What’s a Playlist?
May Playlist
Follow
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
5/1/22
Introduction
The theme for May is Follow. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of this word is the game “Follow the Leader.” One person leads the line and the rest follow, mimicking what the leader does. We can be like the Disciples and follow Jesus. Have you ever been hiking or traveling? How did you know where to go? Maybe you used a map or a compass. What do these tools do? They help us find our way! The Bible is God’s Word. It tells us what Jesus did and said, and what God says. If we keep our hearts focused on that Word, we can follow Jesus and be like Him, spreading love to others!
Read
Open the Bible and read:
Mark 1:14-20
John 8:12
Matthew 16:24
If you have the following books at home or can get them from the library, then you can read them. If not, you can read/listen to them using the links below.
Red Red Red by Valeri Gorbachev
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to the theme Follow:
Tip Toe Joe by Ginger Foglesong Gibson
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book with the theme Follow:
Listen
You will be whistling along with this one! And then once you know the moves and words, you can sing along!
“Follow”
This hand-clapping, foot-stomping, knee-slapping tune will have you singing along in no time!
“Follow You”
Do
This link has some fun games and ways to explore the theme of Follow. Grab your family and enjoy!
Follow Jesus Maze: This one is tricky. Print it out and see if you can make it through the maze. Good luck!
Pray
Lord, we thank You for the people who told us about You so that we could be Your disciples. Now, we pray that You’ll help us to tell other people about You so that they can follow You too. Amen.
April Playlist
Free
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
4/1/22
Introduction
God loves us, always has, always will. John’s gospel tells us about God’s greatest gift—that God sent God’s only Son to us and sent that gift out of love. God knew that we needed Jesus and was willing to share Him with us as a sign of love to us. With this gift, God freed us once and for all from worrying, fretting, fearing, distressing, tormenting, and wondering whether or not we are loved so that we may be free to love God and neighbor. Sometimes love is being willing to offer something we treasure, and sometimes love is best seen in the freedom it brings. This month we are going to explore the theme of FREE: free to love, free of worry, freedom from sin and more!
Read
Open the Bible and read:
John 8:36
Romans 6:23
Acts 13:38-39
If you have the following books at home or can get them from the library, then you can read them. If not, you can read/listen to them using the links below.
Koala Lou by Mem Fox
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book with the theme Free:
Love Is… by Diane Adams
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book with the theme Free:
Listen
This is a slower song, but you will love to sing along! Go ahead, sing out loud!!!
“Song of Freedom”
You’ll want some room to move and dance when you listen to this one!
“It Was for Freedom”
Do
Here is a coloring page you can print and color.
Coloring Page
Here are two fun lessons you can do at home with your whole family.
Freedom from Sin
What Weighs Us Down
Pray
Dear God, Thank you for giving us freedom from sin. Thank you for carrying our burdens and giving us life. Help us to trust you and cast our cares on you. Remind us what it means to be free in Christ. Thank you for your love. We love you, God! In Jesus name, Amen!
March Playlist
Abundance
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
3/1/22
Introduction
Abundance is a big word that means “having a large quantity of something.” What is something you have a lot of? Do any of you collect baseball cards? Maybe you have an abundance of cards? Maybe you’ve been to a wedding or a party where there was an abundance of food. What about blessings? Do some of you feel like you have an abundance of blessings in your life? Shelter, food, clothes, people who love you, etc. Abundance is often mentioned in the Bible as something God offers to those who trust in Him. Scripture says that God will provide an abundant life to those who “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Abundance in this sense means a life full of everything you need to sustain yourself in joy and purpose. Let’s explore Abundance this month!
Listen
This is a song a lot of us know. “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” You might remember this version from Maker Fun Factory VBS!
Read
Open the Bible and read:
2 Corinthians 9:8
Romans 15:13
John 6: 1-14
If you have the following books at home or can get them from the library, then you can read them. If not, you can read/listen to them using the link below.
