Crosswalk News - November 7

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November 23 Update

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2008/2009 Begins!

Jr. Crosswalk (ages 3, 4 & 5) begins this Sunday! Trisha Abbott is leading the program once again, so be ready for a year of fun and learning as the preschoolers explore Gods love on Sunday mornings. :)

Sunday, June 15, 2008

FAITH WITHOUT DEEDS!
As Christians, we believe in God and that He sent His Son, Jesus, down to earth to be our Saviour. Jesus loves us, died for us, and gives us eternal life in heaven when we give our lives to Him. A simple way of saying this is to say that we have FAITH in God and His son, Jesus. But what does the word DEEDS mean? A deed is something that we do. Remember that in James 1:22, we learned the verse, “Do not merely listen to the word…Do what it says.” What would you do if you saw someone get hurt? You would try to help them or go find someone else that could. What would you do if someone needed clothes or food? You would find them some clothes to wear and food to eat, or you would earn money to buy these things for them. When you have faith you should be “doers” of God’s word, because in James 2:20 we read, “…faith without deeds is useless.” As Christians, our faith is made complete by what we do!!!

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
“…faith without deeds is useless." (James 2:20)

Sunday, June 8, 2008

WHO GETS THE BIGGEST PIECE?
Read this story and see if the teacher is being fair. One day, a child brought a delicious cake to share with his classmates. The teacher had to cut the cake into
enough pieces to share with the whole class. She cut the cake into twenty pieces because that was how many children were in the class. However, the teacher did not do a very good job and there were some pieces of cake that were bigger than the others. Who do you think should get the bigger pieces??? The boys? The girls? The tall children? The short children? The blondes? The ones with brown hair, red hair, or black hair? The answer is no one! Every child should get the same size piece or it would not be fair. The teacher has to treat all the children equally or she would be showing favoritism. This meant that she had to cut some of the cake pieces a little
bit smaller. The teacher did not show favoritism. She loved each one of the children in her class the same. In James 2: 1 we read, “…as believers in our glorious Jesus Christ, don’t show favoratism

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
“…don’t show favoritism." (James 2:1)

Sunday June 1, 2008

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

“Do not merely listen to the word …Do what it says.” (James 1: 22) That sounds pretty simple. We just have to read God’s word and follow what it says. BUT… this is actually not always easy to do. Would you want to be nice to someone who doesn’t share, who is mean to you, or who steals your food? NO! But God’s word tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself”. (Matthew 22.38) We are to show God’s love and the light of Christ to everyone we meet. That reminds of the words to a song, “They will know we are Christians by our love”. Some days we will forget to show our love to others, but we can pray for forgiveness and try to do better the next day. We will never be perfect, yet we can always try to do the best we can. In James 1: 19-27, God’s word has another few lessons for us. We are to “be quick to listen”, “slow to speak”,and “slow to become angry.” Let’s challenge ourselves this week to do what God’s word says!

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE:
“Do not merely listen to the word… do what it says.” (James 1:22)

Sunday May 25, 2008

WHAT IS THE PERFECT GIFT?

I bet that all of you children, and maybe even some moms and dads, love to get gifts on birthdays, at Christmas, and on other special occasions. What are people telling you when they give you a present? They are telling you that they care about you and want to make you feel special and loved. Will these gifts last forever? Some might last a long time, like a favourite stuffy or bedtime book, but eventually they will become old and worn. Some toys will even get broken, lost,or become too young for you. Does this really matter? NO, because the people will still care about you and show their love in many ways. What does the bible say about receiving gifts in James 1:17? “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights…” Wow, are we ever lucky. God sent His perfect son, Jesus, down to earth to be our Lord and Saviour. Through loving Him we will receive the best gift of all, “ the crown of life. “ Thank you, Lord!!!

This Weeks Memory Verse (James 1:12)
"Every good and perfect gift is from above."

