Awesome Artists

This morning our Awesome Kids created some spectacular works of art - each piece a representation of themselves. Each one of the pictures is so unique, just as we are all different from each other. No matter what colour our hair, skin, eyes, what language we speak or food we eat - we are all loved by God. Each one of us is part of God's family.

Check out the works in progress...

The finished pieces will be framed and displayed in our gallery in the Chapel Street Centre. Call in next Sunday to check them out!

You can have a sneak preview here:

Congratulations to Emma!

Last week Emma shared with us the fantastic news that she has qualified for the Kids' Lit Quiz National Competition. Emma's team placed 2nd in the Canterbury competition, earning them the place in the NZ finals in Wellington early next month.

We wish you all the very best Emma!

If you want to know more about KLQ, you can click here to read more.

Thanks Philomena!

At Christchurch North Methodist we are blessed with an amazing bunch of talented musicians... from our choir to our pianists to the Chapel Street Band. However, it is a truly special Sunday when our worship starts with a beautiful solo performance by Philomena. Here is a short clip from last week of Mena singing 'My Redeemer Lives'.

Awesome Kids with "Experience"

From time to time we acknowledge and celebrate in church and on this blog the sporting, cultural and academic successes of our Awesome Kids. Last Sunday, Nancy Gillespie shared fantastic news of a gardening award to her and Murray. Perhaps they were spurred on by the recent successes of our Awesome Kids? We thought they deserved a spot on our blog!

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Gillespie, for winning the William Steward Cup for Most Uplifting Surroundings, from the Papanui Beautifying Association. The cup was awarded for their contribution in making Papanui 'The Garden Suburb' of Christchurch.

A Tabitha Sewing Circle

Last week we heard the story from the Bible of Tabitha, who sewed clothes for people who couldn't afford them. Through Tabitha's holy work others felt the love of Jesus.

We made fabulous fabric creations to represent how we can show God's loving kindness to others.

Living in God's way may seem like a big challenge, but Jesus showed that even the smallest everyday words and actions can share God's love. Our own small acts of loving kindness can add up to one big message: Jesus' love is alive in us!

Sophia's prayer

Sophia led the congregation in prayer last Sunday

Each week, one of our Awesome Kids leads the congregation in prayer. Sometimes they use a prayer that has been written for them, sometimes it is one from a book or found online, and sometimes they write their own. Last Sunday Sophia read a very special prayer she wrote all by herself. We thanked God for the beautiful day, for our families, and especially for Sophia's Nana. Thank you Sophia!

Magic Carpet Riders

Rosalie, Lois and Merilyn - all ready for take-off on our Magic Carpet Ride at Musikool Kids a couple of weeks ago.

Which direction shall we go?

On Sunday we heard a story about a guy who was the biggest bully on the block. We were amazed to hear how he was changed by the love of God, became a follower of Jesus and was chosen for important work by God.

Our Awesome Kids made a signpost with the names of all the places Paul journeyed to. We might hear about some of these travels over the coming months.

In the meantime, we will try and remember that God's love can do amazing things... even stop mean bullies in their tracks and turn their lives around.

Photos from FISH

Our first FISH night was held tonight at the Chapel Street Centre. After a BYO takeaway tea we played a variety of games, from mind boggling cryptic puzzles to high energy, highly competitive team games. A highlight for many was 'Hagoo', where teams had to walk the gauntlet, trying to make their opposing team member smile. We also played 'tape tag', 'Hovering Bunnies', and 'Rob the Nest'. Dylan was the "winner" of 'Jaffa on Mount Flour' and had to retrieve a jaffa from a mountain of flour using only his teeth!

Check out the photos (view more by clicking on the link below) and join us at next month's FISH evening, Saturday 14th May 5pm-7pm.

Balloon soccer

What's in the mystery box?

'Hagoo!'

Jaffa on Mountain of Flour Game

Ice cream and chocolate fish for dessert!

click here to see photos

FISH - this Saturday night!

Magic Carpet Ride!

Join us this Friday at Musikool Kids for a magic carpet ride... where shall we go to?

Wear a hat or costume from any country of your choice!

Praise with cymbals and a big bass drum!

Today our Awesome Kids continued to celebrate Easter. We made some trendy Easter bowls and filled them with some yummy Easter treats.,

click HERE to see photos

In church we had a musical treasure hunt... dozens of musical instruments were hidden around the church, but this was a treasure hunt for the adults! When everyone had found a percussion instrument, the children read Psalm 150 and the adults played their instruments at the appropriate place.

Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
    praise by strumming soft strings;
Praise him with castanets and dance*,
    praise him with banjo and flute;
Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
    praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
Let every living, breathing creature praise God!
    Hallelujah!

*Harry and Caleb praised God with some fabulous dance moves.

