First Sundays Worship

Join us this Sunday @ 11 AM for First Sundays Worship @ Brooklands Senior Resource Centre (1960 William Ave). This month we continue to celebrate the liturgical season of Christmas and we will focus on the Wise Men that visit the Christ Child in Bethlehem.

The Wise Men bring gifts to Jesus and so do we. We all bring gifts to Christ. Gifts of love, guidance, leadership, talents, and support and more. The list is exhaustive.

Start thinking about what gifts you have that you bring to the Christ Child this Christmas Season.

What's Happening Wednesday

Today is December 23rd. It's the day before Christmas Eve. I'm sure that's what we all have on our minds this Wednesday.

Presents to buy. Presents to wrap. Decorations to put up. Food to make. Kids are out of school. Gotta entertain the kids. Gotta go see Santa. Gotta make cookies. Gotta decorate the cookies. Gotta go, gotta do, gotta be. A zillion things to do and a zillion places to go.

In this Christmas season parents have to make decisions about what is important all the time. We have to remember what the season is about and we have to remember the meaning of the season of Christmas . I'm a Mom too and I know that it's easy to get wrapped up in trees, presents, and parties. Sometimes Christmas becomes a burden rather then a blessing.

I've thought about this a bit and offer these tips to everyone out there.

1. Keep it simple -- Keep everything simple, including gift giving. Make home made gifts, especially ones that your children can help to make. Limit gift giving. Your second cousin twice removed that moved to Italy six years ago does not need to receive a gift from you. Don't stress about it, just focus on staying within your means and on giving gifts to those are really close to your heart.

2. Do things together -- Activities are more fun if everyone is involved. Bake those cookies together and have the kids decorate them. Put up the Christmas tree and decorate the house together. Volunteer for a local charity together. Wrap presents together. Visit elderly relatives together. Teach your children that Christmas is about more then gifts and Santa Claus.

3. Relax -- Take time out together as a family. Pick one day and do nothing but eat snacks and watch movies. Take an afternoon to go for a walk in the park. Attend any caroling or singing events at church. Laugh. have fun. Smile. Enjoy your time together. You'll find that if you take time out of the busy season to do relaxing activities that they will become traditions that your children will ask about in the coming years.

4. Say No -- That's right. Learn to say no. Realize that you and your family don't need to attend every Christmas party or every activity. The Scouts party, school party, work party, dance class party, Book Club party--somethings gotta give. Do you and your kids really want to go to their old babysitters Christmas Open House? Ask them and ask yourself. You just might want to...but you also might not want to. Prioritize what you do this Season and the Seasons after.

5. After December 25th -- Remember that the Christmas season only starts on December 25. It does not end then. Spread out what you do and when you do it. Not everything has to be finished by Christmas Day.

6. Pray & Celebrate -- Read the birth story in the Bible. Take time out and attend church service on Christmas morning. Read picture books about the Holy Birth. Pray. Sing Happy Birthday Jesus with your kids. Have a touchable nativity that your children can touch so can see the Gospel in action. Talk about all the characters. Answer questions and ask your children questions about the Holy Family and Birth. Continue with remembering Jesus, God, and the Bible after the Christmas Season has ended and decorations put away.

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas Season.

Thursday's Big Question

Please read this for background about Thursday Big Question Posts.

Why Do We Pray?

When we pray we talk to God. God wants us to speak to him in our own words.

We can praise God. We can give thanksgiving to God. We can confess to God what we have done wrong and how we may have hurt people. We can ask God for help. And we can ask God to take good care of others and the world.

When we pray we are sharing our life with God and God is helping us to feel good.

The Bible tells us, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6-7.

What's Happening Wednesday

We are going Bowling on January 17 after church.
Mark your calendars!
Details will be forthcoming.

Christmas Services

Join us at Sparling United Church for Christmas Services.

Longest Night Service
Monday, December 21 @ 7 PM @ Atlantic Garden City
Longest Night speaks of the God who walks beside is in our pain as much as in our joy and helps us to celebrate Christ in the midst of so many mixed messages.

Christmas Eve Family Worship
Thursday, December 24 @ 7 PM
Children are welcome and encouraged to participate in this Service of Joy.

Christmas Eve Carols & Readings
Thursday, December 24 @ 11 PM
A time for Reflection and Praise.

Christmas Day Celebration
Friday, December 25 @ 11 AM
Our Saviour is Born!

Help to adorn our worship space with ethnic cloths, scarves, or decorations to represent all nations coming to Christ. Everyone is invited to bring in these symbols of your heritage to add to the display.

Big Questions

Kids ask Big questions and they also ask Tough questions. Big with a capital B and Tough with a capital C.

It's part of growing up and learning about the world around them. Some questions are easy to answer. Questions like, "why do I have to eat my vegetables?" and "Why do I have to go to bed?" are easier to answer then "Who is God" and "Why do we pray?" and "Why do we go to church?"

As adults and Christians it is important to answer the questions are children pose, but sometimes it's hard to answer questions about faith because we might not even know the answer ourselves or while we may have the answer inside our hearts articulating a response in terms that a youngster will be able to understand.

I'm not going to pretend like I have all the answers, because as everyone knows I'm practically clueless myself; but I can give ideas and directions and tell you what other people say.

From now on Thursdays are going to be The Big Questions Day. I hope they give you tips on how to deal the questions kids ask and to perhaps give you another way of looking at questions of faith.

