October 27, 2015 -- Issue #35

In today's newsletter:

1) More ROCK-tober Verses

2) Scarecrow Halloween Tract

3) The Pumpkin Prayer

4) Christmas Play: Walk Through Bethlehem

1) More ROCK-tober Verses

"(The Lord said), Is there any other God beside me? No, there is no other ROCK; I know not one." 
Isaiah: 44:8b

"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a ROCK." Psalm 27:5

"Everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a man who builds his house upon a ROCK." Matthew 7:24.

" . . . and the ROCK is Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:4

Get the ROCK-tober - October activity.

2) Scarecrow Halloween Lesson & Tract

Object Lesson: Have you ever seen a scarecrow? (You might show pictures.) Farmers use them in their fields. Do you know why? To scare away crows and other kinds of birds that eat their crops. Wouldn't it be great if we could use scarecrows to scare away frightening things in our lives? 

What are some things that scare you? (Allow for discussion). 

We can't use scarecrows to scare away frightening things, but we do have someone who has promised to be with us, to protect us, and to never leave us. We have Jesus, our Savior and Forever Friend! Listen to these promises from God's Word, "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid" (Psalm 118:6); "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble" (Psalm 32:7); "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5); and "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe . . . " (Psalm 27:5).

Get the Halloween tract and Scarecrow activity to accompany this object lesson.

3) The Pumpkin Prayer

(As you carve a pumpkin, say the following prayer)

Dear God, Open my mind so I can learn about You. (Cut out the top of the pumpkin.)

Forgive my sin and the wrong things I do. (Clean out the inside.)

Open my eyes to see your love for me. (Cut eyes shaped like hearts.)

I'm sorry for turning up my nose to all you've given me. (Cut a nose in the shape of the cross.)

Open my ears to hear your Word. (Cut ears shaped like the Bible.)

Open my mouth to tell others about you. (Cut mouth in the shape of a fish.)

Let your light shine in all that I say and do! Amen. (Place a candle inside and light it.)

4) Christmas Play: 
Walk Through Bethlehem 

In our church, in the rural town of Frankfort, MI, we have done a Walk Through Bethlehem in early December for the past 15 years. It runs two nights, Friday and Saturday, from 7- 8:30 pm. It's done inside in our sanctuary and in a Sunday School room; it is free and open to the public.

A group of about 20 visitors at a time follow a shepherd on a 15 minute walk through to view 7 skits or vignettes while looking for baby Jesus. He stops at each scene and allows our church actors to talk about the baby, discuss prophecies, etc. The audience is allowed to view the baby and the manger scene as long as they wish; then as they leave, they are given a candy cane with the Legend of the Candy Cane attached to it. We distribute scripts usually in early November to all who want to be involved.

We completely clear out the sanctuary and set up scenery we've painted and built. We also borrow a couple of live sheep from a nearby farmer and they are tied up in the first shepherd scene. We usually have around 250 people come through our Walk Through Bethlehem, which is a good percentage based on our area and the weather at that time of year.

Find Walk Through Bethlehem and more Christmas Skits, Plays & Dramas.

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