Children’s Church May 17, 2020

God’s Word for This Week - ​Citizens of Heaven; Living on Earth :

To God’s chosen people who are away from their homes. ​1 Peter 1:1 (ICB)

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman pray this week for you to live on earth, as it is in Heaven. 

Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ Your Father in heaven knows that you need them. The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you. Jesus is the Bread of Life. ​Matthew 6:31-33 

Worship and Praise God - Sing along

Who you say I am   You Make Me Brave    Ain’t No Rock

Lyrics You Make Me Brave

Worship God through His Word We Are Sojourners, Exiles, Aliens, Refugees. So lets live like it.

WE ​are Christians, believers in Jesus. 

● We live for a short time on the earth. We are sojourners.

● We do not belong to this world. We are exiles. 

● We are visitors on the earth. We are aliens. 

● We are different and persecuted because we believe in and follow Jesus. We are refugees.

BUT  you are chosen people. You are the King’s priests. You are a holy nation. You are a nation that belongs to God alone. God chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. ​1 Peter 2:9

● God chose us. 

● As the King’s priests, we have the highest calling, close to God, devoted to good works, full of worship and praise, sharing the Good News with others. 

● We are holy and special before God.   

Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world. So I beg you to stay away from the evil things your bodies want to do. These things fight against your soul. ​12 ​People who do not believe are living all around you. They might say that you are doing wrong. ​16 … So live good lives. Then they will see the good things you do, and they will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again. ​1 Peter 2:11-12

SO, ​Obey the people who have authority in this world. Do this for the Lord. ​14 … They are sent to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. ​16​So … Live as servants of God. 17​Show respect for all people. Love the brothers and sisters of God’s family. Respect God. Honor the king. ​1 Peter 2:13-14, 16-17

 ● Who has authority over you? As citizens of Heaven who do you obey? 

Family - Parents

Church - Pastors, Elders, Teachers

School - Principal, Teachers, Bus drivers, Aides, Secretaries, Custodian, Cafeteria Workers

Government - President, Governor, Mayor, Police, Fireman

Recreation - Coach, Music Director, Lifeguard, Ticket Takers, Helpers Working, Buying, Selling - Boss, Store workers, Waiters, Waitresses

 ● How do we as citizens of Heaven, How do we live on earth? 

Live as servants of God..

Respect God. 

Respect everyone. 

Love the Laurel Church Family and all of God’s family, all Christians. 

Honor the President, Governor, Mayor.

Worship and Praise God - Pray.

Father it's in the name of Jesus that we thank you for the salvation of our souls and to be citizens of Heaven while living on this Earth. I pray for strength to follow your Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit to honor you and exemplify your great Name by submitting to you and to those in authority over me and loving my church, the Church, and my neighbor as myself, so the world would know God sent his Son. Amen

Children’s Church May 10, 2020

God’s Word for This Week - ​Now, True Love

Now you have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. Now you can have true love for your brothers. So love each other deeply with all your heart. ​1 Peter 1:22 (ICB)

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman pray this week for your Mother’s joy, peace, and strength in God through Jesus.

We praise you God for our Mother. We arise and call her blessed. Do not worry about anything. Call on the Lord. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears your cry and saves you. We honor her for all her hands have done. Rejoice! Joy, peace, and strength are yours in God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Worship and Praise God - Sing along:

I worship and love  ​My Father in Heaven  who is making a ​Way  for ​My Mom, whom I love​.

Mom Obeys God's Truth

A Poem for Your Mom 

My mother is special, I’ll tell you just why. 

She makes yummy meals and doesn’t have to try. 

She helps with my homework, tells stories from her past. 

She takes me places just to have a big blast.

She brings me surprises and listens to my tales.

She makes time for me, she never fails. 

She tucks me in bed and turns out the light. 

When I’m sick she cares for me day and night.

But the best thing that makes my mom special for sure

Is the way that she prays, her heart is so pure. 

She doesn’t ask God for any great thing.

Just like Solomon, she asks only for wisdom to bring

To her heart so she can raise me as God wants her to

With patience and love her whole life through. 

On her knees she seeks God with all of her heart

So that each day from Him I will never depart.

Thank you sweet mom, for your example of love. 

