Parent Connection November 28th

What do you want or “need” for Christmas?

Do you have problems answering that first question? Sometimes we may not know what to ask for. We wouldn’t want to insult or offend the person asking the question by asking for something too inexpensive (underestimating their love for us?) or too extravagant (overestimating their desire to present us with a gift). Maybe we just don’t want to ruin the surprise by knowing what we are getting.

What about the second question? What do you need? If left up to us, we would never get that one right. In his great wisdom, God knew what each of us needed for Christmas. And he did something about our need. In Isaiah 7:14 God says, ”The Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This passage points us to what God saw as our “need”, our greatest need. Each of us needs deliverance from our sin and guilt. We need a Savior who would take away our guilt and ransom us from our rightful punishment. No normal son would fit the need. Immanuel means “God with us.” God came to earth, wrapped himself in human flesh, and became a man in order to suffer, die, and rise for us, to save us from our sins.

As we prepare to celebrate this blessed birth, let us remember why this birth came about: He came to be our Savior so we can live with Him in heaven!

Junior Choir

Thank you to all the singers who lent their voices in worship on Sunday!  The choir will sing in January at Peace Lutheran Church in Eagle River.  There is no choir practice this week.

Thanksgiving Donation Drive

          Thanks to all the donations we received, we were able to put together over 100 blessing bags for those less fortunate. 

Basketball this week:

          We have practice on Tuesday. 

The tournament begins Thursday, December 1^st.  The girls’ first game is Thursday, Dec 1^st @ 7:15.  The boys’ first game is Dec 1^st @ 4:45.  All games will be played at Lumen Christi.  There is an admission fee for the tournament, this fee covers the cost of the gym. 

Adults - $5 / Students - $3 / Seniors - $1

Spirit Week

          Let’s cheer our basketball teams on with spirit week. Do your best to dress in the theme for the day.  If you decide not to participate you should wear your school uniform on Wednesday or Thursday.

Wednesday: Camouflage Day

Thursday: Backward Day

Friday: School Colors Day

Go Huskies!

Financial Peace University

Faith Lutheran Church will offer the popular Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class early in the new year, Tuesday evenings at 6:30 from January 10^th through March 7th.  The class covers biblically-based principles of money management, beneficial to all from young people starting out on their own to older couples.  For more information about the class, please visit the Stewards of Faith blog at http://stewardsoffaith.blogspot.com/.

There will be a preview on December 13^th at 6:30 for those who are interested.

If you would like to sign up, please speak with Mrs. Lillo in the office.

Tardiness/Absences

Classes start promptly at 8:30.  Students who miss the start of the school day often feel rushed and can become unfocused and stressed for the day.  Please make every effort to have your student to school on time.  This means adequate planning, especially on days with inclement weather.

If your child will be absent from school, contact the school before 8:30.  Please make every effort to collect your child’s assignments on that day so the missed assignments may be completed at home.

For planned early dismissals and absences, send a written note in advance of the absence.  Children often forget to inform their teachers or do not remember the details. 

Please make school as important to your child as work is important to you, even in the primary grades.  Tardiness and absences though sometimes necessary, are frustrating and stressful to students, teachers, and the classroom as a whole.  Frivolous excuses for tardiness and absences can teach children their educational responsibilities aren’t important and can be detrimental to the value they place on education in the future.  Please act in the best interest of your child in this regard.

Student Messages

          If you need to contact your student during the day, please do so during the noon break for lunch and recess.  If you need to leave a message for your child do so before 2:30.

          If you would like to visit the classroom let the teacher know in advance.

Picture Retakes

          Retakes are scheduled for December 6^th in the morning.  If you would like a retake you must let Mrs. Lillo know by Friday.  You can stop by the office or email her at faithlutheran@gci.net.  If you do not RSVP you may not be able to have a photo taken.

Bake Sale

          PTF will be having a bake sale after school on December 14^th and 15^th.  This is a great opportunity to get baked items for Christmas. 

We will need donations of baked goods so get your favorite holiday recipes out!

PTF Meeting

          Our next meeting is December 8^th at 7:00.  We will begin planning the activities for the rest of the school year.  The meeting will last for one hour.  We need volunteers to help organize upcoming events.  Please plan on attending.

Field Trip

          The students will be visiting the Dome next week.  Be sure to have permission slips returned on time.  We will also need parents to drive.

Library Trip

          Mr. Zarnstorff’s class will be visiting the library on Wednesday.  They will also be going out for lunch.

Birthdays

          God’s richest blessings to Evan O. who celebrates his birthday on November 29^th.  Happy Birthday!

