Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10
Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. In Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a wealthy, very important tax collector. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was too short to see above the crowd. He ran ahead to a place where he knew Jesus would come. He climbed a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus. When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and saw Zacchaeus in the tree. He said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.”

Zacchaeus came down quickly. He was pleased to have Jesus in his house. All the people saw this and began to complain, “Look at the kind of man Jesus stays with. Zacchaeus is a sinner!”

But Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “I will give half of my money to the poor. If I have cheated anyone, I will pay that person back four times more!”

Jesus said, “Salvation has come to this house today. This man truly belongs to the family of Abraham. The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.”

Discussion Questions

• Why was Zacchaeus in the tree?   He wanted to see Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowd.
• What did Jesus say to Zacchaeus? “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.”
• How did Zacchaeus respond? He was pleased to have Jesus come to his home. He said, “I will give half of my money to the poor. If I have cheated anyone, I will pay that person back four times more!”

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for the story of Zacchaeus.  Thank you for teaching us to be kind to each other.

Amen. 

Singing: Zacchaeus

Zacchaeus was a wee little man,

And a wee little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior passed that way.
He looked up in that tree,
And He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today,
For I’m going to your house today.”

Bible Verse for March

 “Be kind and loving to each other.” Ephesians 4:32

Activity: Pin Zacchaeus In a Tree

Use butcher paper or several pieces of newspaper taped together to draw a large tree trunk. Let each family member cut out several leaves from construction paper (just a football shape would be very easy) and let everyone tape them above the tree trunk. 

Then let each family member cut out a Zacchaeus from construction paper (the easiest way is to fold a piece of paper length-wise and cut out a “gingerbread man” shape on the side of the fold — younger children will need help with cutting; for them, you might also draw the outline of a man and let your child cut on the lines.

Put a piece of tape on each Zacchaeus. Blindfold your child and let him try to put Zacchaeus up in the tree (much like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”). Then let each family member  take their turn at trying to put Zacchaeus in the tree.

Cooking: Gingerbread People

Ingredients: (makes about 2 dozen)

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup dark molasses
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 3/4 cups flour, plus extra flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Guide Your Child To:

• Beat the sugar, shortening, molasses, and water in a large bowl. Add flour, salt, ginger, baking soda and cinnamon.
• Chill the dough in the refrigerator at least 1 hour.  When you remove the dough from the refrigerator, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Place some dough on a piece of aluminum foil.
• Pat the dough flat, putting flour on his hands to keep the dough from getting too sticky.
• Cut a figure out of the dough using a person-shaped cookie cutter, and remove the excess dough.
• Place the foil with his cookie on it  onto the baking sheet.
• Let you bake the cookies at 375 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.

Talk About:

• Who made people?
• How are you like other people? How are you different?
• How was the person in the story special or different? Did God still love him? What happened?

February 2013 Hope's Happenings

Valentine’s Day Parties

       Our Valentine’s Day Party will be on Thursday, February 14 from 1-2 pm. We will be letting parents take the lead role in planning and running this party. Your child’s teacher has a sign-up sheet outside her classroom with all the roles that need to be filled so if there’s a particular role or donation that you’d like to make, please be sure to sign up. 

    We will be doing a Valentine exchange – please make sure your child has a Valentine for each child in his class. Please leave the “To” space blank and have your child fill in the “From”; this is a great opportunity for your child to practice writing his name, in a way that makes it enjoyable! (And don’t forget your child’s teachers!) Just a reminder: Ms. Denton’s PreK class has 12 students, Ms. Vrshek’s PreK class has 12 students, Mrs. Bremer’s PreK class has 11 students, Mrs. Pilon’s K4 class has 11 students, and Mrs. Grider’s K4 class has 12 students.