We then sang Julie Wylie's song, 'Dance for the Lord' and everyone accompanied the Chapel Street Band with fabulous percussion! We had piano, digital piano, drum kit, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, ukulele, trumpet, flute, drums, maracas, triangles, bells, tambourines, castanets, guiro and vocals! (Video coming soon!)

It was chaotic- but in the most JOYOUS way! We sure celebrated the fact that Jesus lives and our God loves us, HALLELUJAH!

Our Magic Carpet Ride

Flying on our magic carpet

This morning at Musikool Kids we went on a magic carpet ride... singing along to Julie Wylie's fabulous Magic Carpet song from her 'Bop it in the Rocket' CD.

Using destinations suggested by our Musikool children and parents we flew to India, the mountains, Sumner Beach (for an ice cream!) and to Isobel!

I can't wait for our next magic carpet ride... I wonder where we will fly to next?

Emelia and Lily and their babies under the parachute

FISH Family Fun Night

Saturday 9th April 5pm

All welcome!

Easter Sunday Egg Hunt

Our Awesome Kids celebrated Easter Sunday with a fabulous egg hunt in the gardens of the Chapel Street Centre.

They also made origami butterflies, birds and flowers- symbols of new life.

The Petaia family

Parish Picnic

Last Sunday our families enjoyed our annual Parish Picnic. This year we went to St James' Park in Papanui, a stone's throw from The Chapel Street Centre.

We had egg and spoon races, three-legged races, wheelbarrow races, an egg hunt and a lollie scramble!

You can check out more photos by clicking HERE.

What is Palm Sunday?

Last Sunday was Palm Sunday... we heard the start of the Easter story. It began with Jesus riding into  Jerusalem town on a donkey. The crowd waved palm branches and cheered. 

Why did Jesus ride a donkey? A horse would have been better, surely?

Jesus rode a little donkey - a sign he was coming in peace.

What happened to Jesus when he got to Jerusalem?

He taught people, told stories and worked miracles that brought many good things. But some of the things he did upset some of the leaders. They wanted to get rid of him. They told lies to make the Roman governor think Jesus was a rebel and going to make trouble for him.

What happened next?

Jesus was put to death and nailed to a cross of wood. This Friday is the day when we have a quiet service in church to remember the day Jesus died. It is called Good Friday. 

Good Friday? That doesn't sound very good too me...

But on Sunday comes Easter, and there's good news then!

What is Easter Sunday?

After Jesus died, his friends took his body and put it in a tomb (like a cave) and rolled a stone in front of the entrance. On the Sunday, the friends went to say goodbye for the last time. They found the tomb open and the body gone! They saw Jesus alive!

Why do we have Easter Eggs?

Well some people think of eggs as a symbol of new life, to remind us of Jesus being alive... and others think of the egg as a reminder of the rock that was rolled away from the entrance of the cave.

Join us this Easter Sunday

Come along to our family friendly Easter Sunday service of celebration. This Sunday 10am at The Chapel Street Centre - including Awesome Time for children of all ages.

Check out some of the eggs our Awesome Kids decorated last Sunday...

Musikool Kids update

(The dolls cots are proving very popular!)

 Last week at Musikool Kids we enjoyed the ribbon sticks, parachute, instruments and dancing to the funny clown song.

We also enjoyed playing outside afterwards on a beautiful sunny morning.

Welcome to our newest Musikool child!

Lovely to see someone
enjoying my book! (Mel)

Videos of Chapel Street Opening Celebrations

Finally I have managed to upload some videos of the Chapel Street official opening weekend. Enjoy!

Parish Picnic this Sunday

Join us at St James' Park for our Parish Family Picnic. Bring your own rug or chairs and picnic lunch and enjoy the company of others and some good old fashioned family games... three legged races, egg and spoon races and much, much more! All welcome!

Treats for feet!

Last Sunday our Awesome Kids explored the story of the special gift of washing Jesus' feet with expensive oil. 

They then made gift bags of Epsom salts for tired feet. They even tried out some foot spas!

They made bubble bottles, which were about putting things that make us sad into the bottle. Then they added all the things that make us happy. This filled the bottle with all out happy thoughts.

They also compared this to Easter where Jesus was sad because he knew what was coming, but on the third day the joy of the resurrection was bubbling over as people found out.

Harvest Festival

Last Sunday was Harvest Festival. Our Awesome Kids celebrated by making veggie people and animals from corn cobs, carrots, potatoes, cranberries, parsley, bay leaves, tangelos and much more!

Check out our Awesome Kids' amazing vegetable creations by clicking here.

The band played, and were accompanied by some enthusiastic percussionists! We also heard a modern version of the bible story, 'The Prodigal Son' - as some of the youth helped Mel perform 'The Prodigal Daughter' skit.