Curriculum Materials for 4th and 5th Grades

CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT: THE BIG GIVE Keep things simple and put out some traditional decorations— the more kid-friendly they are, the better! Then make it look like you’re in the middle of creating the backdrop for a Christmas play. You could have a few labeled boxes and plastic bins stacked up as if you were in the process of unpacking and setting up, with some things inside sticking out a bit at different angles, to add visual interest.

(more ideas in Large Group script) BEFORE KIDS LEAVE THE 5TH GRADE, WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND 3 BASIC TRUTHS: Have fun getting in the holiday spirit and send us some pictures (tweet FAITH I can trust God no matter what. them @252Basics or email your WISDOM I need to make the wise choice. Orange Specialist). FRIENDSHIP I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

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Reggie Joiner Kristen Ivy Jodi Blackwell Elloa Davis Mike Davis Hadley Brandt Amy Grisham Cara Martens Lauren Bowman Jennifer Davis Dan Scott Joy Bowen Elizabeth Hansen Lauren Terrell Dana Wilkerson Brian Bascle Abbey Carr Brandon O’Dell Julie Tiemann Joe Goode Becky Kizer Greg Payne Mike Tiemann Misty Phillips Phil Pierce Stephanie Porter Dan Scott Susan Richards Jon Williams Courtney Templeton

User Agreement Orange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor 252 Basics® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith. These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. 252 Basics® and the 252 Basics® logo are trademarks of Orange. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. www.whatisorange.org/252basics

©2012 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com 252 GOOD-TO-KNOW TERMS STATEMENT OF FAITH HOST the “emcee” who is relational, often funny and comfortable up front ABOUT ABOUT GOD PEOPLE STORYTELLER the communicator sharing the Bible story in a creative way God is the one and only true God, yet He People are made in God’s image and for exists in three persons: God the Father, His pleasure. But everybody falls short of WORSHIP LEADER God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God’s intention, or ideal, for people. In a singer who can engage and lead God is the Creator, so everything belongs other words, everyone has sinned. As a with music and motions to Him and is under His control. God is result, we are all separated from Him, even Note: If you have one large holy, so He is righteous, majestic, and though He wants an intimate relationship group leader for all three roles, we loving. God is all knowing and purposeful, with each of us. recommend 252 Compact so He’s at work to bring about His will. No person, thing, or idea compares to God. CG slides with images and words to ABOUT ABOUT project onscreen THE BIBLE SALVATION Note: If you don’t have projection capabilities, you can print these as posters. God reveals Himself to us through the That’s why —God’s Son—came and Bible, and it is 100% accurate, reliable, and lived on this earth, died, and rose again. SFX authoritative. God offers His free gift of salvation to all music or sound effects to play as who believe in Jesus and accept Him as part of the large group experience Savior—the only way to be forgiven and reconciled to God. Anyone who accepts this gift is adopted as a son or daughter into God’s family and will live with Him forever in heaven.

Scripture marked “NIV” is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica.

Scripture marked “NIrV” is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™, Copyright ©1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

©2012 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com December | Week 2 | 2012 | Large Group 4-5

COMPASSION Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need.

FOR LEADERS ONLY GOD VIEW: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COMPASSION AND GOD’S CHARACTER, AS SHOWN THROUGH GOD’S BIG STORY

If you want to understand who God People with very real and practical This week, we’re discovering: is—if you want to learn more about needs surround us. Let’s train our Our Bible story this week is the His character—there may be no better eyes to see their hurts and teach our moment of God’s big gift to us: Jesus place to start than with the Christmas hearts to step outside our comfort is born! (Luke 2:1-7) God’s gift, story. zone. When we can imagine ourselves wrapped in humanity and born among in someone else’s shoes, take action, common animals, was His Son Jesus. The Creator of the entire universe was and do what is in our ability to help attentive to His creation. He saw and them, we reflect God’s COMPASSION God didn’t just see our needs. He did understood the consequences of our into the world. We may not be able something to meet them. Our Bottom sin. He saw our greatest need. And He to meet every need or solve every Line is: God gave us the greatest did something about it. He humbled problem, but we can start somewhere gift. What will you give? After we Himself to be born as a tiny baby in a and do something. As we demonstrate see someone else’s needs, what’s remote town in the dwelling place of more COMPASSION, we will see something we can do to help meet animals. He lived as one of us so that, ourselves transformed to be more like them? eventually, He could die for us and God. rise again, giving us the chance to live Compassion isn’t just noticing a need, eternally with God in heaven. This month, let’s think about how: it’s acting on it. Our memory verse (1) God showed compassion to us says, “God loved the world so much This Christmas story shows that when He sent His Son to meet our that he gave his one and only Son. one aspect of God’s character is greatest need. Anyone who believes in him will not compassion. COMPASSION is caring (2) We reflect the character of God to die but will have eternal life.” John enough to do something about the world around us when we meet 3:16, NIrV God’s great gift would someone else’s need. God lovingly others’ needs. meet our deepest needs and rescue saw our greatest need and met it in (3) As we demonstrate compassion to His people. the most remarkable way. others, we experience transformation in our own life and begin to discover more about God’s great compassion.

