40 Day Fast Beginning Next Sunday!

Next Sunday, January 3, we will be beginning an ALL church fast and prayer for 40 days (until Feb 11.) Your child will be learning how to participate in a fast. A fast is when you choose to give up something you really want so you can focus on God and prayer for a time. Normally you pray with your spirit and soul (you soul is your mind, will, and emotions). But fasting gets your body involved, too. It's sort of like body prayer. When you fast, you are praying with your whole self.

Please help your child decide what they would like to give up for 40 days. Please ask your child, Would you be willing to give up some things for a while that are important to them in order for them to only focus on Jesus? Maybe you want to give up candy, video games, a favorite toy, talking on your cell phone, or a favorite food (like pop or ice cream). Please encourage them to do this. If you "just say no" to something that your body really wants for the purpose of prayer, it shows God--and the devil--that you are really serious about it.

Why fast now? Our church has been led to do a Watch Your Words (WYW) campaign. In Proverbs 18:21 it says, Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. This will be our focus. We will be learning how powerful our words are and how important it is for us to speak positive things; speaking words of faith and not negative, condemning words.

How do we change our mouths?
*Ask God for Help. Have Psalms 141:3 be your daily prayer: "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord;keep watch over the door of my lips."
*Renew/refocus your Mind---Fast and pray. Fasting helps us refocus our body and our thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."
*Monitor Your Mouth. A wise person watches the words that come out of his/her mouth. (Philippians 4:8). (Ex. complaining, gossiping, fault-finding, negative words, word curses)
*Decree your Faith. God tells us to "Call on those things which be not as though they were." (Romans 4:17). Speak God's promises over your life and use your mouth to encourage others.
When you are fasting and praying, decree your faith in these five areas;
church, state, family, yourself, and our nation.

We hope you will participate in this important event. Let's use our mouths to declare LIFE in ourselves and in our church body. If your child is serious about participating in this fast, they will be able to participate in a special bracelet ceremony on Sunday. This will signify their commitment.

Jamboree will also be participating in a "fast" type activity. Due to their age, it will slightly altered. More details to come.

If you have any questions, Please contact Pastor Teresa or Ms. Tosha.

Happy Birthday Jesus

A big THANK YOU goes out to all the kids!! You guys did AWESOME on Sunday! Many people told us that that was the best Christmas Program ever! You guys worked so hard and it paid off! That was the BEST gift you could give Jesus!! Great Job!

Tonight is Christmas Parties during our Wednesday Night Bible Clubs. Please come at 7pm and enjoy fun and fellowship together. In the main sanctuary, the Christmas Eve Service will be taking place for the adults.

Coming up next year...
*WYW (Watch Your Words) Event
*Skating Party
*New and Improved Praise and Worship

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Final TWO Rehearsals!

On Wednesday, December 16 at 7 p.m., the children will have a final pre-dress rehearsal for this year's children's Christimas program, "The Best Christmas Present Ever!" The rehearsal will be in the main building for the first time! Meet in the main sanctuary at 7 p.m. We will allow time for the children who did not get to shop the Z Store on "Black Sunday" to shop tomorrow night.

The final dress rehearsal is this Saturday, December 19th from 10:30-11 a.m. for the Sprouts and Jamboree and from 11-12 p.m. for the StudioZ and for the select nativity children from Jamboree. The program will be Sunday, December 20th at 10 a.m.

Debbie Rivera did an awesome job of preparing Christmas shopping in the Z Store! Children were also permitted to go into the wrappping room to have their selected gifts wrapped before leaving the service! There are many more selections so kid shoppers, gather up your Z bucks and even real bucks and be ready to shop tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Our prayer closet has been delivered and the art work is just fabulous! Pictures coming up soon!

Merry Christmas!

3 more practices!!!

Studio Z:
We only have 3 more practices until dress rehearsal on December 19!! Can you believe it?! Sunday was the first time we went through the entire program. If you have a speaking parts, you have to memorize your parts!! Even if you don't know when to come in...we will help you with that!! NO MORE BOOKS!!! Everything should be memorized! Make sure you are listening to your CD DAILY---I can't stress that enough! Listen to how they say their lines and try to do it like that!! Plus, it will help you with the words to the songs!! Make sure you practice singing out!! These songs are so fun and exciting! Make sure you perform that way!! We know you guys will do GREAT! Let's do our BEST for Jesus!!

Pre-Dress Rehearsal will be held December 13 and Wed, December 16.
Dress Rehearsal is on December 19, 11 AM to noon.

Jamboree/Sprouts:
Please continue listen to you Cd's. The kids did pretty well on Sunday and we did practice on stage so they know where they are standing.

A few Jamboree kids will be performing with Studio Z program during the last two songs. They will be acting out the manger scene. If you have any questions, please let me know. I have already picked these kids due to their age and if they would not be distracting. If you want your child to participate and I haven't talked with you, please contact me (Tosha) ASAP. These children will need to stay the ENTIRE time during dress rehearsal on Dec. 19. (10:30 to noon)

Dress Rehearsal is on December 19, 10:30 to 11AM.

