Beginning Our Easter Journey . . .

How do we "honor" someone on his/her birthday? How do we "honor" the American flag? How do we "honor" someone in the military? After talking about these situations, we read in Matthew 21:1-11, how the people "honored" Jesus as He entered Jerusalem on His journey to the cross. Days before Jesus' crucifixion, the people shouted, "Hosanna!," waved palm branches, and threw their cloaks on the road before Him.

On Palm Sunday, it is our tradition to receive and wave palms in remembrance of Jesus triumphant reception into Jerusalem. Today, we learned how to make a folded cross out of a palm frond. Above, you can see a picture of how the finished cross looks. For internet directions, please look here - http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Crafts/1craft08.php

Thank you, St. Paul Lutheran congregation for our Bibles!

3rd Grade Bible Dedication January 25th . . .

We are learning more about the Bible and are finding some of the names like Deuteronomy, Haggai, Zephaniah, and Lamentations hard to read and pronounce.  The more we use the Bible, the easier it is becoming to find verses.  Most important, we are realizing that God has something to say to us.  After reading the story about David and Goliath, we know that God is with us in tough times and will give us courage to face hard decisions and hard times.  Next week, we will look at the books of the New Testament.  We are excited to take our Bibles home so we read them daily.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you in the New Year!!

Waiting Expectantly . . .

We have been celebrating advent with the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes.  Last week, we made advent wreaths and learned about the significance of the candles.  This week, various advent crafts were offered in the classrooms and students could participate in their activites of choice.  Stars, bells, Christmas trees, candy canes, crosses, glitter, and sequins sparkled in the classrooms and filled each of us with thoughts of the Christmas Day to come.

Next week, we will celebrate Jesus'  birth with a birthday cake lit with candles and a Christmas video.  Be sure to come and be part of this party with your Sunday School friends.

We are letting our lights shine . . .

At first, the thought of making something fun and then giving it away was a hard thought, but as 3rd, 5th, and 6th graders gathered in groups around beads and key rings, the project became fun.  How many beaded keychains could this ambitious group make for the Madison School kids during our Sunday School time?  Questions and comments like, "Can you help me with this?" and "Wow, that looks great!" and "I'm working on my 4th one!" were heard as hands worked and goodwill spread.  The bridge between Madison School and St. Paul Lutheran is being built!

3rd Grade Saints . . .

On Sunday, November 2nd, we celebrated "All Saints Day" and were surprised to discover that each one of us is considered a Saint!  We love God and are followers of Jesus.  If you can say the same thing about yourself, then you are a Saint, too!  Although Saints are not truly angels, we wanted to put on our halos to give you the idea what our day was all about...it is hard to believe that Mrs. Hull talked us into this!!  Hey, maybe, we are Saints!

Reformation Sunday . . .

           What does the large, wooden door at the entrance to our sanctuary have to do with Martin Luther?  We learned on Sunday how Martin Luther translated the Bible into German so others in his country could read the Bible for themselves and learn what God says in His Word.  Because there were other things about the church that Martin Luther wanted to reform, he nailed to the church door, a list of 95 changes  that he thought  should be made.  Since those 95 changes took place in forming the Lutheran Church, our large wooden door reminds us of the door where the changes were posted, and the 95  holes (yes, you can count them) in the door remind of us Martin Luther's 95 ideas of reformation.  When you see the door to the sanctuary, you can remember Martin Luther's courage and desire for the world to know God's Word.

Let the Kindness Continue....

Hi 3rd Graders!  I heard so many great stories on Sunday about the Random Acts of Kindness that you are performing...let's see how many more acts you can pass on to your family, friends, and especially, those who need your kindness.  Have a great week...Mrs. Hull

Random Acts of Kindness...What did you do this week?

A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some case even an animal.   Do a random act of kindness this week and hit the "comment" button and tell me what you did.  For every comment, you will get your name in the "Diving Deeper" jar.  Let's make this an ongoing activity!

What a class of brainiacs!

With a rainy start to Sunday, I was so glad to see all of your bright faces in our classroom!  Not only do you have bright faces, but you have active and busy minds.  What a fun combination!  We whizzed through the Bible verse Wheel of Fortune activity, read the beginning of Joseph's story in Genesis 37, and then practiced Bible work by looking up verses that had names for Jesus.  You can see by the "wordle" all of the names you found.  Did you realize that Jesus had so many names that give us a bigger picture of who He is?

