CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD ~ May 2013

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD ~ May 2013

 

On the first Sunday in May, we will begin the story of Jonah. This story will teach the children that they cannot hide from God. God called upon Jonah to do a very difficult thing – go to his enemies and tell them about God. Jonah tried hard not to do what God wanted and yet God persisted. God saw the value in not only Johan’s life but in the lives of his enemies. Jonah learns that judgment belongs to God and God alone. God chooses to extend grace to all people – people have to just be willing to accept it. “Deliverance belongs to the Lord”. (Jonah 2:9)

 

Upcoming Dates to Note:

 

• Sunday, May 12^th will be our Mother’s Day Group Event. A family activity will take place in the Fellowship Hall, all are welcome to attend with their children. There will be no church school.

 

• Sunday, June 2 will be the last day of Church School Classes for this school year. The 3^rd and 4^th graders who have completed Bible Skills Classes will receive their own Bibles during the Children’s Sunday Celebration worship service.

 

 

• Sunday, June 9^th will be our special Children’s Sunday Celebration. The children will help lead the worship services on this day. It promises to be a wonderful closing celebration of our school year! We look forward to having you join us.

 

In closing, we are still actively seeking to fill positions for the 2013-2014 Church School Year. We hope that you’ll carefully consider sharing your faith and talents with our children by volunteering to serve on our staff!

 

Beth Coccodrilli and Jocelyn Fontana

Church School Co-Superintendents

Church School Chalkboard ~April

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD ~ April 2013

April we will be focusing on learning about Pentecost. The story of Pentecost is the story of the birth of the church. It is celebrated 50 days after Easter and is a continuation of the Easter story. At the tomb and during the resurrection appearance, Jesus instructs his disciples to go out and share the Good News of God’s love for all people. Prior to Pentecost the disciples were a relatively small group. They were all people who had a personal relationship with Jesus. They had been involved with his ministry, shared the Last Supper with him, and witnessed the crucifixion and the resurrection.

On this fateful day, the disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed them. They were waiting for something to happen, but they weren’t quite sure what that might be. All of a sudden the morning air changed in the room, there was a sound like a mighty wind and there were flames as of a fire on the heads of the disciples. They were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and world changed. The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples in a radical and exciting way. They left their fears behind and went boldly out into the world as the first true Christians. They began to speak in other languages as they shared Jesus’ story. The message of Pentecost is simple – hear the news of God, repent, and be baptized. The people of Jerusalem heard the message and many were baptized that day. The church had begun.

The story of God’s power and salvation is continually being translated into different languages. We continue to share the love of Christ in communities of faith around the world and across generations. God’s love for us continues to empower and inspire people of faith.

“Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave the ability.” (Acts 2: 3-4)

Upcoming Dates to Note:

• Sunday, May 12^th will be our Mother’s Day Group Event. A family activity will take place in the Fellowship Hall; all are welcome to attend with their children. There will be no church school; however, the 3^rd and 4^th grade Bible Skills class will still meet as scheduled in Room 16.

In closing, we are still actively seeking to fill positions for the 2013-2014 Church School Year. We hope that you’ll carefully consider sharing your faith and talents with our children by volunteering to serve on our staff!

 

Beth Coccodrilli and Jocelyn Fontana

Church School Co-Superintendents

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD ~ March 2013

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD ~ March 2013

March is already upon us! Following the completion of our Church School focus on “The Rich Young Man” lessons, we will turn to the story of Thomas. The faithful disciple, Thomas, was labeled “doubting” at his greatest test of faith. He was willing to go to Jerusalem and die with his Lord, but he couldn’t believe the unbelievable. The women, particularly Mary Magdalene, had seen the Risen Christ at the empty tomb.  All of the disciples except Thomas had seen him appear in flesh while they were locked away in a house. Thomas could not make the leap of faith to believe that the resurrection had really happened. “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”Thomas lived in that doubt for a whole week. Imagine how his fellow disciples tried to convince him that what they saw was real. Once again, Jesus appeared out of nowhere. He walked over to Thomas, recognized his doubt, and offered to let Thomas touch him. Thomas knew that the minute he touched the living flesh of Jesus, his doubts would be erased. That’s when he received his revelation: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas came to his faith through firsthand experience with the Risen Christ. Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (John 20:29)

During the Lenten season and, as is tradition, the Church School children will be receiving their coin banks. We hope that our children will join Christians all over the country in responding generously to the grace and love of Jesus Christ by sharing with our brothers and sisters in need. These coin boxes will be collected in Church School on Palm Sunday for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.

