Children's Christmas Program

The annual Children's Christmas Program will be held on Sunday, December 14th at 6 p.m. This year we will be producing "The Good News Flash." It is a comic look at the events of that special night! Don't miss it!

Slime Time Tonight!

The set up is almost done, the games are ready and the candy is waiting. All we need now is YOU! Without volunteers like you, there wouldn't be Slime Time, or any other event. So, thank you!!!! Please pray for tonight, for all of the children, families, and volunteers who God has prepared to be there. We can change this country one person at a time, and it all starts with YOU!

-Please plan to be at the church at 6:30 PM
-Please wear your blue volunteer shirt, if possible (there are still a few XL's available)
-If you have a lab coat and/or safety glasses, please bring them (there are many available to wear)
-Remember, how you engage guests at Slime Time will make a huge impact on their experience, so smile, make eye contact, be upbeat, and speak to the kids and parents! Be encouraging!
-Please pray for the children and families we meet!

Thank you. See you tonight!

VBS Day 5 -Plunge into Service!

Our final night of VBS was a blast! The rain stopped just in time for the water slide.
Thanks everyone for all of the preparation, time and effort that you put into making this a
wonderful VBS. Let us keep praying that the kids got to know the best friend they'll ever have- Jesus!

VBS Day 4 - Plunge into Faith

Go Bill! Kids Plunged into Faith on Day 4 of VBS, learning how Peter stepped off the boat and onto the water!

VBS Day 3 Plunge into Courage

On Day 3 of VBS, we took the plunge into courage!

VBS Day 2- Plunge into Worship

Day 2 was a Rockin' good time! We learned what true worship is, and the kids (and some of the volunteers) got soaked outside with the games!

Thanks for all your hard work, VBS volunteers!

VBS was fun for all this year! It took a lot of hard work, and I am tremendously appreciative for everything that you put into it! Please continue to pray for the children, that the seeds planted would grow into a harvest for Jesus!

Growing Up with God- an article from Today's Children's Ministry

"From their earliest days, we want our children to know the joy of learning about Jesus. But how much can a child really understand about God? And how does that change as she gets older? To help our children develop a faith that will carry them into adulthood, it’s essential we play off their strengths at each stage of development."

Read the rest of this informative post here.

Community Event was a Splash!

Thanks for all of your hard work at the Community Event!

It was quite a day, and I thank you so much for sticking with it through all of the "ins" and "outs"! Let's pray for God to be glorified and to multiply the fruit!

Community Event Info

Thanks to everyone who has donated time, energy and supplies for our upcoming summer outreach events! Can you believe that only one week from today is the Community Event? There is still time to help!
We will be setting up canopies and the water slide on Wednesday and Thursday. The canopies require 6 people to set up. If you are able to come on one of these days/evenings, please see Amity.
On Friday (any time) Amity will be organizing/ preparing all of the games, prizes, and other items. Any help would be appreciated!
On Saturday morning, everything will need to be set up. If possible, we would like volunteers to arrive by 10 AM to help. Everyone and Everything should be in place and ready to go by 12:15 for the 1PM start time.
Thank you for your dedication, and let's all pray for the families we'll meet, and for God's Name to be glorified through all we do!

Reminder: VBS Meeting

Just a reminder about the VBS meeting this Saturday at 9 AM. Breakfast will be served. There will be a presentation followed by an opportunity to get together with other people who will be working in your area. This is a good time to go through the information folders together, and finalize plans. See you there!

Lots of Opportunities to Impact Children through VBS!

Vacation Bible School needs lots of support from our Bunnvale Community. There are many ways to serve!

I can't be there during VBS. There are many ways you can help before the actual week. We would like to have some new Midway Games for the Community Event. If you can build, paint or provide plywood or 2x4's, we need you!

Also, we need people willing to help set up during the days before the Community Event and before VBS. This involves setting up tents and large items, as well as decorating the church and organizing materials. You can help for one evening or several!

I don't want to run things. You don't have to! There are leaders for each area, but we always need people to help with games, worship, and to escort groups of children to the different areas. We are also looking for prize booth workers, water slide guards and set-up/clean-up crew members for each night.


Community Event Wishlist
If you aren't able to help in person, perhaps you can donate an item from our wishlist. The following items are needed for our August 2nd Community Event.

Waterproof, continuous spray sunblock
Swim Diapers
Towels (to borrow)
Small Kiddie Pools (to borrow)
Bean Bags
Golf Balls and Putters (to borrow)
Small Balloons
Ping-Pong Balls
3-4 Bags of Play Sand & Shovels
Pointed Darts (to borrow)
Cases of Water Bottles
Several Watermelons
Small Prizes (see Amity for more info.)

If you are able volunteer or donate any items, please call Amity at the church (908) 638-6770. Thanks for your help! We know that as we wait on the Lord, He will provide for every need.

VBS Meeting

If you are helping with VBS this year, please plan on attending our VBS meeting on Saturday, July 12th at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. We will begin with a light breakfast, go over some important information, and then you'll have an opportunity to meet with those who will work with you! If you haven't yet signed up, we can still use you. Please sign up in the church lobby.

