Merry Christmas!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

A word, or two, to the Youngest Disciples. 

"Little Children you are from God. 

Beloved let us love one another for love is from God."

Christmas Eve Service

Pastor Ken's wingspan covers the listeners during the children's sermon.

Sweet faces aglow in the candlelit service.

'twas the Sunday before Christmas...

 and all through the church, little flames were burning brightly in wreaths, minds and hearts...

Boys made noises

 

 Jackson helped the light to shine brightly.

 Pastor Ken told of nicknames for Jesus, such as "Prince of Peace"  "Light of the World".

Snacks!

Another little one moves up to the snack table!

Happy & funny faces.

In Elementary Sunday School, we joyfully
anticipate the Christmas season with jokes
funny faces and laughter as well as lighting matches.

Goodie Bags

Eager helpers of all sizes to hand out the

 goodie-bags at the homeless/congregational breakfast.

Joyful Joyful JuveNiles

You will see the Juveniles on Sunday for Lessons and Carols, 

but see them here now as they enjoy You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at Nashville Children's Theatre.

"What makes you happy?"

JuveNiles and a very tall one
at Nashville Children's Theatre.

JuveNiles choir practice

While the waffle lights were lit...

The girls and I played in the nursery during the 87th Annual Waffle Shop. No waffles here, just animal cookies, raisins and smiles.

Advent Rocks!

Peter draws by the hopeful glow of the Advent candle.

Drawing our Advent story on rocks, Angels.

Elementary Sunday School

We delight in the hope that this Advent season brings.

Telling the old story in ways new to us, using 

Sharpies on river rocks to picture the events that inspire us to shine. 

More Joy!

Nursery snacks and songs

Happy work and play

Lotus Productions presents the annunciation of Mary.

All Aboard!

Pastor Ken uses a train derailment to illustrate life's distractions during the children's sermon.

 "Joy is the serious business of Heaven", inspiration from C.S. Lewis and Henry (pictured).

July 8--"Plants, Fruits, Flowers"

Nursery Work

General

•  Please fill out and hand in a Parental Consent Form, available in the nursery, snack room, or as an attachment to a recent email. 
• In conjunction with this week's lesson, I would like to propose a challenge for the DPC youth. The challenge is to bring in at least one paper item each for the DPC paper collection. In a sense, re-gifting the gifts God has given us. The following is the information provided in the e-votion:
• "Paper Supplies & More.... Donations in July.  DPC will be collecting paper supplies during the month of July, including copy paper (especially legal size), napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, cups, plates, bowls, etc. 
• As part of this year's paper collection, we are expanding the list to include coloring books, diapers (any size) and baby wipes. These are for a special Outreach project to create emergency boxes for when children are in the intake process with the Department of Human Services (DHS), being transitioned into a foster home.

Sunday School

• "The History of the Gifts: Plants, Fruits, and Flowers"
• Can you think of and special plants? 
• Some plants have healing powers (herbs, vegetables, fruit).
• Some plants are beautiful (lilacs, oak trees)
• Can you think of a story in the Bible where Jesus provided fruit as a gift for a lot of people? 

• We will continue to finish are from last week (we need more fish, whales, sharks, and octopuses!). We will also begin a new project.

July 1, 2012--"Ocean"

The History of the Gifts: Ocean

Nursery

• VILLAGE DAY will resume in the fall. 
• SUNDAY SCHOOL this week will focus on the gift of the ocean. What do we find useful in the ocean? Fish? Seaweed? Salt? What is beautiful in the ocean? This week we will make sea creatures to display in the end of summer art show. We will also hear about a group of friends who thought the sea wouldn't give them any fish. But they were wrong!
• PARENTAL CONSENT forms are in the nursery on the counter. Please fill one out for your child with updated information. Thank you!

Elementary/Middle School

• BOOK CLUB at David and Sarah's--check with them for schedule changes.
• SUNDAY SCHOOL--In the ocean we find many useful and beautiful gifts. What are some of those gifts? Can you think of a story where the sea gave bountiful gifts to a group of hungry friends? This week we'll explore that story and more. 
• PARENTAL CONSENT forms are in the nursery and snack room. Please fill one out for your child with updated information. Thank you!

