Bay Life Kids - Christmas Video

Merry Christmas!

Remember, we have three worship services on Christmas Eve: 4, 5:30 and 7pm. Bay Life Kids (ages 3 months thru 5th grade) will be available for the 4 and 5:30 service times only. There will be no services on Sunday, Christmas Day, so that we may spend time with our families.
Check out our elementary video below...and have a very merry Christmas!!

Bay Life Kids - Christmas Fun!

Looking for some fun things to do this Christmas with the family? Check these out:

Nights of Shimmering Lights…Dover ($20 per car but $2 off coupon on website)

Website:         www.nightsofshimmerlights.com

Christmas Lane…Dover

Website:         www.christmaslane.org

Indoor Ice Skating…Brandon

Website:         www.theicesportsforum.com

Outdoor Ice Skating…Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Downtown Tampa

Website:         tampasdowntownonice.com        

Wild Wonderland Lowry Park Zoo…Tampa

Website:         www.lowryparkzoo.com/wildwonderland

Victorian Christmas Stroll…Tampa

Website:         www.plantmuseum.com/Event-Information/victorian-christmas-stroll

The Nut Cracker…The Straz Center - Tampa

Website:         www.boxofficetampa.com

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker 2011… (Lakeland, Sarasota, St Pete)

Website:         www.nutcracker.com

Ruskin Family Drive-In…Ruskin

Website:         www.ruskinfamilydrivein.com

Silver Moon Drive-In Theater…Lakeland

Website:         www.silvermoondrivein.com

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas… Disney World - Orlando

Website:        www.disneyworld.com (Select Magic Kingdom; scroll down to “special events”)

ICE! DreamWorks “Shrek the Halls”…Orlando

Website:         www.gaylordhotels.com  (select Gaylord Palms Hotel)

Bay Life Kids - Tidbits

Hi everyone! Here's the latest Bay Life Kids Elementary video. Check it out!
Also check out these tidbits:

• There are no Sunday services on Christmas Day but we will have three (3) services on December 24th, Christmas Eve. The service times will be 4, 5:30 and 7pm. Bay Life Kids will only be offered for the 4 and 5:30 service times. If you are interested in volunteering in our children's ministry for one of the services, please let us know!
• No Kids Praise Team practice during Christmas break (December 22 and 29)
• There will be NO Bay Life Kids offered on January 1, New Years Day, as we will be having a family service in the main worship center. Bring the kids with you so you can spend time worshipping together as a family!
• The next acting clinic will be held January 8 from 1:30 - 4 pm. All ages are welcome!

Bay Life Kids - Who Started Christmas?

I received this story in my e-mail inbox today and thought it was worth sharing. I, like alot of other people I know, tend to feel overwhelmed around Christmas. Let us always remember the real reason for the season....JESUS!
---Tammy Paul

WHO STARTED CHRISTMAS?

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally, the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her along with all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry...we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

-- Author Unknown

BAY LIFE KIDS - Preschool Preview

Hi Parents,

Christmas! The word itself stirs feelings of extraordinary excitement. And rightly so. During the holiday season there are reminders of the season everywhere. But let’s be sure our children know what the excitement is really about. How can we help a young child realize that Christmas is a celebration of gratitude to God for His wonderful gift of love? There are several ways you can make the biblical and spiritual aspects of Christmas meaningful and attractive to a young child.

Help children know the simple facts of Jesus’ birth as they are recorded in Scripture.

• Tell or read the story of the first Christmas to children from Bible storybooks or from an easy-to-understand version of the Bible.

• Allow children to participate in assembling a manger scene. Retell the story of Jesus’ birth as they move the figures, or invite children to tell the story as you move the figures.

Help children feel that Jesus is God’s best gift of love.

• Remember that much of a child’s response is a reflection of the attitudes he or she sees from you. Nurture feelings of joy, love and thankfulness in your child.

• In the presence of your child, give thanks to God for Jesus.

• Include children in your church’s plans for expressing love to Jesus by caring and loving others (collect canned foods or personal care items for a rescue mission, fill a shoebox with age-appropriate gifts to be given to needy children, etc.). With your child, talk about the gifts the wise men gave to Jesus to show their love for Him.

Explain that we give gifts to others at Christmas to show our love for them.

Help your child express joy, excitement and feelings of love.

• Show gladness as you sing about Jesus’ birth.

• Be sensitive to moments when it is natural to talk about Jesus’ birth and encourage your child to thank God in prayer for sending Jesus to be born.

Keep Santa in the proper perspective.

• Avoid referring to Santa as a real person. If a child talks about Santa, say “Talking about Santa is fun. But it’s even better to talk about Jesus who loves us all year long.”

• Avoid the “What do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?” and “Be good for Santa” emphases.

• Keep the meaning of Christmas clear by frequently commenting on it. “Christmas is a happy time because it is Jesus’ birthday. People give presents to show their love. God showed His love by giving us Jesus.”

(© 2002 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted. Early Childhood Smart Pages)

Here are this month's lessons:

• Mary Meets An Angel

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56

Key Concept: To help children feel anticipation as they hear about God’s promise to send His Son, Jesus.

• Jesus Is Born

Luke 2:1-7

Key Concept: To help children know that Jesus’ birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

• Angel Tells The News

Luke 2:8-20

Key Concept: To help children express excitement that Jesus was born.

• Wise Men Give Gifts

Matthew 2:1-12

Key Concept: To help children thank God for Jesus by singing and praying.

 

KEY BIBLE VERSE: “God loved us and sent his Son.” I John 4:10