Parent Connection November 21st

A Fishing Tale

I got out onto the ice last Saturday. I went fishing for a little while in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day to be on the ice, not too cold, not too windy. I drilled some holes and cleaned out the ice chips. I set up my poles, checked the depth, and baited the hooks. But I was a little worried when I took out my jar of salmon eggs. I had left them in my coat pocket and lid wasn’t on very tight. The eggs had dried out and shriveled up. It was hard to even separate them from the jar to put them on the hook. I didn’t think that they would look very attractive to the fish. I wondered what I would have to do if the eggs proved useless in attracting fish to my hook. I did have a few other lures that I could have used if needed.

          I don’t know if you are aware of it, but Satan is a very good fisherman. He is a very persistent fisherman, he spends hours each day in search of his prey. He knows his prey very well too. He has studied his prey and knows exactly what bait to use in each and every situation to entice his prey into taking the bait. His lures are fashioned specifically for each of his individual targets. When he gets his prey to take the bait, he is not one who practices catch and release, he wants to keep every last one that he hooks. We are the ones he is after, the ones he wants to lure away from our God.

          Our God doesn’t want to let us go. He also seeks after us. With his Gospel message he cuts Satan lines and removes his hooks from us. He forgives us when we have taken Satan’s bait and fallen for his temptation to sin. He saved us from the eternal consequences of sin. He wants us to enjoy eternity with him in heaven. He gives us strength to resist the lures of Satan. Even though Satan continues his attack, we can rest secure in our Savior arms.

No School

Thanksgiving is this Thursday.  There is no school on Thursday and Friday.  Chapel will be held on Wednesday.

Junior Choir

Junior Choir will be singing at Faith on November 27^th at 10:30.  This will be the rededication service for the school.  Singers will need to wear their choir uniforms.

Special Thanksgiving Worship Service

          Sunday, November 27^th at 10:30, Faith Lutheran Church will have a special thanksgiving service, during this service there will be a rededication of the school.  The school will host an open house following the service and a potluck.  All are encouraged and invited to attend.

Thanksgiving Donation Drive

          We have so much to be thankful for!  This is the time of year to share our blessings with those in need.         Faith Lutheran School will be assembling bags for those less fortunate.  Items we will include in the bags are:

·         small water bottle

·         small cans of pop-top food such as beans or Vienna sausages

·         dried fruit

·         beef jerky     

·         individual packages of hot cocoa mix, tea, and coffee

·         small packages of nuts or trail mix

·         socks (adult size)

·         mittens

·         hand warmers

·         travel size toiletries

·         toothbrushes and toothpaste

·         lip balm

Donations may be brought for your offering on Wednesday at chapel.

Basketball this week:

          We have practice on Tuesday. 

The tournament is scheduled for December 1^st – 3^rd.  Girls first game is Thursday, Dec 1^st @ 7:15.  Boys first game is Dec 1^st @ 4:45.  All games will be played at Lumen Christi.

Financial Peace University

Faith Lutheran Church will offer the popular Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class early in the new year, Tuesday evenings at 6:30 from January 10^th through March 7th.  The class covers biblically-based principles of money management, beneficial to all from young people starting out on their own to older couples.  For more information about the class, please visit the Stewards of Faith blog at http://stewardsoffaith.blogspot.com/.

If you are interested in signing up, please speak with Mrs. Lillo in the office.

Parent Connection November 14th

By the Light of the Silvery Moon…

          Did you see it? Did it look brighter than usual? Did you notice how much bigger than usual it was?   I’m talking, of course, about the “super” moon. This morning’s full moon happened when the moon was closer to the earth than it has been for many years. Since it was closer than usual, scientists told us that it would appear brighter and bigger. I confess that I was not up at whatever time was the exact moment of the full moon, but as I drove to school this morning God treated me to a wonderful view of his might and power.

          The Psalmist David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4.

          When we look at the moon, the stars, or the sun, God wants us to remember him, he created them for us. All people can see these wonders of God and understand their message to us: God created all things and we will one day stand before this God to answer for the things we’ve done. Unfortunately, nature cannot tell us about our Savior who will stand before God with us and will speak on our behalf. We can only learn about Jesus and all that he has done for us in God’s Word. For me, there was a reminder of that too this morning, I saw the star shining on the mountain in Arctic Valley, a reminder of the coming days of celebration of our Savior’s birth. May all of us remember the Lord each day of our lives and listen to nature’s declarations and to the Word of God.

