Worship. Serve. Grow.

What’s Happening in Children’s Ministries (week of Jan 22, 2017)

Children’s Ministries is getting ready for a busy Spring! First up is the Teddy Bear Tea which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10:30am-12noon in the Parish Hall. This gathering is for our youngest parishioners (preschoolers and lower elementary students) and their favorite stuffed animal. Children need to be escorted by a parent, grandparent or guardian. Light refreshments will be served and teddy bears will receive special pampering. To ensure we have enough snacks and supplies, please RSVP by January 30 to www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C094DA4A623A4F58-stpauls2

And, our next Note in the Pocket “Socks and Undies” Sundays drive will start on Feb. 5. We will be collecting NEW socks and underwear (must be in packaging) for children of all ages and sizes in need in Wake County. We will also collect new and like-new clothing and shoes for children and adults of all ages, stages and sizes. Please help make a difference in the life of children in Wake County!

Children’s Ministries Information

  • The 2016-2017 Children’s Collection Basket is collecting funds to host a Note in the Pocket Sort Day on June 4, 2017. So far we have collected $1024.44 toward our $3000.00 goal.
  • Children’s Chapel will be held at the 9am and 11:15am services this Sunday. Children ages 3 through 2nd grade are invited to follow the children’s cross processional to the Youth Wing. Children will return to the Sanctuary during the Peace.
  • Clergy Led Chapel will be held at the 9am service this Sunday. This Chapel is for children ages 3rd-5th grade. Please meet Father George at the door to the courtyard.
  • Sunday School will be held in the Education Building at 10:10am this Sunday. Looking forward to seeing everyone…it is never too late to join Sunday School!
  • Pre-EYC is bowling Sunday night from 4pm-6pm. Meet us at Buffaloe Lanes in Cary. Please bring money for shoes and snacks. Please RSVP to Christine Ingram.

Sunday School Lessons this Week

The Lesson is “Jesus’ Teachings -The Sermon on the Mount”

Summary: Jesus preaches his first sermon, which we know as the Sermon on the Mount. He covers many themes, but we will focus on just a few.

  • Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-11): Beatitudes means blessings. Each beatitude begins with “Blessed are…” followed by blessings from God for all those who stand before God with humility and openness.
  • Contrasts (Matthew 5:21-48): Jesus contrasts the conventional OK way to behave among other people with a new and higher way. He begins with “You have heard…” or “It was said…” and then follows with “but I say to you…” Here he talks about killing and hatred, adultery and divorce, swearing and revenge.
  • Against Showing Off (Matthew 6:1-18): Jesus talks about the need for a right relationship with God as opposed to showing off our piety. Here he shows us how to pray with the Lord’s Prayer.
  • Anxiety and Trust (Matthew 6:25-34): God will provide and protect. Our first priority should be God, not such things as what to wear and what to eat.

Episcopal Thread: There is, of course, nothing distinctively Anglican or Episcopalian about the Sermon on the Mount, one of the most well-known passages in the Bible. The Beatitudes, however, do reflect a very Anglican focus on blessings from God, seeing as we do the world as God’s good gift to us and Jesus Christ as God’s greatest gift to the world. The Episcopal Church, with its Anglican roots, is a broad-minded church. Queen Elizabeth I, noting the bitter disagreements in England between the Roman Catholics and the Puritans, used the early Book of Common Prayer as a means of reconciliation between opposing beliefs. We might disagree about doctrine, she said, but in the end we shall all worship together. This reconciling ethos is fundamental to the Episcopal Church. A right relationship with God also entails a right relationship with one another. We should be reluctant to condemn and eager to reconcile. Thus in the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent (BCP, p. 446-451), the priest asks (BCP, p. 451), “Do you, then forgive those who have sinned against you?”

Things to wonder with your children:

■■ What kinds of things did Jesus say to us?

■■ What is one thing we can remember from his sayings?

■■ What is his main message? (Love)

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about Children’s Ministries.

See you on Sunday!

Christine

Christine Ingram
Parish Administrator & Director of Children’s Ministries