Shopping Days at the Z-Store:
Big shopping days will be Sunday, Dec. 13 and Wed, Dec 16!!!

Bible Club Parties:
Parties will be Dec 23. See your child's leader if you can help with refreshments!!

December is ALMOST here!!

Can you believe it? December is almost here! We have 20 days before the Christmas program! We are practicing EVERY Sunday and Wednesday! Please make sure you are there!! We need EVERYONE! Please mark your calendars...A pre-dress rehearsal will be held on Dec 13 and Dec 16. That means we will rehearse the whole time on those dates. Full dress rehearsal will be Saturday, Dec 19, 10:30 to 11am for Sprouts/Jamboree, and 11am to Noon for Studio Z.

Studio Z has learned ALL the songs except for one and we will be finishing it up on Wednesday. Are you listening to your cd's in the car?? It is SO important to practice! If you have a speaking part, your lines should be memorized up to the song Wise Guys. If you have a solo, this should ALREADY be memorized!! Choir members (which is everyone in the program) should have ALL the songs memorized! My kids and I listen to the CD every time we are in the car. My four year old knows the songs, so it can be done!! Get excited about it! We are doing this for Jesus!!

Jamboree continues to practice on Sundays and Wednesdays. All solos need to be memorized ASAP. If you child has a solo, they will not be wearing a costume for the program. Please dress them in their cute "Christmas" outfits. The remainder of the kids will be dressed as part of the manger scene. If you have any questions, please contact Tosha.

The Bible Club classes will have their Christmas parties on Dec. 23. See your child's club leader if you can help with refreshments.

Special Parts Announced for Christmas Program

The special parts were FINALLY announced yesterday via email for this year's Christmas Program! Everyone did a great job at try-outs! Books will be handed out November 18 for all special parts, so they can begin practicing. Plus, you need to continue practicing the first 5 songs and the finale song! All the children are doing a GREAT job so far!! Keep up the GREAT work!!

Please mark your calendars: Dress Rehearsal for the Christmas Program will be from 10:30 to Noon on December 19. Jamboree will be practicing from 10:30 to 11am and Studio Z will be practicing from 11-12pm. Christmas Program Performance will be on December 20 during the morning service.

Christmas Program 2009/Books of the Bible

Our Christmas program this year is The Best Christmas Present Ever! We are SOOOO excited about this program! The music is great and the message is even better! Wednesday was tryouts and the speaking parts and solos will be announced soon! Please be practicing the first four songs! Our performance will be on Sunday Morning, December 20.

Jamboree will be performing their Christmas program, A Star for Jesus. Speaking and solo parts were given out Sunday. If you have any questions or have not received a CD, please contact Tosha Salyer.

Don't forget to be memorizing the books of the Bible! If you memorize them before Thanksgiving, you will receive 300 ZBucks! You can do it!!

CHRISTMAS SHOES

The Children of the Oasis are sending Christmas shoes across the globe for Christmas '09! We are joining forces with James Robinson and Life ministries and, in addition to our regular Water for Life collection, we are bringing in $3.60 for each pair of all-terain shoes for children who need shoes and many who have never had a pair of shoes. This past Sunday we purchased 10 pairs of shoes! We will be collecting throughout the month/the final day to bring your money for Christmas shoes will be Sunday, September 27th!

Happy Grandparents' Day to all our grandparents this Sunday, September 13!

FUN-RAISING WITH TUPPERWARE!

For just two short weeks we are selling Tupperware for a whopping 50% profit! Children picked up their order packets this past Sunday and are pumped to find out who will take home the great prizes from Tupperware Debbi and also the snow cone machine and coin game! Bring your order forms in Sunday and Debbi will be rewarding more sellers. Last day for orders is Wednesday, August 26!

EDUCATIONAL BUILDING PREP TIME! Teachers of Sunday and Wednesday Bible Clubs for 2009-2010 and any other volunteer is asked to come to the children's building on Tuesday, August 15th at 7 p.m. to help us prepare the building for all the fun, fall activities! RSVP to Teresa and there will be a pizza supper for you!

What's Our Goal?

My favorite quote is from Cheryl Sack's book, "Prayer Saturated Kids." It really defines our goal here at the Oasis' children's ministry. What is it? TO IMPART SPIRITUAL LIFE AND TRAINING CHILDREN TO BE PRAYING, FUNCTIONING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST. So, to impart spiritual life and to train, I need your kids! Parents! Let's continue to join forces and point our young warriors towards their spiritual mountain!

This Sunday we begin our 7 mountain study with finding out that God has given us a purpose and a destiny! Be there!

Bible Clubs begin in THREE short weeks!

We Honor Our Pastors--Pastors Tim and Carol!

This Sunday, we will not be meeting in the educational building but we will be going over to the main building to join the celebration of the 30th Pastoral Anniversary of Pastors Tim and Carol. All the kids should enter the office entrance and meet us in the mezzanine as you arrive this Sunday, July 26th. We will put the finishing touches on our presentation while parents are enjoying the praise and worship time. After our presentation, we will join our families for the morning's celebration. Don't miss! We love to "give honor to whom honor is due."

