Thursday's Big Question

Please read this for background about Thursday Big Question Posts. Was Jesus born on Christmas Day? We celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th. But the truth is that no one really knows what day Jesus was born, or even exactly what year. The Bible does not tell us that information. I think that the actual date is not that important. What is important is the Gospel message.

December 25th is the day that the church scholars and leaders picked to memorialize and celebrate Jesus' birth about fifteen hundred years ago. The word Christmas did not appear until the early 1000's. In fact, in the Middle Ages Epiphany was more celebrated then Christmas.

Welcome Back to Sunday School!

This Sunday our Sunday School begins for our children! We are so excited to reconnect with all the children and parents and to continue our Faith Journey together.

See you there!

July First Sundays Worship!

This Sunday is our July First Sundays Worship!
Join us for our monthly intergenerational worship service.

Our Scripture lesson is Matthew 11:25-30.

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed
them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows
the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone
to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from
me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We are going to put on our "Theological Hats" and discuss this passage.

We are also excited to present and bless our new quilted banner that we made at our last First Sundays Worship Service. We broke into groups to make quilt blocks using patterns. Later, Arlene graciously joined them together to create a beautiful banner for our sanctuary.

Happy Last Day of School to all the students, teachers, and parents in our midst!

Enjoy your summer!

He Is Risen!

“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here."

~~Mark 16:6

A Big Thank You!

I want to thank everyone for making the Empty Bowls Project a success!

A big thank you to the children for the diligent work making the pots and for their continued learning about hunger and poverty.

A big thank you to everyone who supported our learning by attending the luncheon on Sunday. It means a lot to know that Sparling is supporting the Sunday School and First Sundays Ministry.

A big thank you to everyone who purchased a clay bowl. 1Hope Winnipeg thanks you and the children thank you!

Summer Camps

It's that time! Time to start thinking about summer camp for the little ones (& not so little ones)! Check out these links for information about sleep-away camps and day camps in Manitoba:

• Manitoba Camping Association list of camps. The MCA has been specializing in organized children and family camps since 1937.


• The United Church of Canada Directory of Camps in Manitoba. Click on Manitoba to see the camps in Manitoba and at the bottom of the page lists CGIT camps for girls as well.

If your little one is too little for sleep-away camp or if sleep-away camp doesn't fit your summer schedule then make sure to check out these day camps offered in Winnipeg.

• Y Day Camp is offered at various locations in the city.


• Fort Whyte Day Camp is selling out fast!


• Assiniboine Park Zoo Day Camp.


• MiniU at the University of Manitoba.

I'm sure there are more day camps offered in Winnipeg and if you know of any drop us a comment with the information.

Cheers! & Happy Camping!

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.

How Can You Help The Empty Bowls Project?

The children have been learning about hunger, poverty, and what our Christian response is. Please support their learning by participating in The Empty Bowls Project.

You can do this in three ways:

1. Attend our Empty Bowls Lunch on Sunday April 10th after church (any silver collection donations will be donated to 1Hope Winnipeg)

2. Purchase one of the clay bowls the children have made for $5.00 which will be donated to 1Hope Winnipeg.

3. Ask the children about what they have been doing and learning in Sunday School. Talk to them about how Jesus wants us to help the poor and the hungry.

Easter Egg Decorating!

Stay after First Sundays Worship on April 3rd and join us for Easter Egg Decorating!

Egg decorating messy business so make sure you dress appropriately and remember to bring your own lunch to eat after church.

Everyone is welcome to stay!

Donations of eggs or decorating supplies are welcome.

First Sundays Ministry & Sunday School Need Egg Cartons!

We are in need of donations of egg cartons to use in painting projects. The little egg holders are very good for holding paint and great for other fun crafts!

Please bring clean egg cartons to church on Sundays and drop them off with Carrie or Heather.

Thanks again!

First Sundays Ministry Empty Bowls Project

For the next month or so the children will be learning about hunger and poverty in Winnipeg, focusing on what the Bible teaches us about food and sharing of resources. The Scripture Verse we are learning is Proverbs 22:9, "Generous hands are blessed hands because they give bread to the poor."


Yesterday, on March 20th we made food posters to promote donations of non-perishable food items, pet food, and personal care items to Sparlings Food Bank. The children enjoyed identifying food items in flyers, cutting them out, and pasting them onto their posters. Please look for these posters next Sunday!

The children were also able to identify that Jesus wants them to help the hungry and the poor. We are going to do exactly that with the Empty Bowls Project.

Next Sunday, March 27th we will begin making the clay bowls. The bowls are a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world and here in our community. Once they are complete they will be displayed at church.

Join us for a simple lunch of soup and bread on Sunday, April 10th where guests will have the opportunity to select and take home a decorated bowl in exchange for a $5.00 donation to 1Hope Winnipeg (http://www.1hopewinnipeg.com/).

Please join us for lunch on the 10th!

Spring 2011 Leisure Guide - Mark Your Calendars!

The Spring 2011 Leisure Guide is out and Registration begins on Monday, March 14!

Check out this link for information regarding children, adult, and specialty programs and how to go about registering.

Hello out there!

Hello! Anybody out there?

It's time to bring back the First Sundays Ministry blog!

Who's out there? Comment, and tell us who you are and why you're checking into this blog.

Stay tuned for information about First Sundays Ministry, Sparling United Church, fun things for families to do in Winnipeg and information about internet sites for families and children.

~Carrie