How on earth do I write a Primary Sacrament Meeting Program/Presentation?

 

** UPDATE 10/14- It's been brought to my attention that possibly using the term "program" instead of "presentation" can cause contention and that there are some who want me to quote "be aware that some of us want to us terminology that reflects that." I'm assuming the 2nd us is a typo for use.
I'd like to apologize if I offended anyone. If you read through this article and find the word "program" offensive, please... just substitute. I'm in no way suggesting that the primary sacrament meeting presentation is an entertainment event.**

 

Hello beautiful friends.

I can't believe it's been 6 years of doing this blog. Time flies when you're having fun!! I wanted to thank you for reading. I'm just a random weirdo, but the fact that this blog has received over 3 million hits is impressive. It goes to show you that the Lord works in mysterious ways!!

And it's that time of year again....

I don't know why, but sisters need to chill out. Every year, around the time to write the Primary Sacrament Meeting program aspirin sales go through the roof and nervous ticks develop at an alarming rate. The primary program is not a production. It's not something that needs to be cutesy fartsy perfect.

But in all honesty, I don't think that's the main reason people stress out. I think/hope it's because we love Heavenly Father. We want the spirit to be felt. We want the children to have a good experience.

With that said... now what?

1. Well, you need to decide. Is one person going to write it or are you going to divide it up?

2. PRAY. Not a flimsy prayer either.

3. Base everything off what the children have learned.... Sharing Time Outline to the rescue!!! Use the scriptures, the themes!!

4. PRAY some more.

5. Depending on your numbers, have classes do monthly themes. For example, the Sunbeams can do January's theme, CTR 4 can do February's theme. Include parts of children's talks they gave throughout the year if you happened to write things down. Monthly songs can go before or after the monthly theme is presented by the children.

Older children can be given (ahead of time) their parts with fill in the blanks or topics.
For example:

I am a child of God who will be an author one day! I love to write. The scriptures are full of stories about families, written by Heavenly Father’s prophets. One of my favorite scripture stories about families is __________________________. I love that story because __________________
________________________________________________________________________________.  I know that families can be together forever through Jesus Christ.

Or:
Please prepare/write a 1-2 minute talk based on family prayer, family scripture study and family home evening can strengthen my family.

6. Did you stop praying? Tsk Tsk. Take a moment to say a PRAYER.

7. The length of what the children say is dependent on how many children you have in primary and also what they are capable of. Some sunbeams could preach sermons that would make you cry... however most would do best with 1-2 simple sentences. CTR 4, 1-2 simple sentences. CTR 5, CTR 6, CTR 7, depending on the child 2-6 sentences. With Senior Primary, just think about time.... and don't stress out. If there are 70+ in your primary, children can also have group recitations or group singing parts. Ask the Bishop or former primary president what's been done in the past and get some ideas!

The thing about the program is no matter what you do, the spirit will be felt. If you think you are not adequate or can't write, you're wrong. Humble prayer goes a long way.

I've written 3 programs and know that it wasn't the words necessarily. It's the spirit the children bring with their innocence and joy... it is tangibly felt. Their goodness radiates and all are uplifted. When we look at our children, we see heaven. We feel what the kingdom of heaven is like.

8. Make sure children have their parts 2 weeks before you do your practice. Have a copy up front and sit low by the pulpit to help out as needed.

9. But the children don't know the songs that well... they aren't singing very loud!!!!!!!!!

Woah. Slow ya' roll sista. 5 minutes every other Sunday on a song isn't necessarily going to make a child remember the words. They need to practice at home and sometimes they don't. It's Ok. Just have them SMILE or hum if they don't know the words!!! This is supposed to be a positive experience so be careful in your choices to judge the quality or volume of their singing. Of course we want to encourage children to do the best we can, but at the same time this isn't MoTab auditions.

10. PRAY. Look at what you've written. PRAY again. And PRAY one more time for good measure. If you feel happy, that's the spirit saying rock on with yo' bad self. If you feel unsure- re-read, PRAY, edit if needed/just go with it. The spirit might be waiting until after to give you that awesome feeling that all is well.

