childrensministry.com blog

Top-5 Easter Faves from CMMag: #4 Palm Branch Crosses

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-03-13T21:36:51-07:00

This is so cool and a great way to use palm branches. We even have a video for it here: childrensministry.com/article.asp?ID=2392

Palm Crosses

Recycle the palm branches you wave at services on Palm Sunday to create these beautifully woven crosses.

The Stuff: Palm branches and scissors

Create It: Follow these steps to create your palm cross. Go to Web Exclusives at childrensministry.com to view a step-by-step video.

1. Tear a thin strip off a palm branch. Form a loop at the top of the strip. Form a loop at the long end.

2. With the long end, bend and crease the palm (at an angle), diagonally.

3. Bend the creased strip around to form a cross.

4. Wrap the palm around the vertical portion of the cross, bringing down the strand.

5. Weave the strand around the middle—under and up, over and down, under and up.

6. When the palm strand is near the end, tuck the end in the middle of the weave to finish.

Top-5 Easter Faves From CMMag: #3

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-03-09T20:05:08-07:00

This is a most amazing drama that communicates the truth of the gospel.

THE BOX OF STONES
An impactful drama that’ll turn kids’ hearts toward Jesus

Child Characters
•Main Character (female)
•Friends #1 (male), #2 (female), and #3 (male)
(The above four characters wear regular "kid" clothes.)

Adult Characters
•Therapist (female; wears a suit)
•Jesus (wears a white robe and a crown of thorns)
•Person dressed in dark clothing
•Narrator

Props
•Each character (except Jesus) carries a large cardboard box filled with stones. The Main Character has stones that are labeled "lying," "disobedient to parents," "cussing," "cheating on a math test," "shoplifting," "cheating," "making fun of people," "telling a big lie," "hatred," "complaining," and "lying."
•Set a card table and two chairs stage left for the therapist’s office.
•Position a large cross stage right.
•Give each child in the audience a small stone to hold before this drama.
•For the song segments, you’ll need a CD player and the "Surrender" CD by Joe Strock. (Available for $12 by calling [303] 979-7948.) You’ll also need the song "Arise My Love" from Newsong’s People Get Ready CD.

Optional: This drama can also be pretaped and performed as a pantomime.

Monologue Script
(Main Character enters from stage right, slowly moving toward center stage during the first paragraph. Main Character struggles underneath a heavy load—a large, heavy cardboard box filled with stones.)

I’m not exactly sure where it came from...this box of stones. It seems like I’ve been carrying it around all my life. It didn’t used to be this heavy. It’s sort of strange, but the older I get, the heavier it becomes. (Looks tired; droops shoulders.) And as each day goes by, more and more stones get in my box. (Sets box on the floor and sits beside it.)

I can barely remember finding the first stone. I think I was around 4 years old. I lied to my parents about breaking a vase. It was no big deal...but after I lied, that’s when I noticed this box with a single stone inside. I pulled out the stone (Reaches in the box and searches through different stones, not finding it.) Yeah, here it is. The first stone. I pulled it out of the box...It was filthy. (Wipes stone on jeans.) It had the word "lying" on it. I just tossed it back in the box. (Puts it back in the box.) No big deal...after all, it was just a little lie.

Yeah, right. It was no big deal...so why did I feel so bad? Why did I feel that no one could ever love me?

But now I have so many of these stones. (Reaches in and pulls out a stone.) This one: "disobedient to parents"...so what? All they ever do is gripe at me anyway. (Puts the stone in the box and pulls out another.) "Cussing"...It’s really tough to keep from letting a bad word slip out every now and then. (Pulls stones out faster and reads them.) Cheating on a math test, shoplifting, cheating again, making fun of people, telling a big lie, hatred, complaining, lying again. (Hangs head in desperation, then puts the stones back in the box.)

Before I knew it, I was carrying around this heavy box of stones. (Slowly struggles to lift the box again.) Each stone is a reminder of filth in my life...each pound...the heaviness of sin in my life.

I feel so bad. Why have I done all these things? Could anyone ever love me enough to forgive me? (Bows head.)

(Play "He Is All You Need.")

I’m afraid to talk to my parents about all my stones. I know they’d really be disappointed in me.

I tried talking to a friend about it. (Friend #1 enters from stage right.) He took a stone out of the box. (Friend #1 sets down his box and takes a stone from the Main Character’s box. Friend #1 smiles as he looks at it.) He said, "What are you worried about? It’s just a little sin!" And he put the stone back in the box. (Friend #1 exits with his box stage left.)

(Friend #2 enters from stage right.) Another friend was so shocked by what she read on the stones that she put them back in the box...looked at me with disgust...and walked away. (Friend #2 sets down her box, peeks into the Main Character’s box, looks shocked, picks up her own box, walks away, and exits stage left.)

