Each year, Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool rejoices and gives thanks to God along with over 2,000 Lutheran schools during National Lutheran Schools Week. Trinity’s preschool staff has a great and awesome responsibility to serve as role models for the students. Apart from parents, we know there is no more important role model for students than a teacher. We are tasked with demonstrating the joy of forgiveness, grace, and mercy that Jesus bestows upon us. We thank the congregation for letting us serve Shawnee and surrounding communities as we stand fast in the knowledge that our Lord and Savior is the same yesterday and today and forever.
National Lutheran Schools Week was celebrated this year January 22-26. The theme, It’s Still All About Jesus, focused on Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
On Monday, we learned that Jesus is the Message. The Bible is God’s message to us. We may not receive mail from Grandma everyday or have a note tucked into our lunchbox each day, but we DO get a message from God every day!
Preschool Challenge to You: Can you think of someone to whom you might deliver the message of God’s love? (We made Valentines to share with shut-ins and nursing home residents.)
On Tuesday, we learned that Jesus is the Truth. We talked about the difference between lies and truth. When we tell the truth we often feel good; when we lie people often are hurt. The devil is called the “father of lies.” We know that Jesus is the truth and was sent to save us from our sins.
Preschool Challenge to You: Can you think of some lies that Satan tries to have us believe? (We prayed and thanked God for giving us truth tellers in our school and church.)
On Wednesday, we learned that Jesus is the Mission. Many missions in history are important: the Pilgrims’ mission to survive in a new land; Lewis and Clark’s mission to explore new areas; NASA’s mission to discover more about the moon and all of space. But the most significant mission in history was that of God sending His only Son to save the world.
Preschool Challenge to You: What is Trinity’s mission? What is the preschool’s mission? (We learned about the LCMS Comfort Dogs program. Its mission is to provide mercy and compassion to those in need. Preschoolers donated to Coins for Comfort Dogs to help cover the costs of feeding and housing these important animals.)
On Thursday, we learned that Jesus is the Heart. We know that the presence of Jesus in our hearts is shown by our words and actions. When we gather together in worship, we see Jesus in each other’s hearts.
Preschool Challenge to You: How is your heart – physically and spiritually? (We created a hand-printed heart that is posted on the preschool office window, and decorated our classrooms with hearts.)
On Friday, we learned that Jesus is the Focus. Binoculars, magnifying glasses, and even water droplets can help us focus better on small objects. God’s Word, though, is how we get spiritually focused. Focusing on Jesus during National Lutheran Schools Week is good, but we need to stay focused on Jesus each and every day, in everything we do and say.
Preschool Challenge to You: What is life like when Jesus is out of focus? (We had fun focusing on kind deeds displayed by staff and students. Kind deeds were rewarded with a heart sticker.)
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