    General reminders: No red or purple drinks or foods for the snack.  If you are signed up to oversee the craft, please talk to the teacher prior to purchasing any supplies, as the school may already have some of what you need (glue, paint, markers, paper, etc). If you do bring in additional paint, it needs to be washable (non-acrylic).  Also, we cannot do projects with lots of glue or paint, as it will be too difficult to transport home after the party, because they won’t be dry.

Subs Needed

We are in need of some substitute teachers for this school year! If you are willing to come in to aide in a classroom for a day, please let Mrs. Bonson know ASAP.

2013-3014 Registration

This week we will begin registration for next year. This will be for families currently enrolled in Children of Hope Preschool. Please look for a form to come home in your child’s mailbox soon!

We will open up registration to the public beginning in March.

Family Breakfast

Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 28 for a Family Breakfast. Breakfast will be served beginning at 9:45, so if you can arrive a few minutes early that day, we’d love to have you!

We will meet together as a school in the gym and we want you parents to join us. We will have some breakfast, sing a couple songs, enjoy some fellowship and have a short devotional.  Please make this a priority as your child would love to experience this alongside you!

When Your Child is Ill

Your child should be healthy when you bring him to school.  If your child is ill, please keep him home; and please be mindful that your child needs to be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before he may return to school.  Everyone involved in the program will appreciate this. 

Also, if your child won’t be coming in, please give us a call at 888-HOPE (888-4673) to let us know. 

If a child becomes sick while at school, he will be kept isolated from the other children and the guardian will be expected to pick up the child immediately. Please be sure the preschool office has updated contact information to reach you quickly if the need arises.

In addition, if your child has been exposed to or contracts a contagious disease (such as Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease, or Fifth’s Disease), please notify the director as soon as possible so that she may alert other families whose children may have been exposed.  Please consult your physician and the director as to when your child may return to school.

Take What You Need

We continue to have the opportunity to bless one another. If you have clothing or toys which your children have outgrown, please feel free to bring them in on Tuesday for other families to take as needed. On the flip side, if you see anything that would work well for your child, please take it home. You DO NOT need to donate anything in order to take what you need.   

This is a ministry we would like to make available each week, so as you have items to share, please bring them in on a Tuesday. However, anything left on Thursday after everyone has been picked up will go to a local shelter; it will not be kept for the following week.

News from

New Hope Church

Sunday Mornings

Looking for a place to worship on Sunday mornings and a place where you can connect and serve the Lord? New Hope Church is an independent, evangelical, protestant church located in the Center Grove-Greenwood community. 

Get to know New Hope by checking out the information provided on the church’s website (www.newhopegreenwood.org), and please stop by on a Sunday morning to check us out.  Our services are at 9:00 and 10:30. If you have any questions, please ask us in the preschool office or call the main church office at 888-HOPE (4673).

Mom’s Group

MOMs Group has gotten off to a great start this year. So far they have studied God's Word, fellowshipped with other believers and moms, heard a guest speaker on couponing and created Scripture to hang on our walls at home.

 If you haven't had a chance to pop in, please feel free to stop by and join in all the fun we are having.  Mom’s Groups meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:15 to 11:15. Childcare is provided for $1 per child per session. Scholarships are available.

Lit n’ Latte

The women’s book club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30am at Strange Brew.  Feel free to call the church office at 888-HOPE (4673) to find out which book they’re reading next, and feel free to join the group anytime!

 Mom’s Group

MOMs Group has gotten off to a great start this year. So far they have studied God's Word, fellowshipped with other believers and moms, heard a guest speaker on couponing and created Scripture to hang on our walls at home.

 If you haven't had a chance to pop in, please feel free to stop by and join in all the fun we are having.  Mom’s Groups meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:15 to 11:15. Childcare is provided for $1 per child per session. Scholarships are available.

Lit n’ Latte

The women’s book club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30am at Strange Brew.  Feel free to call the church office at 888-HOPE (4673) to find out which book they’re reading next, and feel free to join the group anytime!

