Musikool Kids' Fancy Dress 3 July

The votes are in... the theme for our fancy dress day on Friday is:

Character 

from a T.V. show / movie / book / nursery rhyme / fairytale

Fancy Dress at Musikool Kids 3 July

Please vote for your FAVOURITE fancy dress theme by 10am tomorrow. Voting closes at 10am 27/6/15 and we will announce the winning theme on this blog.

The Band

Thanks to musicians Nan, David, Philomena, Monica, Izak and singers James and Dylan... what a band!

David and Goliath

Last week our Awesome Kids helped in an improvised dramatic retelling of the 'David and Goliath' story. There was much hilarity... actors and props being sourced at a moment's notice from within the congregation. A walking stick was used as a shepherd's crook, a belt and a screwed up bulletin used as slingshot and stone; and Rev Neti assisted Ella to 'grow taller' for her starring role as Goliath. Well done everyone!

Rev Neti assisted actress Ella to 'grow taller' for her role as GOLIATH.

Richard starred as 'David' and other actors and actresses were called in to play the other roles in the story of 'David and Goliath'. 

Fancy Dress Theme?

Musikool Kids has an end of term fancy dress day on Friday 3 July.

In the past we have had lots of wonderful themes including Flight, Space, Animals, Fairy-tale or Nursery Rhyme Characters, Pirates & Princesses... what theme shall we have this term?

Send in your ideas by clicking on comments below, or contact me by email, phone, or chat in person at Musikool Kids! If we get lots of ideas we might have a vote to decide!

(You don't need to be signed in or have a google account or profile to make a comment, just click on Name/URL and type in your name, leave the URL box blank.)

Building a Bridge

This morning we were lucky to have a visit from Rev Alan Webster.

Rev Webster brought in a large piece of timber and we all wondered what on earth he was going to do with it. In no time, the timber had turned into a bridge, and Dylan volunteered to walk across it. 

But, before he could, a number of others were required to help. Some reliable assistants were needed at each end, to make sure the bridge didn't tip up; strong people were needed to make sure the bridge didn't wobble; tall people were needed either side to help Dylan balance; people with a sharp eye were needed to look out for nails and other hazards - all worked together to help Dylan get from one side to the other, safely.

It was a little bit like our church. We need all sorts of people to help our church keep moving and growing. Whether we are small, tall, old or young - we are each called to do our bit, and God uses each one of us in different ways. And God is with us every step, every stumble, every cartwheel of the way!

And we sang, "God has the whole world in His hands, from the itsy tiny babies, to the grandmas and the grandpas; from the elephants and the buffaloes, to the runners and the gymnasts."

Sound Poetry

Check out these amazing sound poems written by our very own Awesome Kids.

What We Hear

Before the service, I recorded a number of our parishioners giving messages to our children. I then played the messages to the Awesome Kids (audio only, no visual) and they tried to work out who was speaking. They did really well and knew almost all of the voices.

This morning was all about listening. 

Our service began with an invisible minister! We could hear Neti, but we couldn't see him. We wondered if due to the earlier than usual start of today's service perhaps Neti was still in his pyjamas and that was why he was hiding in the kitchen! 

But seriously... we explored what it is to listen for God's voice and that God talks to us in many different ways... but are we listening?

We can "listen" to God by reading and listening to stories from the Bible;

God will "speak" to us through others (our minister, Awesome Leaders, family members, friends and our church family;

God will "speak" to us through the Holy Spirit... for some of us this is like a 'thought' popping into our head... or a feeling deep inside our heart. It could be a message from God, or it could be your own thought, or it might just be a good idea. It is up to us to work out what is from God.

Bitzer bikes and gunpowder

Fred - storyteller extraordinaire!

Last night Marcia and Fred hosted a family fish'n'chip tea at their home. It was a fantastic opportunity for young and old to get together and have FUN! Among members from our parish family were three friends from the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Fred entertained (and educated) his young audience with stories of what he got up to when he was a kid. The boys were captivated by Fred's tales of tearing downhill on "bitzer" bikes (overtaking cars!) and making gunpowder!

Thank you Fred, Marcia and family, for a wonderful evening. We look forward to many more!

TOP SECRET MISSION

This report from last week's Awesome Time comes from Sue... thanks Sue!