Join us Wednesday for BIG #9! We will learn how Jesus wants us to "Remember" Him and we will be participating in Holy Communion!

Knighting on August 2nd! For those children who were unable to be "Knighted" in April and June, both if they are in Jamboree or Studio Z, we will be having another "Knighting Ceremony" at 11:15 a.m. in the Educational Building. Sign up at the attendance desk in the ed. building if you want to be knighted!

Coming up next time: Praying!! (August 2nd through August 9th)

HONORING OUR PASTORS!

The Jamboree and Studio Z will be honoring our pastors, Pastors Tim and Carol Sheets, on Sunday, July 26th. We will not have a service in our educational building but we will be in the main building for the entire service. We are writing or drawing special messages on our pictures to be added to their memory album so children should be sure to complete theirs by THIS Wednesday, July 22nd. We also have a couple more ideas up our sleeves to show just how much we appreciate our pastors' 30 years of ministry at the Oasis so don't miss a service because we will need to practice!

Our Sprouts and Jamboree Graduation is THIS Sunday, July 19th at 11 a.m. in the educational building. There will be a reception right after the graduation. Parents and Grandparents are invited. The new graduates will promote to BIG on July 22nd and finish the summer with "the big kids."

August 2nd is being considered as our Knighting Ceremony for children in Jamboree and Studio Z who were unable to attend the past two knighting ceremonies. Parents who wish for their child to be "knighted" should sign them up at the attendance desk in the educational building ASAP!

Sprouts/Jamboree Graduation and Awards

You are cordially invited to the 5th Annual Sprouts/Jamboree Graduation and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, July 19, 2009 in the Studio Z Sanctuary at 11 a.m. They will be performing some of their favorite songs and reciting the Bible verses that they have worked so hard on. Each child will be rewarded with a certificate and a small gift. You will not want to miss it! A reception will follow the ceremony with cake, punch and other FUN treats! Each graduate will be helping out with the program. They will be practicing for their big day on Sunday, July 12!

Mom and Dad! Help us practice!
Zoey: Verse #2
Keighen: pass out programs
Taryn: closing prayer/pray over food
Morgan: Verse #1
Jamaal: pass out programs
Daniel: 5 fingers of Faith
Jayley: 5 fingers of Prayer
Madison: Opening Prayer
Amira: The Lord's Prayer

Verse #1 is Ephesians 6:10
Verse #2 is Psalms 16:11

Studio Z 's Kids Discipleship Groups are held at 10 a.m. and they will then be attending the Sprouts/Jamboree graduation at 11 a.m.

Jamboree News!

July 5 is Water Day! We will be playing outside in pools, sprinklers, etc. Please wear a bathing suit and bring a towel. Sunscreen needs to be applied BEFORE you arrive. Bring an extra set of clothes to change into. If you have an extra pool, sprinkler, or would like to donate bubbles or popscicles, please call Tosha!

July 12: Lesson is "Time With Jesus." We will be making a prayer clock! We would love pictures to put on it! Each wallet size picture you bring, you will get 20 Z bucks! (Pictures of family, friends, someone who needs healing or salvation, etc.)

July 19: Graduation Day! Details next week!

Coming in July!

July is nearly here and much is happening! July 5th is Prayer Shield Sunday! Each of the children have a prayer covering called a Prayer Shield--someone in our church has chosen your child to prayer over DAILY! On July 5th, the prayer shields who can will stop over and meet their child and find out how to pray for the month of July!

Sunday, July 5th is Water Day for the Jamboree! Dress in swimwear and bring a towel.

The Jamboree will have their Graduation on Sunday, July 19th. More details later!

On Sunday, June 28th we will have leaders for our prayer centers coming over to pray with us!

Our prayer closet is nearly finished! Thank you R.J. Dunley for your love and building skills!

BIG

Big not only describes our summer program, but it also describes some of our fantastic changes in the ministry to children!

We are BIG into learning about prayer on Sunday mornings in, both our service and in our new KDG (kid's discipleship groups) Last Sunday, June 14, we began our countdown to the 7 mountain curriculum as we talked about Flag Day and how important kids are to America. We learned Luke 6:46 "you cannot call me Lord, and do not the things I say," as we determined to be obedient to God's Word and stand up for what God wants even when our society tries to tell us differently. We each received a flag to keep. We learned of the prayer of SURRENDER in our brand new KDG.

This Sunday, Father's Day, we will learn "Prayer walking." Do you know what prayer walking is? It is praying in the places where we expect God to answer our prayers, "getting nearer to pray clearer."

Our church family has begun to build a wall of protection around us! They have adopted each of us and have promised to pray for us and our destiny EVERYDAY! They are our prayer shields!

Since we were "knighted" into God's Army on June 7th, we have hit the ground running and we are taking OHIO for King Jesus!

See you in Studio Z every Sunday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Pastor Teresa

Welcome

Welcome to our new blog where parents can stay up to date with things going on around the children's center at Oasis. Find out this week's lesson plans, upcoming events, watch a few videos, and more.

Teresa Turner

Pastor of Children's Ministry