(Friend #3 enters from stage right.) A close friend even helped me carry the box of stones around...but over time, it got too heavy and wore him down too. (Friend #3 tries to carry the Main Character’s box and his own box...eventually stumbles and lets go. Looks apologetic as he exits stage left with his box.) It’s okay; he had his own box of stones to carry. It was nice of him to help...but it was just too much weight to carry.

Somebody told me I should see a counselor. (Counselor enters from stage left and sets her box on the table. Main Character carries her box and joins the Counselor at the table.) That was okay...for a while. I would go into her office and empty the box of stones onto the table. (Empties box of stones onto the table.) We talked about the stones...and believe me, that wasn’t easy. (Both look at the stones as though analyzing them.) After analyzing my stones, she told me it wasn’t my fault. I was a victim. It was everyone else’s fault.

It felt good to talk about it, but after every session I’d pack the stones back in my box and drag them home. (Places box on floor and drags it to center stage. Counselor exits left with her box.) I wish someone could help me. I’m so tired of stumbling under this load. I want some help! I want some relief! I want someone to love me and forgive me. (Bows head with shoulders drooped and hand to forehead.)

(Song segment: Play "How Could You Say No?" as Jesus enters from stage left and slowly walks to the Main Character. He places his hand on her shoulder, takes the box of stones, and slowly walks to the cross. Jesus empties the stones one by one at the foot of the cross, takes his place on the cross, and dies. Main character and the person dressed in dark clothing take Jesus off the cross and slowly carry him as they exit stage right.)

Narrator: Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. God made Jesus—who knew no sin—to become sin that we might be made right with God. Jesus was wounded for all our sins. He was bruised for all the things we’ve done wrong. And by his punishment, we are healed.

You’ve been holding a stone that represents sin in your life. In a moment, you’ll have time to give it to Jesus and lay it at the foot of the cross. You’ll take nothing away. The weight of your sin can be taken away by Jesus only. Because of our Savior’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, you are free!

(As children lay their stones at the cross and return to their seats, play "The Cross.")

After the last person is seated, darken the room.

(Play "Arise My Love" by Newsong.)

(Main Character slowly enters and kneels at the cross. On the third chorus, turn on the stage lights as Jesus enters in a white robe. He walks over to the character by the cross, places his hand on her shoulder, and whispers in her ear. The Main Character is startled as she stands up and steps back from Jesus. Jesus opens his arms to her. They embrace and exit arm in arm.)

This drama was written by Rick Clark and originally presented in Group Publishing’s 1998 Summer Workcamp program.

Top-5 Easter Faves From CMMag: #2

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-03-08T10:47:34-07:00

Before I was a Christian, there was a wonderful Christian girl in my school who honored Jesus at every turn. She gave me a tin of these amazing buns that later I made for my kids and called "Resurrection Buns." My family loves them! Thank you, Jamie McElvaney!

So these rolls...yum!...are doughy and round (like a tomb). You wrap the dough around a marshmallow, dip it in melted butter, roll it in cinnamon/sugar, and then bake. The marshmallow becomes a sweet syrup on the inside, but the roll stays round. When you serve them to your kids, they bite into the roll and discover that it's empty--just like Jesus' tomb was on Easter morning.

So, there are two ways to make them. If you really like the whole process of making yeast dough, use the "Resurrection Buns" recipe here: http://tinyurl.com/yclydh2

If you prefer an easier approach, look for "Empty Tombs" here: http://tinyurl.com/ybu2sgb

By the way, you'll see a lot of other great Easter week ideas at these links, too.

Top-5 Easter Faves From CMMag: #1

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-03-04T11:42:29-07:00

Easter's coming! I love Easter! And so does our magazine!

So I thought it would be fitting to share with you my top-5 favorite Easter ideas that we've published in the 20 years we've been making Children's Ministry Magazine.

"An Easter Journey" by Jennifer Hooks.

http://tinyurl.com/ye3qhvy
I'm starting with this one first because it takes some time to pull it off, but it's amazing! Just imagine your families traveling through a step-by-step journey with Jesus.

From the article, here's the promised result: "Go far beyond Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies—send families on this sojourn to Christ that’ll give them deeper understanding about his crucifixion and resurrection, and the powerful, everlasting truths of his teachings."

Ain't She a Beauty!?

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-02-23T15:02:54-07:00

You know how when you have a baby and you can't stop talking about her or showing off pictures? Of course, you do!

Well, after our team "gave birth" to Buzz Sunday School Curriculum (if it's in the lesson, it's in the box), I just can't stop showing snapshots of what people are saying about it.

Look at what Amanda Zaengle from First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Florida, said when asked "What do you like best about Buzz?"

"The complete package. I love that everything is so well thought out and put together. Each box has a theme and everything is seamlessly connected to that theme. The graphics are kid-friendly and fun (even I get excited to open everything up when the curriculum arrives!). Everything needed is truly in the box, and teachers love teaching it. I haven't had any curriculum complaints in months. To summarize, I guess what I like best is that I no longer have to worry about finding a good curriculum, that works (or changing the curriculum to suit our needs). I used to spend so much time looking for a curriculum that would be more appealing to our kids and teachers, and that wouldn't require a ton of editing on my part to make it work. Thanks to Buzz, worrying about Sunday School curriculum is one less thing on my very long to-do list. Buzz is the perfect fit for our church. Thank you so much for this wonderful resource!"