May I always be thankful and keep my eyes on God above.

Worship God through His Word - NOW, Honor and Love Your Mom

Peter says, “So your faith and your hope are in God. ​Now you have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. ​Now you can have true love for your brothers. So love each other deeply with all your heart. ​1 Peter 1:21-22 (ICB)

Because of your faith and hope in God you are pure NOW by obeying the truth. You can have true love for your brothers NOW. What does ‘Now’ mean? Right Now, This Moment, Every Moment, Every minute is NOW.

Because your faith and hope are in God Honor Mom, NOW, ALL THE TIME.

Why should I honor Mom NOW? See what God says.

● Children are a gift from the Lord. ​Psalm 127:3

● Mom’s are obeying God to ‘Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.’ Proverbs 22:6 

● Obey the truth ​‘​Honor your father and your mother. Then … Exodus 20:12

● Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. Ephesians 6:1 

● Don’t refuse to obey your mother. If you do, … . Proverbs 30:17

● Children, obey your parents in all things. This pleases the Lord. Colossians 3:20 

● Give your mother a reason to be glad. Proverbs 23:25

How do I Honor Mom NOW? See what God says. 

● Love Mom. Love is patient and kind. … , Love does not brag, and Love is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not become angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices over the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 

● My child, … . … do not forget your mother’s advice. Proverbs 1:8 

● Don’t refuse to obey your mother. 

● Each person among you must respect his mother … . Leviticus 19:3 

● When you talk, do not say harmful things. Ephesians 4:29 

● A believer should take care of … , … especially his own family. 1 Timothy 5:8

Worship and Praise God - Pray

Father, thank you for ​the precious blood of Jesus Christ, a pure and perfect lamb sacrificed for our sins. ​We believe in God through Christ. Our faith and our hope are in God. Now, as children of yours and our earthly parents, guide us by your Word and the Holy Spirit to Honor Your Name and our moms and dads by loving you, obeying the truth, and loving them always. In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Children’s Church May 3, 2020

God’s Word for This Week - ​Living Hope:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. He gave us a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from death. ​1 Peter 1:3 (ICB)

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman pray this week for your hope in God through Jesus to grow:

We praise God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for his great mercy, and because of his mercy a new life, a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from death, and blessings are kept for us in heaven, an assurance of salvation. We pray for our future hope, a confident expectation, creates in us an ever growing desire to love and know you more and love others as ourselves.

Worship and Praise God - Sing along with these songs

There is only ​One Way  to live ​and ​Every Move I Make  will glorify ​my Living Hope by letting This Little Light of Mine  shine.

Worship God - Living Hope is Generous

Watch this video “​God’s Story: Generosity​”

Worship God - Living Hope Says ‘... ​be holy, because I am holy’

1 Peter 1:3 (ICB)  ​Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. He gave us a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from death. 

What is our Hope?

Hope is a confident expectation of our Father’s love for us, giving his one and only son to die for our sins, raising Jesus from the dead, and preparing a place in Heaven for all who believe.

Read or have someone read the explanations of Hope. Which explanations do you think Peter meant when he said ‘He (God) gave us a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from death.”

1. Hope is looking forward to something with expectation and confidence. 

2. Hope is when you wish for something to go a certain way. 

3. Hope is talking to God every day, expecting an answer. 

4. Hope is like having another chance. Like if the baseball game is tied, you still hope to win. 

5. Hope knows I am going to be in Heaven with Jesus. 

6. Hope is believing Jesus rose from the dead, but you didn’t see it. 

7. I hope I can get a pet snake. 

8. Hope helps you set goals God wants.

9. Hope wonders what God has for me today. 

10.Hope wonders what God is up to in this situation.

Answers; 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10

A Living Hope:

This ‘Living Hope’ is Jesus; past, present, and future

Past   Jesus rose from the dead

Present   Jesus is alive

Future   Jesus promises Heaven

1 Peter 1:15-16 ​But be holy in all that you do, just as God is holy. God is the One who called you. It is written in the Scriptures: “You must be holy, because I am holy.”

Living hope loves others when our life is well or when our life is hard.

Living hope wants our thoughts, words, and actions to be like Jesus.

Living ​hope changes how we live, because of love and trust in God.

