Children’s and Youth Ministry Newsletter
Upper Room Christian Fellowship
- January 2017 In 2016, as Christmas and Hanukkah (“the festival of lights”) coincided, a prevalent theme was Jesus Christ
as the Light of the World. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not
walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” It has struck me that just like we need sunlight for life to
flourish on this planet, spiritually we need the Son’s light for our lives to bear fruit. Whether this past year
was a spiritual mountain top experience or more of a valley, we can choose to pursue Christ afresh now in
2017. One thing is certain: we are now one year closer to the return of Christ. Let’s use the time we have
been given to seek Him and to model for our children what a life devoted to knowing Christ looks like. “And
you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13.
Sunday school
In January, Maryanne Mundia will teach the 2 year olds, assisted by Christa Sorola. Mandy Smiley will teach
the 3 year olds, with help from Kimberly Beecher. Geoff and Ashley Mart will teach the 4 year olds &
Kindergarteners, with assistance from Ryan South. Randal and Patti Hauck teach the 1st-3rd Graders, with
help from Jason Stewart. Ron South will teach the 4th-6th grade class, assisted by Jane Timperman. (To see
specifically what will be taught this month in our classes, please read the next page of this newsletter)
Children’s Church
We’ll meet at 10 a.m. on January 15. Please have your children arrive by the top of the hour so we can
enjoy our full time together in worship, small group discussion and prayer. Also, one of the older youths will
share their testimony. Children’s Church will dismiss at 11:10 for Sunday school. If you have questions,
contact Alan Starr.
Firehouse
“The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out” (Leviticus 6:13). Firehouse
will meet on Thursday, January 12 and Thursday, January 26, from 6:30-8:30 pm. We welcome and
encourage all 7th-12th graders to come join us and to bring a friend! If you have any questions about
Firehouse, please contact Deanna Morrison or Matthew Jordan.
Character Quality
This month the Sunday School will focus on the quality of Responsibility: knowing and doing what is
expected of me. The scripture verse is 1 Corinthians 4:2 which says, “Now it is required that those who
have been given a trust must prove faithful.” The “I Wills” are: I will keep my promises, I will not make
excuses, I will do all my work to the best of my ability, I will make things right when I do wrong, I will know
my duty and do my duty.
-The Children’s Ministry Leadership Team
January Sunday School
If you would like further info, please see your child’s teacher or Jenifer Isenberg.
Two year Olds – Kindergarten
The goal for this class is salvation: for every graduating kindergartener to leave having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This
month we will cover the following Bible stories with a simple, easy-to-understand summary. The Scripture references are given if
you want to go over the stories in more depth at home.
Jan 01) Samson is Strong – Judges 13:1-25, 16:1-22
Jan 08) God answers Hannah’s Prayer, God Speaks to Samuel – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, 1 Samuel 3:1-21
Jan 15) Samuel Chooses a King – 1 Samuel 8:1-10:24
Jan 22) David Plays his Harp for King Saul, David Fights Goliath – 1 Samuel 16:14-23, 1 Samuel 17:1-58
Jan 29) David and Jonathan are Friends, David Doesn’t Hurt Saul – 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20:1-42, 1 Samuel 24:1-22
We are also learning the names of the Books of the Bible. This month we begin the Old Testament by learning the names of Isaiah,
Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Help your children to find these books in a Bible at home. Key concept: These are the
names of real people, prophets who wrote down God’s words in these books.
First – Third Grade
This year we are doing a Survey of the Bible – learning about each book and what is in it. We are especially highlighting the ways
that Jesus is prophesied in the Old Testament and the major themes of the New Testament gospels & letters.
