Christmas craft: finger puppets

Nativity finger puppets:  Draw your own, or print one of the templates.  You can print in black and white and color in your puppets, or print in color. Add a loop of paper to the back of each puppet, and you are ready for a show!

Feeling extra crafty?  Get some felt, glue and markers, and make felt puppets!

Pattern and tutorial: http://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2012/12/diy-felt-nativity-finger-puppets-with.html

Printables from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/45739820/Printable-Christmas-Nativity-Set-in-Color-or-Black-and-White 

How to: Popsicle Stick Nativity

To make this adorable popsicle stick nativity, you need popsicle sticks, paint, glue, a thin sharpie, and a few scraps of pipe cleaner, yarn or raffia.
Link to original tutorial

Or try this kid friendly version, with markers instead of paint.  Link to original tutorial

Did you come up with your own design?
 Email pictures to nathan@northcreekpres.org to share your finished ornaments!

SBC Group Leaders needed!

·         

As many of you are planning your summers, I wanted to offer you a fun opportunity to get involved with kids, while taking advantage of FREE childcare.  Our Summer Bible Camp needs Group Leaders, and I'm hoping some of you will volunteer.  Your kids who are entering 1st -6th grade can attend the camp, and any younger kids can come to a "mini camp" experience at church with me. 

Here is more info from Nathan about Group Leaders:      

What is a group leader? 

A group leader is an adult who leads a group of 7 to 10 kids during Summer Bible Camp.  As a group leader you will stay with the same group of kids throughout the entire week and help them participate in the various activities of Summer Bible Camp?

·         Who can be a group leader?

Anyone who has put their faith in Jesus and has a desire to work with and lead kids!  Must also be willing to submit to a background check.

·         What does a group leader do?

A group leader serves as a great example of what a good participant in Summer Bible Camp looks like.  They encourage the children in their group to play the games, they help them with their crafts, they sing and get excited about worship, they help them listen and focus during the Bible and story time.  They also lead a 10 minute small group discussion on the day’s Bible teaching and theme.

·         Why should I be a group leader?

Because you get to spend a week playing with kids and helping them learn about who God is and what he’s done for them!

·         When is Summer Bible Camp?

Summer Bible Camp is July 6-10, 2015.  It is from 9 AM to 12 PM.  As a group leader you are expected to be there from 8:45 AM to 12:15 PM.

·         How do I sign up to be a group leader?

Contact Nathan Wagner by email Nathan@northcreekpres.org or call him at the church (425) 743-2386 

How does childcare work?  

Any children, ages baby to entering Kindergarten in the fall, can be dropped off at the church starting at 8:30am.  Kids entering 1st through 6th grade can be signed up for camp AND if you have older kids, they can volunteer too!  

Childcare is free, and the kids at church will have their own "mini camp" experience, with crafts, stories, songs, and outdoor activities.  Please let Nathan know when you sign up that you need childcare.  

Thank you!

News from the Children's Ministry

Greetings!

I want to begin by inviting each of you to strongly consider attending the annual meeting Sunday, Jan 26th at 5pm. This is an important time for us to gather as a congregation to explore where God is leading us for the next year. Typically there have not been a lot of families with children in attendance at this meeting. We hope to change that this year because you are a very valuable part of our community! We have some exciting things planned for the meeting, childcare available for younger children, and a potluck dinner for everyone following the meeting. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope to see you there!

Communion Class- February 9^th 11:00am-1:00pm

Would you like your children to learn more about communion? Sign up for this class at https://northcreek.smartevents.com/communion-class. We have activity packets available at the registration desk for families planning to participate in the class. There are four activities for your family to do in preparation for our class on Feb. 9^th.

Family Seminary-February 9^th

You are invited to join us as we welcome Dr. Jeffrey Keuss to present at Family Seminary, February 9.  Dr. Keuss is presenting his forthcoming book: Blur: A New Paradigm for Understanding Youth Culture.  Additional information and online registration available on the northcreekpres.org/familyseminary.

