A Birthday Party for Jesus

This past Saturday was Children's Ministry "Happy Birthday Jesus" Party! 

This is a huge event for our ministry that we have had every year (except for one) since I've been on staff.  This year was our biggest year yet with almost 600 people in attendance!  

 My boss Tracy (on left) is the one who brought this event to Redeemer.  After 5 years on staff this day was her last day with us.  It was very fitting for her last day and big event to be this one! (I'll write more on this in another post!)

 This year our East Side Director put together the Nativity story with several of our Redeemer kids and staff.  It was incredible!  

 After the Nativity story and singing carols together, we did "The Christmas Dance". Somehow we were able to get some of our pastors up on stage to do it.  It was Awesome! Our kids are now obsessed with this dance.  The song is by "Go Fish" if you want to look it up

 After being all together for the show, the families dispersed through our W83 building for 2 hours of a "carnival".  we had games, crafts, a service project, and of course Birthday Cake!  

We always recruit lots of volunteers to help with this event, and thankfully many from Amy and my community group are always eager to help!  Pictured below from our group: Katherine, Amy, Me, Robyn.  

All the presents behind us were new toys our families brought and then wrapped for children in the South Bronx.  

The best part of the event was that my mom got to be there for it!  She actually helped a TON.  I think it was fun for her to see more of my world and my job and she was able to gain a bigger picture of our Children's Ministry at Redeemer!  

I love that we do this event every year!  Not only did many of our Redeemer families come, but so many of their friends and neighbors came as well. The Gospel was shared, community was experienced, and fun was had by all! 

Happy Birthday Jesus! 

The time is almost here.....