WOW!!!  We had a great morning this morning!!!  :-)

FBI - Top Secret

The case - Who did their homework?

Agent in charge - Carol Barron - who delegated Agent Philomena - complete with bullet-proof vest, handcuffs, and gun - to oversee the mission in her absence.

The mission - interrogate suspects (using force if necessary) and gather evidence to find out who has done their homework!

Our Awesome Kids did a fantastic job of locating all of our suspects - even when they tried to escape out the door!!!

The homework?  What is God's spirit saying to you?

We found out from our suspects that God had called ALL of them to do various jobs - some were called into big jobs, like ministry, others had jobs involving their talents, like music, while others were called to help others, spread love, and be the best kinds of people they could be.  The Awesome Kids, when asked to sum up what they had found out, said the one thing they all had in common was that they were called by God - our suspects knew it was God because it felt right in their hearts.

Then we watched a short video clip about Hannah Taylor.  When she was 5 she saw a homeless person in the street.  This worried her.  When she was 6 she decided she had to do something about it, and started trying to raise money to help the homeless.  When she was 8, the ladybug foundation was started, which raises money to help charities that are helping the homeless - $30,000 had already been raised!  Now, Hannah is 19, and the foundation has raised over $3,000,000!

Upstairs, we made some ladybug jars.  Hannah used hers to raise money.  We talked about what we could use ours for..  One of the suggestions was to use it as a lolly jar - and for each lolly we ate, we could give one away.  We also talked about what we could do to help God - maybe we could sit with someone who is alone at school, or invite someone over to play a game with us, or maybe we can just share a smile with someone who looks sad.

Another progress report on the rebuild!

Thanks Monica, for this update on the progress of the build.

Our new church is looking great! You can see the worship space, foyer and lounge rooms (which will be used for Awesome Kids and Musikool Kids) taking shape. Exciting!

Pentecost Parachutes and Hovercrafts

Our Awesome Kids created some fantastic parachutes and hovercrafts for Pentecost last Sunday

Kyla meets Gerald!

Kyla couldn't wait to give Gerald a cuddle at Musikool Kids this morning!

Ping and the Empty Pot

Waiting...

This morning we talked about waiting, and about waiting to be chosen. Most of us have had times when we were waiting and hoping to be chosen for special things or important jobs... like class leader, road patroller, teacher's helper, speaker in assembly, or for a part in a play.

After careful consideration and a bit of waiting... Jillian chose some people to help her with this morning's drama. Richard was a young Chinese boy, Ping and I was the Emperor. Others were chosen to play the 'young people'. The story of Ping and the Empty Pot (Jillian's version) showed a different way of how someone was chosen for a special job.

In the bible story today we learnt that Jesus uses average, ordinary, un-famous disciples (like us) to do important work... such as spreading the Love of God in the world.

We painted pots and planted in them a mystery bulb... we shall have to wait to see what grows! 

Mothers' Day

On Mothers' Day our Awesome Kids made cards and bead necklaces and bracelets, which they presented to their mums in church. 

In this week’s story from the bible, Jesus calls his followers his friends. There are no grades of friendship, no rules, everyone is in. It’s  that simple. That is the message; the community of faith is a shelter and a home for everyone, no questions asked.

Jesus wants us to live in his love and share God’s love and friendship with other people.

In the bible stories there is lots of ‘inviting’. What are the ways people invite others? Perhaps a fancy invitation to a wedding, or a birthday party might appear in your letterbox.

What about other ways? A phone call to come and play with me? A verbal invitation to come and sit with me? Would you like to dance with me?

What is similar about all invitations is that they reach out to a person to be sure they are included.

To be a good inviter you need to pay attention to people who need to be included and to people you want to include.

Being a good inviter is one way we love others as Jesus asked us to.

Jesus’s friends remembered Jesus talking about what it meant to be a true friend. Jesus knew that when people are true friends who love and care for each other they are connected in a special way. When we share God’s love we help to create a huge web of friendship that includes Jesus, his friends and followers, and each of us.

We also heard one of my favourite stories from the wonderful Joy Cowley, The Fierce Little Woman and the Wicked Pirate. This is a modern-day parable about friendship, accepting people and caring for one another.

It is a fun, feel-good story and the illustrations in this book are just beautiful.  