Children's Night

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Children's Advancement Service. It was a fun night for kids, and hopefully for teachers as well! If you'd like a copy of the video, please see Amity. God bless you for all you do! May we see fruit that lasts eternally!

Bunnvale's Annual Community Event

It's on the calendar! On Saturday, August 2nd we will hold our second annual Community Event! We had a great time last year and met many new people from our community. We will be needing many volunteers to help with set-up, running stations, greeting and talking with guests, and clean-up. If you have any ideas or will help out, please see Amity. Thanks!

Advancement Night

On June 1st we will have and Advancement Night fo our Royal Rangers and Misisonettes. This is an exciting night for our kids, as they will share what they've learned, and receive their badges! Please be here at 5:30 p.m. We will begin at 6 p.m. and follow up with make-your-own sundaes! Thanks for all of your hard work!

VBS 2008

Mark your calendars for August 10th-14th! We're bringing back this terrific VBS for 2008. Kids and adults had a great time last year as we plunged iot God's Word. See you there!

Abiding in Christ

If you are feeling "all dried up" in ministry, please read this nourishing post by Glen Woods: http://glenwoods.blogspot.com/2008/04/remembering-your-spiritual-needs.html . It is sure to refresh your soul.

New Children's Church Curriculum

On May 11 we will begin Young Explorers, a Children's Church curriculum by Gospel Publishing House. God's Orchard, the first 13-week program, will teach children about the fruit of the Spirit, through object lessons, games and activities. I'd like to express a special "thank-you" to all of our volunteers! If you are interested in helping in Children's Church, please let Amity know. Thanks!

*New- Children's Event Teams

We are forming planning teams for our upcoming Children's Ministry events! If you are interested in helping to plan Children's Night, our Community Event, VBS, or the Candy Carnival, we'd love your input! We need you if you: are creative, or organized, or like to have fun, or like kids, or like a good party, or like to talk, or are quiet, or are breathing! In other words, YOU are the perfect person for this job! See Amity.

Teaching Children with Disabilities

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I encourage you to take the time to listen to this slide show. It is informative about learning disabilities.

Thanks for a great meeting!

Thank you everyone who took time to come out to our meeting last night. We discussed new policies being implemented, as well as new web tools that will help with communication in ministry. We are also forming teams to plan upcoming children's ministry events, such as our Community Event, Children's Night, VBS, and Kids Candy Carnival. If you are interested in joining any of these planning teams, would like any additional information, or have questions about what we discussed, please see Amity. Thanks again (and see video below):)

Reminder: Meeting Today!

Just a reminder that our Children's Ministry Meeting will be held tonight(Wednesday, April 9th) at 7 pm, while the kids are watching a movie with the youth. If you are currently involved in Children's Ministries, or are interested in becoming involved, please be there! Think of it as a night off if you normally teach, or a night out, complete with doughnuts and coffee:) Remember how important you are! See video below.

Thanks for all you do!

Preschool Ministry Update

This podcast contains information that was presented at the preschool ministry meeting held on March 16, 2008 at Bunnvale Assembly of God.

Look for updates in our Prechool Room!

Thanks to the graciousness of our board, our preschool room will be undergoing some changes. We will soon be installing a new 26" flat screen t.v. with built-in DVD player. This will make worship time lots of fun, with interactive music videos that get the kids moving! And, for a little down time, we can play the occasional movie, served, of course, with popcorn!

Another coming feature is a half-door. We will be installing a door that can be shut on the bottom and open on top, which will allow parents visual access to their children without disturbing the class.

Missed the preschool meeting? Look for an upcoming podcast, which will explain all of our new procedures and helpful tips that were discussed. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? I'd love your input! -Amity

As Graduation Approaches...

You have had the opportunity to see these kids grow and mature. You have blessed them, and have been blessed to be allowed to help cultivate their faith. Now they are grown and ready to start on their adult journeys...Just a couple of neat reflections that you might like to read...
http://glenwoods.blogspot.com/2008/03/when-little-girls-grow-up.html
http://glenwoods.blogspot.com/2008/03/when-little-boys-grow-up.html

Discipline in the Classroom

Whenever you have a group of children in your care, issues of discipline are bound to arise, and some days are easier than others! Check out these articles from the National Children's Ministries Agency (AG). They provide helpful tips and ideas for creating an environment that encourages creativity and learning for everyone.

Early Childhood: http://4kids.ag.org/library/early-childhood/discipline-in-the-early-childhood-class.pdf
Keeping Kids Active: http://4kids.ag.org/library/learning-styles/active_kids_learn_more.pdf
Help with Special needs: http://4kids.ag.org/library/special-needs/questions-about-special-needs.pdf

The National Children's Ministries Agency has a library with articles on many relevant topics. Visit them at http://4kids.ag.org/.

Children's Ministry Meeting

Be here for the upcoming children's ministry meeting on Wednesday, April 9th at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall. While the kids have a fun movie night sponsored by the youth, we will be discussing upcoming events, such as Children's Night, our Community Event, and VBS, as well as some basics. This is a great way to learn about opportunities in children's ministry and to talk about ideas you may have. Any questions? call Amity. Hope to see you there!