Check things with the bishopric like the outline says to and then FINALLY turn on that William Levy telanovela for a few minutes to enjoy. Only a few minutes, because as handsome as he is, your husband is way hotter. It's not actually William...maybe... it's more the language of love and how they can talk about love for episodes on end, while if you try talking to your husband about your endless love, staring in each other's eyes of course, you burst out laughing because you only made it 2 sentences. For the record, I do not speak Spanish but I really enjoy over acting and insane plot lines dictated by intense music.

With that not being the best way to end this post, I suppose I should mention that God is good. He loves us so much. This is an opportunity to really feel of His love for you and the primary children. Don't worry about what other people "might think"... this isn't about them. It's about having a spiritual experience and doing service. It's about guiding and helping children. it's about being close to our Savior. I know that Jesus is our best friend. He won't fail us ever. So trust in Him. You can do it with His help!!!

LDS Stake Activity Day Girls/Especially for Girls Idea

 

The other night I couldn't sleep. It was a first in that the reason I couldn't sleep was because my brain was racing with this idea and I had the strong impression I had to post by Sunday.

T minus 3 hours.

 

I know Stakes usually have a yearly activity where they get all the Activity Day girls together and have a great time doing crafts and workshops.

 

So, the theme of this day would be "Sweetness" with a quote from President Uchtdorf,

"The happiest people I know… are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments." (From his talk Forget Me Not)

 

Possible names of groups to divide the girls and have them rotate workshops in:

Cutie Cupcakes

Positive Pies

Caring Candies

Lovely Lollipops

Brilliant Brownies

Confident Cookies

Super Sundaes

 

Each group could have a bag with their treat on it to collect and carry things from workshops.

 

To start the day you could have some fun workshops:

M&M Time!

Make marvelous muffin mix in a jar (with plenty of time you can collect pasta sauce jars from women in the stake... that are clean for all the girls to save on costs), have a cooking demonstration and/or have girls make their own recipe books to add recipes to.

Candy Grams

Have girls divide into groups (within their group) and make candy gram cards for missionaries, bishops, or whoever needs a lift!!

Fudge Center

Getting to know you games with a sweet twist- such as picking up marshmallows with chopsticks, pudding Pictionary, skittles up front (a bowl of skittles, 1 girl at a time chooses a color, have getting to know you questions based on colors)

 

Of course, a wonderful healthy lunch would follow with some crazy overachieving lady to make it all beautiful with décor. Oh how I wish I were you crazy overachiever. I try to craft and it ends up like those Pinterest FAILS.

Sigh.

One day.

I might be dead.

But one day!

 

And to end the day, of course we need to get to the nitty gritty, what it's really about!
Spiritual workshops:

"Sweet was my joy" Alma 36:21

A priesthood leader can come in and talk about repentance.
Repentance is not a punishment!! But it's something we all need to learn and do!

"Sweet is the peace the Gospel brings" Hymn 14

Using the gospel to help us set worthy goals

"I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives." Hymn 136

What is a true testimony and how can we gain one of The Savior? Encourage girls to write down testimonies too!

"Those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them." D&C 42:46

What is the resurrection? Preparing to help our ancestors in the temple. How to do online temple indexing!

 

You'd need to choose different leaders for all the workshops and have helpers depending on the number of girls you have. Give the leaders the theme for each workshop and have them run with the spirit for inspiration.

 

I hope this can help whoever needed it!! All my love to you!!!

 

Also for the invitation (as pictured above), the cupcake background is a free image from thecutestblogontheblock.com, baker's bliss.

 

House of Hades Review.... An LDS perspective and some personal ramblings

My 9 year old and 6 year old daughter LOVE the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series!
It's funny, witty, engaging, suspenseful. It teaches you everything you ever needed to know about Greek Mythology. It has good themes of perseverance, loyalty, sacrifice and love.