Sunday May 11, 2008

A LETTER OF LESSONS

Did you know that many of the books of the bible in the New Testament are actually letters written to different people or different churches? Today, we are going to start reading the book of James. James is writing a letter to many Christians. He
has some very important messages for them. We will learn about these messages over the
next few weeks. The lesson for today is from James 1:1-8. It teaches about the need to keep trusting in God and to keep up our faith in Him even when life gets hard. There are times when we are not sure what to do so we must ASK God for wisdom, BELIEVE we will receive it, and NOT DOUBT that God “gives generously to all without finding fault” (James 1:5)

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE (James 1: 6)

“… when he asks he must believe and not doubt…”

Sunday May 4, 2008

KEEP UP YOUR COURAGE!
Last week we talked about how Paul trusted God to always take care of him. Paul knew that he would get out of Jerusalem safely because one night the Lord told Paul that “…you must testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) Paul always believed what the Lord
told him. In this week’s story, Acts 27-28, we learn that even though Paul was sailing on a ship that was in danger of sinking in a storm, he knew that he was safe. Why did he know that he was safe? Because the Lord told him!!! Paul put all his faith in Jesus. He told the other people on the ship “to keep up your courage because not one of you will be lost…” (Acts 27:22) How could Paul say these words if he could not see into the future? Because an angel of the Lord had spoken to him in the night and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul… God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” (Acts 27:23) The ship they were sailing on would be wrecked, but the 276 people on board would reach land safely. Let’s be safe in God’s arms!!!

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE: (Acts 27:22)

“…keep up your courage…”

Sunday April 27, 2008

THE LORD’S WILL BE DONE
Do you think that God wants us to be afraid? Definitely not! Two weeks ago, your memory verse was “Do not be afraid… I am with you.” (Acts 18:9-10) Paul believed and knew that God was always looking after him and would protect him when he needed protection. Even when he was put in jail, Paul would tell people the good news about Jesus Christ and the resurrection. He knew that his whole purpose in life was to tell
others about Jesus. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus is praying to God, his Father, and says,” Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus knew that he was soon to be crucified and
was quite sad about this. However, he trusted God and knew that this was His perfect plan. In Acts 21:14, we read, “The Lord’s will be done.” Paul’s friends did not want him to go to because they were afraid that he would be killed there. Paul was not afraid because he knew that whatever happened to him, God was in control. When God wanted Paul in heaven, he was ready to go. Can we all say, “The Lord’s will be done”?

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE:
“The Lord’s will be done.”
Acts 21:14

Sunday April 20, 2008

LET’S ENCOURAGE OTHERS
As young children you learn new things everyday. How to play nicely with others, good manners, cleaning up your messes, eating healthy foods, helping with chores, saying your alphabet, praying, and so on. There is a lot of things to remember and sometimes we get tired and forget to do everything properly. This is when your parent’s, grand-
parent’s, brothers, sisters, and friends can ENCOURAGE you. We all make mistakes and can get discouraged… but do not forget that God is a God of all encouragement. In Acts 20:2, we read about Paul going back to the churches he had started to speak “many words of encouragement to the people.” Paul’s words,comfort, and prayers, helped the other Christians continue on with their good works and keep spreading the news about Jesus,our Saviour. Paul wanted to live for God. “ I consider my life nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…”(Acts 20:24)

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE:
“…if only I may finish the race…”
(Acts 20:24)

Sunday March 30, 2008

GOOD NEWS SPREADS!
Back in our Junior Crosswalk Chronicle on January 20th, we learned about a man named Saul, who became a Christian when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. Saul immediately began to teach the good news that “Jesus is the Son of God/Jesus is the Christ.” (Acts 9: 20/22) Now, in Acts 17, we will once again read about Saul, who is now called Paul “preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.” (Acts 17:18) Paul explained to the people that Jesus had to suffer and rise from the dead. As Christians, we just celebrated Jesus rising from the dead last weekend on Easter Sunday. What a special time of year it is when we can remember that we have new life in Christ. Jesus, God’s Son, is our Lord, our King, our Saviour and our Friend. Let’s help “spread the good news about Jesus to everyone we meet.