So, the next time you are looking for someone to sit next to or play with at school, just remember to be a good 'inviter' and you can find surprising friends in unexpected places. Be like Jesus and pay attention to people who need to be included.

Peek-a-boo!

Caleb

Musikool Kids is in full swing. Here is a gorgeous photo of Caleb enjoying his green scarf!

Elke's Song by Julie Wylie is one of our favourite scarf songs; you can access it through i-tunes here.

Our new welcome song is A Better Day, from Swing Thing. You can find the lyrics here.

Listen here or you can check out their other music on i-tunes here.

Remember you can email me with song requests, or click on comments below.

The Bible, Pharrell Williams and Joy Germs

The Awesome Carol

What does the Bible, Pharrell Williams and joy germs have in common?

Does anyone know?

Carol had this to share last Sunday, during Awesome Time.

Who knows who Pharrell Williams is?

His song “Happy” is a great hit and there are lots of different videos on YouTube and here is one that I particularly like…

It was made in Ethiopia and this week’s story in the Bible is about a happy Ethiopian.  This is how it goes…

Philip was one of Jesus’ followers and one day he felt that God was asking him to start walking down the road from Jerusalem to Gaza.  So he set out-  not sure why he was going. 

Philip noticed a cloud of dust coming down the road and saw it was a horse pulling a chariot.  In the chariot was the driver and a person wearing fine clothes who was obviously an important person.  This person was reading a scroll as he was riding along. 

Philip watched the chariot get closer and closer and somehow he knew that this man was the reason that God had told him to go to this place.  Philip began running along beside the chariot and called out to the man, “Hello friend!”  The chariot stopped and Philip introduced himself. 

The man explained that he was an official from the court of the Queen of Ethiopia.  Philip knew that Ethiopia was very far away and wondered why this important man had come all the way to Jerusalem.  

The man explained to Philip that he had gone to Jerusalem to worship.  He said he was reading the works of the prophet of Isaiah and said that he didn’t really understand them.  So Philip climbed up on the chariot and for the next few hours they talked together.  Philip told the Ethiopian man about how God’s love was shown in a special way when Jesus taught and healed and cared for people. 

The Ethiopian was very interested in the news about Jesus and God’s love.  “I want to be a follower of Jesus too,” he said.  He told the driver to stop and they were beside a river.  He asked Philip, “What’s to stop me from being baptised right now?”  So they went down to the river and Philip baptised the Ethiopian man.  When the man came out of the water he felt the love of God inside him and all around him. 

Then the Ethiopian man was in a hurry to get back to Ethiopia – his home country.  He wanted to tell his friends and family about the good news of God’s love in Jesus. 

This Ethiopian was really happy and began spreading the joy of God’s love to the people in Ethiopia – and Philip went on to another place called Caesarea and so the message of God’s love for everyone was spreading many new places.

So there is the link – the Ethiopian was so happy he was being a joy germ and spreading the good news of God’s love to Ethiopia and Philip was being a joy germ and spreading the good news of God’s love to Caesarea.

Joy Germs

Thanks to Sue for this week's Awesome Kids' update:

Who doesn’t love to be loved?  It makes me feel very happy and special to know that someone loves me.  God’s love is extra special – he loved me before I was even born!  And regardless of what I do or say – NOTHING I could do could ever stop God from loving me.  So now I really need to share what I know about God, so that everyone else can know that very special love for themselves.

On Sunday, our Awesome Kids made JOY GERMS. These special little critters were created to spread joy. They had a message attached: 'God Loves You'. 

Update on the rebuild of our church

Three of our Awesome Kids checked out the progress on the rebuild of our new church. They made this video to share with you. Exciting stuff!

Dave plays The Last Post

A very stirring rendition of The Last Post by our very own Dave. Thanks Dave!

ANZAC Day with Awesome Kids

The poppy reminds us of sacrifices made – both past and present. Poppies were the first flowers that grew in the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium during World War One and are a symbol of remembrance and hope. 

Our Awesome Kids made felt poppies to wear and enjoyed some scrumptious Anzac biscuits.

Check out Hamish's amazing creation!

All experts at sewing on buttons now!

Mmmmm... Anzac biscuits with a difference - chocolate! Thanks Aunty Bee!