Some hiccups I've run into with the books is that I personally feel uncomfortable saying certain phrases including fake Greek gods. It's too close to taking the Lord's name in vain, even though it has nothing to do with Him. So, I skip those few lines.

When House of Hades came out on Tuesday, we took time off from school to read... because I knew we wouldn't be able to put it down. Everything was going great surprisingly, seeing as it's a book based in Greek Mythology hell's hell. You'd think it'd be too dark and depressing, but you meet 2 wonderful characters that ultimately sacrifice everything for goodness and peace. We were emotional wrecks on those pages. We love you Bob and Damasen.

One thing that completely took me off guard was a major character being gay. I'll give you a little bit of background. Nico (the character who has a crush on another boy) has to confront Eros, the mean and cruel version of love. Eros makes him confess to be able to get something they need on their quest.

My prom date was gay, I did theater in high school, we have multiple relatives who are gay... I very easily recognize the fact that God is our only judge. God has made us all different and that's a good thing. There are some individuals who are born gay, who are born with temptations that attract them to the same gender. What's my responsibility to them? The same as it is to everyone else! TO LOVE. TO LOVE. TO LOVE. I know that we have commandments, I know that we have choice, I know that marriage is between a man and a woman. I also know that sometimes life is hard.

One of my best friends (we actually dated for a while) in life moved all over the world opening safe orphanages for children. He threw himself into a work he thought would help others, and it did. It helped hundreds of children escape a life of cruelty and deprivation. While in Africa, he came to terms that He was gay. He was a return missionary and he was struggling. He ended up trying to take his life a couple times.

I realize that I don't have all the answers. I do know that God is merciful though and loves all His children.

While this first took me off guard, I was grateful for the opportunity to pray and then have a discussion with my girls. We went by the spirit. They are young. They've been around people who are gay and we've talked about it many times. But I was grateful for another opportunity to communicate the message that we should trust God always, make good choices, and love as Christ loves.

For more information on what The Church has to say:
http://www.mormonsandgays.org/

October 2013 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps And Ideas

Missionary Image from LDS Gospel Image Library

Monthly Theme: I will share the Gospel with all of God's children.
Monthly Scripture: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Weeks 1 and 2 Living the Gospel helps me to be a missionary now.

* Plan in advance to get some pictures of ward members as children, maybe some grandparent pictures, maybe even a current picture of the Bishop. Ask these members to share a fun missionary story they have from their life. Invite a child to guess who a picture is of and then share the story. Sing I want to Be A Missionary Now (CS 168) We have missionary experiences ALL the years of our life!
     “Regardless of our age, experience, or station in life, we are all missionaries.” Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 44.

* Have 5 numbered chairs in the front of the room in a row. Invite 5 children at a time to come up front. Sing a missionary song and have the children walk reverently around the chairs. When the music stops, they sit and have someone in the primary draw a number. You'll need a cup with the numbers 1 through 5. Ask the child whose number was called to share a way they can be a missionary now! If they need help, HERE is a great article from The Friend with ways listed!! You could cut them up and put in a cup for the child to draw out... again if they needed help!

* HERE  is a fun game from The Friend. You could make a few copies and divide into groups to play. After you play, invite a few children up front to share ways to be a missionary now!

* Bring in some flags of places people serve missions. Can we guess the countries of the flags? Everyone in primary is going to make a wonderful full-time missionary one day. We aren't sent to different countries right NOW, but there are still plenty of places to be good missionaries NOW!! Make some paper flags with pictures like school, home, grocery store, soccer game, church, friend's house... etc. Hide the flags and invite children to come find them as you sing Missionary songs. Once found, have them share several ways they can be a missionary NOW at that place!