3 Curriculum Materials for K-5th Grades

LARGE DEC GROUP 4-5

WEEK 2

HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING IN 4TH AND 5TH GRADE THIS WEEK: COMPASSION PLUG IN Caring enough to SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO FOCUS THE ENERGY • Ideas for Early Arrivers do something about • Compassion Poems someone else’s need. POWER UP INTERACTIVE LARGE GROUP EXPERIENCE TO ENGAGE THE HEART • Opener • Worship • Bible story BIBLE STORY • Prayer and Worship The Born Legacy (Jesus is born) • Luke 2:1-7 • Closer

BOTTOM LINE CATCH ON God gave us the greatest gift. What will you give? SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO MAKE THE CONNECTION MEMORY VERSE (CHOOSE TWO OR MORE OF THESE ACTIVITIES) “God loved the world so much that he gave his • Trivia Time one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will • Gifting not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIrV • To: Us; From: God • Prayer BASIC TRUTH: I should treat others the way I want to be treated. DISMISSAL • Prayer, share and reflect on today’s lesson before leaving

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COMPASSION WEEK Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. 2 PLUG IN POWER UP CATCH ON 10-15 min 20-25 min 25-30 min

BIBLE STORY: POWER UP: ENGAGE THE HEART Engage children’s hearts in a Large Group setting through interactive worship, THE BORN prayer, and an innovative telling of today’s Bible story. LEGACY GETTING READY Luke 2:1-7 1. OPENER/CLOSER BOTTOM LINE: What You Need: God gave us the greatest gift. What • Host will you give? • Festive Christmas accessories (cheesy sweater, antlers, scarf, etc.) • Two or three of the Host’s own favorite gifts he has received; go for MEMORY VERSE: ridiculous or the “wow” factor, like a live cat or dog (all optional, if “God loved the world so much that possible) • Binder that says “The Big Give,” (same as last week) with the Week 2 he gave his one and only Son. Anyone Bible story script inside who believes in him will not die but • Prizes to throw to kids at the end of Large Group (optional) will have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIrV

Music and Sound Effects (SFX): BASIC TRUTH: • Upbeat music to use as kids enter and exit the room I should treat others the way I want to be treated. Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website): • Compassion Slide

What You Do: • Download the slide and have it ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have Orange’s permission to enlarge and print the slides on paper. Apply • Print the Bible Story script and put it inside the binder as a guide. go and do • Download all songs and have them ready to use.

Impress impress this upon their minds 2. BIBLE STORY Personalize a personal story from the heart What You Need: • Storyteller Recycle important things to say over and over • Host • Binder that says “The Big Give,” with the Week 2 Bible story script inside Transition making a transition from one • Fake brown beard leader to another

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COMPASSION WEEK Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. 2 PLUG IN POWER UP CATCH ON 10-15 min 20-25 min 25-30 min

baseball cap • Fake gray beard • Granny wig • Crown • Megaphone • A few stuffed farm animals (cows, sheep, etc.) • Baby doll in a blanket • Manger (anything from a paper-covered shoebox to an actual wooden manger with straw in it) • Cap with an “M” on it or a nametag that says “Micah” • Cue card

Music and Sound Effects (SFX): • “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” by your choice of artist

Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website): • Memory Verse Slide • Bottom Line Slide • Big Story Timeline

What You Do: • Download the slides and have them ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have Orange’s permission to enlarge and print the slides on paper. Note: We provide standard and widescreen image sizes if you choose to display the Big Story Timeline on your screens. If you prefer to have a printed version, head to www.ThinkOrange. com, click “Orange Store,” and search “Big Story Timeline” to order a high quality poster. • Download the song and have it ready to use. • Create a cue card with Micah 5:2 paraphrase (as scripted).

3. WORSHIP What You Need: • Worship Leader(s)

Music and Sound Effects (SFX): • “Joy to the World” from Jingle Jam* • “Better Than the Best Thing” from Turn It Up* • “The Greatest Gift” from Jingle Jam* *Live Lyric Videos available from www.AmberSkyRecords.com.