Lent Prep Party-March 2nd

Our Advent Prep Party was so well attended, we are doing it again for Lent! Mark your calendars for Saturday March 1^st. We will gather from 5:00-7:00pm for pizza dinner, a Lent activity (a special option will be available to accommodate families with young children), and a special Taize service at the end. More information to come!

As always, please contact me with questions/comments.

Blessings to you!

Heather Ingersoll

Proverbs for Mothers

I was looking for an inspirational quote to feature on our Facebook page, and I came across this passage in Proverbs.  I couldn't fit the whole quote into a cover photo, but I had to share it! 

 

I find it fascinating that although it has been centuries since this was written, so much for a wife/mom is still the same!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Proverbs 31: 10-31

 

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10^bA wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

13She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

14She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

15She gets up while it is still night;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her female servants.

16She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

18She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.

19In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

21When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

26She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.”

30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31Honor her for all that her hands have done,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Playdate, anyone?

Hello Everyone,

 A message from Stephanie, the wonderful mom and volunteer who is organizing our Drop-In Playgroups on Thursdays!

 NCPC Playgroup Thursday from 10:00 to 11:30 AM - and Christmas shopping opportunity!

I hope your week is going well!  This Thursday the play group will meet back at North Creek Presbyterian Church in the Youth Room, which is down the hall past the nursery from the Fellowship Hall (where we usually meet).  Hope to see you there!  :)  And if after the play group available childcare and shopping for the holidays with proceeds benefiting an excellent cause sounds appealing, here is info on Christmas at North Creek:

 

FYI - This Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Fellowship Hall there will be the 25th annual Christmas at North Creek holiday boutique event, which is packed full of beautiful handcrafted things.  There will be childcare provided from 10 AM to 12 PM all three days, and again from 1 PM to 3 PM on Thursday only. Suggested donation is $2/hour/child. 

All proceeds benefit the St. Petersburg Children's Hospice in Russia which provides care to terminally ill children whose families cannot afford clinical treatment.  For details on the this event (including other days and childcare hours) please visit the North Creek Presbyterian Church's Nursery Facebook page.  

 

Thanks!

Stephanie

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are you at home on Thursdays with little ones looking for something to do? Join us in the Fellowship Hall at North Creek Presbyterian Church (The church is located 621 164th St SE; Mill Creek) on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 10:00-11:30am for a drop in play group for kids 6 years and under and their parents or caregivers. We will have different play stations, a craft area, snacks, coffee, and a short group time at the end. The adults can chat while the children play. It is free and open to anyone so pass on the information to your friends!

Heather Ingersoll, M.A., CFLE

Director of Children's Ministry
North Creek Presbyterian Church
425-743.2386 ext. 14

 

2003 Flashback!

I was flipping through an old "Parenting" magazine from 2003, looking for photos of smiling babies for a wall poster I'm working on...if you're curious, stop by the Nursery this Sunday!  I (should) have it finished by then.

Anyway, amongst the "Baby Einstein" and Boppy ads, there were some real gems that I thought were worth sharing. 

Enjoy!

5 signs you need to get out more

1. You don't know a single song on MTV's Video Music Awards...

2. ...and yet you can sing all the words to "Elmo's Song," "The Wheels on the Bus," and "Puff the Magic Dragon."

3. You realize that the best birthday present you can get is an uninterrupted bath and a clean kitchen after breakfast.

4. You find yourself glued to the Dora the Explorer Pirate Adventure video long after your kids have left the room.

5. You publicly drink from a juice box.


5 special perks of motherhood

1. You have an excuse for keeping Cap'n Crunch in the house.

2. You alwars have a handy reason to get off the phone-dirty diaper, tantrum, you name it.

3.  You can watch all those films you used to love, like Bambi.\

4.  You can finally stash that ugly vase/picture frame/candy dish your mother-in-law/sister/friend game you.  (After all, you wouldn't want the baby to break it!)

5. There's always someone who thinks you're the most beautiful person in the world.


For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.   -- Ephesians 2:10