High School 

• Welcome back!
• SUNDAY SCHOOL with Jewly. Songwriting. Join the other youth if songwriting is finished.
• PARENTAL CONSENT forms are in the snack room and the nursery. Please fill one out with updated information. Thank you!

General

•  We hope to care for your child in the best possible way while at DPC. To help us do that, please fill out and turn in a Parental Consent form. This helps us be more aware of allergies, emergency contact info., etc. for your child.
• While Lenae is away on maternity leave (any day now), Courtney Shultz will facilitate Sunday School classes and youth activities. Please contact her or the education committee if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. 
• Looking ahead: The kids are learning about the History of the Gifts (of Creation) this summer. One lesson will look at plants, fruits and flowers. In conjunction with this lesson, I would like to propose a challenge for the DPC youth. The challenge is to bring in at least one paper item each for the DPC paper collection. The following is the information provided in the e-votion:
• "Paper Supplies & More.... Donations in July.  DPC will be collecting paper supplies during the month of July, including copy paper (especially legal size), napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, cups, plates, bowls, etc. 
• As part of this year's paper collection, we are expanding the list to include coloring books, diapers (any size) and baby wipes. These are for a special Outreach project to create emergency boxes for when children are in the intake process with the Department of Human Services (DHS), being transitioned into a foster home.
  
  
  
               

24 June 2012

General

• We gathered for our last VILLAGE DAY of the summer on Friday. Several moms and babies had a great time hanging out indoors and outdoors. We're looking forward to continuing this event in the fall. 
• Please fill out a "Parental Consent form" and return it to Lenae. This will help us know important information about your child/children and give us permission to take and use photos for DPC. Thanks for your help!
• Lenae will go on maternity leave any day now. Our very own Courtney Schultz will step in for those six weeks. Please welcome her as she facilitates the youth program during this time. You may direct any questions to her or to the education committee (Samera and Megan).

Nursery

• Sunday School
• "History of the Gifts: Minerals" 
• Minerals are things like salt and gold. Some of them are very helpful to our bodies (like salt) and some of them are beautiful to use and look at ( like gold). 
• Can you think of uses for these minerals?
• What else might be a mineral?
• VILLAGE DAY will continue in the fall. Thanks for making it a fun event!

Elementary/Middle School

• Sunday School
• "History of the Gifts: Minerals"
• The mineral world includes things like salt, gold, and marble. 
• Can you think of uses for these minerals?
• Do you know what mineral God asked his people to use for a very special box, the Ark of the Covenant? 

High School

• Weekend trip. Have fun!

June 17--History of the Gifts: Space

"Sunrise in Space" by Jeff Michelmann

General

• Summer Art is underway! 
• Please take a couple minutes to fill out our new DPC Parental Consent form. This will give leaders important information about your child (allergies, emergency contact, etc. ). It will also give you the opportunity to accept or decline pictures of your child during DPC activities. As always, these photos will not be misused, but we would like your permission to use them in newsletters and on the blog.  You can find this form in the email sent this week, or at DPC.

Nursery

• Ages 6 weeks-5 years
• Last VILLAGE DAY of the summer--Friday, June 22, 10:30-Noon at Lenae's House (see flyers at church or email Lenae for address). A time to talk and play.
• SUNDAY SCHOOL--"History of the Gifts: Space"--How is space a gift? Does the sun give us anything we need? Does the moon help us at all? What about stars? Are they beautiful to look at? Do you know who was promised to have as many family members as there are stars? Discuss this with your child this week, and join us Sunday to explore space even more. We'll also create stars out of clay. 

Elementary/Middle School

• BOOK CLUB--at the Darks' house. 6-7:30pm. 
• SUNDAY SCHOOL--"History of the Gifts: Space"--meet in the snack room at 9:45, then the atrium at 10am. How is space a gift? What is useful in space? What is beautiful? Do you know who was promised to have as many family members as there are stars? Join us Sunday to discuss this in more detail and to create clay art.

High School

• SUNDAY SCHOOL--songwriting with Jewly or join the other youth for "History of the Gifts: Space" 
• Coming Soon: Trip to Dollywood!