On March 25, our third and fourth-grade children will depart from their usual workshop rotation and will begin to attend “Bible Skills” classes with Mrs. Dineen and Mrs. Humphrey. They will meet each week – March 24 – May 19 (except Easter Sunday) in room TBA. Our pre-schoolers will join our rotation schedule for this eight week period and will have a chance to experience what upcoming years will bring for them!

In closing, we will be actively seeking to fill positions for the 2013-2014 Church School Year. We hope that you’ll carefully consider sharing your faith and talents with our children by volunteering to serve on our staff!

 

Beth Coccodrilli and Jocelyn Fontana

Church School Co-Superintendents

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD ~ February 2013

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD ~ February 2013

In February, the children will be learning the Gospel story of “The Rich Young Man.” Jesus challenges a young man, who had been following the commandments and aiming to gain eternal life, to sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor. Only then would he have treasure in heaven and be ready to follow Jesus.

Jesus told his disciples, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25) We are challenged to become consumers who consider the things we buy and services we use.  It is important that we remain mindful of the personal relationship between those who labor to provide such goods/services and ourselves as consumers. We are also encouraged to have involvement with mission and outreach opportunities in response to “The Rich Young Man” story.

We would like to give a belated thank you to Alan Leftwich for supplying the musical accompaniment during The Miracle at Midnight Christmas Eve Pageant. Thank you also to Justin Leftwich for playing the chimes.

We would also like to extend a huge thank you to the Operations Commission and Dick Seymour for purchasing two new stoves for the kitchen!  What a wonderful blessing! We are already putting them to good use in making soup for the upcoming Midnight Run!

 

 

Beth Coccodrilli and Jocelyn Fontana

Church School Co-Superintendents

January 2013

Happy New Year! We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will be blessed with good health and much happiness in 2013!

This January we focus on the story of Jonah and will delve into the Biblical stories that teach us about “The Healing Miracles” in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus saw the full human value in each person as he forgave sins and healed bodies as well as spirits. The people who were healed by Jesus were typically living in isolation or rejection. Jesus extended an open hand to them and invited them into God’s kingdom. His compassion allowed them to rejoin their community as full participants and be able to live to their full potential. Jesus healed people as a visible expression of God’s grace and acceptance. He empowers his disciples to go out into the world and do likewise. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:16-19)

We thank a few people for their assistance with making this Christmas season a wonderfully different one! Kathy Anderson for embracing, re-visualizing, and disseminating the new “Different Kind of Christmas” curriculum without hesitation, so that all of our children can embrace its priceless message of Living and Giving like Jesus. Heidi Haring for coordinating the Alternative Giving Fair as well as coordinating the creation of Emergency Kits, an invaluable mission lesson for our children! Ingrid O’Sullivan and Donna Giglio for guiding the children in creating delicious cookie gift bags to supplement the Food Pantry bags.

Thank you to Bill Herman for stepping up to be the director of the Miracle at Midnight Christmas Eve meditation. Without him, it would never have happened! Thank you also to Beth Gruber for piano accompaniment, Kathryn Frase for musical direction, and Louise Fang for costuming. Additional thanks to Christie Herman, Bill Dixon, Jennifer Dixon, Michele Mosca, Christine Drysdale, Ted Crockett, Jenna Shulman, Jessica Shulman, Sophie Low, Benjamin Low, Karen Mack, Debbie Hager, Liza Placido, Tami Seidel, Lisa Eliason, and Jose Sandoval, for helping out in numerous ways throughout the rehearsals! Of course, to all the children who participated and their parents – thank you for another wonderfully enjoyable Christmas story!

