Friday, May 29, 2015

And You Shall Be My Witnesses...

What does Christ's command to his disciples mean to a sixth grader?  (Mt. 28:19-20, Acts 1:8)  This is the topic we explored in our religion classes as we have looked at the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and Paul's missionary journeys.  As the disciples were instructed to witness in first Jerusalem, then to the neighboring countryside, then to the ends of the earth, we Christians are encouraged to be witnesses where we are at: in our school, workplaces, and families then reach out, even to the ends of the earth.   Where do we get equipped for such a task?  In Word and Sacrament - with the fellowship of believers.  I encourage you to be involved in summer worship both at home and in your travels.   Invite a friend or neighbor to our Vacation Bible School the week of June 15.  We, too, have the power of the Holy Spirit and can look for those opportunities for God to use us to spread his word!
 
                Zion's Summer Worship Schedule: (begins June 6)
                 Saturday Worship:  5 PM
                 Sunday Worship:  8, 10:30 AM
                 Bible Class:  9:30 - 10:15AM
                 Sunday School:  9:30 - 10:15 AM
                 Monday Worship:  7:00 PM
 
In our final Religion class we learned a modern day parable and practiced telling it. Remember to Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  from I Peter 3:15.  To be equipped for the task, students have been challenged to get INTO THE WORD:  to add a regular devotion time to their routine this summer. Please pray for the continued spiritual growth of our class beyond these walls!
 
Dear families:
Thank you for all of your support this year.  I have appreciated your prayers, your notes of encouragement, your time working with your child on projects, and your child.  It has been a pleasure being a part of your lives this year.  May God bless your family this summer!     
      
                  In His Service,
                  Mrs. Riemenschneider 


A Few More Photos....
Pointillism ... inspired by one of our favorite things - FOOD (oops - sideways)



On Wednesday, students became immigrants

Each had a character and a back story to research

Students had the option to bring in a costume piece

Hola!

Students also brought in "artifacts"

Artifacts could be symbolic of the home they left behind

Artifacts might represent something that "pushed" them out of their homeland

Artifacts could be showing a "pull factor" that drew them to the U.S.

Rachel Teng - who moved from China and found great education opportunities in the U.S.


Not all immigrants had it easy


Students discovered each others' stories through interviews

Some faced discrimination and hardship in the U.S.

We all had a good laugh as we got to play people from other cultures

I was impressed by many creative ideas for artifacts!




Each time the music played, we traded partners

We talked about the important mission Christians have to spread the message of Jesus

Sometimes we might be the first opportunity someone has to know Jesus loves them


What a great culmination to World Geography!

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Saxon Field Trip Memories

Last Week of 6th Grade

Here's our exciting last week of school:


Tuesday - VBS training
                 wrapping up classes
                 STUCO Great Skate - Field Trip
                     **student may come to school in Zion spirit shirt/jeans OR standardized shorts (no jean
                         shorts)    wear SOCKS
                 bring cold lunch w/ drink to eat in classroom

Wednesday - wrapping up classes
                       bring cold lunch

Thursday - wrapping up classes
                    cleaning
                    yearbook signing
                    bring cold lunch


FRIDAY - closing chapel and awards ceremony
                  10:00a.m.  Dismissal


Saxon Field Trip

Thanks to the moms and dad who helped to chaperone our field trip.  Without you, I could not make opportunities like this possible.  You are truly appreciated!

We learned a lot about early immigration and the challenges the early Lutherans had to their faith as they faced many trials.  Although the kids will tell you the favorite parts of the day were the bus ride and recess time with friends, they did learn and experience a lot more!  Check out our many photos.  (slightly out of order as I had 2 cameras.)

Historic Trinity Lutheran Church


Note the raised pulpit - C.F.W. Walther - synod's first president preached from here




Before becoming the first seminary, this was a school for both girls and boys to get a higher education







The money chest that held the treasury for the immigrants

Learning farm chores at Saxon Memorial


The Schnitzelbank



Hulling corn


At the blacksmiths

Carpentry shop



Break time!


Organic milk - no homogenization - has the cream still in it

A daisy wheel butter churn








Learning how to do our own laundry

The outhhouse!

Our friends, the cicadas, have left their skins behind




More play time - football and frisbee


Our last stop - the one room schoolhouse.  Our guide had been a student here.




Fun on the bus home!


Meet George Washington....


....one of several froggy friends hopping around.





C.F.W. Walther's statue - found by accident in a used car lot!




Slave quarters that were on the property before the Lutheran immigrants purchased it


More farm chores

Grinding corn








Using a draw knife to smooth an axe handle