Having a birth-

day produces

many exciting

thoughts to

the mind. It

might be

dreaming of a

special cake

or favorite

cookies. It

might even be trying to decide which friends to beg your parents to let you have

over for a party. Your mind begins to go crazy with thoughts of presents and

how fun it will be to say you’re ten instead of nine, or eight instead of seven,

or…you get the picture.

Jesus had birthdays too! Do you think He got to have parties and play fun

games? What kind of presents does a carpenter’s son get? Maybe He received

a new hammer or a chisel. The Bible doesn’t say much about Jesus’ birthdays,

but it does say a lot about His “birth” day, the day He was born. What a special

day it was! Instead of doctors and nurses checking Him over to make sure He

was okay, Jesus had wise men racing across the desert to see Him and bring

Him expensive gifts. He also had shepherds rushing from the fields to worship

Him in His little manger.

The day Jesus arrived on this earth as a human being remains one of the

greatest days in history. It was the first and only time God came to earth as a

baby. He played, ate, worked, and did homework just like you. As a matter of

fact, Jesus knows exactly what it’s like to be a kid because He was a kid. He

was also a baby and a teenager. Jesus understands what it’s like to fall and

scrape a knee or have a friend say hurtful things. Not only does He understand,

but He can help you. All you have to do is ask for His help. This Christmas, re-

member that you’re celebrating the greatest birthday ever! The day God came

to earth to help you!!!

1355 Cheney Highway, Titusville, FL 32780 Phone: 321-267-7922

www.ircumc.com

Published by the Children’s Ministry

Bring People to Jesus

Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24th

5:00 & 7:00 PM Simultaneously The Sanctuary &

Wesley Fellowship Hall

Birthday Party for Jesus

The shepherds told people about the Birth of Jesus Christ and all who heard it were amazed

(Luke 2:17-18). Boys and Girls join us in a Celebration of Jesus’ birth

during the Saturday Night Service at 6:00 PM on December 17 in Wesley Fellowship Hall. Invite your family and friends to share in the excitement, participate in fun craft activities, and enjoy some great refreshments. Volunteers would be appreciated to support activities leading up to and during the service. If you are able to help, please contact Linda Benson at the church office at 267-7922 Ext. 19 or by email at lbenson@ircumc.com.

Birthday Party for Jesus Saturday, December 17

6:00 PM Wesley Fellowship Hall

VeggieTales Premiere Wednesday, December 21

2:00 & 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary

Christmas Around the World

with our missionaries.

Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 PM

Wesley Fellowship Hall

Merry Christmas to our wonderful friends and church family from the Children’s Minis-

try of Indian River City United Methodist Church! It is my privilege to serve the chil-

dren and families of IRCUMC and an HONOR to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

During this most holy season, I would like to take a moment to thank an incredible team

of people for their earnest and thoughtful service to God’s Kingdom throughout the

year. The caregivers, teachers and volunteer team members of Children’s Ministry con-

sistently honor Jesus in a most glorious way with their enthusiastic, patient and tender

nurturing of the children in their care. Thank you to each and every one of you. I cher-

ish you and your servant heart. Thank you for honoring Jesus’ birth and His sacrifice with your service!

As the year 2011 draws to a close, it is an opportunity to reflect on many of the joyous events of our

year! From Stacks of Love Pancake Dinner, Easter Egg Hunts, Vacation Bible School, Summer Blast, Bible

MAX, and Advent Wreath Eves, this has been a year of great partnership, cheerful service and connections of

so many! Through the donations of backpacks, sweatshirts, Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, and dia-

pers, this has been a year of children modeling a generous and selfless heart to our entire community! In the

provision of dozens of Bibles, the implementation of new programs and curriculum, and the training of new

leaders and helpers, this has been a year of continuing to deepen in God’s Word and a process of discovery of

God’s Plan for our lives.

With each craft prepared, with every card carefully written, with every balloon filled, cookie baked, script line

painstakingly written, every stroke of a paintbrush, swish of a broom, photocopy made, chair stacked, nose

wiped, hand held, welcoming smile, tender hug and prayer said, YOU, the congregation of IRCUMC, have

shown Jesus’ love to the children of our church. You have modeled Him to His precious children. It is a gift

to serve, side by side, with each and every one of you. YOU and the very special gift that is you, with God’s

blessing and plan, help the Children’s Ministry of Indian River City United Methodist Church along in its jour-

ney to reach its best potential. Thank you.

I had the opportunity to share in training this week. Our wise leader said something so simple, but so very in-

sightful. He said, “I can be a part of this – this huge thing.” I .. can .. be .. a .. part .. of .. this. This .. huge ..

thing.

