Carol Service/Nativity at Croftlands

Today started out reasonably well for us we had no morning service at Croftlands so we went to Urswick and shared in the Christingle Service there, then lunch at parent in laws, followed by Christmas party for Sunday School children and Kidzone then the final dress rehearsal ready for tonight. I think it was part of Murphy's Law that says what will go wrong will go wrong and it did. With less than half an hour to go before the service we stopped the practise and panic set in. The service unfolded and then it was the time for the children - Christmas with the Aliens - And they performed it beautifully the best they had ever, ever done it, God be Praise for the message those young children gave out tonight during that play, God be Praise for everything going well from scene changes to the music to entrance's to exit's. We had a wonderful time with the children and i think they have enjoyed it a bit too.

Messy Day at Croftlands Junior School with church

Today with our church we did a messy day - the first of many I hope. There was lots of glue and paint and mess and no really order to what we did - which made it more fun. There was a big overall plan and that was to made props and decorate costumes for the Nativity play tomorrow. But we gave the children a free choice as to what they did, we needed some tools for Joseph a brush for Mary, then a wiseman/King decided to make a water bottle/flask holder. Some painted bushes while others drew pictures to go into the programme. And in my lack of faith I looked at the clock at 10.30 and thought we will never find enough for them to do, but by 2.30 having done a technical run through we couldn't kick some of them out they would still be there now if we let them. Both Sarah and I were very pleased with today considering it was our first time with this kind of thing, the children have asked us when's the next one...very soon I hope. Praise God for today, for the bridges built and the conversations had with parents.

Low Furness School

Yesterday we went into Low Furness School for 9.00 to see the last part of Bible Explorer which is part of Walk Through the Bible Ministries. It is great to see the children engaged and enjoying some of the great stories that are found in the Bible. I have been asked if I would like to train to do it which is again another blessing from God.

Following this we went on to do an Assembly about Advent telling the children what Advent is really all about and how it leads up to Christmas Day when we yes open presents and eat lots of nice food but we also remember the birth of Jesus. I followed this up at Christianity club last night with Scruff the Dog who gave me A Vent because it was A Vent time and I explained to the children that so many people get the meaning of Advent and Christmas wrong.