You have a role in this

How to Respect God through Praise?

Posted on July 19, 2015August 10, 2016 by Carol Hulbert

Last week at Vacation Bible Camp we learned that God is powerful! He has the power to comfort, and to heal, and to forgive me! I don’t know about you but knowing that sometimes makes me want to shout for joy!

Base Camp SIng and Play on day 1

Did you know that when you praise God, you are showing him respect? This week at our summer video series we joined Clive and Ian in their Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge. We looked for the answer to a big question:

How Do We Show Respect to God Through Praise?

Use the following provocative questions to jumpstart discussion! Start the conversation in the car on the way home from church, or around the family dinner table, or wherever your family is gathered together.

Ask these questions even if you missed the video showing!

Have some family time discussion…

What are some ways that God is amazing?
When I think about all of those ways God is amazing, I feel like shouting for joy! Brainstorm together a cheer; something that you can spontaneously shout out that will have special meaning for your family. For our family I like: Hulbert’s hurrah El Haggadol ! (El Haggadol is the Hebrew name for God which means “The Great God.” Check out other names for God.)
Sunday school lady helped us to see that when we don’t respect God, that’s like saying, “I don’t think you are important God. I don’t need you in my life.” How does praising God show respect for God?
What is a novel way that I can praise God this coming week?
We watched second video of a mime troupe showing us ways to praise God. Watch the video below. What do you think of their suggestions as ways to praise God? Which ones can you try out? The Bible tells us how to praise God! Look up each of the Bible references to see. (See the list below the video.)

(If reading this in an email, you may need to watch the video at this link.)

Hebrew word	Pronounced	Meaning	Bible reference
TOWDAH	to-DA	to sacrifice	Psalms 50:23
YADAH	yah-DA	to lift your hands	2 Chronicles 20:19-21
BAROUCH	BAR-ou	to bow	Psalms 95:6
SHABACH	Sha-BACH	to shout	Ezra 3:11
ZAMAR	ZAH-mar	to play an instrument	1 Chron. 15:16
HALAL	Ha-LELL	to rave and boast	Psalms 44:8
TEHILLAH	Te-HEAL-a	all of the above!	Psalm 22:3

This summer, we hope you’ll join us on our movie adventure at FUMC. In the meantime… continue the learning at home!

Photo credits:
Photo from VBC is from my archives.
Photos from the producer of our video Clive & Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge, under a fair use category.

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Is God as powerful as a superhero?

Posted on July 12, 2015August 18, 2016 by Carol Hulbert

This summer we’re off to the movies, searching for answers to big questions about God. Buck Denver had his newscast interrupted today with an important question:

Is God as Powerful as a Superhero?

What a great question! But is God as powerful as a superhero? I don’t know, those Incredibles did some amazing stuff. And Superman, well he’s “more powerful than a locomotive.” Is God as powerful as those champions?

We turned once again to Clive and Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge to help us with this query.

Now it’s your turn! Use the discussion questions below. Start the conversation in the car on the way home from church! Continue around the family dinner table, or wherever your family is gathered together.

You can ask these questions even if you missed the video showing on Sunday!
You can also access other sets of big questions.

Have some family time discussion…

The famous Dr. Schniff was consulted. He told us about some strong creatures! A Rhinoceros Beetle can lift an object 850 times it’s own body weight! (Which is like the strongest person being able to lift the steel frame of the Statue of Liberty!) How much can you lift? Try it out at home and calculate the amount compared to your own body weight – practice some math
How does God’s power compare to the Rhinoceros Beetle?
What is different about God compared to say Superman or The Incredibles? (God is real! And he loves us.)
What are some ways that we can know about God’s power? (We can read Bible stories where God’s power was exhibited. For example in this Moses story.)
What are other ways we can experience God’s power? (By paying attention to God’s wonderful creation.)
What evidence of God’s power have you seen recently? Start keeping a list!
Question: Do you suppose ants ever go on vacation?

This summer, we hope you’ll join us on our movie adventure and also, continue the learning at home.

Photo credits:
Rhinoceros Beetle by Geoff Gallice via Flickr, who licensed this photo under a Creative Commons License. Downloaded from Wikimedia Commons; modified by cropping photo.
Other photos from the producer of our video Clive & Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge, under a fair use category.

How to respect God by virtue of prayer?

Posted on June 28, 2015August 10, 2016 by Carol Hulbert

Clive & Ian & Monkey, in the Wonder-Blimp

This summer we’re off to the movies, joining Clive and Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge as we search for answers to big questions about God.