* Have some paper for the children to draw on. Give them a simple step by step drawing of something. You will be up front modeling the steps of the drawing on the chalkboard. For example, the sun and beach... draw a circle, add lines for the sunshine. Add a straight line in the middle to separate the water and beach.... etc. Was it pretty easy when you had someone up front as an example to show what to draw? We need examples in life to show us the way! Living the gospel makes us examples and helps us to be missionaries NOW!!!
1 Timothy 4:12 " Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
     Have a couple other examples of things to draw, then invite a couple friends to share ways to be a missionary NOW in between each simple drawing example!

*For a simple handout idea- Now&Later Candy with the message "I can be a missionary NOW AND LATER!!" I'm not all about sugaring up our sweet children... but in moderation and with a good point, it can be fun.

Week 3 I can share the Gospel with my family and friends.

* HERE is an activity from The Friend that encourages Primary children to be missionaries now! They will draw pictures in the windows, cut out and glue to make a Gospel Sharing Home!

* Does anyone ever get a little nervous about sharing the gospel? Sometimes I feel like I might not know the right thing to say. Can we practice?? You bet!! Whether it's family or friends... I can share the gospel!!
Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
     Bring in about 10 different stuffed animals. These are our practice creatures! Have a post it attached to each creature with a different gospel subject. We're going to pretend that they want to know more about something in the gospel.... what would you say? For example- a stuffed bunny has the post-it "Prophets". What can we tell someone who wants to learn more about prophets? Have plenty of children share their ideas about that topic!! Next, a stuffed alligator has the post-it "Holy Ghost". What can we tell someone who doesn't know anything about the Holy Ghost??

*D&C 71:1 "...The time has verily come that it is necessary and expedient in me that you should open your mouths in proclaiming my gospel..."
     Have a poster board drawing of a giant head with a bid wide open mouth. The mouth will actually need to be cut out so it's a hole! Have a bag attached behind the mouth that primary friends can reach into and grab questions, scriptures, and songs about missionary work!
   Let's open our mouths this week and share the gospel with our family and friends!!

* Have children write their testimonies to give with a Book of Mormon to a friend or family member this week!

Week 4 My testimony is strengthened when I share the Gospel.

* HERE is a link to The Friend with a fun activity called a "Testimony Glove".

* Have a 7 piece puzzle of a paper flower. (You could have 1 stem, 2 leaves, 4 flower petals) Invite children to come up and put a piece of the puzzle together on the board. For each piece share a paragraph of this poem by Karen Kimball (The Friend Oct. 2007):

 

A Testimony to Share

 

I have a testimony

That has begun to grow.

Gospel truths I once believed

Now I can say, “I know.”

 

When I feel inside my heart

The Holy Spirit’s there,

I can help bless others and

My testimony share.

 

I testify of Jesus Christ,

Of Heavenly Father’s plan,

The power of the Atonement,

And eternal life for man.

 

I testify of Joseph Smith,

And priesthood power restored,

The fulness of the gospel

On earth forevermore.

 

I testify of the prophet

And Twelve Apostles too,

Living in these latter days

To lead us safely through.

 

I testify of lessons learned

Through study and through prayer,

Truths in the Book of Mormon,

That I’ve discovered there.

 

I share my testimony,

Then reverently I end

Like a sacred prayer that’s said,

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Invite the children to draw a flower of their own and write down things they know are true! Make a book of these flowers for the missionaries to share with those who they are teaching!

 

* HERE is a bible video to share with the primary friends. It's very short. In it, Jesus asks who men say that He is? Peter shares His testimony. We learn from Jesus that a testimony comes from Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost.

     Have the children find a partner. They'll have 15 seconds to share who Jesus is to them! Have them switch partners and do the same, about 5 times! After everyone is sitting back down, invite primary friends to come up front and share something another partner had said!

    One of the most important parts of our testimony is know who Jesus is! When we share the gospel our testimonies are strengthened!

 

* Bring in a little toy bulldozer. Share the following story from President Monson:

     "In 1959, I met N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982), who later would be a counselor to four Presidents of the Church. President Tanner was president of the Canada Calgary Stake. We discussed the cold Canadian winters, where temperatures can linger well below freezing and icy winds lower those temperatures even further.