January 2013 Hope's Happenings

Birthday Party for Jesus

Thank you so much for all of you who were able to join us for our Christmas Program and our Birthday Party for Jesus.  We pray that you had a wonderful Christmas Break, and we look forward to spending this new year with you at Children of Hope Preschool.

Thanks, Parents!

Thank you so much for your continued willingness to walk your child to class each morning. We know since the weather has turned colder, it isn’t as fun to get out of your dry and toasty car, but it will still be necessary and it is a great way to connect with your child’s teacher.

Just a suggestion: a way to allow your little ones to stay in the warm car while you bring in your older child is to take turns with another parent, either watching the little ones in the parking lot, or bringing in the children.

If you have any questions or concerns, please come by the office after you have dropped off your child, call us at 888-HOPE (4673), or email us anytime at childrenofhopepreschool@gmail.com

When Your Child is Ill

Your child should be healthy when you bring him to school.  If your child is ill, please keep him home; and please be mindful that your child needs to be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before he may return to school.  Everyone involved in the program will appreciate this. 

Also, if your child won’t be coming in, please give us a call at 888-HOPE (888-4673) to let us know. 

If a child becomes sick while at school, he will be kept isolated from the other children and the guardian will be expected to pick up the child immediately. Please be sure the preschool office has updated contact information to reach you quickly if the need arises.

In addition, if your child has been exposed to or contracts a contagious disease (such as Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease, or Fifth’s Disease), please notify the director as soon as possible so that she may alert other families whose children may have been exposed.  Please consult your physician and the director as to when your child may return to school.

  

Take What You Need

We continue to have the opportunity to bless one another. If you have clothing or toys which your children have outgrown, please feel free to bring them in on Tuesday for other families to take as needed. On the flip side, if you see anything that would work well for your child, please take it home. You DO NOT need to donate anything in order to take what you need.   

As you have items you would like to share, please bring them in on a Tuesday. However, anything left on Thursday after everyone has been picked up will go to a nearby shelter; it will not be kept for the following week.

Subs Needed

We are in need of some substitute teachers for this school year! If you are willing to come in to aide in a classroom for a day, please let Mrs. Bonson know ASAP.

2013-3014 Registration

We will begin registration for next year very soon. Please be looking for information to come home in your child’s mailbox!  

News from

New Hope Church

Sunday Mornings

Looking for a place to worship on Sunday mornings and a place where you can connect and serve the Lord? New Hope Church is an independent, evangelical, protestant church located in the Center Grove-Greenwood community. 

Get to know New Hope by checking out the information provided on the church’s website (www.newhopegreenwood.org), and please stop by on a Sunday morning to check us out.  Our services are at 9:00 and 10:30. If you have any questions, please ask us in the preschool office or call the main church office at 888-HOPE (4673).

Mom’s Group

MOMs Group has gotten off to a great start this year. So far they have studied God's Word, fellowshipped with other believers and moms, heard a guest speaker on couponing and created Scripture to hang on our walls at home.

 If you haven't had a chance to pop in, please feel free to stop by and join in all the fun we are having.  Mom’s Groups meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:15 to 11:15. Childcare is provided for $1 per child per session. Scholarships are available.

 Lit n’ Latte

The women’s book club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30am at Strange Brew.  Feel free to call the church office at 888-HOPE (4673) to find out which book they’re reading next, and feel free to join the group anytime!

December 2012 Hope's Happenings

Birthday Party for Jesus

We are looking forward to our Birthday Party for Jesus on Thursday, December 20. Soon, teachers will have sign-ups posted outside their classrooms so you can volunteer to help with the party.

The party will begin at 12:00; at 12:45, parents who are here for the party will be asked to join the other invited family members in the Gym for the Christmas Program, which will begin at 1:00.

Christmas Break

Our last day before Christmas Break is Thursday, December 20.  We will return to classes on Tuesday, January 8.

If you have any questions, please call the Preschool office at 888-HOPE (888-4673).