Living hope tells others about our Living Hope, Jesus.

Worship and Praise God - Pray: Father, thank you for the living hope we have in Jesus Christ, our Lord. I pray the hope we have will grow each day by the Holy Spirit. I pray the hope we have in the resurrection of Jesus changes us minute by minute and day by day to purify our hearts so the fruit of the Holy Spirit is always known and seen by others. I pray the hope of Jesus Christ living in and through us will witness to those who do not know the eternal hope and will believe. In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Children’s Church   April 26, 2020

God’s Word for This Week:

My dear friend, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. He who does what is good is from God. 3 John 1:11

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman’s prayer this week is for “Love” to grow in you.

To my dear children whom I love in the truth: I pray your soul is doing well. I pray that you are doing fine in every way and that your health is good and as brothers and sisters in Christ the truth is in your life and you are following the way of truth. I pray, Father, for the children to follow the way of truth shown to us for that is your greatest joy. Taken from 3 John 1:1-4

Worship and Praise God - Sing along with these songs

Great Big God                 My Lighthouse               One Way

Worship God - Giving is Sharing

Read 3 John 1:5-8 or listen here.

5 Dear friend, you are doing a good work for God in taking care of the traveling teachers and missionaries who are passing through. 6 They have told the church here of your friendship and your loving deeds. I am glad when you send them on their way with a generous gift. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord and take neither food, clothing, shelter, nor money from those who are not Christians, even though they have preached to them. 8 So we ourselves should take care of them in order that we may become partners with them in the Lord’s work. 3 John 1-5:8

Worship God - He is From God or Not

The tale of two people who go to church:

Diotrephes

Read the Bible 3 John 1:9-10  or listen here.

Can you describe Diotrephes from these verses?

Demetrius

Read the Bible 3 John 1:11-12  or listen here.

Can you describe Demetrius? Hint: Re-read 3 John 1:5-8 or listen here.

● How are Diotrephes and Demetrius the same?

● How are Diotrephes and Demetrius different?

1. Which part of verse 11 is Diotrephes? Part 1 or Part 2

2. Which part of verse 11 is Demetrius? Part 1 or Part 2

3. Which part of verse 11 are you? Part 1 or Part 2

Part 1 My dear friend, do not follow what is bad; .... But he who does evil has never known God.

Part 2 My dear friend, … ; follow what is good. He who does what is good is from God.

3 John 1:11 My dear friend, do not follow what is bad; follow what is good. He who does what is good is from God. But he who does evil has never known God.

Worship and Praise God - Pray

Father, thank you for your presence. Your presence in this world. Your presence in the Church. Your presence in each child of yours. Your presence is all we need. Your presence is what we need today. Your presence is what we need now. I pray for Your Presence to be seen by people who have never seen. I pray Your Holiness will be

seen. I pray Your Justice will be known. I pray Your Grace would be understood. I pray our sin would be realized. Father, I need You now. Forgive me of my sin. I repent and turn to Your Truth. I receive Jesus, my righteousness, as Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Children’s Church

God’s Word for This Week:

2 John 1:6 ​(ICB) And loving means living the way he commanded us to live. And God’s command is this: that you live a life of love.   

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman’s prayer this week is for “Love” to grow in you. 

Grow in us a ​Love that is patient and kind. A Love that is not jealous, does not brag, is not proud, is not rude, is not selfish, and does not become angry easily. Grow in us a Love that does not remember wrongs done against it, takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Grown in us a Love that patiently accepts all things, always trusts, always hopes, and always continues strong. Love is the most excellent way. Amen ​1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Worship and Praise God - Sing along with these songs:

He Arose by GoFish   Glory Lord I Lift Your Name on High

Worship God - Jesus Teaches His Disciples to Give Up and _________ ___. 

In Mark 10:17 a man asked Jesus “​what must I do to have life that lasts forever​?” 

Watch this video to see what Jesus teaches the man. 

Jesus and the Rich Man

Can you fill in these blanks? 

Jesus teaches his disciples the most important thing is to ________ ____. 

Hint: em wollof

Worship God - Learn Jesus Teachings and Obey

2 John 1:6 ​(ICB) says ‘And loving means living the way he (Jesus) commanded us to live. And God’s command is this: that you live a life of love.’ 