     I asked President Tanner why the roads in western Canada remained intact during such winters, showing little or no signs of cracking or breaking, while road surfaces in many areas where winters are less cold and less severe developed cracks and breaks and potholes.

Said he, “The answer is in the depth of the base of the paving materials. In order for them to remain strong and unbroken, it is necessary to go very deep with the foundation layers. When the foundations are not deep enough, the surfaces cannot withstand the extremes of weather.”

     Challenges and difficulties can break us if our foundations of faith, our testimonies of truth, are not deeply embedded within us." (The Friend May 2009 3 Ways to Build a Strong Testimony)

     Have other construction type toys for the children to come up front and choose. Attach questions, scriptures and songs about testimony and missionary work on them. After each friend, have the children pretend like they are digging! They are making their testimonies deeper as we learn from this lesson!

 

* Tell the children you are going to sing a song and add some words that DO NOT belong in the song! After the song, have them share what was WRONG!!

Sing "I think my Father lives, and loves me too. The spirit whispers this to me and I think that it is true. I think that it is true." (CS 5 I Know My Father Lives)

What is the difference between think and know? When the spirit tells us something, should we listen?

     A testimony is "Knowledge and a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. A testimony can also be an official or legal declaration of what a person perceives as truth." (Guide to the scriptures)

     Have a couple children act out the story of Job. Even though he had a lot of hard things happen in life, he had a strong testimony.

     Job 19:25-26 "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God"

    We have many things that happen to us in life but what makes us stay strong? The gospel! When we share the gospel with others our testimony is strengthened. We no longer "think" things are true... but KNOW. When the spirit whispers to us, we listen and follow!

Happy Grandparents Day!

By Christina age 8 "In Hawaii"

 

We LOVE LOVE LOVE our grandparents!! We are so blessed to have a great Yaya and Papa who we play with often and enjoy good times together. We also have our Yaya Sofia, my grandmother, who in all my life, has always bought us toilet paper and laundry soap.

I know, pure awesomeness.

We really do have the best grandparents EVER!

 

 To celebrate this very fine day, we made some art! But wait, you might say, I'm not an artist!

That's fine!!!

But you are destined to create, so you might as well practice now!!!

 

Children draw a convertible, then a background of somewhere they'd love to go to or have been... with their grandparents! You then attach a picture to the convertible and write a note. I found the picture below on Pinterest with a bad link... so I'm sorry I don't know the source of this convertible drawing how to.

By Maria age 6 "In Yosemite"

I love my daughters' notes. To get their very best writing, I often ask questions or ask for descriptive words or phrases. Here are a couple excerpts of what they wrote-

Maria wrote: " In this picture we're riding to Yosemite. Yosemite is the place where there is a fire, but don't worry because our magical rainbow car will keep us safe. At the hotel we will make our own waffles for breakfast. They taste good but not as good as your salad dressing."

Christina wrote: " In this picture we are at beautiful fun Hawaii. It is fun because you get to go swimming all day long in the big ocean with dolphins! We are about to drive in the parking lot, next to a small fluffy palm tree. We are staying at the Hut Hotel which is orange like the sun when it's smokey! By the way, a volcano is about to explode! We better get out of Hawaii soon, maybe we can ask the dolphins to take us home."

We ended with- I'm so grateful to have you as my grandparent. No matter where we are, we will always have love and happiness together! Happy Grandparents Day!!

September 2013 LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas and Helps

Mormon Helping Hands Alabama from LDS.org Image Gallery

Monthly Theme: I will serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.
Monthly Scripture: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him” D&C 59:5

Week 1 Jesus Christ taught us how to serve others.

* "Jesus Christ taught His followers to give meat to the hungry and drink to those who thirst. His is a gospel that includes taking in the stranger, loving neighbors as self, and visiting those who are sick or imprisoned. He taught that we are to love and care for each other, visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and lift up those whose hands hang down and whose knees are feeble."

