Aim True

Mrs. Sarah Brant, who co-pastors with her husband at the Barron Foursquare Church, spoke at our chapel this week. The theme of her message was that we can always trust God and His Word. She used the life of Abraham as an example. Abraham and Sarah doubted what God said to them concerning their having a child. God's way is always best, and we settle for less than the best when we do things our way.

Genesis 15:5 says, "And he brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

God's promise was fulfilled, and Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac.

With the theme of the stars, students were handed stars to put their names on and place on a Christmas tree. This is a reminder to us that we are sons of Abraham when we belong to God's family. Galatians 3:7 says, "Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham."

Next week, we will have a special Christmas chapel. Chapel is at 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the dome (next to the main building). You are invited to join us!

Thank you to everyone who came to our Christmas concert! The entire concert is available to watch on our Facebook page. At the end of the newsletter, there are a few video clips for you to enjoy, too!

We have several fun events planned for the last week of school before Christmas break. First, we will show our Christmas cheer dressing up as follows:

Monday (Dec. 18) - Holiday sock day

Tuesday (Dec. 19) - Ugly Sweater Day

Wednesday (Dec. 20) - Christmas Accessory Day (earrings, hair pieces, ties, hats)

Thursday (Dec. 21) - Christmas Colors Day

Friday (Dec. 22) - Sweats and Slippers Day

Plus...

• The Christmas store will be on December 19
• Christmas parties will be on December 21
• Full-time students can earn a movie and popcorn party on December 22.

This is what the students are working on to earn their movie and popcorn party (students that do not reach the goal will have a study hall with Mrs. Sainburg):

K-1 - Kindness Bucket

2-3 - Reading Challenge

4-5 - Words of Affirmation

6-8 - Romans Road Memorization

We will collect items from now until Christmas for the Pregnancy Help Center. We are collecting the following items:

Little Gloves

Little Mittens

Washcloths

Baby Towels

Teethers

There is a Christmas tree in our hallway. Donated items can be hung on the tree. Items must be delivered to Ascension Academy by December 21.

December 18, Chicken Tenders

December 19, Tacos

December 20, Progresso Soup w/ Grilled Cheese

December 21, Cheeseburger & Fries

December 22, Pizza

Please remember to order lunch for the week by 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning. If you need to order after that time or change your order, email us at office@ascensionarrows.org. We cannot provide a regular school lunch to your student if an email is not received should you add or change the lunch order after 8:00 a.m. on any day that a change is made or a lunch order is added.

Students will have the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts on December 19. There will be gifts for all ages, so students can shop for their siblings, parents, teachers, grandparents, etc. PTF volunteers will be helping that day and will wrap all of the purchased gifts. Students went home with an envelope that you can fill out and have them bring with them on Tuesday to shop for the people on their list. Reach out if you have any questions, christysainburg@ascensionarrows.org.

Ascension Academy will be hosting an online book fair from January 2 through January 9. The books available are quality, wholesome books. From their website, "We believe that every child in school deserves access to the highest quality children's books, which both entertain and enrich the mind of the child. All of our book fairs carry carefully selected and wholesome titles, free from explicit material, foul language, sexual content (including LGBTQ), pornography, critical race theory, and dark magic. We have a variety of titles from a wide range of authors and publishers."

As a reminder, Isaiah ministered primarily to the royal court of Judah in Jerusalem between the years of 740-690 BC, during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

In the first section of the reading this week, Isaiah continues calling the people of Judah to a full and clear understanding of their spiritual adultery. Idolatry and the lack of social justice are central issues which lead to the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon.

The sovereignty of God is a primary theme in the reading this week. Throughout Isaiah, God reminds us that he is ruler of all things, that one day every knee shall bow to Him, and that we can still turn to him and be saved.

--From our Bible Roadtrip Curriculum

Students are memorizing the following verses for the first week:

K-3 Students - Isaiah 45:22, Isaiah 55:8-9

4-5 Students - Isaiah 45:22-23, Isaiah 55:8-9

6-8 Students - Isaiah 45:22-23, Isaiah 53:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9

Isaiah 45:22, "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declaries the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reading this week included the following:

Isaiah 42, 48, 53, 61, 65 (K-3)

Isaiah 41-42, 48-49, 52-53, 60-61, 65-66 (4-5)

Isaiah 41-42, 44, 46, 48-49, 52-53, 55, 59-61, 64-66 (6-8)

Questions to ponder:

1. Who controls history? What did Isaiah say about idols? How is God different than an idol? What are some modern-day idols? (Isaiah 41) What do we have to look forward to? Why should this give us hope? (Isaiah 25)
   

2. How is the servant Israel different from the nation Israel? Isaiah 49:7 states that the servant Israel will rule over nations through suffering. Who does that imply to you that he is?

3. Who is “the man of sorrows”? Why did he suffer? (Isaiah 53:10-12) Who are the transgressors? Read Colossians 2:6-15.

4. In regard to Isaiah 65:17-25, please read 2 Peter 3. How should we live while we await the coming of the Lord and the New Heavens and New Earth?
   

December 19, Christmas Store

December 21, Christmas Parties

December 22, Last Day of School Before Christmas Break

January 2, School Begins

January 2-9, Sky Tree Book Fair

January 9, Annual Meeting at 6:00 pm