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
“ Jesus…is the Christ.” Acts 17:3

Sunday March 9, 2008

WHAT DOES EASTER MEAN? In Exodus 11 and 12, we read about the plague of the firstborn and the first Passover. What did the Israelites have to do in order for “no destructive plague” to touch them? They had to take the blood of a lamb and paint it on the top and sides of the doorframes of their houses. Then God would “pass over” them when He came through Egypt with the tenth plague. Do we have to paint our doorframes for each Passover? NO! Why not? Because Jesus died on the cross for us and shed His blood. “…Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Cor. 5:7) Jesus died for our sins. One of the most important verses to remember in the bible is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” So what is Easter all about? Easter is about remembering that Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb and shed his blood for us so that we could have eternal life.

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
“He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:6)

Sunday March 2, 2008

ARE WE CLEAN OR UNCLEAN? Do you remember that last week, in Acts 12, we learned about Peter being put in jail during the Feast of Unleavened Bread? In the Old Testament, this feast took place every year when the Israelites celebrated their freedom slavery in Egypt. The Jewish people would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate. In Luke 22:1-2, we read, “Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching and the chief priests and teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus for they were afraid of the people.” I bet you can tell me what is going to happen now. Jesus will be arrested, put on trial, and then crucified. Jesus has his last meal with his disciples on Passover, the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Today, we remember Jesus' last supper on the night before Friday. Good Friday is the day that Jesus was killed on a cross…BUT he rose again three days later on Easter Sunday. Jesus died for us!

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE:

“I (really want) to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15)

February 10, 2008

ARE WE CLEAN OR UNCLEAN?
When we talk about being clean, we think about not being dirty or not carrying any germs. Today, we will once again talk about the disciple Peter and learn what God wanted to teach him about the words clean and unclean. Peter was a Jewish Christian and believed that only Jews were clean enough for God. He had been taught that all other people were unclean and he was supposed to stay away from them. But in Acts 10, God teaches Peter that Jesus is the Lord of all the people. "...Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (Acts 10:43). Even the Gentiles that Peter meets, like the man called Cornelius, can have the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on them and can be baptized. Jesus does not want people to be separated by rules, race, colour, etc. "...for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28).

THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
"...you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 3:28

February 3, 2008

CAN WE BE HEALED?
Today we will be learning two very exciting, true stories. They are about
God working through the apostle named Peter. Peter is visiting a city
named Lydda. There, he meets a man, named Aeneas, who has been lying in
bed for eight years because he is paralyzed. Peter said, “Jesus Christ
heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” (Acts 9:32-43) Aeneas did
what he was told and was healed. Then, Peter was called to the city of
Joppa. Here he was taken to a lady named Tabitha, who had just died.
Peter immediately got down on his hands and knees and prayed. Peter knew
that praying to God was very powerful. For Tabitha it was so powerful that
she came back to life! Keep Praying!

This week’s memory verse
“Jesus Christ heals you…” (Acts 9:32)

January 27, 2007

WHERE DO YOU GET HELP Last week we learned Saul, a man who once hated Christians, met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul went blind for three days and then Jesus gave him back his sight. Jesus forgave Saul for his sins, gave him sight, and let him be filled by the Holy Spirit. AMAZING! God can do anything if we listen to what He says and let Him work in and through us. Remember that God has plans for each one of us… even people like Saul. Do you think that Saul’s life was easy after he became a Christian? No, he was in danger because a lot of people still did not believe that Saul was one of Jesus’ disciples. They thought that Saul was lying and might still take them to jail. Fortunately, Saul had some friends who believed him and helped keep him safe. Does God want you to help someone?

MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK

“My help comes from the Lord,…” (Psalm 121:2)