Love One Another

"I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you. If you love one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples." I John 13:34-35

Yesterday, we learned about loving each other at Mosaic Kids. I used the three items in the photo above to teach them "Love.One.Another." We hid them around the room, went to find them, and then we got to shout, "Love.One.Another" over and over.

But, what does that mean? And what does it mean to love each other like Jesus loved us?

For that, we had a little experience together. I wanted the kids to understand HOW Jesus loves them. So, I told them that if they could memorize all of John 13:34-35 in 2 minutes, we would have a PARTY with cookies, prizes, and balloons. Wow, did that get them excited. So, I wrote the verses on the white board, turned it around and gave them two minutes. But it was too hard. No one could repeat it. We couldn't have the party. You should have seen their faces and heard their pleading!

Instead, I went on to talk about how Jesus served his disciples in John 13 by washing their feet. This was a story the children knew from a previous lesson. We talked about how Jesus washed their feet even though they were stinky. We talked about how Jesus died on the cross for us even though it was hard. And that's how Jesus wants us to love others. We talked about how Jesus loves us even though we aren't perfect. He loves us even though we don't always obey our parents, we don't always get the right answer, and we don't always obey God, either. And that's why, even though we didn't get the right answer during our Bible memory quiz.... we get to have a party anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how Jesus loves us. He lavishes His grace and kindness upon us, even though we can do nothing to earn or deserve it. He invites us to His party, even though our feet are stinky. And that's how he wants us to love each other. He asks that we love, even when it's difficult, even when people are imperfect, even if they don't smell very nice. And it comes with a promise: when we love like he loves, we will look like him, and people will see it.

May it be so.

What team am I on?

So, since I usually post the team rotation only by team number, I thought I'd list out who's on what team (an updated list!)

Team 1:
grades K-4
Carla C
Ethan L
Joanne S - set up
David G
Matt & Elinor M - clean up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Kelli G
Laura A
Rose S - set up


Babies, 1s & 2s
Hannah A - set up
Andrea G - clean up

Team 2:
grades K-4
Maluhia - set up
Tanya - clean up
Garrett - clean up
Charissa & Brenna - set up
Betty - set up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Brett B
Katie B
Madison S

Babies, 1s & 2s
Adriana P - clean up
Alison - set up

Team 3:
grades K-4
Julie H - clean up
Jacky S - set up
Gordon N - set-up
Brad S - set-up
Steven S - set up

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Amia F - clean up
Gabrielle N - set up
Erin H - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Shannon N - set up
Krysta H - clean up

Team 4:
grades K-4
Delia B
Rob & Willow W - set up
Arlene´M
Ian M
Amanda A

Preschool (3s-young 5s)
Meghan V - set up
Jason H - clean up
Lauren R - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Lael A - clean up
Drew F - clean up

image from Dom Dada on flickr.

This Week - Sept 14th - Team 3

Grades K-4
Julie H - clean up
Jacky S - set up
Gordon N - set-up
Brad S - set-up
Steven S - set up

Ages 3-4
Amia F - clean up
Gabrielle N - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Shannon N - set up
Krysta H - clean up

Kids Teams - August/September Schedule

August 3rd - Team 4
August 10th - Team 1

September 7th - Team 2
September 14th - Team 3
September 28th - Team 4

image from aperryz302 on flickr.

Our Kids!

Brand New Preschool Program!

This Sunday, your kids might go to a new class. The new class breakdowns are as follows:

Baby Room = Babies, 1s and 2s
Preschoolers = 3s to young 5s (pre-K)
Elementary room = grades K thru 4

We are super excited to be launching a new Preschool program. It has been a desire for over a year! We know your little ones love to sing songs, play games, laugh, learn and make things. Now they will get to, all the while, learning that:

God loves Me
God Made Me
Jesus Wants to be my Friend Forever

We are looking at using this curriculum. I think it's going to be fun!!!

image from here

Up Next - Team 2 - September 7th

Grades K-4
Maluhia - set up
Tanya - clean up
Garrett - clean up
Charissa & Brenna - set up
Betty - set up

Ages 3-4
Annette - set up
Madison - set up

Babies, 1s & 2s
Adriana - clean up
Lori - set up

Set up team - please arrive at 9:15

See you Sunday!

This Sunday - August 31st

This Sunday we are having a Gathering focused around our rhythm of listening.

We will be gathering at Whatcom Falls Park at 10 am, in the upper part of the park near the playground. Just bring yourself and the appropriate children (see below). We will provide coffee and donuts.

If you have littles (ages 0-5), feel free to drop them off at the Atkins' house on your way. E-mail me for directions.

The 6-12 year olds will be hanging out with Mr. C and me for a special time of listening geared toward them (but will be with you, their parents, for part of the fun as well).

See you on Sunday!

image from here

This Sunday - August 24th

It's Party Time!

Come join us as we celebrate year two of Mosaic!!!

We are meeting at Whatcom Falls Park (near the upper play area) at 5pm.

Dinner is provided, but bring a salad or dessert to share, and your beverage of choice! We'll have games for the whole family and lots of time to celebrate all that God has done this past year in and through our community.

edit: Party postponed due to weather. Mark your calendars for September 21st at 5 pm... location TBA!

This Sunday - August 17th - Beautify Projects

This Sunday we are gathering at Whatcom Middle School at 9:30am.

We are partnering up with Roosevelt Community Church to serve our community!

If you'd like to drop off your little ones, you may do so! Drop them off between 9:00 & 9:15 at the Neufeld's house! Check your Mosaic E-mail Newsletter for a map (or just e-mail me.) Many Blessings. Enjoy Sunday as Johnny and I continue to enjoy Maui!!!