Mama Panya’s Pancakes by Mary and Rich Chamberlin
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Abundance:
Abundance in Mama Panya’s Pancakes
It Came In The Mail by Ben Clanton
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Abundance:
Abundance in It Came in the Mail
Do
Read John 6:1-14 from your Bible and talk to a loved one about it.
•Think about a school cafeteria or another busy place. What would it be like if it was lunch time, and there wasn’t enough food?
•How do you think all the people felt when Jesus fed them all and even had leftovers?
When Jesus asked the disciples how to feed the people, they thought it was impossible, and they gave up. This story reminds us that God’s love and power can always surprise us, even when things seem impossible.
•Talk to a loved one about a problem that seems impossible to solve.
•What could happen if you kept trying to solve the problem? What if a whole bunch of people helped?
•When has God’s love surprised you?
Read John 6:35
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’”
•Eat a piece of bread and talk to a loved one about it. What does food, like bread, do for our bodies?
•How is Jesus like bread?
Because Jesus is the bread of life, and always surprises us, we can always have hope.
•Though we may have plenty of food in our fridge and pantry, there are many people around the world who don’t have enough food. Learn more at Hunger Facts
•Is world hunger an impossible problem to solve? How might God surprise us?
•How can you help?
•Look at these ideas, and pick one to try!
Object Lesson for your family
You’ll need:
- paper
- 1 pair of scissor
Jesus did some amazing things when He was on earth. Once, he took a small boy’s lunch, just some bread and fish, and used it to feed over 5,000 people. Give each person a paper and scissors.
How many corners does your piece of paper have?
Your paper has four corners. But what if I want to give someone a corner? Cut off a corner of the paper, and hand it to a child. Hold up the paper, and say: Okay, now that I’ve given a corner away, how many corners do I have? Wait a minute. I have five. Have each person cut a corner from his or her paper.
You see, the more times Jesus divided the bread and fish, the more he had to give away. Count the corners on the cut-off piece they each have. Not only that, the people had more than enough. Encourage everyone to each cut off more corners, each time counting the multiplying corners.
Discuss:
- What surprised you about our activity?
- Which things amazed and surprised you about what Jesus did?
- What is something you give that God could use to help others?
Jesus took a boy’s lunch and blessed 5,000 people with it. He can do the same thing with us! He can take what we have and bless others with it. We trust God to provide, and Jesus just might use what we already have to do it.
February Playlist
Listen
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
2/1/22
Introduction
Listening is such an important skill. What are some of your favorite sounds? Your cat purring when it cuddles in your lap? The waves crashing when you are at the beach? Your favorite song on the radio? There are so many things we can hear and listen to. God is always listening to us, and we can practice listening to God. Listening to our family and friends helps them know that they belong, that they are loved, and that they are important. Here are some ways you can explore Listening . . . so take the time to stop and listen! You might be surprised what you hear!
Listen
This song is called “God is Listening” and you will love the motions and words! God is listening so let God hear you now!
Have you ever heard a butterfly? Here is a really cool video that has the sound of millions of Monarch butterflies when they fly. Check it out and listen closely!
Here is a fun game you can try. Can you guess the sound?
Read
Open the Bible and read:
Jeremiah 29:12
Isaiah 55:3, 10-11
Psalm 116:1-2
If you have the following books at home or can get them from the library, then you can read them. If not, you can read/listen to them using the links below.
The Man with the Violin by Kathy Stinson
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Listen:
The Man with the Violin–Listen
Listen Buddy by Helen Lester
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Listen:
Do
Here are some things you can do together as a family (Ideas from Faith Practices Project)
Listening to God
- Take a family tech Sabbath regularly (for an hour a day, a day each week, or even a whole week). Use your tech-free time to connect with each other and to listen to God together. For more, check out suggestions in “The Tech-Wise Family” by Andy Crouch and “My Tech-Wise Life” by father/daughter team Amy Crouch and Andy Crouch.
