Here’s a quick update on what your child will be learning this month. We’re excited for all the new things they’ll be learning!
BEST GIFT EVER ADVENT CALENDAR
FAMILY ADVENT RESOURCE – Starting on Sunday, November 15, The Best Gift Ever Advent Calendar will be available in the Kids Lobby. This family faith resource will help you lead your family through the Advent season with a Scripture-focused reflection and prayer each day. It involves the entire family in the Advent celebration and helps busy parents make sacred pauses with their kids to discover all the wonderful gifts we’ve been given in Christ.
When: available starting Nov 15
Cost: $5 suggested donation
BIRTHDAY BAG PROJECT
At Christmas, Westwood Kids will be assembling and donating BIRTHDAY BAGS to Catholic Charities Food Shelf in St. Cloud. These bags are one way for our kids to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. Our kids learns how to show compassion by giving the gift of a birthday party in a bag to kids that may not otherwise have one.
Through November and December, we are asking that your family add a one or two items to your grocery list each time you head to the store and bring your donations to the Kids Lobby on Sundays. Here are the items we need to complete the birthday bags:
- cake mix (chocolate, yellow, or white)
- cake frosting
- birthday candles
- package of small paper plates
- package of small napkins
We have more than enough of all the other items needed for our birthday bags at this time – praise God for His bountiful supply! We will be packing the bags on Sunday, Dec 27 – if you’d like to be here to help, let me know!
JOIN THE TEAM!!
Westwood Kids is GROWING!!! Our teams are in need of a few more relationship builders (see below for more information) on Sunday mornings. What does that mean? Our nursery is bursting at the seams – our preschool rooms have loads of kids – our elementary small groups aren’t very small any more!
Would you consider joining one of the teams that invest time and energy into the lives of our kids to help them become the most treasured people in our world?
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WESTWOOD KIDS
MERRY MARKETPLACE –
Bring your family to the marketplace where you’ll hear the Christmas story and make Christmas ornaments that go along with the story! You can decorate your tree or you can pass along the story to someone special!
When: December 6, 6:00 PM (Note time change)
Cost: $10 per family (suggested donation)
KIDS CHRISTMAS CHOIR
All kids that attend Westwood Kids on Sunday mornings are part of the Christmas choir.
- Dec 9, 6:00 PM – Kids Christmas Choir Rehearsal
- Dec 13, 9 & 10:30 AM – Kids Sing in Worship Services
Links to the songs your kids will be singing – feel free to have your kids practice at home!
ELEMENTARY SONGS:
- Unto Us – Doorpost
- Hope Has Come – start at 0:33 for song and motions
PRESCHOOL SONG:
WHAT WE’RE TEACHING THIS MONTH
ON THE RIGHT TRACK: A 4-Week Series from OLD TESTAMENT ON JOSHUA
SERIES OVERVIEW: Racers, start your engines! In a race, you might need to navigate obstacles, pit stops, and tight turns in order to stay on the right track. As you’re zooming through the track, there’s so much to think about and it can be hard to stay focused on what’s most important! In this four-week series, we’ll learn some important stories from Joshua about how obstacles are no problem for God and courage comes from knowing God’s words. No matter how long the race, God can use someone like you because with God, there is victory!
On the Right Track – Parent Devotional
GET INVOLVED!
We love having your kids here! They are learning to LOVE JESUS, LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, AND SHARE GOD’S LOVE through worship, lessons, and best of all – relationships with each other and with trusted adults.
We’d love to have YOU here too! There are three main areas that you can get involved:
- Bible Storytellers– Westwood Kids is built on the foundation of God’s Word – every time we meet, we communicate God’s Word and why it matters. Building a solid faith foundation begins with our preschoolers – and doesn’t ever stop! We just keep going deeper and deeper!
- Relationship Builders – Faith grows stronger in the context of community – for our kids and grownups! Trusted adults that invest time and energy into the lives of kids become the most treasured people in their world. From small group leaders to nursery workers, and greeters at the door, we build relationships that say, “All are welcome here!”
- Environment Creators – Our kids live in a sensory rich environment today. The environment creators of our ministry – the decorating teams, the special events teams, the classroom supplies and prep teams – make environments that encourage kids to get excited about who God is and how God wants them to live.
If you’d like to get involved in any of these areas, just CLICK HERE – let’s continue building Westwood Kids Ministry into a place where our kids LOVE JESUS, LIVE BY THE SPIRIT, AND SHARE GOD’S LOVE!
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
We’re always trying to better understand what it’s like to raise kids today. Here’s what we’re wondering: what do you think is the BEST thing about raising kids right now? Reply to this email and let us know!
BOOKINGS WITH BARB
Westwood Kids is built on four core values, one of which is SPEND TIME WITH OTHERS. To model this to the kids, I have set up a Bookings Page so that I can do coffees or walks or whatever works for you. Just click on the link below to book a time with me so we can Spend Time getting to know each other, and so that I can more fully support you!