Last week we explored the big question of who created the universe. We learned that God did! We celebrated how amazing God is!

This week we added a twist to our series: we asked a question about ourselves and our relationship to God!

God desires a close, personal, connection with us. But to be near to God, who is after all pretty extraordinary, requires us to treat God with respect! Thus our question for today was:

How Do We Show Respect to God Through Our Prayer?

Use the discussion questions below to talk about what your kids learned. Start the conversation in the car on the way home from church. Continue around the family dinner table, or wherever your family is gathered together.

You can ask these questions even if you missed the video showing!

Have some family time discussion…

Buck Denver starts off the show talking about respect

What does it mean to respect someone? [An answer: Respecting someone means that you treat them as if they had great value. You look up to them!]
Name some people whom you respect. Adults should answer as well!
What are some ways that you show those people respect? [Possible answers: You spend time with them, give them gifts, do things for them, you listen to them, or you tell them you like (or love) them…]
How do you get a close relationship with someone – like if you have a really good friend – how did you become close friends? [Answers: You spent time together, talking and listening.]
Do you suppose these sound like good ways to get closer to God?
Sunday school lady helped us to see that if we are not respecting God we ignore him or say, “I don’t need your help.” What are other ways to show respect to God through prayer? [Possible answers: when we treat our relationship to God seriously we don’t joke around when we talk to God; we listen when other people are praying aloud, we tell God all about our lives and our worries and our joys; we are honest with God about what is on our heart.]
How can taking something seriously, be a way to show respect?
What is a way to pray that uses the acronym: ACTS? [Answer: Each letter in ACTS stands for a type of prayer you lift up to God – Adoration, Confession, Thanks, and Supplication (or perhaps: “Send in help!”)]
Bonus question: What do you think Clive and Ian should paint on the side of the blimp?

Adults: Here’s an important video from the creator of our series, Phil Vischer. Phil has a message about how we can show love and respect to God as a family. (If you are reading in an email you may need to click over to YouTube.)

This summer, we hope you’ll join us on our movie adventure and also, continue the learning at home.

Photo credits:
Photos from the producer of our video Clive & Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge, under a fair use category.

Who created the universe?

Posted on June 21, 2015August 26, 2019 by Carol Hulbert

Clive and Ian's Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge This summer we’re off to the movies, joining Clive and Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge as we search for answers to big questions about God.

Buck Denver is interrupted by a special news alert Our video started off with our old friend Buck Denver giving us a news report. But then Buck was interrupted by an emergency video call.

A kid had a question about God!

It was a really big question: Who Created the Universe?

Use the discussion questions below to talk about what your kids learned. Start the conversation in the car on the way home from church, or around the family dinner table, or wherever your family is gathered together. (If you missed the video showing on Sunday, you can watch it below.)

So, who made the universe?
What is something that God created? (Easy answer: everything!)
What did God think of his creation? (Hint: Genesis 1:31)
What is one thing in God’s creation that amazes you?
What does God’s creation tell us about God?
God created and is still creating through the process of evolution. What are some ways we can be more aware of God’s wonderful creation?
Bonus question: I wonder if kangaroos like being so bouncy?

Parents and caregivers: want to get a feel for the first video in this series? Click below to watch. (If you are reading this in an email, you may need to watch on YouTube.)

This summer, we hope you’ll join us on our movie adventure and also, continue the learning at home.

Photo credits:
Photos from the producer of our video Clive & Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge, under a fair use category.

This summer: How to share your faith with your kids

Posted on June 17, 2015July 5, 2015 by Carol Hulbert

Summer is here! This means it’s time for sunshine, lazy days, the beach…

Kids in the lake at sun set

And our annual summer movie series at FUMC!

Just like last year, this summer’s film series launches a way for you to share your faith with your kids. How?

By spending time together, wondering about your questions.

Questions are at the forefront of our videos.

A bunch of questions about God

So many good questions!

Each week we’ll address one question with the help of “Clive & Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge.” Perhaps you recall Clive and Ian from last year’s series? That’s them on the left below.

Clive and Ian from the video series What's in the Bible? Clive and Ian's Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge

This year Clive and Ian go on adventures in search of answers to questions. They soar in a Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge! (Or is it an Airship of Intelligence?) Check out the questions for July and August.

