Fruits of the Spirit by Tammy Shelver, Preschool Teacher
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
We introduced these verses to our PreKindergarten class this school year and it is amazing how well our students took to the concepts. We shared with the kids that every gardener knows a branch is unable to produce fruit unless it is connected to a vine. What can a gardener do? First she prunes the branch and cuts away the yucky parts. Then she ties it to a strong vine so that it can receive the food and water it needs to thrive. As it grows stronger, the branch will begin to produce fruit. The longer it stays connected to the strong vine, the more fruit it will produce!
We are like the branches…. It’s impossible to produce any fruit unless we are connected to Jesus. In John 15:4-5, Jesus says that we are weak on our own. We all want to be kind and loving towards others, but frankly; sometimes it is just plain hard! Paul writes to us in the Bible about the Fruit of the Spirit. He talks to us about how we, as Christians, should treat each other and how we should do things that make God happy with us.
We showed the preschoolers two bananas and asked them, would you rather eat the brown, rotten banana or the healthy, ripe one? Of course, they chose the latter one! Who wouldn’t prefer a yummy, yellow banana? Our life is like these two fruits. On one hand, we may inadvertently hurt others’ feelings and make poor choices (brown banana). While on the other, we are helpful and loving and kind towards people (yellow banana). We will never make the “best” choice all the time, but through Grace and prayer and hanging out with our Christian community, we can learn who God wants us to be.
As children of God, we are all given these “Fruits” when we are born. It is up to us to care for them, cultivate them and share them with others. While Jesus is the vine that nourishes us all, we can also become food and water to those around us and spread our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I find that Hope is surrounded by individuals who fill up others’ buckets, many times without even knowing it. When facing significant challenges in life, it is comforting to know that our Hope community does their best to uplift each other and stand by one another.
Tues. 2/4: General PTH Meeting Canceled
Wed. 2/5: 8:40 AM Chapel led by 2nd Grade
Fri. 2/7: Free Dress Day
Feb. 6 – 12: LEST Spirit Dress-Up Days – See Article in Newsletter
Wed. 2/12: 8:40 AM Chapel led by 4th Grade / Noon Dismiss – LEST Break – ESC/Sand Dollar Club Open
Upcoming Events
February 13 & 14 LEST, School Closed, ESC and Sand Dollar Club Open
February 17 & 18 Mid-Winter Break, School, ESC and Sand Dollar Club Closed
Registration for Fall 2020
Just a reminder that our registration for the fall of 2020 is now open. If you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible. Student ID and Access keys for each student were sent home in the Tuesday envelope on January 14, 2020. To register visit: https://hope-lutheran-school.k12online.us/hope-lutheran-school/portal
If you have any questions about re-enrollment, please call the school office at 206-935-8500 or email your admissions director at sheit@hopeseattle.org.
Hot Lunch Program – Revised Start and Deadline Dates – 2nd Half of School Year Orders
Unfortunately we have found an error on the new Chicken Strip Order Form that was sent home last Tuesday. Please note that the 1st half of the year, Chicken Strip subscription, goes through Monday, February 10th. The new chicken strip subscription begins Monday, February 24th and goes through June 8th. The cost was accurate, but the dates were incorrectly stated on the new Lunch Order Form. If you have any questions please contact Heather Menashe at 1975heatherleigh@gmail.com.
Thank you to those who have turned in order forms as these will be processed using the revised dates. Please note that you do not need to complete a new form. Order forms can be found on our website under “Parents” link here and the new deadline is Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
PTH General Meeting – Rescheduled to March 17, 2020
Please note that due to scheduling conflicts with the board our general meeting has been rescheduled to March 17th. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 pm in the Church Commons. Street side parking may be available as well as in the lot just southwest of the school on 42nd Ave. SW and Oregon.
Lost and Found
Lots of lost and found items to claim! Please see images and comment if you see yours or those belonging to others. These items will be bought to the office by Friday, Feb 7th and Wed, Feb 12th. Deadline to claim: Feb 12th https://photos.app.goo.gl/UhUDcbtN22F9EeBM6
School Clubs at Hope – Visit Here
Visit our school website for updated information on our school clubs at www.hls.hopeschool.org.
LEST (Lutheran Elementary Schools Tournament) – Visit Here
You can visit our event page on the school website or through this link: http://www.cu-portland.edu/admission/lutheran-elementary-school-tournament
LEST Spirit Dress-Up Days – February 6 – 12, 2020
All students in preschool through 8th grade are invited to join us in spirit days as we gear up for LEST! These are optional spirit days and students not participating will need to come in school uniforms as usual with the exception on Friday, Feb. 7 as this is a free dress day.
Thurs. Feb. 6: Class Color Wars (PK & K-rainbow, 1st-red, 2nd-orange, 3rd-yellow, 4th-green, 5th-pink, 6th-blue, 7th-purple, 8th-black/gray/white)
Fri. Feb. 7: Wacky Tacky (the crazier, the better!)
Mon. Feb. 10: Pajama Day (wear warm winter PJs)
Tues. Feb. 11: Hawaiian/Tropical Day (shorts, Hawaiian shirts, flower leis, sunglasses, etc. No bare midriffs or spaghetti straps)
Wed. Feb. 12: Blue & Gold (temporary hair/face paint is ok on this day only- go Hope Eagles!!)
Parent Involvement Program or PIP Opportunities
Lunch & Recess Help Still Needed – Tuesdays & Fridays
Hope Auction – Please consider signing up to make this the best auction yet and EARN PIP!!
Auction Meeting – Tuesday’s at 6:30 PM
Church News & Activities – Click Here
