Fifth Grade

Our vision is to see those that feel disconnected from God and the church find hope, healing, and wholeness in Jesus Christ

Email: lwilliamson@prov.church
Website: https://prov.church/ministries/kids/
Location: 2293 S. Rutland Road, Mt. Juliet, TN
Phone: 615.773.7862
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProvKIDS/

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I have heard it said that the art of gratitude has been lost. In a culture of abundance, we have so many blessings but advertisements and social media will try to convince us that something is still absent.

"Gratitude is a choice. It is a conscious and deliberate decision to focus on life's blessings rather than its shortcomings" (Newberry, 2007) Gratitude is looking around and giving thanks for what is present instead of what is absent. It is a discipline but also the magic key that will unlock an unstoppable amount of joy from flowing from our lives.

Matthew Kelly says, "Without gratitude what was extraordinary yesterday becomes ordinary today. Without gratitude a sense of entitlement takes over and begins to rot our soul. Without gratitude we get old and grumpy, or even young and grumpy. Gratitude keeps us young. It anchors us to the present moment. It reminds us of what matters most and what matters least, and fills us with the resolve to carry on the great mission God has entrusted to us" (Resisting Happiness p.184)

This month, we will continue to move to be the best version of ourselves by challenging ourselves to appreciate, show gratitude, to unlock a joyful attitude.

On Sundays our Fifth grade students will continue to worship in the Worship Center then gather in the student room to serve throughout ProvKIDS.

This month, we will be showing honor to our neighbor teachers by using our creative side to design artwork with quotes of gratitude to value what these teachers do for children daily. You may want to wear clothes that are not your Sunday best, but we will have protective wear for those that need it.

From November 17-December 8, we will be joining the 4th and 5th grade classes together due to rehearsals for the Christmas Program using the training room. The 4th and 5th graders will be doing activities and lessons together until December.

Create a gratitude jar as a family.

Two options:

1. Create a jar and watch it fill up. All you need is a jar and some dried beans. Create a challenge for the day of things you are going to be grateful for from the categories below. universal blessings: things that benefit everyone: sunshine/rain, hills, leaves, freedom "little things" (that aren't so little): smiles, hugs, indoor plumbing, seat belts.
   other people (and telling them about their value): neighbors, family members, bus drivers
   Each time you express gratitude, place a bean in the jar. How many beans can you collect in November? Feeling like a cheerful giver? Trade those beans in and donate that monetary amount to someone in need.
2. Place a list of questions of gratitude in a jar and use the questions as conversation starters. Search Pinterest for free printables of gratitude conversation starters or create your own!

Use these to connect what you or your other children are learning with your fifth grader.

• Younger Siblings: This month, younger siblings are focusing on loving deeply and honoring others more than ourselves. Often we can demonstrate someone's value by showing interest, giving our undivided attention, and honoring them in the present moment. Cultivate this with your children by modeling it through cooking a meal together, or even sitting down together to share a meal where the attention is on the people present. Share in conversation specific things you are grateful for and honor God by giving him the credit. Honor each other, through gratitude for one another, by showing each other they are valuable enough to have have us present with them.
• Older Siblings or Yourself: Through the month of November, our sermon series on: The cheerful giver. What does it mean to be a cheerful giver? Talk about times you have been a cheerful giver or times that you have given where you weren't so cheerful. Share with each other things that might be easy for you to give and other things that might be more difficult. (For example, you might give easily financially but struggle to give your time). How does having gratitude help us to give more easily? Was there a time you didn't want to give and were grateful afterwards that you did? Brainstorm ideas of you as a family can give cheerfully to one another, to the church, to our community, to our world. Make a list of things you can do in November and do them! Talk about how you feel after you have given time, talents, or treasures to one another and keep giving.

In times of distress, it can be more challenging to show a grateful heart. Talk with your child about a time when you went through something that you didn't feel grateful for at the time but later have learned that God was working. Tell your preteen about what you are grateful for now that you have a different perspective.

Take time together to pray together, giving God gratitude and glory for each other by praying specifically for what you are grateful for in one another. Pray the Psalms together as a way to show gratitude.

Calling all 3rd through 5th graders! If you are interested in being an acolyte for any Sunday morning or Thursday service, ProvKIDS will be holding a training on Sunday November 10 from 12-12:30 for BOTH parents and interested kids! See Liz or Lindsay at the ProvKIDS welcome desk to sign up!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Psalm 100:1-2

Honor God and give him the credit by turning up some of these worship songs that honor our faithful God!

• How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin on the album How Great is Our God

• Your Name is Power by Rend Collective on the album Your name is Power

• Amen by Micah Tyler on the album Amen

• Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Music on the album Victory

• Echo by Elevation Worship on the album Echo

• What a Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship

• Glorious Day by Passion on the album Worthy of Your Name

ProvKIDS sponsors two children, John and Rebecca through Grace and Glory's child sponsorship program. Each week we encourage the kids to bring in 25 cents of money they have earned to help provide education, hot meals, and love to our two sponsored children.