December
2012
A NIGHTTIME HORSEBACK RIDE …
A few days before Christmas, Pastor Phillip
Brooks visited with some friends in Jerusalem.
After dinner someone suggested that they
ride to nearby Bethlehem.
But — this all took place back in the mid
1800s, so to get from one city to another, they
had to walk or ride horses — they chose the
horses. Can’t you imagine the clip-clop of the
horses’ hoofs on the ground as they traveled
the six miles (9.7 km) over the hills?
(When Phillip was a boy his parents made
him memorize two hymns a week and
by the time Phillip left to study at Harvard
University, he knew hundreds of hymns by
heart.)
The church children had to look up and up
and up to see their pastor! He was six feet,
six inches (198 cm) tall. Often he sat on
the floor so he could comfortably chat with
them.
Mr. Brooks had taken
some time off from
pastoring his church
back in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, to visit
Europe and the Middle
East and he enjoyed
seeing new sights.
for their parents. We think Pastor Brooks
thought the children would sing the song for
the parents and then everyone would forget
about it!
But we’re guessing that you’ve even sung it
at your church — 150 years later!
Mr. Brooks’ song is “O Little Town of
Bethlehem.”
Singing is one way
we praise the Lord.
In fact, the Bible tells
us we should sing:
Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one
another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace
in your hearts to the Lord
(Colossians 3:16).
Now, in the quietness
of the evening,
Pastor Brooks and his
friends rode over a
As you sing Christmas
hill and there was the
carols this season,
town of Bethlehem.
think about the words.
Everything was dark
Thank the Lord Jesus
(remember, this was
for coming to earth as
before electricity) and
your Savior. Thank Him
quiet. The men tried to
for giving you the gift of
imagine what the town
salvation. Thank Him for
would’ve been like on
His forgiveness. (If you
the night that Christ
haven’t trusted Christ as
was born.
Picture this month is by J.J. Nies, age 11, grandchild of Arlyn and Marcy Nies, Awana missionaries to North
Savior, talk to one of your
Dakota, South Dakota and Western Minnesota.
Soon Mr. Brooks was
leaders. He or she will
back at his church
be happy to answer any
A few years went by. Pastor Brooks wanted
in the United States and his trip faded into
questions you might have.)
to write a Christmas program for the
memories. He was a good pastor. Children
You know, sometimes it’s fun to learn about
children in his Sunday school. He decided
loved him. Maybe because Phillip’s own
the history of songs. But did you ever think
to include a poem he had written about
parents made him do so much memorizing
about this? What if YOU wrote a song about
that night’s ride into Bethlehem. Another
as a boy, he wanted to teach the children
Christmas and 150 years from now other
man, Mr. Lewis Redner, wrote the music
in his Philadelphia church to memorize.
kids were STILL singing it?
and the children enjoyed performing it
©2012 Awana® Clubs International. This newsletter may be reproduced only by churches registered with Awana. Visit us at awana.org.
december
2012
*Did you know the largest snowman was built by the people of
Bethel, Maine, in 1999? Then in 2008 they outdid themselves
and built a larger (by 9 feet [2.75 m]) snow woman. (Ask your
parents to help you find pictures of the snowman/woman on
the Web.)
*Did you know that the record for the most snow angels goes to
Bismarck, North Dakota, with 8,962?
*Did you know that 10 inches (25 cm) of snow melts down to
one inch (2.5 cm) of water?
Micchiggann
OK, we’ve already heard from some clubbers in Michigan, but
they have such a great state — another church has sent in their
answers to what’s so great about liWing in your state. Here are
what the clubbers at the Bible Baptist Church of Kalamazoo
have to say.
• We have lots of concerts and festivals. (Breanna, 3rd grade)
• Snow (Imani, 5th grade)
• Going to the beaches (Iesha, 6th grade)
• Because it has two parts: upper and lower (Izayah, 4th grade)
• We can hunt in Michigan. (Lucas, 5th grade)
• Concerts and festivals in the park (Mariona, 4th grade)
• Able to go to the Detroit Pistons games (Mesa, 5th grade)
HELP!