Insect Invasion

November 19^th, 10:00 – Noon for toddlers to 12 year olds and their parents. The morning will have activities, snacks, devotion, and crafts.  Contact Melissa Mittelstadt for more information.  FaithLutheranPreschoolAK@Gmail.com

Basketball this week:

          We have practice on Tuesday and Thursday. We also have a game on Wednesday, Nov. 16th, against Birchwood at Birchwood. The boys’ game will begin at 4:00pm with the girls’ game to follow.  On Friday, November 18^th, we will have games at Lumen Christi against Lumen.  The girls will play first at 3:30 and the boys will follow at 4:30.

Junior Choir

Junior Choir will be singing at Faith on November 27^th at 10:30.  This will be the rededication service for the school.  Singers will need to wear their choir uniforms.

Math-a-thon

          Thank you to all those who participated in the Math-a-thon program this year. Our goal was to raise $500.00, we raised $856.50! This is enough to buy one child size wheelchair and supplies for 20 infants. Thank you!

Geography Bee

          The geography bee for 3^rd – 8^th grades will be on Wednesday at 1:15.  Parents are invited to attend.        

 Thanksgiving Donation Drive

          We have so much to be thankful for!  This is the time of year to share our blessings with those in need.         Faith Lutheran School will be assembling bags for those less fortunate.  You may bring these items this week and next week.  Items we will include in the bags are:

·         small water bottle

·         small cans of pop-top food such as beans or Vienna sausages

·         dried fruit

·         beef jerky    

·         individual packages of hot cocoa mix, tea, and coffee

·         small packages of nuts or trail mix

·         socks (adult size)

·         mittens

·         hand warmers

·         travel size toiletries

·         toothbrushes and toothpaste

·         lip balm

         

November Hot Lunch

          November hot lunch is on November 17^th.  This lunch is provided by the PTF.  We ask that your student bring a donation item for our bag drive mentioned above.  The lunch will be ham, mac n’ cheese, green beans, rolls and pie. 

Special Thanksgiving Worship Service

          Sunday, November 27^th at 10:30, Faith Lutheran Church will have a special thanksgiving service, during this service ere will be a rededication of the school.  The school will host an open house following the service and a potluck.  Our Junior Choir will be singing during the service as well.  All are encouraged and invited to attend.

Brrrrr…It Is Cold Outside

          Parents, be sure your student is bringing proper winter gear to school.  Students enjoy their time outside when they can keep warm and dry with hats, gloves, winter coat, boots, and snow pants.

Parent Connection November 7th

Extra hour?

          So how did you spend your bonus hour this weekend? Did you very judiciously plan out how to get the most out of your extra sixty minutes? Did you just sleep away that extra time like many? Or did you squander those extra three thousand, six hundred seconds? Or might you be wondering why I’m so curious about something as insignificant as one hour?

          How precious is your time? Maybe a better question is how precious is the time that God has granted each of us? We call it our “time of grace”. God has given each of us our lifetime for us to come to faith in him and to serve him, our time to experience his grace, his love for us. So how precious is this time? None of us knows how much time we have been allotted by our heavenly Father. We may have many years ahead of us or only a few weeks, days, or hours.

          The psalmist David said, “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.”  Psalm 31:14-15. We know that God is in control of all things and has promised to make all things work for our good. He is working for us to arrive in heaven when our time here is finished. Let us remember how precious this time is and ask our God to help us use his time wisely.

Parents’ Night Out

          This Friday, Nov. 11, we will be holding a parents’ night out. Please sign up on the hall signup sheets near your child’s classroom. Parents may drop their children off for a fun evening.  Kids will enjoy an evening with snacks, a movie and a craft.  The theme is “Drive In Theater”.  This is sponsored by PTF, free will donations will be accepted at the door.  Children must be potty trained to attend.  Contact Leah Snyder to volunteer or for more information.  LeahGSnyder@gmail.com

School Picture

          On Thursday, November 10^th we will be taking a photo of the entire student body.  Elementary students must wear their blue uniform shirt.  Preschool students, will wear a black shirt.

Mock Elections

          FLS will hold mock a presidential election on Tuesday.  Help your student choose a candidate by discussing the election with them.

Basketball this week:

          We have practice on Tuesday and Thursday. We also have a game on Wednesday, Nov. 9th, against Birchwood at Birchwood. The boys’ game will begin at 4:00pm with the girls’ game to follow.  Go Huskies!

Insect Invasion

November 19^th, 10:00 – Noon for toddlers to 12 year olds and their parents. The morning will have activities, snacks, devotion, and crafts.  Contact Melissa Mittelstadt for more information.  FaithLutheranPreschoolAK@Gmail.com

Faith Gear

This is your last chance to order your Faith gear! Orders must be place by Wednesday. Contact the office if you have any questions or need help with your order.