Ain't she a beauty! We're excited about what God is going to do through Buzz to transform your volunteers' and kids' experience with the Word of God!

Check it out at group.com/buzz

Who Are We?

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-02-17T13:33:30-07:00

We're redesigning Children's Ministry Magazine. You'll see our amazing updated look in your May/June 2010 issue! RoseAnne (our art director) has wowed all of us--as usual!

One thing that we always consider in a redesign is our tagline--who we are. So, our current tagline is "The leading resource for those who serve children in the church."

What do you think of it? Is it accurate? Would you say it in a different way?

Help us shape the new and improved Children's Ministry Magazine!

Great Valentine's Day Ideas!

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-02-12T11:59:46-07:00

This Sunday is Valentine's Day! Are you poised to let all your volunteers, staff, and kids know how much you love them? Let them know how much God loves them too! It's the perfect day to fill their love tank.

So we just asked amazing children's ministers what they're doing for Valentine's Day. Go to our facebook fan page to check it out (and become a fan if you haven't yet).

Mary Smith is hanging valentine pockets with kids' names on them throughout her children's wing.

Kimberly Rockett is giving all her teachers Sweethearts.

Randy Dulin is putting them to work. lol

Angela Moore is throwing a party!

There's more, lots more. Click here and check it out and tell others your great ideas!

http://tinyurl.com/ybo4qe9

God at Work in You

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-02-09T09:17:40-07:00

I'm reading in Genesis (in the God Sightings Bible), and something captured my attention.

In Genesis 24, when the servant went to find Isaac a wife, he did exactly what Abraham said. And when he found Rebekah and knew that God had led him, verse 26 says, "The man fell down to the ground and worshiped the Lord."

Interesting...I've always found that curious, but I feel like I understand it more now. Someone shared with me recently that God had led her to do an outrageous thing and as she obeyed, God did a work in her. I think God had done a work in this servant's heart as he traveled (who knows how long?). God had built into him along the way all he would need to accomplish the task. I'm sure he had observed Abraham's faith in God for decades. Now the God of Abraham became very personal to the servant. He waited and trusted and hoped that this God was real. And when Rebekah did exactly what he had asked God to have her do, he fell to the ground and worshiped.

What about us? I believe God is passionately involved in whatever mission he has called us to. Yet more than anything, he's at work IN US. He's building our faith, nurturing our hope. He's building our intimacy with him along the way.

That's exciting to me. It really isn't always about the destination, but about the journey. So while I feel God calling me to something that I think is near impossible and all I can do is see the multitude of obstacles, God persistently and gently calls to me. It makes the doing of the impossible that much more possible because I know that my loving God wants to do a work of healing in me.

Sensing God's Presence

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-02-04T15:14:16-07:00

God is up to something at my kids' school. It's very cool!

My daughter asked me if we'd ever do an article about her school. I said "probably not, but why?" "Because I can really sense God's presence at our school," she said. I told her that a lot of schools and churches could probably say the same thing, but I asked her to elaborate.

That my daughter was celebrating the nearness of God was so amazing to me! We may not write an article about it in the magazine, but I've certainly written this blog about it!

Take the Sting Out of Curriculum!

Christine Yount Jones — 2010-01-28T16:13:11-07:00

Two years ago, we started asking children's ministers, "What's the biggest thing you struggle with?" "Getting volunteers," they said!

Then we took a hard look at curriculum. "Maybe all our creativity is making it hard for volunteers," we thought. So we created an initial concept (that would become Buzz curriculum), but it didn't look anything like Buzz does now. We talked to children's ministers across the country and asked them to help us shape it. And, God bless 'em! Children's ministers have lots of great opinions.

We went back to the drawing board several times...until we reached a version of Buzz that people said YES! YES! That's exactly what we need! It truly is "if it's in the lesson, it's in the box"!!!!

It was an amazing process...a huge learning experience...and something that I'm so grateful I got to be a part of. Recently, Becki Manni, our senior editor, sent me this email from someone who's using Buzz: "I have been thrilled with this curriculum! It is wonderful. I run the children's department and we had been using Faithweaver for most of their lives. It was time for something drastic! This was the answer. It is fun, engaging and most of all it hits on our top priorities: Bible and Prayer! I am also the parent of a 5 and a 3 year old. For the first time they are getting it - they are able tell me what they learned - we actually do the homework (sorry we didn't do the Faithweaver stuff). Our children are really thriving with this curriculum - keep up the great work!"

God is so good! We asked him to show us how to serve the church with their biggest need...and God faithfully answered! So if you struggle to get volunteers because they say they're too busy, they don't have time to prepare or collect supplies, or they're not a teacher, you have to check out Buzz...Go to group.com/buzz. I think you'll be amazed!