To help you share your faith with your kids, continue the discussion after class!
Each week receive follow-up topic starters for family discussion. Sign up to this blog (up on the right) and receive an email as class lets out. Start your family talk time on the way home from church!

Important Note:
You may be saying: But what if I can’t answer their questions?

It’s okay! Agree as a family, to dig deeper. Are we allowed to wonder at the mystery of what God is up to? You bet! Sometimes we have to live in the mystery!

Photo credits:
Top photo copyright by Tracy K. Used with permission.
Other photos from the producer of our video Clive & Ian’s Wonder-Blimp of Knowledge, under a fair use category.

Prepare to worship (Yes, WITH your kids)

Posted on May 21, 2015April 24, 2019 by Carol Hulbert

This weekend, if you are not at Family Camp, join us in worship with your family. There will not be any Cool Disciples workshops for 1st – 6th grades. But don’t let this cause a panic!

How about a little preparation before worshipping as a family?… To make it more meaningful for your kids. Use this material to discuss the service before and/or after-the-fact.

Try it! Equip your kids to experience worship. Try one (or all) of these blue arrow ways!

Introduce the start of a new Church Season.
(But don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it!)

In the Methodist tradition we have “Church Seasons” that separate our Liturgical Year. Each season focuses upon a different aspect of our Christian experience.

I wonder what season we are in?

Did you know that we have been in the season of Eastertide—or Easter Season—covering the 50 days after Easter? Well, this Sunday is the start of the shortest Church Season! It lasts one day! It’s called Pentecost. Pentecost is celebrated by Christians as the day when God’s Spirit was given to his followers.

Read the Bible story we’ll be hearing.

Want to know more about Pentecost? Why not read about it in the Bible? Pentecost was (and still is) a Jewish festival. It so happened that the disciples of Jesus were in Jerusalem celebrating Pentecost when the Holy Spirit arrived.

There are two times during our worship service on Sunday when we will hear scripture. The first time will be during the “Call to Worship.” We’ll be alternately hearing and saying a portion of Acts 2:1-4. Practice reading this as a family. Choose one person to read the non-bold words and everyone else reads the bold words… just like we’ll be doing in worship.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Other ways to “read” this story: Use the Beginner’s Bible, or watch the first 2 minutes of this video, or watch a portion of the video series “What’s in the Bible?” shown below. (If reading this in an email, you can watch this video on YouTube.)

Things to do in worship…

Once you are in church, ask your family to check out the bulletin to see what church season we are in.
what season is it - Pentecost

Compare that to last week’s bulletin… (Pardon my rather tattered looking bulletin from last week).
what season is it

Also ask: What do you notice that is different looking in the Sanctuary? (Hint: Look for changes in the colors used in worship – the cloths (called “paraments”) that cloak the altar or hang from the pulpit, or are worn by the clergy. (For Pentecost the color is red!)

Ponder the sermon topic.

The title of the sermon to be given by Rev. Doug is “You Can’t Handle the Truth.” I’m wondering what that has to do with Pentecost? Perhaps this is where the 2nd Scripture reading comes to play. Read John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15. This deals with Jesus promising the coming of the Spirit when he is no longer present with his disciples. The disciples’ were undoubtedly confused! Do you ever question whether Jesus is with us? (it’s okay to feel this way.)

Listen to the hymns. (And perhaps sing them at home!)

Listen to “Surely the Presence of the Lord.” We’ll be singing the first verse of this hymn as a response to the Unison Prayer.

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel his mighty power and his grace.
I can hear the brush of angels’ wing, I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

Practice singing “Jesus Loves Me.” We’ll sing this one when the younger kids go off to Sunday’s Cool.

Practice praying.

Pray this prayer: God of Grace, you sent the promised gift of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the women, upon Mary the mother of Jesus and upon his brothers. Fill your church with power, kindle flaming hearts within us, and cause us to proclaim your mighty works in every place, that all may call on you and know life abundantly through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

See you in worship!

Photo credits:
View the pie chart of church seasons that I created.
Arrow clip art by Clker-Free-Vector-Images on Pixabay, released under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain.

Kids grow up so fast!

Posted on May 18, 2015May 18, 2015 by Carol Hulbert

Wasn’t it just yesterday that those children were no more than babies?
How can we already be approaching the close of another school year??

Clip art showing progression from babe to going-off-to-school

Let’s preserve a”milepost moment” with a tradition!

Every year at FUMC, we recognize a few of these prominent benchmarks. One recently happened at the downtown location.