- Teach kids how to practice listening prayer rather than reciting a list of wants and needs. Here’s how one mom prayed listening prayers with her kids.
- Read Psalm 19:1-4 together in the NIrV version. Then take a walk in a park or woods, looking closely at nature around you. Talk about how wonderfully our world is made and how creation tells about the glory of God.
Listening to Each Other
- At bedtime, ask “What was the best part and what was the worst part of your day?” Listen without trying to “fix” each other’s problems. Then pray about those things together.
- Read the picture book The Rabbit Listened by Cory Doerrfeld together. This is a book you’ll want to have on your shelf, but you can also watch this video reading from Shon’s Stories. Talk about what made Rabbit such a good listener.
January Playlist
Wonder
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
1/1/22
Introduction
This month’s theme is “Wonder.” Why is the sky blue? What causes thunder? How did Noah fit all the animals on the ark? When we ask questions, we are beginning to wonder. There is joy, excitement, and mystery in finding out about things around us. So go, wonder, explore, ask, question . . . you will learn a lot about the wonderful world around you!
Listen
This song is called “Celebrate Wonder.” I love the title and the song!
Read
Open the Bible and read:
Genesis 28:10-17
Psalm 139
If you have the following book at home or can get it from the library, then you can read it. If not, you can read/listen to it using the link below.
The Beautiful World that God Made by Rhonda Gowler Greene
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Wonder:
Wonder in The Beautiful World that God Made
Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Wonder:
Wonder in Just in Case You Ever Wonder
Do
Wonder about God’s creation. Take a walk or while you are out and about, notice and point out all God has created. Which ones are you most thankful for? Which ones make you say “WOW!”? Which ones go unnoticed a lot but are needed? See, once you start wondering . . . it’s hard to stop!
Here are some great wondering questions that go with different stories of the Bible. These would make great dinner table topics!
Here are directions for how to create a “Moments of Wonder” journal.
Wonder
Choose a story from your Bible to read and then take some time to wonder about it. You can wonder on your own or with a family member or both!
· I wonder which part of the story you like best.
· I wonder which part of the story is the most important.
· I wonder which part of the story you like the least.
· I wonder if there is a part of the story we could leave out and still have all of the story.
· I wonder which part of the story is most about you.
December Playlist
Home
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
12/1/21
Introduction
This month’s theme is HOME. It’s Advent, and a lot of the scriptures we will explore in worship have a theme of Home. Home is not always a physical building. Home can be a feeling, a group of people, your family and God is our Home! This Advent we pray your hearts and homes are full of joy, hope, love and peace!
Read
Open the Bible and read:
Matthew 2:10-12
Luke 2:6-17
Psalm 91:1-2
If you have the following book at home or can get it from the library, then you can read it. If not, you can read/listen to it using the link below.
Mini Rabbit, Not Lost by John Bond
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to faith and the theme of “home”:
Listen
This song is easy to learn. Watch it once or twice or even three times, and you’ll be singing it for others!
“The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock”
Watch
Here is a video that tells the Christmas story by kids. It’s surprising that baby Jesus was born in a manger . . . but even simple places can be Home! Home can be anywhere your family is!
Do
– Draw a picture of a place where you feel like you belong.
– Learn more about how architects design homes with blueprints. Find out what organizations help build homes for people in need in your community and learn more about how you can help.
– Put a jigsaw puzzle together with your family. Remember how each of us is unique like a puzzle piece and each piece has a place where it belongs.
– Go on a walk around your neighborhood or in a park with your family. Take turns choosing which direction to go.
– Draw a map of where you live. Label the places you know.
November Playlist
Trust
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
11/1/21
Introduction
This month’s theme is Trust. God often tells us in the Bible that we don’t need to worry or be afraid. We can TRUST in God! Here are some fun ways to explore this theme below. Choose your adventure!
Listen
This song was a favorite from the past VBS called Roar! You’ll be playing this one on repeat!