School Closing or Delay Notifications

When we have a closing or delay due to weather, it will be on WISH-TV / WNDY-TV. This is local Channel 8. If you think there is a possibility that we are delayed or closed, please look for it there.  Let us know if you have any questions.

Thanks, Parents!

Thank you so much for your continued willingness to walk your child to class each morning. We know since the weather has turned colder, it isn’t as fun to get out of your dry and toasty car, but it will still be necessary and it is a great way to connect with your child’s teacher.

And thank you for making sure your child is dressed appropriately for the colder weather. Even during the winter, as long as it is not raining, the children will go outside for playtime if it is 50 degrees or warmer. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing for being outside in this cooler weather.

If you have any questions or concerns, please come by the office after you have dropped off your child, call us at 888-HOPE (4673), or email us anytime at childrenofhopepreschool@gmail.com

When Your Child is Ill

Your child should be healthy when you bring him to school.  If your child is ill, please keep him home; and please be mindful that your child needs to be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before he may return to school.  Everyone involved in the program will appreciate this. 

Also, if your child won’t be coming in, please give us a call at 888-HOPE (888-4673) to let us know. 

If a child becomes sick while at school, he will be kept isolated from the other children and the guardian will be expected to pick up the child immediately. Please be sure the preschool office has updated contact information to reach you quickly if the need arises.

In addition, if your child has been exposed to or contracts a contagious disease (such as Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease, or Fifth’s Disease), please notify the director as soon as possible so that she may alert other families whose children may have been exposed.  Please consult your physician and the director as to when your child may return to school.

Take What You Need

We continue to have the opportunity to bless one another. If you have clothing or toys which your children have outgrown, please feel free to bring them in on Tuesday for other families to take as needed. On the flip side, if you see anything that would work well for your child, please take it home. You DO NOT need to donate anything in order to take what you need.   

As you have items to share, please bring them in on a Tuesday. However, anything left on Thursday after everyone has been picked up will be donated to a local shelter.

If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Parker.

News from

New Hope Church

Sunday Mornings

Looking for a place to worship on Sunday mornings and a place where you can connect and serve the Lord? New Hope Church is an independent, evangelical, protestant church located in the Center Grove-Greenwood community. 

Get to know New Hope by checking out the information provided on the church’s website (www.newhopegreenwood.org), and please stop by on a Sunday morning to check us out.  Our services are at 9:00 and 10:30. If you have any questions, please ask us in the preschool office or call the main church office at 888-HOPE (4673).

Lit n’ Latte

The women’s book club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30am at Strange Brew.  Upcoming readings:

December 20 - "Christmas at Fairacre" (a volume of three heartwarming holiday tales including "Village Christmas") by Miss Read; facilitator: Bonny Moser

Feel free to call the church office at 888-HOPE (4673) to find out which book they’re reading next, and feel free to join the group anytime!

New HOPE CRAFTERS

New Hope Crafters meet one Saturday a month, here at the church. Beginning at 9:00 am, anyone with an interest in any type of crafting from cardmaking, to sewing, to scrapbooking and the like is invited for this day of fellowship and fun.   

Please call the church office at 888-4673 to find out the date for their next get-together.

MOMS GROUP

MOM's group is meeting every Wednesday  at 9:15 am. Childcare is provided for preschool age and younger at a cost of $1 per child per week.  All moms are welcome.  Contact the church office at 888-4673 for more information.  

g=en-U� i t l �B H 7 ize:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-style:italic;mso-bidi-font-weight:bold; language:en-US;mso-ansi-language:en-US;mso-bidi-language:ar-SA'>MOM's group is meeting every Wednesday  at 9:15 am. Childcare is provided for preschool age and younger at a cost of $1 per child per week.  All moms are welcome.  Contact the church office at 888-4673 for more information.  