2015 Kindergarteners

Our kindergarteners are looking forward to graduating to first grade!

To mark this occasion, each child received a gift from the church. Since reading together is an important activity, ahead of time their family chose a Bible storybook, or a book of devotions. These gifts were presented to the children. They had a few minutes to have a first look. Watch the slideshow below. (If you are reading in an email, you may have to click over to the blog to see the photos.)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This particular milestone event is also important because moving up to 1st grade means that next fall their Sunday’s Cool experience will be a bit different. The kids had a chance to view these differences in action, as we took a tour of the “Older Children” Cool Disciples!

Here are a few notable differences:

They will be rotating!
(This method that we use for Sunday school is, after all, called the Workshop Rotation Model™, which you can learn more about by clicking on the logo on the right.)

While in Kindergarten, the workshops came to the kids. As 1st graders they’ll be visiting the workshops – physically moving – to a different workshop each week.
How do we figure out where they go each week?
Starting in 1st grade, kids attend worship until the Children’s Moment. After that, they are dismissed (with a song!) to their workshops. Check out the Children’s Ministries page (it’s usually buff colored) in the bulletin to see where they are headed. Remember, your child’s workshop location changes every week!

OR (here’s a better way) look ahead of time at home. (Or from your smartphone on your way to church – not the driver of course!) Check out the latest schedule post on this blog. Listed in the schedule post are descriptions of what each workshop will be doing. To generate a little bit of excitement I’d say, make a new habit: check it out on… Wednesdays!
But after the children’s moment in church, there is a large mob of kids – how does my 1st grader survive the crowd?
We’ve got a system! First graders are big kids, but the older kids can look bigger! To help out with this, the 1st graders gather in the hallway outside of the Sanctuary. This allows all of the older kids to ~~run excitedly~~ walk ahead to their workshops. A volunteer Shepherd greets the 1st graders outside of the Sanctuary. After the older kids have disbursed, the first grade goes as a group to their workshop.

On the first few weeks next fall, you may want to help your child find the group and say goodbye in the hall; then once they are familiar with the process, you can let them leave the Sanctuary by themselves.
Do I need to sign them in and out?
Nope. 1st and 2nd graders will wait after class with an adult in their workshop, for pick-up by a parental unit. (3rd grade and up are dismissed to meet their families.) When you pick up your child do at least make eye contact with your child’s Shepherd!

What is a Shepherd (and how else can I get involved in this great program?
Glad you asked! Shepherds rotate with the class. Thus, they get to know the kids and help out as directed by the Workshop Leader (by taking attendance, forming groups of kids for a game, or assigning roles to puppeteers). Ideally Shepherds would serve twice a month from Sept. through May. There are many other ways to get involved. Email to ask more questions!

Anything else?
Why, yes! Continue to nurture your family spiritually. You know you have a hand in this?

I realize it can be hard to teach kids how faith fits into life. That’s where this blog comes in…

Helping you build disciples with everyday moments.

Sign up to have posts sent directly to your inbox. Look up at the top right, for the email subscription box.

Have fun “homeschooling” in the ways of faith and grace!

Photo credits:
Photos are from my archives with the exception of the “blog button” which was adapted from this Creative Commons photo.

The Great Commission says to go. You don’t have to go far. (Start at home)

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Carol Hulbert

Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life.
— Jesus

United Methodists take Jesus’ words seriously. We say that our mission is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Sounds very lofty! How about we start at home?

How about we start by discipling the people who live with us?

It doesn’t have to happen in a formal, sit-down-and-study sort of way.

It happens when we apply faith to every-day life with our words.

For example, today, when springtime is bursting out around us, try pointing out God in simple ways.

a Redbud tree in bloom When you see bright colors…
Say: Notice how God is painting beauty all around us!

a single tulip next to a tree

See a single flower (all by itself)?
Say: God planted that one just to cheer someone up.

For the sounds of spring…
Say: Listen to the birds chirping; God gave them voices to announce spring.

When it rains…
Say: God is watering the flowers.

baby birds in a nest For springtime babies…
Say: Jesus was resurrected from the dead because God promised new life. Isn’t it fun to notice new life?

fog in the morning in the valley

When fog swirls…
Say: God wanted to just kiss the trees.

For a sunset…
God’s got his paintbrushes out again.

a sunset through the trees

When Jesus says “Go” this applies to our everyday going about – going to church, going to school, going to the mall, going to play sports, or going to a concert – It means going about our daily lives. It is a process with rich rewards.