This quote is taken from The Humanitarian webpage of lds.org. found HERE. There are quite a few good videos about the service The Church gives throughout the world. It is very humbling to be a part of this great organization. You could easily share a video (watch beforehand!!) and ask the children why we do so much to help others? Because Jesus Christ taught us how to serve others. Read the previous quote to the children, have plenty of pictures, and pause between sentences. What stories do they think of when they hear that sentence? When they mention a story that you have a picture of, have a child come up front and hold it. How does that story make the child feel?

* Matthew 20:27 "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."
     The words of Jesus, Himself, say that even the greatest must be a servant. The greatest person to ever live was Jesus Christ. Show a picture of Him washing His apostles feet. How was He a servant? How did He serve? Write down short descriptions of stories of Christ serving on post-it notes. Have 3 post-its (or more depending on your primary size) with the same description (for example Jesus heals a blind man or Jesus feeds 5,000) so primary friends can be in small groups. After you pass out the post its, have them find their groups and discuss what happens in the story. You can definitely include scripture references!! After a few minutes, invite the groups up to share how Jesus Christ taught us to serve others. Have pictures children can hold while retelling the story.

* BIBLE VIDEOS!! The Church made them for a reason, so let's use them!! There are many videos about the service Christ gave. Ask the children- How do these events make you feel? Why do you think Christ served others? Can we perform miracles too? Challenge the children to go home and make a list with their families of 20 different ways Jesus served others. If they bring that list next week to primary they can get a surprise!!

* Have the children make paper bag puppets of different people who Jesus served. Brainstorm and list ideas on the chalk board for the children! They could even make a puppet of themselves! Jesus served us by living a perfect life and then sacrificing it for us. Have the children come up front and share as time permits!

* HERE is a link to The Friend of a seek and find picture all about service. I found about 9. Have 9 different scriptures, songs, or questions about Jesus serving others for the children to do after they find a service opportunity in the picture.

Week 2 Prophets and Apostles show us how to serve.

* Invite a special guest, who's dressed for the part, to come in and read Mosiah 2:17-19. Thank King Benjamin for teaching us how to serve!! Next have King Benjamin's garden! It could be a basket of produce or paper pictures of things in a garden. Pass out a couple different garden items to groups of children. Have scriptures or stories about prophets and apostles that served. Have them make a group drawing to illustrate the story, then come up front and share!

* Have a panel of prophets! Moses, Joseph Smith, Peter, and President Monson. Invite 4 men to dress the part and come into primary to share a story or stories of how they served others. Each man will have 2-3 minutes to share! Afterwards, invite the children to ask them any questions they'd like to... the men will have to respond in character! Challenge the children to find at least 10 opportunities to serve others this week.

* Share a few stories of service from the life of President Monson. Then have the children make him a card to brighten his day. We who have been baptized covenant to mourn with those who mourn. Even though it's been a while since his dear wife has died, his heart and life will always be a little sadder until they are together again.
      Here's the address:
President Thomas S. Monson
The Office of the First Presidency
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

* In the last general conference, April 2013, Elder Christofferson said, "The greatest service we can provide to others in this life, beginning with those of our own family, is to bring them to Christ."
HERE is the complete talk.
     Have the children write down their testimony to give to a family member who perhaps doesn't know about Christ. If all their family members believe in Christ, then expand to our friends or neighbors. For smaller children, they can draw a picture and an adult or older child can write for them. Have a special envelope the children can decorate and then write the person's name on they want to give it to.

* In the last general conference- priesthood session, April 213, Elder Uchtdorf said, "As priesthood leaders, we are healers. As fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands, we should be committed and dedicated healers. We carry in one hand a vial of consecrated oil for blessing the sick; in the other we carry a loaf of bread to feed the hungry; and in our hearts we carry the peaceable word of God, “which healeth the wounded soul.” HERE is the complete talk.
   While this quote talks about Priesthood, it can also apply to women. The prophets and apostles show us how to serve! Especially in their talks during general conference! What is a committed and dedicated healer? Someone who serves! Have the children trace both their hands on a piece of paper. Elder Uchtdorf talked about carrying in one hand consecrated oil and in the other a loaf of bread. Have the children draw or write on each hand something they can hold to heal, help, and serve others.

