughout the year. 

+ Please join the Board of Evangelism in praying for our mission partners:  Communion Arts; the LCMS; the PSW District; Concordia University Irvine
+Miss Leticia's father, Jose, who underwent knee surgery in August
+ Kishan's aunt 
+ Miss Alicia's dad who is having heart and lung issues
+ Jakob Singleton, Malakai Sim
+ The Campbell family on their finalized adoption and in prayer for future adoptions
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
STAY CONNECTED:
Bethany Lutheran Preschool | 562-429-7335 | Email |   www.bethanylutheran.org