Jesus says in ​John 13:34-35 ​“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. ​35​All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”

So, we must know the teachings of Jesus.

Watch these videos to see what Jesus teaches.

Video ​The Four Soils - The Heart of a Disciple is to follow Jesus. 

What makes the fourth soil so great? 

Hint: See what Jesus says by reading or listening to ​Luke 8:15

Video ​Why Read the Bible - The Desire of a Disciple is to know the truth. 

Why read or listen to the Bible?

Hint: See what Paul says by reading or listening to ​2 Timothy 3:16

Worship and Praise God - Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, I thank you for the truth of your word that saves, instructs, and corrects. Thank you for Jesus our Savior, Lord, and treasure. I pray by the guidance of the Holy Spirit for a full knowledge of your will and an understanding of your purpose. Help us to be one with you, loving you and our neighbor, so that all may know God sent his Son. l pray for those who are sick that they will become well. I pray that you would protect those who are well. I pray that you will keep strong, give wisdom, provide care for the people who are caring for the sick and our needs. Heal our hearts and the land. Have mercy on us, I pray. I pray as a child of yours, Father, for your Name to be Great. We love you. Amen.

Children’s Church

April 12, 2020

Happy Easter - He is Risen

Jesus said​: I (Jesus) am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will have life even if he dies. ​26 ​And he who lives and believes in me will never die. ​John 11:25-26 ​(ICB)

He is Alive​: Mary Magdalene went and said to the followers, “I saw the Lord!” And she told them what Jesus had said to her. ​John 20:18 ICB

Jesus is coming Back​: Look, Jesus is coming with the clouds! Everyone will see him, even those who stabbed him. And all peoples of the earth will cry loudly because of him. Yes, this will happen! Amen. ​Revelation 1:7 (ICB)

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman’s prayer is that you “Believe”.

I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! ​Revelation 1:18 (ICB) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. ​1 Corinthians 15:3-4  (ICB)

Worship and Praise God - Sing along: 

 Hallelujah For the Cross        Raise a Hallelujah      He Arose by GoFish

Worship God Give to Make Followers of All People: 

Then Jesus came to them (disciples) and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. ​19​So go and make followers of all people in the world. ​Matthew 28:18-19 (ICB)

Video - ​New Life for Followers  - Go and Make Followers

Worship God He is Alive - Believe:

Jesus is alive.

Jesus rose from the dead.

Hundreds of people saw Jesus alive. 

Today, Easter, celebrate Jesus.

Watch, read, or have someone read about people who saw Jesus and believed.

Matthew 28:1-10 Mary Magdalene and another Mary see Jesus and ​Believe​.  

John 20: 24-29 Doubting Thomas sees Jesus and ​Believes​. 

Luke 24:13-35 2 people on the road to Emmaus see Jesus and ​Believe​. 

The Bible says 500 hundred people saw Jesus at one time and believed​.

1 Corinthians 15:6 ​After that, Jesus showed himself to more than 500 of the believers at the same time.

Saul saw Jesus and believed​. Acts 9:3-5 So Saul went to Damascus. As he came near the city, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. ​4​Saul fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you doing things against me?” ​5​Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus. I am the One you are trying to hurt.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29

Jesus is alive. Believe.

Father, Hallelujah, Jesus is alive! 

Thank you for Jesus my Savior and Lord. Thank you that Jesus was seen alive by the disciples and hundreds of others. I pray for ​those who have not seen and yet have believed to go and make disciples. I pray today for more people to believe and ​declare with their mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, then you and be saved. Amen.

April 5, 2020

The Most Important Command:

Matthew 22:36-40  (ICB) “Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?” Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’  ​This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ 

Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman’s prayer is for “Love” to grow in and through you.  

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ICB):  ​Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. ​5​Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not become angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. ​6​Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices over the truth. ​7​Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always continues strong. ( International Children’s Bible)

Worship and Praise God - Sing along: 

Glory   Lord I Lift Your Name on High Hallelujah For the Cross

Worship God - Give Praise:

God Loves - God Saves - God provides - God Protects - God Knows

Video - Give God Praise ​Everyday

Worship God on Palm Sunday - Jesus Comes to Jerusalem in Loving Obedience

Watch these videos:

Palm Sunday For Kids: The Triumphal Entry

​The Skit Guys: Palm Sunday

Read or have someone read to you these verses about the ‘crowd’ that came to see Jesus:

Luke 19:37 The whole crowd of followers was very happy. They began shouting praise to God for all the powerful works they had seen. 