 

Church School Chalkboard – November

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD CONTINUED~ Nov. 2012

In November, the children will be studying the story of Daniel. This may be regarded as one of the most famous Old Testament stories. It is a story of great courage and strong faith. This study will explore the tests of faith that Daniel and his friends faced and how they overcame each one. As they met challenge, they prayed and called on God to be there with them. They pass their tests of faith and God certainly responded by protecting them every time. They teach us that faith isn’t always easy, but it is the first and last thing that we call on to get us through tough times.

“In the same way that he had always done, he knelt down in prayer three times a day giving thanks to god” (Daniel 5:10)

Our church school students showed a warm welcome to a visitor Sunday. Like Daniel, our new friend Lionel, nephew of a church member, took a risk and tried our church school for the first time. Our third and fourth grade class welcomed him with open arms. We would be so happy to see him again!

On Sunday, November 25, all Church School children will be involved in decorating the Christmas tree in the Fellowship Hall during the Church School hour. This is traditionally a favorite event as we celebrate the beginning of Advent together. All parents are welcome to join us!

 

Reminders:  1.) Have you handed in your Commitment Card?

2.) “Alternative Giving Fair” on the mornings of Sunday, November 11 and 18.

Volunteers are needed to work at the tables – contact Heidi Haring

3.) Attention: Annual Sunday Church Toy Collection for Bedford Prison — Collection to take place on December 2nd!  Start think now of what you can bring! Refer to  list in the Disciple Copy or posted on our Church School bulletin board at church!

 

Beth Coccodrilli and Jocelyn Fontana

Church School Co-Superintendents

Church School Chalkboard–October

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD~ Oct. 2012

Our Church School year is off to a great start! Thanks to our wonderful staff of  volunteers, we had a fun kick off and our 2012-2013 program is underway!

For the next five weeks, our focus is on the story of the Garden of Eden. We are learning that “the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” ~Psalm 103:8

It is so amazing that God refuses to give up on us! Our faith history tells us that God never gives up hope that people will choose to restore their relationship with God.

The last week of October the children will be starting the story of Daniel. This may be regarded as one of the most famous Old Testament stories. It is a story of great courage and strong faith. This study will explore the test of faith that Daniel and his friends faced and how they overcame each one. As they met each challenge, they prayed and called on God to be there with them. They pass their tests of faith and God certainly responded by protecting them every time. They teach us that faith isn’t always easy, but it is the first and the last thing that we call on to get us through the tough times.

“In the same way that he had always done, he knelt down in prayer three times a day giving thanks to God.” ~Daniel 5:10

At the end of the month, commitment cards will be offered to the children as we celebrate Consecration Sunday. This is our way of helping children learn that returning a portion of what we have to God is a way of responding to his love. Our giving is an act of trust and is part of our spiritual growth. These cards may be returned to Church School on November 4.

Please be sure to check out our Church School bulletin board – just down from Fellowship Hall – to learn the names of your child’s Church School shepherds and center leaders/teachers. A schedule of this year’s curriculum and workshop rotations is posted on this bulletin board as well.

In closing, the Church School Committee would like to thank Kim Wertz, Jose Sandoval, Bill Herman, Kathy Anderson and everyone who helped make the Church School kick off day a great success!

Beth Coccodrilli and Jocelyn Fontana

Church School Co-Superintendents

Church School Chalkboard–September 2012

WELCOME BACK!

            It’s September and we are looking forward to another fantastic, enriching Church School year! We’re fortunate to have a wonderful staff of volunteers who will guide us along our 2012-2013 faith education journey.  If anyone is still interested in participating, new staff members are always welcome!!

Here are some details you might like to make a note of:

**Sunday, September  9^th: 

• The Church School Staff Orientation will take place at 9:30am, prior to the Church Picnic, in the Art Room. Then we can all enjoy refreshments together at the picnic!

