Your Name is Special
Guard & Sunbeam Party
“Fear not. For I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1b
Invitations
At the guarding meeting before the party, have the girls make an invitation to invite one friend. On the front of the invitation the girls would write all the information for their friend’s name (Language/Cultural Origin; Inherent Meaning; Spiritual Connotation; Life Scripture verse). These can be found in ‘The Name Book’ by Dorothy Astoria or by looking up babies names on line. That way you would have a more accurate head count for how many will be at the party.
Decorate
Enlarge staff names with their meanings on poster boards throughout the room. A large banner can be created with the Scripture verse from above on the wall. The banner can be created with a colorful border and balloons on either end. Dolls of various nationalities can be used as centerpieces. The dolls can be placed on a large mirror and have a name tag on.
Setting
Tables and chairs would be set up on one end of a large meeting room. The rest of the area would remain open for a couple of craft tables and game area.
Refreshments
A large half sheet of cake with the following: “______Your Name is Special” with balloons and ribbons along the edges. Colorful fish crackers; fruit plate; vegetable plate; crackers and cheese; fruit punch; coffee, water and tea. (Candy can be reserved for prizes distributed during games, and/or recognition).
Welcome & Signing
As everyone arrives, have them sign a large banner that has been placed on the wall beforehand.
Songs
Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man
Peter, James & John In A Fishing Boat
Mr. Noah Built An Ark
Father Abraham
Joshua Fought The Battle Of Jericho
Jonah And The Whale
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Craft
You will need the following for each person placed in individual packages:
5X7 piece of card stock paper
5X7 card stock frame
Markers
rolls of thin ribbon-various colors
miniature flowers
glue gun, glue gun sticks
“The Name Book” by Dorothy Astoria or copies of names and their meanings from on line.
Staff might want to copy names and their meanings of those come regularly to save time when looking up names. These can be given as a gift to parents, or to label their bedroom doors.
Games
1)Red Rover, Red Rover: Number of Players 10-30; 20-30 minutes; in the open area of the large room, or outdoors in a grassy area if it’s a nice day; Object of the Game: To break through the other teams line and bring back one of their players.
To Play: The players are divided into two teams, standing in lines a comfortable distance from each other for the running. One team begins by calling a person’s name from the opposite team saying; “Red Rover, Red Rover, send ______right over”. They then hold hands very tight while the person called tries to break through their line. If she succeeds, she returns to her team bringing along a member of the opposite team with her. If she fails, she must join the team who line she could not break through. The game ends when most or all of the players are on one team and that team wins.
2)Who’s In The Tent?
Materials needed: Bible; small pop tent; 15-18 index cards; felt pen; chalkboard and chalk or white board and dry erase markers.
Preparation: Set up the tent at the front of the room. On each index card letter two or three “I am” statements describing a particular character from the Bible story (i.e. 1. I am a disciple, who am I? 2. I love money. Who am I? 3. I kissed Jesus. Who am I? (Answer-Judas) Each succeeding question should reveal more about the character. Make cards from as many Bible story characters as possible. Letter the answer at the bottom of the card.
Procedure: Divide class into two teams. A volunteer from Team One chooses a card and sits in the tent. Player reads first ‘I am’ statement aloud and chooses a teammate to guess the answer. (Instructor may have to assist as needed for beginning readers.) If the answer is correct, Team One receives three points. If answer is incorrect, the second statement is read and another team member is chosen to guess the answer. A correct answer now earns Team One a single point. If guess is incorrect, a volunteer from Team Two may guess answer. If guess is correct, Team Two earns one point. Record points on chalkboard/white board. Repeat procedure, having volunteer from Team Two choose a question card and sit in the tent. Play continues until all cards have been used. Team with the most points wins.
Devotional
Luke 15: 8-10
Theme: We Are Valuable To God.
Summary:To show children that they are special to God.
Preparation:
You’ll need a Bible, a quarter, large paper circles, pens, and colored markers.
Have the children form a circle. Pass a quarter around the circle, and tell them to look at the profile on the ‘heads’ side of the coin. Tell the children that they’re going to create coins decorated with their own profiles. Give each child a paper circle and a pen, and provide colored markers. Have each child draw a self-profile on one side of her paper coin. For extra fun, use a bright light near a wall so children can crate shadow profiles to copy. Encourage children to make their profiles distinctive by adding hair and eye color and other special features.
As children draw, read aloud Luke 15: 8-10. Explain that the woman sought the lost coin because it was valuable. Say: ‘The coins you’re making represent you. They’re valuable because you’re valuable to God.” After children have finished detailing their profiles and writing their name on it, have them pass the coins to the left. Each person will write an affirmation on the back of the coin she receives. The affirmation on the back of the coin she should describe the person whose name is on the front of the coin. Children might write, “You are a good friend” or “You always make people feel welcome in our class.” Young children may prefer to write one word describing the person, and they may need help with spelling. Have children keep passing the coins around the circle until each child receives her coin back. Then collect the coins, and pile them in the center of the circle. Have girls take turns retrieving their coins. Then say: You were able to find your coin because it was one of a kind, just like you. God made you that way. Just as the coin was special to the woman in the story, you are special to God! Let girls take their coins home to remind them of how special they are to God.
Major Florence J. Murray
Eugene Corps, OR
Cascade Division
Western Territory