On Sunday, be sure you bring a permission slip if you haven't already done so.  We will be going to Madison School to brighten up their outdoor areas by picking up trash and pulling weeds...you even get to wear work clothes to church!  I look forward to seeing you again...have a good week and try to think of ways to be kind to those you meet...Mrs. Hull

Diving into the Bible

What started as a difficult task (looking up verses in the Bible), became easier as we practiced.  You did such a great job, helping each other and being patient learning a new skill.  Soon you will be whizzes at finding verses, stories, and favorite passages in God's Word.

Since many of you are having a difficult time finding the Question of the Week on this blog, beginning next week, a note with the week's question will be available for you to take home and return with the answer.  With a new month, hopefully the Diving Deeper jar will fill up.  See you soon...Mrs. Hull

What a busy classroom!

Hi 3rd Graders -

          It was so good to see you yesterday!  I am so lucky to have such smart kiddos in my class who are eager to learn about the Bible and who care about each other.  Yesterday we talked about the Bible being divided into two parts - Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT).  The OT tell us about God working in the lives of people before Jesus was born, and the NT tell us about the times when Jesus lived and what happened after his death.  We also learned that there are 66 books in the Bible - 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT.

          The question of the week will let you practice looking up a verse in the Bible.  Remember: the book comes first, then the chapter, and then the verse.  Good luck to you.  I hope we have lots of answers in the Diving Deeper jar.  We will have our drawing from the jar next week.  If you have a winning answer, you will get to pick out of the treasure box even if you are not at Sunday School the week of the drawing.

           Many of you had questions as to how to leave a comment on the blog.  Click on the "comment" under the entry you want to respond to.  When it takes you to the next page...type in your comment...be sure to put your name on your comment so I can respond to you.  The problem seems to be when it says that you have to leave your google name account...pick another choice...Click on Name/URL and just put in your name, you don't need an URL...hope it works as I want to hear from you.

Have a great week, and I'll see you on Sunday...Mrs. Hull

What a gift!

This Sunday's big event was receiving Bibles from the congregation.  What a wonderful gift!  We personalized the covers and will learn to use them over the next few weeks.  Next week, the actual learning begins...finding the Old and New Testaments, reading passages, finding verses, and becoming tuned in to what God has to say to us.

Be sure to look at and answer "The question of the week..." on the right hand side of the page.  There will be a new question each week.  Also feel free to leave me any questions or comments you might have, and I will try to post an answer.  It was fun seeing you today and know that our learning will be sprinkled with fun.  See you next week...Mrs. Hull

Hi 3rd Graders -

I am sitting in the Phoenix airport waiting to board a plane to Chicago and then on to Moline.  I am wondering how your first day of Sunday School has gone.  I hope you are happy and want to come back next week.  Were you able to figure out the Wheel of Fortune puzzle on the blackboard?  This will be a key verse this year as you become more acquainted with the Bible.  You will receive your own Bible next week with much thanks to our St. Paul's congregation!  You will be leaving your Bible at church so we can use them during our Sunday morning classes and will take them home in January when the Bibles are dedicated and received at the morning worship service.  My plane is getting ready to board so I must shut down my computer...know that I am thinking about you today and this week and look forward to meeting you on the 14th!

The room is ready . . .

Today was the day that I put the finishing touches on our room and began to think about what we will do when we meet.  Before we start to learn, we will talk about procedures in the room and the 4 Agreements that I have posted.  What does it look and sound like to be accepting?  to cooperate?  to be respectful?  to have self-discipline?  You have been in school long enough to know what makes a peaceful class community and good learning environment . . . think about how we can make our 3rd grade Sunday school room a place you look forward to being a part of.

I smiled as I unpacked and placed your new Bibles on a shelf.    I remember when I received my Bible in third grade . . . I still have and treasure it!  We will begin to acquaint ourselves with these special books when we meet on September 14th.  What a great gift our congregation gives to their 3rd grade students!  Get ready to dive into some fun activities as we learn how to use God's Word to learn more about Him and the kind of people He calls us to be.  Be sure to check out the pictures on the right side of the page . . .

Giving Our Room Personality

After the 9:20 worship service, I began to transform a lower floor room into the new 3rd grade classroom.  The pictures under the heading "Sunday to Sunday" show how the room is beginning to take shape.  I want to make it a place you will enjoy and want to come each Sunday.  I look forward to seeing you soon.

Did you hear Pastor Matthew's message today?  Did you know that you are a child of God?  I wonder what he decided to call his cuddly bear?