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COMPASSION WEEK Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. 2 PLUG IN POWER UP CATCH ON 10-15 min 20-25 min 25-30 min

What You Do: • Download all songs (available on AmberSkyRecords.com) and have them ready to use. • Download and print this week’s tech sheet for everyone helping with Large Group.

4. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

H2GO!: Track your progress! If you’re participating in H2GO!, make sure you’ve got a fun, visual way to show how far you’ve come … and how far you hope to go! If any of your kids or families has come up with particularly creative ways to raise money, share those ideas with everyone.

GET REEL: This month with Get Reel 2.0, show kids how to give big so they can discover how to do something about someone else’s need.

This week, we recommend playing the Dear God video to inspire the key faith skill of Dialoguing with God. The Dear God video shows a young girl who notices another girl at school who doesn’t have a winter jacket and whose clothes aren’t in good shape. So, she sneaks into her locker and gives up her own winter jacket as a present. She does this because she remembers everything God has given up for her and she wants to return the favor to others.

Also on Get Reel 2.0, you can enhance your environment with themed audio transitions (music) to help you move between segments in your Large Group production.

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SFX: Play high-energy music as kids enter.

Host enters, wearing festive Christmas accessories (cheesy sweater, antlers, scarf, etc.).

OPENER HOST: “Well, hello everybody. Merry Christmas! We’re getting closer and closer to the big day, and I’m SO EXCITED! I know you are too!”

(Talking quickly and excitedly) “I love everything about Christmas! I love caroling and hot chocolate and fuzzy sweaters and snow angels and houses and one-horse open sleighs. I love getting a tree and putting the star on top and getting sap that won’t wash off for a WEEK all over my hands. I love CHRISTMAS!

“But I think my favorite thing about Christmas would have to be the GIFTS. Christmas is all about the very best gift of all time, when God sent Jesus to be our Savior. God showed us exactly what compassion is all about when He gave us Jesus, because compassion is caring enough to do something about someone else’s need.

CG: Cooperation Slide

“And you and me? We should show compassion, too. We should show God’s love to other people by seeing what they need and then doing something about it … by treating others the way we want to be treated. Compassion is a really big deal, and God can do BIG things through us if we’re willing to live it out!

“So God sent us the greatest gift—His Son. And one of the reasons we give each other gifts at Christmas is to remember what God did for us. Pretty cool! How many of you guys have ever gotten a really great gift at Christmas? Raise your hand. (Pause.) Okay, good. I’ve gotten some pretty awesome ones too.

Give two or three examples of gifts you’ve received over the years. If possible, bring the items in to show to the kids. The more ridiculous, the better … or go for the ‘wow’ factor (maybe a live cat or dog).

“Ah, yes … like I said, I love Christmas. And I love gifts! Now, if you were here last week, you know that I’ve got a big part in our play, ‘The Big Give.’ I’m actually going to be the director—you know (dramatically) … lights, camera, action!

Pick up the binder that says ‘The Big Give.’

“‘The Big Give’ is all about Christmas, when God sent Jesus—the greatest gift EVER—and showed us the ultimate example of compassion. Last week’s rehearsal went pretty well, but we’ve got a new scene to practice today. We’re gearing up for our big production in a couple of weeks, and I really want to do a good job!

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COMPASSION WEEK Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. 2 PLUG IN POWER UP CATCH ON 10-15 min 20-25 min 25-30 min

“So we’re going to get to that in a minute, but first it’s time to get Christmas-crazy up in here!”

Worship Leaders enter as Host exits.

WORSHIP WORSHIP LEADER: “It is Christmastime! And what fun it is to celebrate this season with some . Let’s sing this song about the greatest gift the world has ever known, ‘Joy to the World’!”

SFX: “Joy to the World” / track 3 from Jingle Jam

WORSHIP LEADER: “Yeah, that was awesome. This Christmas season is truly about Jesus. We’re having fun learning all about that. Let’s get loud as we sing out ‘Jesus, You’re better than the best thing.’ Let’s get loud and sing together on this next song!”

SFX: “Better Than the Best Thing” / track 5 from Turn It Up

Storyteller and Host enter as Worship Leaders exit. Host gets ready with his binder while Storyteller talks to the kids.

SETTING UP THE STORY STORYTELLER: (To audience) “Hey, guys! Thanks for being our audience for today’s rehearsal. I’m the narrator, and [Host’s name] is getting ready to direct us all.”

HOST: “We’re moving on to a new scene today, but first, practice scene one just to make sure we’ve got it.(Looks at script.) I need an Isaiah, a , a Zechariah, an Elizabeth, and a Mary.