We have lots of states to go in our “What’s the best thing about your state?” project. Ask your leader to email us
at [email protected]. If your state hasn’t been done, we’ll have you answer the state question. But if your state
HAS been done, we can give you another question.
©2012 Awana® Clubs International. Visit us at awana.org.
december
2012
What’s your favorite verse
you’ve learned at Awana®
this year? Or maybe there’s a
verse you’d like to remember,
but keep forgetting.
What do you call an old snowman?
When does Christmas come before Thanksgiving?
What Christmas carol is a parent’s favorite?
What did the gingerbread man put on his bed?
What did Adam say the day before Christmas?
Enter it into your computer. Choose a fun font and
color. Print it out and glue or tape it onto a heavy
piece of paper. Cover with clear plastic wrap or
laminate. Use the finished product as a placemat.
Looking at the verse every time you eat will help
you remember the words!
Water; In the dictionary; Silent Night; A cookie sheet; Merry Christmas, Eve.
CHRISTMAS CAROL QUIZ
Even if you don’t know many carols, you can look in a
songbook or ask a parent to help you look up a list of
carols on the Web. Match the words to the title. And if
you don’t know any carols, why not learn one or two this
Christmas season? (Maybe you could ask your leader if
you could sing some Christmas carols in club.)
1. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go
by; Yet in thy darkness shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee
tonight.
2. Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare him
room and heaven and nature sing.
3. Glory to the newborn King. Peace on earth and mercy
mild God and sinners reconcile. Joyful all ye nations
rise. Join the triumph of the skies; With the angelic host
proclaim “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
4. Come and behold him born the King of angels;
O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
5. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay;
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
©2012 Awana® Clubs International. Visit us at awana.org.
Joy to the World
Away in a Manger
O Come All Ye Faithful
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O Little Town of Bethlehem
This publication includes images from CorelDRAW® 9 which are protected by the copyright laws of the U.S., Canada and elsewhere. Used under license.
The true meaning of Christmas
For unto you is born … a Saviour,
which is Christ the LORD.
(Luke 2:11)
To praise the LORD, we are singing in our neighbourhood on December 21 (Friday).
Carolling Night schedule as follows:
x
7 p.m. – briefing, practise and grouping
x
8 p.m. ~ 9:15 p.m. – Carolling
x
9:15 p.m. ~ 9:30 p.m. – snack time
Awana@GSC will close during Christmas season and resume again on January 11, 2013
Christmas Dinner Party
Date/Time/Place: December 24 (Monday) 5:30 p.m. at Parish Hall
Fee: Adult $10; Child (age 5-10) $6; (age 4 & under) free
Christmas season is a good time for sharing with our fellowship in Christ.
Services @ GSC
24-12-2012
Monday
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25-12-2012
Tuesday
㞮㢮‛
01-01-2013
Tuesday
㞮㢮‛
ᾚⓗ
5:30 p.m.
㟩ᾙ
8:00 p.m.
ᾙⓗ
11:00 a.m.
ᾙⓗ
11:00 a.m.
Christmas Dinner Party (凥尤㌅䫬凩檟)
Combined celebration with Good Shepherd, Richmond (2⦑凾▗㌅䫬)
Christmas Eve Combined Candle Light Service (凥尤⏜⪤ᾼ咀凾▗䍼⋘⺖㑫)
Combined service with Good Shepherd, Richmond (2⦑凾▗⺖㑫)
ᾙⓗ
11:00 a.m.
New Year Day Combined Eucharist Service
(⋒㝵㝴凥檟凾▗⺖㑫)
Christmas Day Eucharist Service (Eng) @ Chapel
(凥尤㝴凥檟⺖㑫 (咀) @ Chapel)
Christmas Day Eucharist Service (Chi) (凥尤㝴凥檟⺖㑫 (ᾼ) )
.
William Au, Commander, 2012-12-06