John 12:12 A great crowd in Jerusalem heard that Jesus was coming there. They took ​branches of palm trees and went out to meet Jesus. They shouted, “Praise God! God bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King of Israel!”

Read or have someone read to you these verses about Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem:

John 12:27-28 Now I am very troubled. I came to this time so that I could suffer. Father, bring glory to your name! 

John 13:1 Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. 

John 14:31 I do exactly what the Father told me to do. John 18:4 ​Jesus knew everything that would happen to him.

Can you answer these questions? 

Why did the crowd come? 

If you want to know the miracle before Jesus came see John 11.

Why was the crowd happy? 

How did the people express their happiness?

Can you answer these questions? 

What was Jesus going to do in ​Jerusalem​? 

How did Jesus feel? 

Why did Jesus ride a ​donkey into Jerusalem? 

Hint: Did you watch the videos? 

Why did Jesus come?

Worship God by Prayer: 

Father, I praise you for your great love, mercy, forgiveness and grace. I praise you for providing, protecting, and guiding us. I praise you for the Holy Spirit who helps us, comforts us, guides us, leads us, corrects us. I praise you for Jesus, our Savior, our Lord, our King, our Righteousness. I praise you for each day and the chance we have to present our lives to advance your Kingdom. I pray people’s hearts will be open, receive salvation, and trust you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Children’s Church March 29, 2020

God's Word for Every Day:

Matthew 22:36-40  (ICB) Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’ ​This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ 

 “Stand Firm” Mr. Jim and Mrs. Hardman’s prayer for you every day: 

from Ephesians 6:14-18  (ICB) Stand firm then (against the Devil), with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ​15. ​and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ​16. ​In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ​17​. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ​18​. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Worship and Praise God by Singing These Songs: 

Father Abraham           This is Amazing Grace

Love the Lord                  Our Easter Song Hallelujah For the Cross

Worship God by Giving Tithes and Offerings: 

Do you have money to cheerfully and generously give to our church? 

Watch this ​tithing video  to understand how we worship God by tithing. 

If so, give it to your parents and they will send it to our church.  

Worship God by Growing as a Disciple:

Be Careful of False Teachers

2 John 1:7 (ICB) says ​“They refuse to say that Jesus Christ came to earth and became a man.” Their teaching is not true!! We know and believe Jesus is God and Man. 

1. Open your Bible to John 1:1-2 and John 1:14. 

Read or have someone read these verses. 

John 1:1-2 - ​Before the world began, there was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. ​2 He was with God in the beginning. John 1:14 - The Word became a man and lived among us. 

Watch this video from Crossroads Kids Club called ​God’s Story /Jesus

2. In these verses, who is the Word? 

Hint: Notice the upper cases ‘W.’

Some of you may say the ‘Word’ is God and some of you may say the ‘Word’ is Jesus. Correct answer: You are both right, because Jesus is God.

3. How do we know Jesus was a man? 

Hint: Merry Christmas

You are right. He was born. He was a baby. He grew up. He lived on the earth. He was like you and me, ​except He never sinned​. Did you notice the upper case H for ‘He’. He was not half God and half man. ​He was all God and all man! 

And, Don’t let anyone tell you different!!! 2 John 1:7 says ‘Anyone who refuses to say this is a false teacher and an enemy of Christ.’ Know and Believe ‘Jesus is God and Man!!! (​I am excited and talking loud.) 

Father in the name of Jesus, thank you for being faithful to us each day. Your faithfulness is what we trust in every day. We thank you for so loving us that you would send your Son, the Word, Jesus, Savior and Lord to be the sinless sacrifice for our sins. I pray that this truth will be known and believed in our heart and mind. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I pray we will be wise and discerning children of yours, knowing truth and standing firm against the lies of the enemy. Protect us this week, I ask. Provide for us, I ask. Heal us, I pray. Purify us, I pray. Seeking first your kingdom and your righteousness now and forever. Amen.