Host hands the binder to Storyteller and then very quickly brings up five people to play these parts (preferably the same people as last week, if they’re there). He gives them the same props they used last week (brown bear for Isaiah, Angels’ baseball cap for Gabriel, gray beard for Zechariah, and granny wig for Elizabeth).

HOST: “Okay, is everybody ready? Let’s do (dramatically) scene one, take two!”

CG: Big Story Timeline

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COMPASSION WEEK Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. 2 PLUG IN POWER UP CATCH ON 10-15 min 20-25 min 25-30 min

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “God promised through His prophets—like Isaiah—that He would one day send someone to rescue His people. If we look here at the Big Story Timeline, you can see that’s here (points to spot on map between the Lost Tribes and the Promised One).

Host gets Isaiah to wave his arms in the air like he’s talking.

“The Israelites hadn’t heard from God in 400 years, but then God sent the Gabriel to an elderly priest named Zechariah.

Host brings Gabriel and Zechariah face-to-face.

“The angel told Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth—who was OLD—would have a son named John. And it happened, just like the angel said!

Host brings Elizabeth next to Zechariah and acts like he’s going to rub her belly. Then he goes over to Mary.

“Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s cousin Mary was getting ready to be married to a man named Joseph. One day, the angel Gabriel came to Mary.

Host brings Gabriel over to Mary and gets Gabriel to raise his hands.

“Gabriel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary. God has chosen you to give birth to a son named Jesus—the Son of God, the One who would rescue us all.’”

HOST: “Awesome. That’s a wrap! Great job, everybody! Scene two is going to be from the first part of Luke, chapter 2 (holds up Bible). Remember, even if you think you know this story pretty well, you might catch something new! First things first, though …(rubs hands together in anticipation) we need a Joseph.

Host picks a boy from the crowd and brings him up on stage.

(To Joseph) “Hey, Joseph. You can stand up front here with Mary. (To the other actors) And you guys can stay put up here in the back, because we might need some of you for this scene too.”

THE CENSUS STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “Since the very beginning, the broken world had been separated from God. But God had a plan to save us, and He had already set it in motion by sending an angel to a young woman named Mary.

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A new baby would definitely complicate Mary’s life. But the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus was about to make it even harder.”

HOST: (Looking out in the crowd) “Caesar Augustus … Caesar Augustus … (to a boy) is your name Caesar Augustus? No? Well, it is today. Come on up here.”

Host gives the boy a crown and motions for the Storyteller to continue.

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “The emperor sent a decree. It said that everyone had to go to their hometown to be counted.” (Pauses.)

Host gives the boy a megaphone.

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “It said that everyone had to go to their hometown to be counted.” (Pauses.)

Host motions for the boy to say the line out toward the audience.

CAESAR AUGUSTUS (KID): “Everyone has to go their hometown to be counted.”

HOST: “Great job!”

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “And even though Mary was having a baby, she traveled with Joseph to , where Joseph’s family was from, which was 70 miles away!”

HOST: (Interrupting) “Side note: that’s like from here to [somewhere 70 miles away from your church] … without a car! (To Mary and Joseph) Sorry, guys, but you heard him … let’s go!

SFX: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”

Host makes Mary and Joseph travel around the stage in a figure eight.

HOST: (To Mary and Joseph) “Man, you guys must be exhausted! (To Storyteller) Tell us what happened when they got there.”

NO ROOM AT THE INN STORYTELLER: (Reading from the binder) “So they made the journey to Bethlehem, but when they arrived, they discovered that everyone else had come to be counted, too! The streets and inns were jammed. There was no room!

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Host moves Mary and Joseph’s arms so they’re shrugging.

(Still reading) “So they ended up in a stall with the animals.

Host puts some stuffed animals around Mary and Joseph.

JESUS IS BORN/MICAH 5:2 STORYTELLER: (Still reading) “And that night, Mary’s baby was born—God’s Son, Jesus!”

Host hands a baby doll to Mary (wrapped up in a blanket).

(Still reading) “Mary wrapped Jesus tightly in a blanket and laid Him down to sleep in a feeding trough for the animals.

Host gets Mary to put the baby in the manger.

STORYTELLER: (Still reading) “Together they stared down at this perfect new baby boy. He deserved a real bed instead of a manger in Bethlehem. But even THAT had been part of God’s plan since the beginning.”

HOST: (Looking up at Storyteller) “Wait, you mean the Bethlehem part was in God’s plan too?”