Read
Open the Bible and read:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 26:4
Romans 15:13
If you have the following book at home or can get it from the library, then you can read it. If not, you can read/listen to it using the link below.
Howard B. Wigglebottom on Yes or No by Howard Binkow
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Trust.
Trust in Howard B Wigglebottom on Yes or No
Do
Here are some fun “Trust” Activities you can try at home with your family.
“Trust Labyrinth”
Parents and children participate. Set up a small obstacle course in the living room (like a maze with pillows and other soft objects). Parents will blindfold one child at a time and guide him or her through the maze. Parents can do this by holding the child’s hand or by using their voices or both. For smaller children, I would use both. If you don’t want to do the maze, then make try this idea. Blindfold the child and give him a cup. Guide him to the table where he can safely place the cup on top of it.
“Faith Fall”
Play the typical “trust game” where the child stands about two feet from the parent (front to back). The child then lets go and “falls” backward. The parent catches her by the armpits. The first few times, the child will probably want to step back to “catch” herself, but the point is to trust that the parent will catch her and keep her from falling.
“Trust Taste”
Invite your child to close their eyes or place a blindfold on, and open their mouths for a “surprise treat.” They will have to trust that no cockroach candies will be administered!
“How Does it Work?”
Display several technical items: cell phone, remote control, computer mouse, car key, etc. Invite discussion as to how these items work. We might not know how exactly the inner workings and mechanisms function, but we can trust that when we plug these items into the wall, they will work, right?
October Playlist
Serve
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
10/1/21
Introduction
Here at Desert Cross we have a heart for mission and service. Our faith formation consists of Worship, Learn, and Serve. In October we are exploring Serve! Last month we talked about welcoming and how to be a good neighbor. Now let’s take that a step further and think about how we can help and serve those around us. How can we be more like Jesus and focus on giving and serving from our hearts? Let’s explore below!
Listen
Here is a fun song by Yancy! Get ready to clap along as we “Shine and Serve” and Sing!
Read
Open your Bible and read:
Matthew 10:40-42
Acts 20:35
Galatians 6:9
If you have the following book at home or can get it from the library, then you can read it. If not, you can read/listen to it using the link below.
The Spiffiest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to Serve:
Watch
Douglas is back in the video to talk about service.
Do
There are lots of ways we can serve others. Here are twelve ideas. I challenge you to try two of them this month. You can even brainstorm with your family and come up with your own ideas. I’d love to hear how you are serving others!
September Playlist
Welcome
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
9/1/21
Introduction
“Welcome” is this month’s theme. I am so excited to welcome you back to church, Sunday School, Family Night and more! Remember that friends are always welcome at Desert Cross . . . extend an invitation! Here are some fun ways to explore this theme of “welcome” below.
Read
Open the Bible and read:
Romans 15:7
Matthew 25:35
Matthew 10: 40-42
If you have the following book at home or can get it from the library, then you can read it. If not, you can read/listen to it using the link below.
If Jesus Came to My House by Joan G. Thomas
Parents, here are some notes on how to connect this book to “welcoming”
Welcome in If Jesus Came to my House
Listen
This is beautiful song about “welcoming” sung by a family. It makes me think about our families, our church family, and the world as our family.
Do
Here is a fun art activity.
THUMBPRINT CHILDREN: You can use an ink pad or paint. Press a finger or a thumb into a colored ink pad and stamp on a piece of paper. Each child can do several thumb prints and then draw different faces on each print with different size eyes or kinds of hair. You could add a tie or hair bow, etc. Then add arms and legs. Children can write over the top of their thumbprint children — ALL ARE WELCOME HERE!
Wonder
- What does the word “welcome” mean? How about the word “hospitality”? Check them out in a dictionary or thesaurus.
- How do people say “welcome” in other languages? Look up a few and practice.
- Find a video clip of a grand welcome. It might be a parade, a welcome home celebration, or a festive honoring of a dignitary. Discuss what might make someone feel welcome.
Desert Cross Faith Formation 