MY MOM’S SPECIAL!

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest holidays of the year.  Telephones are buzzing . . . Candy shops are crowded . . . Flowers are arranged . . .  And gifts of lotion, candles and perfume are wrapped by the thousands.  What makes this day so special?  Why, it’s the Mothers, of course!  It takes someone special to be a mother.  So I checked out the experts:  Kids!  Who knows a mother better than her kids?  I asked some of our youngsters to share what makes their Mom so special.  Here are some of their answers:
Garrett Roth said his mom is special “because he loves her...and she loves me back!”  Tiffany Garber echoed those thoughts but added “she buys me stuff...things that I need.”  Dylan Kaufman said his mom “makes food for us” and Evan Rothi’s mom “gives me a home. “  For Aubree Boutwell it’s “always being there when I get a cut on my knee” and LeAnna Miller’s mom “helps me when I’m sick.”  Travis Miller’s mom “puts the wires back on my braces” and Zach Beebe’s mom “keeps the house clean and helps out with stuff at church.” Megan Wallace said “she helps me better understand homework when I get stuck” and Emma Beebe’s mom “helps me with my problems.”  Caitlin Drake said her mom is special because “she tries to make us do the right thing.”  You can see that being a mom is a very BIG job!  We want to honor all moms this month for being so SPECIAL!  Thanks, Mom!

May WORM:  The Great Feast

Wherever Jesus went He talked with people about His kingdom.  It was rather hard to understand so He used stories to get his point across.  The stories  Jesus told are called parables.  They are stories that are fun to hear, but they carry with them a heavenly meaning which helps us understand a lesson as well.  This month in Children’s Sunday School, we’ll be celebrating!  God has invited all of us to a party...but it’s up to us if we accept His invitation.   The kids will  “party hearty” during Sunday School (9:30—10:30 AM) during May, but they will also be learning how to offer the invitation to others.  Through puppets, games, craft, drama  and story, the kids will be challenged to look beyond their friends and families to invite everyone to God’s celebration!   Thanks to our Workshop Leaders in May:

Puppets:  Erin Stoner Art: Lisa Beebe Story:  Penny Stroup Games:  Jac & Shonda Boutwell     

Room for More!
Enrollment is still open for Fall Preschool classes.  Contact the church office if you are interested in registering your child.  They must be 3 years old by August 1 to enroll in the younger class or 4 years old by August 1 to enroll in the older class.

Thanks for Serving!
GREAT BIG THANKS  to the Preschool Board Members for their service the past year.  They are:  Jennifer Yoder, Chairman;  Connie Luce, Treasurer;  Rajeanna Troyer, Classroom Liaison;  Carrie Boyer, Parent Representative; Lon Roth, Bev Hochstedler  and Liz Phillips, Members-At-Large.

Creation Station Preschool at JBC is just finishing its 12th year in the community. Our hats are off to the teachers and their assistants for sharing God’s love with these children.  Graduation will be held on May 18th at 2 PM.  Honored graduates from JBC are Ethan Boyer, Collin Miller & Sophia Yoder.

Kids:  Be sure to check your mailbox in the Lower Level in the hallway under the butterflies!

To WORM . . . Or not to WORM . . . THAT IS THE QUESTION!
What do you think?
Please take some time to share your thoughts and experiences about our new format for Sunday School. Call, write, email or use Pony Express to let Pam Garber know your opinions.  

Hey, Girlz . . . this is for you!
Be entertained. Be inspired. Be encouraged. Tap into “the beauty of believing” at Faithgirlz.com! Here you can discover the joys of living and growing as a girl of faith. Check out fun and engaging books, Bibles, and activities designed for girls just like you. Find new ways to understand God’s love and promises and let your faith shine through all you do! Faithgirlz.com is a place for girls to recognize that they are the finest examples of God’s divine creation and to explore God’s special messages in a safe, nurturing, and age-appropriate environment. Have fun exploring all the unique, interactive rooms and find God’s love waiting for you around every corner! Shine on, girlz!

Letting Your Neighbor Care  (LYNC) is a Summer Day Camp designed to give kids a safe, fun nurturing environment with constructive activities.  The $75 Registration fee includes a T-shirt and 8 weeks of  FUN from 9 AM-3 PM, Monday through Friday, June 16 -August 8.  If you have questions, you may email Theresa Allison, the director, at mother_theresa27@hotmail.comor stop in at the church office to register.  Check out the church website www.jeffersonbrethren.org/children to get more information!

VBS . . . Invite Someone!

Kids...Here’s a way to put your faith into action!  Be sure to invite your friends to VBS—but don’t forget about “other” kids who need to know of God’s invitation.  We’ll visit Jerusalem Marketplace where we’ll use all 5 senses-see, hear, taste, touch and smell–as we visit the Carpenter Shop, the Pottery Shop, the Synagogue School, the Bakery and even the Barnyard! Start making a list of people you can invite to join you at VBS June 9-13 at Pleasant View Mennonite.  Fill out the bright pink registration form and turn it in to Pam Garber or Laura Dudek.  And which of the 12 Tribes of Jacob will you belong to?  Do you know the names of the 12 tribes?  Hint: They are the names of the sons of Jacob.  I think I feel a Bible Detective Card coming on!  Get 5 Bible Bucks if you know!

Thanks, Angie!
Angie Bontrager has been our decorator for some of the children’s classrooms in the Lower Level for our WORM workshops.  Be sure to check out her handiwork !

Bible Bucks Bargain Basement Cart will be open for business on
Sunday, May 4 just in time for Mother’s Day!