Week 3 and 4 When I serve others, I serve God.

*In the October 2011 general conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Too often we notice the needs around us, hoping that someone from far away will magically appear to meet those needs. … When we do this, we deprive our neighbor of the service we could render, and we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to serve.” HERE is the complete talk.
     Have a black hat with a bunny rabbit. Sometimes people can wave a wand and make the rabbit disappear. But something more magical and more amazing is service!!! In the black hat, have little acts of service that the children can perform right then and there! Have them come up and choose a paper from the black hat.
     Examples could be smile at someone, say thank to a teacher, tell the primary pianist your favorite song they play so well, give the Bishop a hug, compliment a Primary friend... you could intersperse with scriptures, songs, stories and/or questions about service in the hat too!

* “We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.” President Monson “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2009, 86
     Bring in a picture of The Savior with His arms outstretched. We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth! Have cut out construction paper hands. Invite the children to draw or write ways that they can serve others, and thus serve God! Invite them to glue in the shape of a wreath and hang somewhere to remind them this week of all they can do!

* "While driving to the office one morning, I passed a dry-cleaning establishment which had a sign by the side of the front door. It read, “It’s the Service That Counts.” I suppose in a highly competitive field such as the dry-cleaning business and many others, the differentiating factor which distinguishes one store from another is, in actual fact, service.

     The message from the small sign simply would not leave my mind. Suddenly I realized why. In actual fact it is the service that counts—the Lord’s service." President Monson Oct. 2009 The Joy of Service

     Have 2 chairs with a string hanging between each. Have wooden clips and some laundry hanging from the line. What is a dry cleaners? Somewhere they make clothes clean. Invite the children to name ways to serve someone who those clothes on the laundry line would fit... you could have a little sweater for Fido the dog, a baby sleeper, a granny dress, a man's tie, a woman's blouse...etc! Reread the quote at the close of your lesson. It's the service that counts! When we serve others we serve God!

Maybe someone could even help mom with the laundry this week!!

 

* Are you a BYU alumni? Whip out the old college photos and cougar t-shirts. Briefly tell the children about why you loved going to BYU and some of the blessings of a church education. Share the motto of BYU with the children, "Enter to learn, go forth to serve." What do the children think that means?

    Have pictures of certain jobs. Invite a child to come up front and close their eyes. Invite primary members to give them hints about that job so they can guess. Talk about ways a person in that job would serve. The last one would be a mirror that you reflect on all the children. Their job is to be a special friend and happy soul. We enter school, home, church and many other places to learn... what do we do today to go forth and serve?

* The Apostle Paul admonished, “By love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

Have hidden hearts throughout the room. On the hearts have questions, scriptures and songs about service. Do we serve others with happy hearts or with a sour attitude? Have hearts for children to write or draw messages on for someone who needs a little love. Invite them to hide the hearts where that person can find them!! You could even heart attack the bishop's door quietly if you had time!

 

* “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:21

     There is so much going on in the world right now! There are plenty of ideas for service.

      Have the children make thank you cards for all the brave fire fighters who are trying to put out the rim fire.

Tuolume County Fire Department

18440 Striker Ct  Sonora, CA 95370

     Send a letter to a soldier!! For more info click HERE

A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861

     Send a note to ward missionaries who are out serving!!

     Are there widows in your ward? Put together a beautiful art portfolio from the kids!

     Is there someone sick in your ward? Have the children write down their favorite jokes or happy thoughts to send to the person!

Remember to be careful, children don't need to sign their full names EVER on notes!!

Faith In God... A learning/reflection packet for those new to the program

I love the Faith in God program!! There are great ideas for activities, yet room for creativity and individuality. Everything about it is inspired. On the cover of this packet children can put a picture of themselves.