Lit n’ Latte

Please join us on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 8:30 am at Strange Brew (Smith Valley Rd & Morgantown). Upcoming books:

November 15 - "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand; facilitator: Karen Beck

December 20 - "Christmas at Fairacre" (a volume of three heartwarming holiday tales including "Village Christmas" by Miss Read; facilitator: Bonny Moser

November 2012 Hope's Happenings

Thanksgiving Celebrations

Tuesday, November 20

We are looking forward to our Thanksgiving Celebrations during the week of Thanksgiving. This year, both the K4 and the PreK will have their Thanksgiving Celebrations on Tuesday, November 20, from 1:00 to 2:00.

Each child will need to have a Someone Special here for the event; this is not limited to a parent – it can be a grandparent, aunt, uncle or family friend. We will need to know in advance who is planning to attend for each child so we can be aware of who to expect. Also, if that child will be leaving school on that day with their Someone Special and it’s not the person who brought them that morning, parents or guardians will need to fill out a Child Release Form in order for the Someone Special to leave with the child.

During the Celebration, we will have a brief program, and then the children will have the opportunity, with their Someone Special, to rotate through some centers, which include making a craft, enjoying a “feast” (snack), reading books and playing games.

The PreK will have regular class on Wednesday, as scheduled.

  

Field Trip

Thank you!

Thank you so much for all the parents who were able to help make our field trip to Home Depot so much fun!

Thanks, Parents!

Thank you so much for your continued willingness to walk your child to class each morning. We know that as the weather turns colder, it won’t be as fun to get out of your dry and toasty car, but it will still be necessary and it is a great way to connect with your child’s teacher.

And thank you for making sure your child is dressed appropriately for the colder weather. As long as it is not raining, the children will be going outside for playtime if it is 50 degrees or warmer. Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing for being outside in this cooler weather.

If you have any questions or concerns, please come by the office after you have dropped off your child, call us at 888-HOPE (4673), or email us anytime at childrenofhopepreschool@gmail.com

Subs Needed

We are in need of some substitute teachers for this school year! If you are willing to come in to aide in a classroom for a day, please let Mrs. Bonson know ASAP.

Take What You Need

We continue to have the opportunity to bless one another. If you have clothing or toys which your children have outgrown, please feel free to bring them in on Tuesday for other families to take as needed. On the flip side, if you see anything that would work well for your child, please take it home. You DO NOT need to donate anything in order to take what you need.   

This is a ministry we would like to make available each week, so as you have items to share, please bring them in on a Tuesday. However, anything left on Thursday after everyone has been picked up will be donated to a local shelter.

If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Parker.

News from

New Hope Church

Sunday Mornings

Looking for a place to worship on Sunday mornings and a place where you can connect and serve the Lord? New Hope Church is an independent, evangelical, protestant church located in the Center Grove-Greenwood community. 

Get to know New Hope by checking out the information provided on the church’s website (www.newhopegreenwood.org), and please stop by on a Sunday morning to check us out.  Our services are at 9:00 and 10:30. If you have any questions, please ask us in the preschool office or call the main church office at 888-HOPE (4673).

New HOPE CRAFTERS

New Hope Crafters meet one Saturday a month, here at the church. Beginning at 9:00 am, anyone with an interest in any type of crafting from cardmaking, to sewing, to scrapbooking and the like is invited for this day of fellowship and fun.   

Please call the church office at 888-4673 to find out the date for their next get-together.

  

MOMS GROUP

MOM's group is meeting every Wednesday  at 9:15 am. Childcare is provided for preschool age and younger at a cost of $1 per child per week.  All moms are welcome.  Contact the church office at 888-4673 for more information.  

Lit n’ Latte

Please join us on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 8:30 am at Strange Brew (Smith Valley Rd & Morgantown). Upcoming books:

November 15 - "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand; facilitator: Karen Beck

December 20 - "Christmas at Fairacre" (a volume of three heartwarming holiday tales including "Village Christmas" by Miss Read; facilitator: Bonny Moser