Happy Birthday Box (Dec 25) "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. Here is how you will know I am telling you the truth. You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger" (Luke 2.11-12)

God Is Love Box (Dec 24) "The three most important things to have are faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13.13)

Garden of Eden Box (Dec 23) "You can eat the fruit of any tree in the garden. But you must not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you can be sure that you will die" (Genesis 2:16-17)

Heaven On Earth Box (Dec 22) "Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come. May what you want to happen be done on earth as it is done in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10)

Jonah and the Whale Box (Dec 21) "From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord. He said, 'When I was in trouble, I called out to you. And you remembered me. I called out for help and you listened to my cry'" (Jonah 2.1-2)

Jesus is the Way Box (Dec 20) "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14.6)

Light of the World Box (Dec 18/19) "Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Those who follow me will never walk in darkness. They will have the light that leads to life'" (John 8.12)

Prayer Box (Dec 17) "I know the plans I have for you. I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you (Jeremiah 2.11-13)

Holy Baptism Box (Dec 16) "Your sins are washed away. You are made holy. You were made right with God. All of that was done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6.11)

St. Paul's Arts 'n Kids

SPAM describes  themselves as "a collective of individuals who have an interest in exploring arts and media, and how it relates to contemporary expressions of sprituality. Basically SPAMmers get together once in a while, chat about stuff, undertake creative projects and get to know others who have the same interest in this thing we loosely call creativity." SPANK (sT pAUL'S aRTS 'N kIDS) is a SPAM initiative that involves workshops and projects that engage kids creatively in all areas of the arts.

You can connect with SPAM on FB and YouTube, and the web. This video is done really really well. Wish they weren't on the other side of the world, I'd join them!

Holy Communion Box (Dec 15) "We have been made holy by what God wanted. We have been made holy because Jesus Christ offered his body once and for all time" (Hebrews 10.10)

Advent Boxes

Prince of Peace Box (Dec 13) "A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives forever and Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9.6)

Jesus is the Word Box (Dec 11/12) "In the beginning, the Word (Jesus) was already there. The Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God" (John 1.1)

Christmas Light Box (Dec 10) "Let your light shine in front of others. They will see the good things you do. And they will praise your father who is in heaven (Matthew 5.16)

Angel Box (Dec 9) "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring good news of great joy. It is for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord (Luke 2.7)

The Art of Stringing Popcorn and Cranberries

There's definitely an art to stringing popcorn and cranberries... and finding time to sit down long enough to do it. Add a new twist (and lots of color) to a favorite family tradition by stringing Fruit Punch Popcorn in Cranberry or Cherry, Lime, Grape, Berry Blue, and Strawberry JELL-O flavors. Simple supplies, awesome conversation, and a fun snack!

God's Creation Box (Dec 8) "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen 1.1)

The Star Box (Dec 7) "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed" (Matthew 2.10)

Noah's Ark Box (Dec 6) "God said to Noah, 'The rainbow is the sign of my covenant. I have made my covenant between me and all life on earth" (Genesis 9.17)

Burning Bush Box (Dec 4/5) "The place you are standing is holy ground" (Exodus 3.5)

Joseph's Colorful Coat Box (Dec 3) "Hate stirs up fights. But love erases all sins by forgiving them" (Proverbs 10.12)

Joy to the World Box (Dec 2) "Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful" (Philippians 4.4)

***PrOjeCT WinTeR WOnDeR***

Prince of Peace Family Ministry is a community who loves God, loves others, and loves the way God made them. Paper snowflakes can be a simple and fun reminder of how each one of us is a uniquely made, one-of-a-kind, and beautiful creation. During Freestyle time we cut individual paper snowflakes and put them together to make our own snowstorm in celebration of a loving and big God who sets us free to put our faith into action!

Praise the Lord from the earth...fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind fulfilling his Word (Psalm 148)

How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that. What you have done is wonderful! (Psalm 139)

For God says to the snow, "Fall on the earth"; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of God's strength (Job 37.6)

"A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!" (Author Unknown)

The Good Shepherd Box (Dec 1) "The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need" (Psalm 23)

House on the Rock Box (Nov 30) "Everyone who hears these words and puts them into practice is like a wise man. He builds his house on the rock" (Matt 7.24)

Snowflake Box (Nov 29) "How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that. What you have done is wonderful" (Psalm 139:14)

Peace on Earth Box (Nov 27/28) "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2.14)

Advent Boxes Project

The season of Advent marks the beginning of the church year and prepares us for "the coming" presence of Christ ~ Immanuel, God with us! Advent calendars are often used to invite children, youth, and families to be part of this glorious mystery, making each day of the four weeks leading to Christmas count for more than shopping and jingle bells.

The Advent Box Project or "World's Largest Advent Calendar" is a collaborative work in Worship Arts, and a Middle School Ministry initiative, designed to invite every generation to develop their gifts in the visual arts while growing in community as wholehearted followers of Jesus Christ. This project was inspired by a previously done project at The House for All Sinners and Saints.

Open the Door

by Greg Asimakoupoulos

When you step over

The threshold of Christmas

There's a mystery

For you to explore.

A story.

A message.

Rich beauty.

The music of color and love.

There's a sense

Of the Creator's presence.

The wonder of childlike joy.

The texture of worship.

The power of peace.

Turn the handle

And open the door.

Many of the boxes were created by students as part of our weekly "Freestyle" time. Children and entire families have participated as well. We invite you to check back each week as new boxes are being added to the calendar, sharing God's extraordinary story through ordinary shoe boxes and the simple art of collage. Open the door!

M.o.T.i.O.n. Chalk Art

Link to the Chalk IT UP 2 Mission Outpost Album

Each month Family Ministry (Preschool through Grade 12) bring in different supplies

to re-stock Mission Outpost! We call it "MOTION" [Mission Outpost This Is Our Night]

The PuZZLe PROjeCT

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his or her own gifts (Ephesians 4.4-13)

You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you're still one body. It's exactly the same with Christ. By means of his one Spirit, we all said good-bye to our partial and piecemeal lives. We each used to independently call our own shots, but then we entered into a large and integrated life in which he has the final say in everything. (This is what we proclaimed in word and action when we were baptized.) Each of us is now a part of his resurrection body, refreshed and sustained at one fountain—his Spirit—where we all come to drink. The old labels we once used to identify ourselves—labels like Jew or Greek, slave or free—are no longer useful. We need something larger, more comprehensive (1 Corinthians 12.12-13)