News from the Children and Families' Ministry
Check out what's happening the next few weeks!
November 10, 2019

Hey everyone! Not to worry, I'm not sending this from my honeymoon- I scheduled it ahead of time :) I hope your November is off to a great start! As you start to plan for the busyness of the holiday season, I hope you and your family will make time to think of all the things you are grateful for. You can even use this handy gratitude challenge to help: Gratitude Challenge

Read on to find out what's happening in the Ministry to Children and Families:
Updates
School Lunch
If your child would like me to have lunch with them, sign them up here ! I would love to come see them at school :)

Operation Christmas Child
Grab an Operation Christmas Child shoebox from around the church, fill it with a "wow" item (a doll, a soccer ball with a pump, a stuffed animal, a skipping rope, and other gifts like smaller toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. Then, on November 17th, bring your box (labeled boy or girl along with the age range- you can find these on the brochures around the church!) along with $9 in your box to cover shipping, to the Sanctuary to dedicate them and get them ready to be sent around the world! You can also build a shoebox online here: Build a Shoebox

Family Advent Wreath Making
Join us next Wednesday, November 20th, for our annual Family Advent Wreath making! We will be making a live wreath (the branches will be in an oasis so you can water it), along with the 5 candles of advent. $10 a families, includes all the supplies you need to make your Advent wreath! We will also be making Christmas Shadow Box theaters. Sign your family up here: Advent Wreath Making Sign Ups

As part of Advent Wreath Making, each family will receive a family Advent devotional. This will also be email out by the First Sunday of Advent.

Christmas Fun
Preschool Family Christmas Party!
You are invited to our Preschool Family Christmas Party! Bring your preschoolers to S101 on Sunday, December 1st , at 9:45 AM, for yummy Christmas goodies and fun Christmas activities. Sign your family up here !

Jingle Jam
Join us for Jingle Jam Unboxed, the coolest Christmas party this side of the North Pole! Jingle Jam will be Wednesday, December 4th , at 6:30 PM in the Chapel. It'll be fun for the whole family!

Elf Workshop
Sign your kids up for our Elf Workshop: Sunday, December 8th , from 4 PM- 6 PM. We'll make 3 presents, eat pizza, and watch a Christmas movie! Sign them up here !

Elementary Family Christmas Party
Mark your calendars for our Elementary Family Christmas Party on Sunday, December 15th , at 9:45 AM. We’ll have yummy Christmas goodies and fun Christmas activities, including a return of creating cookie jar mixes! You won’t want to miss this fun event! Sign your family up here!

Children's Camp Dates!
Save the date for 2020 Children's Camp! We will be going to Passport Kids Camp July 6th-9th (Monday-Thursday) at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, NC. The price will be $340. This is open for children currently in 3rd-5th Grade.Sign ups are open! Deposits won't be due until February. Also, if your child wants to go but you need a scholarship due to financial constraints, let me know!

Reading the Bible as a Family
Each week, we will have a spotlight on a different character/family in the Bible, along with some selected passages and what to talk about as a family. The goal of this is to give you and your family a way to read the Bible together. If you'd like a paper copy, you can pick them up at the end of the Children's Hall!

Spotlight On: Ezekiel
Ezekiel was a prophet to the Israelites, to the rebellious nation of Israel. The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid and sent him to be the watchman for the house of Israel. Ezekiel’s job was to tell the people what they had done and give them a chance to repent.    Read more...
Previous Spotlights:
Job

Family Devotion
This week's devotion is all about standing strong. Check it out here: Family Devotion.

Articles for Married Couples

Parenting Podcasts/ Programs

Parenting Preschoolers

Parenting Elementary Kids


Coming Soon...
November 17th- Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Dedication
November 17th- My Wedding Reception, 3 PM- 5 PM, Gym
November 20th- Family Advent Wreath Making- 6:30 PM
December 1st- Preschool Family Christmas Party- 9:45 AM
Greening and Sampler- 6:30 PM
December 8th- Elf Workshop- 4 PM- 6 PM
Instrumental Christmas- 6:30 PM
December 15th- Elementary Family Christmas Party- 9:45 AM
Chancel Choir Christmas Program- 6:30 PM


Children's Ministry Logo
We chose the name "Salt and Light Factory" after Matthew 5:13-16 " You are the salt of the earth. but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Our children are learning to be salt and light. They are building their faith foundation as they learn how much God loves them, what God has done for them, and their own place in God's big story. We are calling the Children's Ministry the Salt and Light Factory because we (Sunday School teachers, Mission leaders, VBS volunteers, choir leaders, and on and on) are partnering with you to help your children be salt and light in this world. It is my hope and prayer that by the time your children graduate from the Children's Ministry, they have built a solid faith foundation and their lights are shining brightly. Then, when they go to youth and they begin to ask more questions and to make their faith their own, they can continue to shine brightly because of that strong faith foundation.
Like any good factory, we are working with wonderful materials (your children). As a new school year begins, I hope you will make an intentional commitment to bring your kids to Sunday School and to worship, to join us for activities whenever you can, and to partner with us to help your child be salt and light in this world.




I hope you have a great day!

Blessings,
Jessica

Rev. Jessica Asbell
Minister to Children and Families
First Baptist Roswell