Jan 01) Zechariah & Malachi: Zechariah was written by a prophet who was from the family of Aaron. We believe Zechariah’s job was
to collect and preserve the scriptures. He lived when the Israelites were trying to rebuild their land after returning from captivity in
Babylon. God used him to speak a message of encouragement to rebuild the Temple. Zechariah also prophesied about Jesus – that
He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey, that He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, and that He would take away the sin of the
land in a single day (3:8-9, 9:9, 11:12-13). Malachi is a message of judgment. The priests were greedy for wealth and the people
were enjoying God’s blessings without living holy lives; they thought they did not need God. Malachi encourages them to “bring the
whole tithe” into God’s Temple and to return to honoring Him. Malachi also prophesied about John the Baptist! (4:5)
Jan 08) REVIEW Genesis – Deuteronomy: Now that we have finished the Old Testament, we take a few weeks to review, beginning
with the books of Moses. We recall the four big events (Creation, Fall, Flood, and Nations), and the four big people (Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and Joseph) of Genesis. From Exodus, we remember how God redeemed His people from slavery in Egypt and gave them the
Law at Mount Sinai. This is an example of how Jesus saves us from slavery to sin. Leviticus teaches us about God’s Laws and Feasts.
We see how the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and First Fruits all pointed to Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit. Numbers
explained the time of testing that the Israelites experienced in the wilderness. Deuteronomy contains three sermons of Moses.
Jan 15) REVIEW Joshua - Esther: The “History” books begin with Joshua, which tells how God led the Israelites to conquer the
Promised Land. Judges tells about Israel’s cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and blessing during the time when judges ruled.
Ruth is the story of how God cared for a Moabite woman who chose to follow Him and it is an example of how God cares for us. First
Samuel and Second Samuel talk about the ministry of Samuel the prophet and the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. First Kings
and Second Kings continues Israel’s story with the division of the land into two kingdoms and the wicked kings who ruled them. Ezra
the priest chronicles how he helped lead some captives back to Israel from Babylon. Nehemiah is an account of the rebuilding of
Jerusalem’s walls. Esther shows how God used a Jewish girl as Queen to save her people when wicked Haman tried to destroy them.
Jan 22) REVIEW Job – Daniel: Job is about a man who loses his possessions, health, and family and ask God why. Psalms is a book of
worship and prayers. King David wrote many psalms, and some psalms talk about Jesus. Proverbs is a collection of King Solomon’s
wise sayings. It is a good book to turn to when you need wisdom. In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon tells about his search for purpose in
life. He learned that life without God is meaningless. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel are known as the “major
prophets.” A prophet is a person who speaks for God. Isaiah reminds us that we all need salvation which comes only from God.
Jeremiah urges us to submit to God’s will to escape judgment. Jeremiah also wrote Lamentations, which expresses his sadness over
the destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel and Daniel lived during the time of the Babylonian captivity. Ezekiel spoke about God’s glory
and judgement. Daniel saw many visions about worldly rulers, but God’s kingdom is more powerful than any earthly kingdom.
Jan 29) REVIEW Hosea – Malachi: Hosea warned of God’s judgment, but he was also an example of God’s faithful love as he loved
his unfaithful wife, Gomer. Joel spoke about the “Day of the Lord” when Jesus will come to judge the earth. Amos was a farmer to
whom God gave a burden to preach repentance because the people thought they could have God’s blessing without obedience.
Obadiah is a message against Edom (Esau’s descendants). God would judge them because they had not been kind to Israel. Jonah
was told to preach to the enemies of Israel, the Ninevites. Jonah shows us that God has compassion on all. Micah spoke against the
wealthy who were oppressing the poor. Nahum was also sent to Nineveh, who were sinning once again. This time, God did not spare
them but brought judgment. Habakkuk asked God many questions. Zephaniah, like Joel, also wrote about the “Day of the Lord.”
Both Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the returning captives to finish rebuilding God’s Temple. Malachi spoke against selfish
religious leaders. They were not seeking God from their hearts but only lived to please themselves. They needed a savior!
Fourth – Sixth Grade
This month we will begin PRAYER 101. We’ll study What is Prayer?, Why Pray?, Listening to God, Putting others First in Prayer,
Praise & Worship in prayer, Praying the Word, The Holy Spirit & Prayer, Prophetic Prayer, Jesus and Prayer, and Intercession. The
goal is for them to mature in their relationships with the Lord as they grow in understanding the foundational doctrines of our faith.