GRACE, MERCY, and JUSTICE...those are words that really aren't in young kids vocabulary.  However, since our focus this month on Wednesday nights is...God is the Judge, it's kind of important that the kids learn these words.  The courtroom setting I had planned just didn't cut it.  I mean, that's the JUSTICE part of the lesson, but what about GRACE and MERCY - as it pertains to God and His plan of salvation.  Through much prayer and yes, dare I say, Pastor Koby's wisdom, an object lesson formed...

The kids were given numbers as they sat in the area we called 'life'.  If their number was drawn, they stood on the boxes marked 'end of life'.  One of my little angel helpers drew from a bowl a card marked either 'good' or 'bad' - a scenario about how they led their life.  Now it wasn't scary, but they jumped off the box into 'eternity'.  Whether they were 'good' or 'bad' in life doesn't really matter when God calls your number.  Because if it wasn't for His MERCY, we would all deserve 'eternal death'.  JUSTICE.  But because God loves us so much and does not want any to die this 'eternal death' (2 Peter 3:9), God's MERCY brings you up out of that 'eternal death'.  Now we are standing at 'heaven's gate'.  This is where GRACE comes in...GRACE is the gift (getting what we don't deserve).  Many people believe that if you are good enough you will go to heaven.  Being good is good!  But because God is the Judge, He looks into your heart and sees that even you trying to be good to earn your way into heaven, that's not good!  God's plan all along was to give us a gift.  When Jesus died on the cross, He opened 'heaven's gate' to all who believe in Him.  All who have asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins.  To all who love Him and follow His Word - The BIBLE!  Simply said, John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  Amen!!!    <3 Janna

Some people love to get pedicures.  I am not one of them.  Oh, the end result is nice, but the process is uncomfortable for me.  I don't like my feet rubbed...and I don't like rubbing other people's feet either.  So when my lesson Wednesday night was about Jesus washing his disciples feet just before they shared the Passover Meal, I knew I had to do what I REALLY did not want to do.  But as I was preparing for the lesson on God as our Servant, I knew I MUST become a servant - a servant in the same manner taught in God's Word. 

Wednesday night as the Kids gathered outside the classroom, they anticipated with wonder and excitement what we were going to do and why Miss Janna wanted them to take their shoes and socks off.  We went into the dimly lit classroom.  The Passover Meal was set up on one side of the room and a circled area was on the other with a basin of warm soapy water in the middle.  After I read in John's gospel where Jesus washed his disciples feet, I invited each child by name to come and sit by me.  As I washed their feet and looked into their eyes, I was overcome with the joy of 'serving' each child.  Afterwards I continued to read John13:12 where Jesus asked of his disciples, "Do you understand what I have done?"  When I posed this same question to the kids and asked them if they thought it was weird that Miss Janna washed their feet.  They all agreed it was weird but began to understand the true meaning of being a servant.  Jesus washed his disciples feet - something a slave or the lowest of servants would do.  Jesus set the example for each of us to do.  "I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them.  You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them."

There is something truly humbling about getting on your knees and washing the feet of another.  Are you a servant?  Do you have a servant's heart?  I encourage you to humble yourself and serve another - especially in a way that may be uncomfortable for you.  Be obedient to that example that was set before you.  Don't miss out on the joy God has instore for you. <3 Janna

Two months ago God gave me a new direction for teaching the kids on Wednesay nights.  I forged ahead outlining themes and verses for the months ahead.  Little did I know that I would need this month's lessons for me in my own personal life.  Sometimes I feel like a child being rocked gently in His arms...

"Our Lord and our God, you are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector.  You are the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter."  Psalm 18:2

We all face times of uncertainty.  Times when the world around us is too much to handle on our own.  And why should we even try.  God is our mighty rock.  He gives us perfect peace "to those whose faith is firm. So always trust the Lord" (from Isaiah 26:3-4). 

My strong shelter in times of need. 

My comfort. 

My prayer for all of you.  <3 Janna

 A new year signifies a new start.  This week the kind.-4th graders will be beginning a new series titled "God is the...".  January we will take a look at God as the Gardener. 

John 15:1 "Jesus said to his disciples:  I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."

We will also look at the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5. 

I am excited to start this new series.  I am praying the kids will grow in their understanding of their heavenly Father and grow closer as a child of God.  <3 Janna

I'm getting really excited for JOYLAND, the kids Christmas program this week.  The kids are singing really well and are enjoying this play.  There are a few challenges this year though...like having all 50 kids in toy costumes.  Last night a parent said to me, "I vote for the $5 t-shirt next year!".  I would have to agree.  Another challenge is to have the bulk of the kids (affectionately known as the choir) to be moving on and off stage, to have a 'costume' change, and to actually have to act (or re-act).  Tons easier to have these kids come onto the stage, sing, sit, stand, sing, sit, stand, sing... you get the picture! 

Even dispite these challenges, the kids are doing a great job. 

I am praying the message of JOYLAND comes through loud and clear.  Listen closely to the words spoken at the end of the program.  "Let's go behond the glitz and glitter of the season to the real meaning of Christmas.  Jesus came to earth to give.  Let's give back to Jesus."

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me."  Matthew 25:40