STORYTELLER: (To Host) “Yep. God actually promised it hundreds of years earlier through another one of the prophets, Micah. (Holds up Bible.) It’s right here in Micah, chapter 5, verse 2.”

Host looks at the lineup of volunteers across the back of the stage and lands on the Isaiah actor.

HOST: (To Isaiah) “You know, you’re really good at being a prophet. Can you be the prophet Micah for us?”

Host gives the volunteer the M cap or a nametag that says “Micah”; he’s already wearing the fake beard. Storyteller gives him his cue card.

MICAH (SGL): (Reads the cue card.) “Bethlehem, though you are small, out of you will come a ruler over Israel.” (paraphrase, Micah 5:2)

HOST: (To Micah) “Thanks, Micah. (High fives the volunteer and then says to audience) Pretty cool, huh? God promised it WAY before it ever happened. The Bible is full of cool promises like that and a lot of them came true with Jesus! And you can imagine that Mary probably would have known about those promises, too.”

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STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “God’s Son had to be born in Bethlehem, just like He promised! God had used so many different people to make a 400-year-old prophecy come true in order to give the greatest gift to a broken world— His own Son, Jesus.”

Storyteller closes the binder. Host walks over to him, clapping for all the volunteers.

HOST: “Excellent! That’s a wrap for scene two. How about a hand for [Storyteller’s name] and our actors? You can all head back to your seats.”

Volunteers go back to their seats. Host stays on stage with Storyteller.

WRAPPING UP THE STORY HOST: (To Storyteller) “That was great! I’ve got to be honest, I kind of love this directing thing.”

STORYTELLER: (To Host) “Good! Next week we’ll pick up the story with scene three. (To audience) Guys, here’s what I love about the Christmas story. God gave us the greatest, most amazing gift EVER when He sent Jesus. It was the ultimate act of compassion. It was a gift He had planned since the beginning and it’s a gift that means we get to live FOREVER with Him when we choose to believe in Jesus!”

CG: Memory Verse Slide

HOST: “That’s exactly what our Memory Verse says: ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.’” (John 3:16, NIrV)

STORYTELLER: “I remember when I really got that and made the decision to believe in Jesus for myself.”

Host and Storyteller each tell a brief explanation (just a few sentences) of how they heard about Jesus and put their faith in Him.

STORYTELLER: “And here’s something else that’s just amazing. When we have a relationship with God, He helps us to start becoming like Him. So just like God gave us an incredible gift, we can give to the people around us!

“Now, sure, you can give ‘stuff’—like when you save up your allowance and buy a doll for your little sister, or you give one of your favorite video games to your friend. But sometimes the most important things you can give are things you can’t see or buy, like your time! It might be a HUGE gift to your grandpa if you sit down and play a game with him for an hour. Or offer to help your mom clean up the kitchen after dinner. You can even give your words, too! Encourage your teacher

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COMPASSION WEEK Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. 2 PLUG IN POWER UP CATCH ON 10-15 min 20-25 min 25-30 min

by telling him what a good job he does. Or thank the lady who serves you lunch and tell her to have a good afternoon. You don’t have to have a lot of money or stuff to be a giving and compassionate person. You just have to pay attention.”

HOST: “Yep, and another GREAT way to show compassion and give is to …”

If your church is participating in H2GO! or another service/giving project, this is a great time to promote it. You can also promote the Quarter Catcher widget here.

CG: Bottom Line Slide

STORYTELLER: “So here’s what we need to remember: God gave us the greatest gift. What will you give? Let’s pray.”

PRAY STORYTELLER: “God, thank You for giving us Jesus—the greatest gift we could ever receive. Thanks for loving us so much that You gave Your only Son, so that if we believe in Him, we can receive eternal life. That’s the best news EVER! Thanks for showing us that kind of compassion. Help us to see ways that we can give and show compassion to others. We love You! In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Worship Leaders enter as Host and Storyteller exit.

WORSHIP WORSHIP LEADER: “What amazing love we have received through the gift of Jesus. I love this song ’cause it tells the story of Jesus coming to earth to be our greatest gift. Sing along with us.”

SFX: “The Greatest Gift” / track 15 from Jingle Jam

Host enters as Worship Leaders exit.

SFX: Start high-energy music right after worship.

CLOSER HOST: “Yeahhhhh! Christmas is the best! Compassion is the best! I know you guys NEED awesome prizes. And I care enough to do something about it! IT’S THE BIG GIVE!”

Host throws prizes into the crowd while he dismisses the kids to their Small Groups. 14 ©2012 The reThink Group, Inc. Group, ©2012 The reThink www.ThinkOrange.com All rights reserved.