Magazine Messages

Get parents and guardians excited about using the Guess What! family magazine by sending each issue home with a short note highlighting the zine’s fun, faith-building features!

Michelle Kool is one of the coordinators for The Power Hour, the kids’ ministry at Inglewood Christian Reformed Church in Edmonton, Alberta. She first emailed us this idea with a sample letter for KC Unit 3:

News from Power Hour
Time for a new magazine, which means the beginning of a new unit as well! For the next four weeks the children will be studying the stories of Jacob and Esau and learning about Joseph. It’s all about how we get into messes, and how God loves us enough to forgive us every time. The family worship on page 9 is a great place to start, so break out of the box and begin in the middle! There’s a play on page 12 that might be a fun way to do family devotions one day. And check out the first Saturday on the family calendar (p. 14). This would be a fun activity, and it’s applicable to every family member! Kids, try out the funny orange-peel teeth on page 3. Parents, check out “That’s Not Fair!” Enjoy, and see you Sunday!

The Power Hour Coordinator Team

Kat Nauman, the coordinator of special children’s programs at Wyckoff Reformed Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey also sent us a copy of her magazine message for Unit 4:

Guess What! Reminder
Each time your child receives a new magazine, a new unit begins. This time, our new unit follows Moses from birth to the Red Sea and focuses on God’s rescue plans for his people. This magazine gives you an idea of what your kids learn about each week. You can challenge them by using the magazine to review and reinforce.

Last week’s lesson is recapped in the picture story on page 4.

The Miz Liz quiz on page 8 will test kids’ knowledge of today’s lesson.

On pages 10-11, the game “Great Escape” reinforces the facts that will be covered in our January 30 lesson.

Finally, create a delicious and informative “Dessert Drama” to reenact the crossing of the Red Sea, our lesson for January 9.

Parents, there’s even a page for you! This month’s “For Parents” focuses on giving and sharing blessings (perfect for helping to keep the Christmas season in perspective). One simple way you can do this is to support our Generation to Generation mission project by delivering a Christmas poinsettia to an older member of the congregation. Just choose a name from the mission board outside the memorial room and then pick up a poinsettia from the sanctuary on or after December 26 and drop it off. It’s as easy as that. Nothing to buy or make, just a family field trip to share a blessing!

But that’s not all!! Look inside for recipes, crafts, stories, and family worship ideas. We want you to have as much fun helping your kids learn about their faith as we do! Enjoy!

We’re grateful for church educators like Michelle Kool and Kat Naumann for sharing their creative ideas! Please email us about the ways you’re connecting with kids and families so we can pass your suggestions on to others!