Junior Choir

Junior Choir will be singing at Faith on November 27^th at 10:30.  This will be the rededication service for the school.  Singers will need to wear their choir uniforms.

Library Trip

          Mr. Z’s class will be going to the library on Wednesday.  Please gather all books to be returned.

Math-a-thon

          Thank you to all those who participated in the Math-a-thon program this year. Our goal is to raise $500.00 for this cause. Thank you!

Brrrrr…It Is Cold Outside

          Parents, be sure your student is bringing proper winter gear to school.  Students enjoy their time outside when they can keep warm and dry with hats, gloves, winter coat, boots, and snow pants.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

          We have so much to be thankful for!  This is the time of year to share our blessings with those in need.         Faith Lutheran School will be assembling bags for those less fortunate.  You may begin bringing these items next week.  Items we will include in the bags are:

·         small water bottle

·         small cans of pop-top food such as beans or Vienna sausages

·         dried fruit

·         beef jerky    

·         individual packages of hot cocoa mix, tea, and coffee

·         small packages of nuts or trail mix

·         socks (adult size)

·         mittens

·         hand warmers

·         travel size toiletries

·         toothbrushes and toothpaste

·         lip balm

         

November Hot Lunch

          November hot lunch is on November 17^th.  This lunch is provided by the PTF.  We ask that your student bring a donation item for our bag drive mentioned above.  The lunch will be ham, mac n’ cheese, green beans, rolls and pie.  If you would like to donate any of the lunch items, help with food prep or serving contact Sheila at 229-7901.

Parent Connection November 2nd

Surrounded by Enemies

          There was a time in Israel when they were at war against the king of Aram and his armies. The king of the Arameans would tell his commanders to go and set a trap for the Israelite army. Elisha, God’s prophet at the time, would send a message to the Israelite king and warn him of the trap.

Time after time the king of Aram was foiled in his attempt to trap the Israelites.

          He got so frustrated that he even accused his own men of warning the enemy about their movements and plans. The men told him that it was the man of God that was foiling their plans. So the king made plans to capture Elisha where he was staying in Dothan. During the night, he sent a large group of chariots and horsemen to surround the city.

In the morning, Elisha’s servant went out and saw the multitude of chariots and soldiers and reported it to Elisha. Elisha told him, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha asked God to open his servant’s eyes and show him the hills around the city filled with horses and chariots of fire, the armies of God were there to defend and protect them.

Things haven’t changed. God’s army is still defending and protecting the people of God. There are many enemies surrounding us, wanting to harm us, trying to tear our faith out of our hearts. When we face these enemies, may God open our eyes to see his armies surrounding us and defending and protecting us, keeping us safe from the enemies’ attacks.

Thank you!

          Thank you to all who worked hard to make our “Trunk or Treat” event so successful. For all the time and effort, for the contributions of candy, cookies, and cakes: Thank you all!

          For all of the children who came and sang for our Reformation service on Sunday afternoon, thank you! I had many compliments from those in attendance about your enthusiasm in singing praise to our Lord.

Birthday this week

          JJ Strong celebrated his birthday yesterday, November 1. I hope you had a wonderful day, JJ!

Basketball this week:

          We have practice on Thursday, Nov. 3. We also have a game on Friday, Nov. 4, at 6:00 p.m. against Anchor Lutheran at Anchor on Arctic Boulevard.

Math-a-thon

          Those participating in the Math-a-thon program this year please return the completed Math-a-thon materials by this Friday, Nov. 4. Our goal is to raise $500.00 for this cause. Thank you!

Parents’ Night Out

          Looking ahead to next week Friday, Nov. 11, we will be holding a parents’ night out. Please sign up on the hall signup sheets near your child’s classroom. Parents may drop their children off for a fun evening.  Kids will enjoy an evening with snacks, a movie and a craft.  The theme is “Drive In Theater”.  This is sponsored by PTF, free will donations will be accepted at the door.  Children must be potty trained to attend.  Contact Leah Snyder to volunteer or for more information.  LeahGSnyder@gmail.com

  

Insect Invasion

November 19^th, 10:00 – Noon for toddlers to 12 year olds and their parents. The morning will have activities, snacks, devotion, and crafts.  Contact Melissa Mittelstadt for more information.  FaithLutheranPreschoolAK@Gmail.com

Faith Gear

The time to order your Faith gear has been extended to November 9^th.  Another email with the links will be sent out this week.

Be Diligent

Parents, please continue to check your children for head lice.  Instruct your children not to share hats or brushes.