Sunday, June 10--"The Gift of the Bible"

Last Summer--Crafting for the Art Show

General

• VILLAGE DAY met at Coleman Park on Thursday for a beautiful morning of swinging and talking. If your child is nursery-aged and you would like participate, email Lenae about your best available days/times. We are currently looking to switch VD to Wednesday mornings (instead of Thursday mornings).
• Summer ART is underway! We will begin crafting this Sunday!

Nursery

• Sunday School
• The Gift of the Bible
• This is where the story of our church family is recorded. 
• Before the story was written here, it was written on scrolls, and before that it was just a spoken story. 

Elementary

• Sunday School
• The Gift of the Bible--how is it a gift?
• The Bible contains the story of the gifts of God. 
• We will make scrolls with messages for the Art Show.
• Book Club
• Darks' house
• 6-7:30pm

Middle School

• Sunday School
• Meet with the Elementary for first 15 minutes***
• The Gift of the Bible--How is it a gift? 
• Advanced (yes, advanced) scroll making.

• Book Club
• Darks' house
• 6-7:30pm

High School

• Sunday School
• Meet with Elementary/Middle School if desired for first 15 minutes***
• Song writing or scroll making

Sunday, June 3

Pentecost Art

Nursery

VILLAGE DAY is this Thursday. We will meet at a local park to talk and play. Please contact Lenae or look for a flyer this Sunday about location and time.

Sunday School

• This week begins our summer art series. The theme is "The History of the Gifts" based on the creation story.
• Tell or read the creation story to your child. Discuss that each creation is a special gift. 
• How are each of these things gifts? 

Elementary/Middle School

BOOK CLUB this Sunday, 6-7:30, at the Darks'.

Sunday School

• This week begins our summer art series. The theme is "The History of the Gifts" based ont eh creation story. 
• Genesis 1-2
• Think about the gifts given to us from God at creation. Sun. Water. Air. Salt. Fruit. Animals. Flowers. Precious stones. What is each of these good for? 

High School

Sunday School-- join the other youth to hear about the summer art theme. 

Pentecost--May 27

JuveNiles Bowling Party

General

SUMMER!

We had a great time bowling last Sunday! Thanks, William, for planning a fun party.

This is the last week of our school year curriculum. Beginning in June, we will begin working on the summer art show. 

Nursery

Sunday School

• Pentecost is the Church's birthday. 
• Discuss with your child when his/her birthday is. Pentecost is 50 days after Easter. Look at a calendar together.
• The Church is still alive: meeting together, eating, learning, and praying.  

The next VILLAGE DAY will be Thursday, June 7, 10am-noon.  
Elementary

Book Club this Sunday at the Darks' house, 6-7:30pm.

Sunday School

• Pentecost Sunday
• Acts 2:1-17
• Discuss with your child what you know about Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came. Christians from around the world were gathered together. 
• This is the Church's birthday.    
•  

Middle School

Book Club at the Darks' house, 6-7:30pm.

Sunday School--skit creating with David. 

High School

Sunday School--song writing with Jewly.    

Sunday, May 20

General

JuveNiles end-of-the-year PARTY! Pizza and bowling after church this Sunday. Please join us!

HAVE A GREAT LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!

Nursery

VILLAGE DAY at the Sterling's house this Thursday, 10am-noon. A time to talk and play together. Contact Lenae or look for a flyer at church for the address.

Sunday School Lesson

• Baptism
• Discuss baptism with your child. Have they been baptized already? What was it like? What did they wear? What did the pastor say? 

Elementary

Book Club at the Darks' house 6-7:30pm. 

Sunday School Lesson

• Baptism
• Discuss your baptism, your child's baptism, and the baptism of others. What stands out in their memories? What do they think the gifts of baptism might be? 

Middle School

Book Club at the Darks' house 6-7:30pm.

Sunday School with David.

High School

Sunday School with Jewly.

Sunday, May 13

Enjoying a skit by Lotus Productions

General

Happy Mothers Day!

We had a fun-filled VILLAGE DAY on Thursday. We look forward to you joining us for the next one, Thursday, May 24.