I've thought very carefully about how to track progress. In the book there are small boxes to check, but those boxes don't tell us what the children did, how the children felt and when they accomplished their activity.

Is tracking that important? I don't know. But I do know that we underestimate the power of reflection. It could be just a few sentences, "I taught a family home evening on prayer. It was fun because we posed my dad in a way NOT to pray and he fell over. It felt nice." Having that record is precious.

The Articles of Faith are meant to be understood. If children take the time to write on Sunday and discuss with family vocabulary, then they are going to get it. Writing is that extra step in confirming what they know. In this program children aren't just supposed to memorize!

I also like a bigger space to write testimony. Usually children's handwriting isn't the neatest and at least with more space it won't be as hard.

I printed and made copies (WATCH THE END!!! The last 6 pages are EITHER for BOYS or GIRLS!!!)

Hopefully, the things the children write will inspire and help them in the years to come. Feel free to mouse over the right corner below, then print. Please do not use for commercial purposes.

Junk you never knew you needed!!! Sing for Junk Singing Time

Summer is full of many fun activities.... one being garage sales!!!!! With garage sales you discover junk that you never knew you needed... for CHEAP!!! The excitement of a bargain!! The thrill of finding!!

True story: 8AM my good lookin' hubby sees a George Foreman grill. This baby could get 10 steaks on it! It was huge!! I didn't know where on earth we would put it. They wanted $7. My husband only had $5 left of his money for the day. Was I willing to spare him $2? The problem is he gets junk fever!! He gets the junk and we end up selling it a year later at a garage sale at our house!! We drove away. 30 seconds later, being the compassionate/enabler wife I am, we went back.... but to our dismay it was gone. Sigh. Live life without regrets!! Today we sing!! Today you get junk!!

Clean out your house (and I had many teachers tell me they wish they would have known so they could have brought junk too!) and bring your junk that you're willing to give away. Set up with a sign that says "Sing for Junk".

Preface that at garage sales you have to be quick. What happens if you just stand there thinking... hmmm.... do I really need this? Someone is going to come and snatch it up!! Before we start, I need everyone to commit to a 5 second rule. You're at the Sing for Junk table 5 seconds, grab and go! Also, once you have your junk it goes UNDER YOUR CHAIR, in class too!! They can show their commitment by wiggling their nose, pulling their earlobes 3 times and clicking their heels 4 times.

Have a jar with all the names of the primary friends. After you sing a song, draw a few names to visit the table.

This is free junk!! All you have to do is sing with a smile!!

The children loved this activity. A boy got a barbie back pack and the children giggled but were humbled when he said his baby sister might really like it one day when she grew up! I also had one boy who was completely utterly disappointed with what he got. Ugh, crayons!! Major melt down. He was the only one in a primary of 70 who had a problem. I had some spare junk in another bag and let him rummage around AFTER singing time was over. I told him to cheer up, Jesus loves him and not to let small stuff make him feel bad.

Back To School Singing Time

*Recycled Post*

School's back in session!!!

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do well..." and sing to learn!!

Poster board makes great puzzles. Just draw, color, cut & add cheapo magnets to the back that you get in your junk mail with hot glue. On the back of your puzzle add the songs you want to sing and the page number for a handy reference for your fabulous pianist.

I like to over-prepare. I'd rather have too much than not enough.

After a primary friend chooses a puzzle piece we have activities to do while singing or after singing, depending on the song! You be the judge of the fine line that runs between showing reverence and having fun too!

Activities:

Balance an apple on your head or back of your hand

Art! Art! Art! Draw a picture on a piece of paper on your forehead of a cat.

Solve math problems on a calculator- as a  side note, the Holy Ghost is like a calculator! Yup! It's true, He just makes solving problems easier!

Book stacking & balancing into towers

Write the words of the song in the air with your finger pencil

Eraser toss into a pencil case

Pass the pencil using your elbows

And of course you can't forget P.E! Jog in place, knees high!!