Sun. 1/29, 9 a.m.

Kids Connect is excited to announce that we will offer 252 during our 9 a.m. gatherings beginning Sunday, January 29!

The 252 curriculum for children in kindergarten through fifth grade is designed to spark discovery, inviting kids to a new understanding of how to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. We are excited that this outstanding curriculum and amazing small group leaders are now available to engage your child during all three of our large gatherings on Sundays. Try 252 at 9 a.m., especially if your child would benefit from smaller classes and more personalized attention.

Our elementary environment, 252, will soon be available during each of our three Sunday gatherings – 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 6 p.m. Choose and stick with the hour best suited for your family. Small group leaders are ready to partner with you in leading kids into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

As the end of the year rolls around, we’d love your help making sure we send your year-end giving statement to the correct place! Please fill out a ConnectCard with your current contact info, especially a current email address if possible, as this gets the info to you as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Questions? Contact our Financial Administrator, Allie Shaw (allieshaw@npberean.org)or leave a message with the office at 308-532-7448). Thanks!

In order to allow our staff and volunteers more time with family and friends during the holidays, please note the following changes to our typical schedules:

Kids Connect (infant-5^thgrade):

• Sun, 1/1: no 252 (grades K-5), but we will have First Look (nursery – pre-K)

Sola (6^th-12^thgrade):

• No Sola on Sun, 1/1 or Wed, 1/4

Office hours:

• Mon, 1/2: closed in observance of New Year’s Day

The folks at Bible.com (who make the YouVersion Bible App) have shared a cool series of Christmas videos where you can hear the stories being read from the Bible as you watch actors portray the scenes. This can be a helpful addition or alternative to the Bible reading we shared in our Christmas post.

Christmas is here!

On this special day, we celebrate our Savior's coming and eagerly look forward to when He comes again. Here are some resources you can use to enhance your celebration (a few videos, some Bible reading and discussion, a Christmas story quiz, and some music to enjoy).

A fun retelling of the Christmas story.

A relationship with Jesus gives us a different perspective on Christmas.

After watching the above video, it might be a good time to have some discussion on the question: What do you believe about Christmas and about Jesus?

Read the historical accounts of Jesus' birth:

• More complete version: Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-38, Matthew 2:1-23, and Luke 2:39-40. (Read online here.)

• More condensed version: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-21, and Matthew 2:1-12. (Read online here.)

Some possible questions to discuss after reading:

• How did the people we read about react to the angels who visited them? (What did they feel and do?) How do you think you might have reacted?

• If you were one of these people, what would you find difficult to believe? What fears might you have? What would you be excited about?

• What's something unexpected or unplanned that's happened in your life and (sooner or later) you were glad it did?

• Would you say you're close to God right now in your life? Why/why not? What would it take to get you there?

Just for fun, test your recollection of the Christmas story:

• For a good challenge, try the Christmas IQ Quiz.

• For a little bit simpler version of the quiz, download this one from Lifeway.

A song to respond to the good news about Jesus.

Wrapping up our resource listing, here are a few Christmas music playlists to enjoy with family and friends:

• If you'd like something higher-energy, try: Go Fish or TobyMac

• If you'd like something a little more low-key: JJ Heller or Lauren Daigle

• Two options from Chris Tomlin: Adore (newer), or Glory in the Highest (earlier)

• And finally, two options from MercyMe: It's Christmas! (newer), or The Christmas Sessions (earlier)

We hope you enjoy celebrating our Savior's birth! Merry Christmas, and may our celebration of Jesus continue always!!

As the end of the year rolls around, we’d love your help making sure we send your year-end giving statement to the correct place! Please fill out a ConnectCard with your current contact info, especially a current email address if possible, as this gets the info to you as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Questions? Contact our Financial Administrator, Allie Shaw ( leave a message with the office at 308-532-7448). Thanks!

In order to allow our staff and volunteers more time with family and friends during the holidays, please note the following changes to our typical schedules:

Kids Connect (nursery through 5^th grade):

• Sat, 12/24: no Kids Connect
• Sun, 1/1: no 252 (grades K-5); we will have First Look (nursery – pre-K)

Sola (grades 6-12):

• No Sola on Sat, 12/24; Wed, 12/28; Sun, 1/1; or Wed, 1/4

Office Hours:

• Mon, 12/26: closed
• Tue-Thu, 12/27-29: 9-2
• Mon, 1/2: closed in observance of New Year's Day

We will be having three gathering options on Christmas Eve (4, 5:30, and 7 p.m.). These will serve as our weekly gatherings, as we will not gather on Christmas Day as a whole church.

Be sure to visit npberean.org/advent-2016-resources for videos, Bible reading and discussion, and other resources you can use for an at-home Christmas celebration that keeps the focus on our Savior’s coming!

Kids imagine the conversation in heaven leading up to Christmas.

The Christmas story, as told by children.

Enjoy a little high-tech Christmas music.

Saturday, 12/10

We’re working on an update to our web site to make it simpler to navigate and to offer a more contemporary design. We expect the site to be down for maintenance this Friday evening (12/9) and the new look to be live on Saturday (12/10).