In becoming a ‘part of this’, there becomes no “they”, only a “we”. In becoming a ‘part of this’, there is great

reward in the shared responsibility of educating and nurturing the children of our church. In becoming a ‘part

of this’, we find family in Christ Jesus. We feel His Love through the love of our neighbor. We feel a connec-

tion to each other that runs forever deep, a bond that cannot be broken.

In becoming a ‘part of this huge thing’, we find fulfillment. We become complete in Jesus. In our service to

His Kingdom, in our partnership together, we help bring the ball down the field and make the touchdown of all

touchdowns. We bring people to Jesus to know Him and make Him known.

No more “they” and “us”. Only “we”. One of the smallest of all words with the biggest of all impacts. Please

consider taking that step to become part of this huge thing. Part of the “we”. No more of the “they.” We

welcome you. Always. We would love to have you on our team.

Merry Christmas, friends and family. Happy Birthday, Jesus! Happy Birthday, most glorious and awesome

Son of God! Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. Thank you for the best gift of all – a relationship with You.

Love,

Linda Benson

Children’s Ministry Leader

Across

1. Wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and____. Mat

2:11

2. This angel told Mary she was going to have a baby. Luke

1:26

5. Joseph and Mary traveled from this city. Luke 2:4

7. The angel said to the shepherds, “I bring you___ ____ of

great joy” Luke 2:15

8. They went to see baby Jesus in the manger. Luke 2:15

Down

1. Jesus laid in this after He was born. Luke 2:16

3. The town where Jesus was born. Mat. 2:1

4. In a dream, God told Joseph to flee to this country. Mat. 2:13

6. The king at the time of Jesus birth. Mat. 2:1

Be an angel this Christmas and make these sweet treats

for someone special.

Christmas Tree Treats

You need:

Cone shaped ice cream cones

2 c. confectioner’s sugar

2 Tbsp. milk

¼ c. margarine or butter

Red hots, small marshmallows, chocolate chips, and

raisins for decorations

What to do: Place ice cream cone upside down (to look

like a tree) on a small paper plate. Mix confectioner’s sug-

ar, milk and melted margarine to make icing. Spread icing

all over cone. Decorate cone with red hots, marshmallows,

etc, to look like a decked out Christmas tree. Eat, give to

friends, or use as decorations.

Church Window Candy

You need:

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

¼ c. butter or margarine

3 c. multicolored tiny marshmallows

¾ c. chopped nuts

What to do: In plastic bowl melt chocolate chips and butter

in microwave. Let cool. Stir in marshmallows and ¼ c.

nuts. Divide mixture in half. Shape each half into a win-

dow. Slice and eat!

The Candy Cane A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he made the candy cane to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God.

The candymaker then shaped his cane into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life.

Put more joy and less stress in your holiday season this year!

Parents, follow these tips to help make the holidays feel like less work and feel more like merriment.

Tip 1:

Keep a holiday planner. There will be loads of details heading your way for the wide range of activities, requests, and

errands that are approaching. Jot your notes down in a small planner you can keep with you to help keep things orga-

nized and unforgotten. Don’t forget to mark things off once they’re done so you can savor in the satisfaction of keeping

control of the craziness!

Tip 2:

Reevaluate your holiday habits. Do you really need to get every last relative, neighbor, and your child’s teacher a gift?

Save time, money, and your sanity by suggesting to your family that you draw names for gift exchange for that one per-

son. Also, tone down the Christmas cards and holiday parties. Get cards for those you really want to connect with and

that you have at least talked to in the past couple years.

Tip 3:

Have fun! Create a family tree....literally!! Transform a family member into a decorated Christmas tree. Use such mate-

rials as crepe paper, aluminum foil (for the star), and craft materials to make the ornaments. You can even have a con-

test between the group to see who can make the most creative tree!

VeggieTales Premiere Wednesday, December 21

2:00 & 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary

This Veggie-version of a holiday classic, Junior Aspara-

gus stars as The Little Drummer Boy, a lonely child who

finds the true meaning of Christmas when he stumbles

upon the birth of the baby Jesus. A story of generosity,

hope, and love, this timeless tale will warm the hearts of

children everywhere! So plan to bring the children and

their friends and relax for about 50 minutes.

Christmas Eve Services Saturday, December 24

5:00 & 7:00 PM

Simultaneous services in the Sanctuary and Wesley

Fellowship Hall. Nursery will be available. Childcare for

children 4 and under. We encourage children to worship with

their parents.

Christmas Day Service Sunday, December 25

10:00 AM in the Sanctuary