Blessings,

Carrie

Boo At The Zoo!

1Read about it here. The deadline to register has been extended to this Tuesday, the 12th!

Have a great weekend!

We're on Facebook...well Sparling is. :P
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Join Us!!!

Join us this Sunday for First Sundays Worship! It's worldwide communion day and the children have prepared the bread for our congregation. I've got a fun craft planned that you will be able to use year round. There is going to be fun prayers and good songs. It will be good times. :)

Join us at 11 AM!

The 4F's

First Sundays Ministry is hosting an event on the last Friday of every month, called the 4F's

What are the 4F's you ask? They are Faith, Friends, Fun, & Fellowship. & they are going to be happening the last Friday of every month at the Sparling Church House (1490 Burrows Avenue).

Our kick off event is this Friday, September 25 @ 6PM. We'll start with a simple potluck supper and then move into the activity of baking bread to use during Worldwide Communion Sunday at the church.

Bring the kids! Bring Grandma and Grandpa! Bring your neighbour! Come for supper and then baking.

First Sundays Ministry needs Jars!

We are going to be doing an activity in the Spring that is going to require many jars. Many jars. Like one for every member of the congregation (and more if possible).

Please bring in your already washed small to medium jars with lids. I'll collect them at church every Sunday. The size in the picture is the perfect size, but a little bit smaller or a little bit bigger is no big deal.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Cheers

Overturning The Tables

Food For Thought.

Mom, I'm Bored! Dad, I'm Bored!

Free Things To Do With Kids For The Rest Of Summer

1. Go to a City Wading Pool (Click here for info about them)
2. Go to a City Splash Pad (Click here for info about them)
3. Visit one of the city’s walking trails (Click here for info about them)
4. Visit the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden (Click here for info)
5. Visit the Legislative Grounds and take a tour (Click here for info)
   

How To Find Us

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Shepherding The Flock

It's true, our sheep (aka children) need Shepherds.

Please sign up to help on these wonderful and important Sundays where the children and families take center stage and FUN is the name of the game.

Intergenerational worship is most exciting and moving when everyone participates!

The first Sunday in October is Worldwide Communion Day so we will continue with the theme of "This Is My Body". If that interests you or you have some ideas then sign up to be a Shepherd.

Sign up by leaving a comment here, speaking to me (Carrie) in person, or by email/phone.

Fun Sites with activities for kids

DLTK-Kids

Jesus & Kidz

Kids Sunday School

Bible Activities

Veggie Tales

Garden Of Praise

Please note: Sparling United Church & First Sundays Ministry is not responsible for the content of external sites. Please preview in advance for suitability of content and age appropriateness.

Literacy & Kids

I found this fun website that gives strategies for raising a reader. They are very practical and easy to implement.

Check out the site!

September 1st Sunday Worship

On September 6th, there is not going to be a 1st Sunday worship service because....

SPARLING IS GOING CAMPING!!

It's Sparling United Church's bi-annual camping trip to Camp Morton for a weekend of family time and fun activities. Bring your tent and come stay at our Group Use Area site on Saturday, September 5 and stay for our outdoor church service and luncheon (bring your own lunch) on Sunday.

Can there be a better way to celebrate God's presence in our lives, than to spend time outdoors and with good friends!

Steve, Andrew, and I have rented a Yurt for the long weekend and we'll see you all there!

1st Sundays According To Andrew...

We were heading out the door this morning and Andrew saw that I had the 1st Sundays craft container ready to go into the car. He got excited & started singing, "It's Kids Church today! It's Kids Church today! Daddy needs to stay home--only kids today!" First, I reminded Andrew that Daddy helped with the craft on 1st Sundays. So, Andrew conceded that Daddy could indeed come. Phew. Next, I asked how he knew it was a 1st Sunday. He solemnly pointed at the craft container and would not say anything more about the subject.

After we got home from church I asked Andrew what his favourite part about today was. His response, "When we stained the glass. The was a lot of fun, Mommy."

I hope everyone enjoyed today. I'd love to hear more feedback about todays service. Leave me some comments!

Tomorrow is....

The First Sunday in August. That means it's First Sunday worship at Sparling. I've been planning all month and we have some fun stuff planned! Everyone can look forward to...

• Playing "Stump the Vicar"
• Exploring Christian Symbols
• Praising God through Song
• Making "Stained Glass"

Worship starts at 11 AM!

In All Seriousness....

I added some "Serious Links" to the right in the side bar. So far they are all United Church related. Check them out!

As I think of more I'll add more. If you have a suggestion for a link to add let me know.

What Can You Expect On First Sundays?

You're probably wondering what you can expect on a First Sunday @ Sparling?

It's easiest to say, "Expect the Unexpected!"; perhaps you want a little more information about what might happen on the First Sunday of every month. I don't want to give EVERYTHING away but I will say that all ages can expect:

• Joyful worship
• Fun activities
• Singing and Talking and Learning about our Faith and God
  
• A Welcoming and inclusive service for EVERYONE

So, like the hymn says, "come in, come in and sit down, you are a part of the family."

Sparling United Church Welcomes YOU!

Sparling United Church welcomes you our First Sundays Ministry!

We worship on the First Sundays of every Month at Sparling United Church (1960 William Avenue West) @ 11 AM.

Join us!