Author Archives: Sue Kelcey

Kids’ News – Jesus Is Baptized

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When Jesus was grown, he knew it was time to begin the work God had given him to do. Before teaching crowds or healing the sick, Jesus went to the Jordan River. People were coming to John, Jesus’ cousin, to be baptized as a way to turn their hearts back to God and begin again.

Jesus stepped into the water where John was baptizing. John was surprised because he knew Jesus was special. But Jesus asked John to baptize him anyway. When Jesus came up out of the water, something amazing happened. The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

Before Jesus healed anyone, taught crowds, or performed miracles, God reminded him who he was—beloved. This story shows us that baptism is about belonging. God spoke love over Jesus, and God speaks that same love over us.

What We Learned

  • Jesus chose baptism to begin the work God called him to do.
  • God named Jesus beloved before he did anything else.
  • Baptism reminds us that we belong to God.
  • God’s love comes first, even before we do anything special.

Kids’ News – Jesus Gets Lost (and Found!)

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Every year, Jesus traveled with his parents, Mary and Joseph, to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. The city was crowded with families, prayers, and songs as people gathered at the temple to remember all that God had done.

When it was time to go home, Mary and Joseph started the journey with the others, thinking Jesus was nearby with friends or relatives. But as the day went on, they realized he was missing. Worried, they rushed back to Jerusalem and searched everywhere for him.

After three long days, they found Jesus in the temple. He was sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at how much he understood. When Mary finally spoke, she said, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (Luke 2:48).

Jesus answered, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Even as a boy, Jesus knew where he belonged—close to God, learning and growing in faith.

What We Learned

  • Jesus loved being close to God and learning about God’s ways.
  • It’s okay to ask questions and learn more about our faith.
  • God welcomes us into God’s house, just like Jesus.
  • We grow in faith when we listen, learn, and stay connected to God.

Kids’ News – Solomon Builds God’s Temple

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After King David died, his son Solomon became king, and God assigned him an important task: to build a temple for the Lord. This temple would be a special place where God’s people could gather to worship and pray. Solomon meticulously planned the project and assembled a large team of skilled builders. They used strong stone, cedar wood, and beautiful decorations to honor God.

Building the temple was a very big project, and it did not happen quickly. The work took seven years to complete. Every day, people worked patiently and faithfully, trusting that what they were building mattered. They knew this was not just any building, but a place set apart for God.

When the temple was finished, it became a joyful reminder that God was with His people. The story of Solomon building the temple helps us remember that doing something important for God often takes time, patience, and teamwork.

What We Learned

  • Some important things take a long time to finish
  • God values patience and careful work
  • Working together helps us do big things
  • Doing our best work can honor God
  • God is with us as we grow and learn

Kids’ News

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Sometimes exciting things happen when we least expect them. We might be busy with homework, chores, or helping around the house when something surprising comes our way. God often shows up in moments like these, right in the middle of ordinary life.

In our lesson this week, we discussed the shepherds who were tending to their sheep when angels appeared and shared the joyful news of Jesus’ birth, as recorded in Luke 2. The shepherds were ordinary people doing everyday work, yet God chose them to be among the first to hear about the Savior. Even though they were afraid at first, they trusted God’s message and went to see baby Jesus for themselves.

The story of the shepherds reminds us that God’s love is for everyone and that God can use anyone to share good news. We do not have to be famous or important for God to work through us. Just like the shepherds, we can share kindness, hope, and joy with others and help spread God’s love in simple ways each day.

What We Learned:

  • God meets us in everyday moments
  • Jesus came for everyone, not just a few people
  • Good news is meant to be shared

Kids’ News

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Sunday, we had a wonderful group of kids with us, and our lesson focused on something that might sound a little tricky at first: the genealogy of Jesus.

We learned how Jesus’ family line stretches all the way from Abraham to King David, through the time of the Babylonian exile, and finally to Joseph, the husband of Mary. This family history helps us understand that Jesus is part of God’s long-promised plan and the one God sent to bring hope to the world.

While a genealogy can feel like a long and complicated family tree, it teaches us something important. God’s story is big, and it includes everyone. Many of the people in Jesus’ family were ordinary people. Some made mistakes, and some had difficult stories, but God worked through each one of them. This reminds us that God works in every family and in every generation, even when we cannot yet see the whole picture.

To make the day even more exciting, Santa stopped by after lunch to visit with the kids. He took time to hear their Christmas wishes and handed out stockings filled with goodies. He even paused his busy schedule to wish all of our kids a very Merry Christmas.