**Sunday, September 16^th:

• Our Church School Kick-Off! The Church School hour will run from 9:30am to 10:30am each Sunday.  On this day, all children will gather in the church and then later participate in some “Kick-Off” activities in the Fellowship Hall.  We encourage all parents to stay and participate with their children! Please refer to the Church bulletin board down the hall from Fellowship Hall as well as the FPCY website to learn more about our curriculum and your child’s schedule.
• Blessing of the Backpacks! ATTENTION ALL CHILDREN!  BRING YOUR BACKPACKS AND PLAN TO STAY FOR THE 10:45am SERVICE! Pastor Chip and the Congregation want to start you off your new school year with a blessing and a gift to wish you well!
• The Commissioning of the Church School Staff will also take at the 10:45am service! All staff volunteers are encouraged to attend!

 

Registration Forms:

• You should have received Church School Registration forms in the mail and/or via email.  If you have not done so already, please complete and return yours as soon as possible to Kim in the Church Office or hand it to one of the Church School Superintendents, Beth Coccodrilli or Jocelyn Fontana.
• If your child is in Pre-K through 5^th grade, please remember to bring in your child’s $5.00 snack money contribution and deliver it to Beth Coccodrilli, Jocelyn Fontana, or your child’s shepherds during the Church School hour.

What the children are learning:

We are excited to again be using a new strand of the Cornerstones Curriculum, “Test of Faith…It Ain’t Easy but…,” which will help us discuss challenges we may face with regard to our faith.  Through stories of faith, we’ll learn how God’s grace is always extended to us as we try to deal with these challenges.   Our first story will be the “Garden of Eden.”  A great discussion starter for this unit might be, “Tell me about a time in your life when you were confronted with a difficult choice?” 

Beth Coccodrilli and Jocelyn Fontana, Church School Co-Superintendents

Church School Chalkboard — June 2012

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD – June 2012

It is hard to believe, but in just a couple more weeks our Church School year will come to a close.  June 3^rd  will be our last Sunday for classroom activities and June 10^th will be our Children’s Sunday service at 9:30am.    

Many thanks to all of our Church school staff volunteers who have remained so dedicated in bringing the Word of God to our children.  The success of our faith program is a direct result of your efforts.  What a wonderful and gifted church community we have!

We are happy to announce that Jocelyn Fontana will be the new co-superintendent as Amy finishes her second year.  We are actively seeking volunteers for the upcoming Church School year.  Any new and returning participants are always welcome!  There are volunteer forms available on the church school bulletin board or you can call Beth at 914-528-0808!

We wish you all a wonderful and restful summer! See you next year!

Amy Coccodrilli and Beth Coccodrilli

Church School Superintendents

Church School Chalkboard May 2012

CHURCH SCHOOL CHALKBOARD –MAY 2012

In the month of May, the children will be completing their study of the” Resurrection.”  The week after Mother’s Day, they will begin their lessons about the “Early Church as the Body of Christ.” In their lessons they will be learning that around 50 AD the apostle, Paul, was the builder of the church because of his great faith, his ability to communicate, and his willingness to evangelize.  Paul developed the concept that the Church is the Body of Christ.  All parts of equal importance.  When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers.  Paul called on the congregation to embrace the spiritual gifts of the individuals in that congregation, because they all come from the same Spirit.  As a church we are called both as the corporate church and as individual Christians to participate in the Kingdom of God as expressed here on earth.  We are called to be the Body of Christ, embracing all parts of the body and being the hands, eyes, ears, and feet of God’s presence.  This task can only be accomplished with the use of everyone’s spiritual gifts. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-31.

**This lesson comes at a very important time, as our Church School is preparing to fill positions for our 2012-13 classes. We hope that you will give your time and talents and volunteer to be part of our church school staff next year.  We will be in need of various skills particularly, anyone who is musically inclined in playing an instrument and/or singing! Our church school is in need of your support! We also want to extend a big “Thank You” to all of you who are participating now! No matter how you serve the church school, you are of equal importance to its success.

                **For those who are the mothers of our precious children, come join us in the Fellowship Hall during the Church School hour, on May 13^th, as the children will gather together to craft you something special to say thank you for all you do.  Happy Mother’s Day!

           **Finally, June 10^th is Children’s Sunday, which concludes church school for this year.

Beth Coccodrilli and Amy Coccodrilli

Church School Superintendents

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