Nursery

Sunday School Lesson

• Acts 4:32-35
• The early church shared everything. They really cared for each other. How can we care for our church family? 
• How does our church family care for us? 

Elementary

Book Club at the Darks' house.

Sunday School Lesson

• Philemon--Paul's letter to Philemon and his church
• How does Paul instruct the church to include Onesimus?
• Why might the request seem strange to the church?
• Do you think the church responded positively to Paul's request?

Middle School

Book Club at the Darks' house. 

Sunday School as usual.

High School

Sunday School as usual.

This Week at DPC

Lotus Productions

General

Family Camping Trip is this Friday. If you would like to join us, please contact Lenae.

Nursery

VILLAGE DAY, a time to talk and play together, will be next week, Thursday, May 10, 10-noon at Lenae's house. Contact her for more information.

Sunday School

• Acts 5:42
• The Bible is a book of stories told by our church family from long ago. 
• What kinds of stories does your family share?
• What kinds of stories does the Bible share?

 Elementary

Book Club at the Darks' house, 6-7:30pm.

Sunday School 

• Acts 27
• What would it be like to be sailing during a bad storm?
• After reading Acts 27, what did you expect to happen to the ship and the people? 
• Were you surprised by the results? 
• Does this story tell us anything about God? 

Middle School

Book Club at the Darks' house with Sarah, 6-7:30pm. New book???

Sunday School--Lotus Productions, as usual.

High School

Sunday School with Jewly, as usual.

Sunday, April 29

Enjoying a communion snack of rolls and grape juice.

General News

FAMILY CAMPING TRIP May 4-5. RSVP soon to Lenae. All ages are welcome.

VILLAGE DAY was a great success! Five babies and 6 parents enjoyed the morning together, playing and talking, at the Amaral's house. Our next VILLAGE DAY will be May 10.

Nursery News

Sunday School this week will be about "The church, together"

• Acts 2:42-47
• What kinds of things do we do at church?
• It is important for the church to meet together. Discuss with your child why you think this is important.

Elementary News

Book Club this week as usual.

Sunday School this week will be about "The boy in the window"

• Acts 20:7-12
• What do you think about this story? 
• Was this a miracle? 

Middle School News

Book Club as usual.

Sunday School will meet to learn a story and perform a skit.

High School News

Sunday School as usual 

Sunday, April 22

General

• Family Camping Trip--May 4-5 at Montgomery Bell State Park. RSVP if you and your kid/kiddos will be joining in the fun. All ages are welcome!

Nursery

• VILLAGE DAY--Thursday, April 26, 10-Noon. A DPC nursery play-date. Email Lenae for the address and directions to the Amaral's house.

• Sunday School Lesson
• "Remembering"
• What kinds of things do you celebrate with your family? Birthdays? Christmas? Milestones? 
• With our God-family, or church family, we celebrate special events. Can you think of any? 

• Communion is one of those special events we celebrate together. Talk about this with your child.  

Elementary

• Book Club--check with David, 6-7:30
• Sunday School Lesson
• "Walking, Leaping, and Praising"
• Acts 3:1-10
• What do you think about that story?
• What would it be like to have been the beggar? Other people watching? 
• What did the man receive? 

Middle School

• Book Club is ON, 6-7:30. 

 

This Week at DPC, April 15

General News

FAMILY CAMPING TRIP--Friday, May 4-Saturday, May 5. All ages (plus parents) welcome! Please RSVP ASAP to Lenae.

Nursery

VILLAGE DAY-- Parking was an issue today. Next time, Thursday, April 26, we will probably meet in a home. Please contact Lenae if you are interested in hosting.

Sunday School Discussion--Matthew 28:16-20

• Jesus told his friends to invite more people to join them. This group of people is the church.
  
• Who makes up the church?
  
• The church is like one BIG family. What do you think about that? What kinds of things does a family do?
  

Elementary

Book Club--Talk to David, but we should be ON for this week.

Sunday School--Acts 2:37-47

• Why might so many people want to join the early church?
  
• How did this group of friends treat each other?
  
• How are you a part of the church today?
  

Middle School

Book Club is ON. 6-7:30pm.