Musikool Kids starts this Friday

Just a reminder that Musikool Kids' music group for pre-schoolers starts this Friday, 10am in the Falkingham Centre. Suggested donation $2 per child.


The street is very busy due to all the construction work going on at Wesley Care so please allow plenty of time to find a car-park.


Remember if you want to request a song this term, please let me know! See you Friday.

Happy Earth Day!

Celebrating Earth Day (22 April) with Awesome Kids. 

Celebrating Earth Day

This Sunday we will be celebrating Earth Day. Join our Awesome Kids for some fun discussion and activities on conservation and looking after our amazing planet!

Peace be with you

This morning our Awesome Kids made paper cranes. The origami crane has become an international symbol of PEACE. Some of our children made doves - which are also a peace symbol.

In our story from the Bible today, Jesus made a surprise visit to his friends and said, "Peace be with you."

Easter Hat Parade

On Easter Sunday we transformed some plain, ordinary hats into unbelievably fabulous creations. Milliners in the making, all of us!

This was followed by an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden outside.

(See post below about the cutting of the tie!)

Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe!

Do you like surprises? I do! On Easter Sunday we had quite a few surprises. I will post some photos in the next day or so, of some surprising hats which went through quite amazing transformations, but in the meantime read about one of our surprises in church:

First, I scoured the congregation for someone dressed in their Easter best (it was Mr Mardon), and brought him up the front. He looked very dapper in his black and charcoal striped shirt, and shiny grey tie.

I had the congregation shut their eyes (except for the children) and something rather unbelievable happened. When the adults opened their eyes, the eye-witnesses (the Awesome Kids) tried to convince the adults that I had cut Mr Mardon's tie in half. Of course, they wouldn't believe that - as if I would do such a thing! It sounded ridiculous! Outrageous! UNBELIEVABLE!

We shared the Easter story from the bible.

God is proven the most powerful being in the universe. 

On Friday the bad guys thought they had won.  They had killed Jesus and sealed his dead body in a guarded tomb.  On Easter Sunday, Jesus totally surprised them and blasted out of that tomb proving that God and God’s ways are the most powerful power in the universe.  It is the ultimate good guys beat the guys story. It might sound pretty unbelievable, but WE know the truth.

And the tie?

Now, back to Mr Mardon. Had I cut his tie in half? It sounds pretty unbelievable, really. And yet... when Mr Mardon turned around, the truth was revealed...

Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet believe.

Bring a hat on Sunday!

This Easter Sunday we will be decorating our own Easter hats. So, please bring along a plain, old hat or cap if you can.

The Rock Concert that Never Happened

This morning, Carol led our Awesome Kids, for our Palm Sunday celebrations: This is what Carol had to say:

PALM SUNDAY – A ROCK CONCERT

The same Palm Sunday story is in Luke and it has a little bit more detail of the story and this is how it goes…

As Jesus rode through the streets there were crowds lining the streets and they were shouting out "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

They were creating quite a stir and some of the religious leaders didn't like it. They asked Jesus to keep his followers quiet. Jesus answered them and said, "If they remain silent, the stones would immediately begin to cry out!"

Did you catch that last line? What did Jesus say when the religious leaders got upset with all the people calling Him the Messiah? He said, “If the people didn’t praise Him on that day, THE ROCKS WOULD CRY OUT.”

How many of you believe those rocks lying there on the ground would have really cried out that day if the people didn’t praise Jesus and recognize Him as the Messiah? On that day the rocks didn’t cry out, do you know why that was? 

It was because the people worshipped Jesus and recognised Him as their Messiah. 

So Palm Sunday is the rock concert that never happened!

Neti got us some rocks from the Chapel Street site of our new church and I wonder what these rocks would cry out this morning? One might tell how a little shepherd boy named David used a small stone to slay a giant to show that we can do anything when God is with us! 

Another might tell how the prophet Elijah used stones to build an altar to God. The altar was used to offer a sacrifice to God to prove that He is the one, true God.

This rock might tell how Solomon had used stones to build a beautiful temple for people to worship God.

Still another rock might remind us that Jesus once told a story about a wise man who built his house upon a rock.  When the storms came, the house on the rock stood firm.

Upstairs, during Awesome Time, we let those rocks cry out – we had a rock concert and to get us in the mood we sang a rock song, complete with air guitar and air drums. Rock on!