A Gift for Everyone
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
A Gift for all mankind…
For each one of us, as we reflect on the gift that God gave us - his son Jesus, we can trace how God has worked in our lives. The people and places that have shared the story of Jesus become important at this time of year. ECA places its mission that students and families love God at a high level. For this reason, this week is especially important as we get closer to Christmas and the reason for the season. You can learn more about the story of Jesus’ birth as we reflect on where it all began.
1) Matthew 2:1, 2 says, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’”
2) Luke 2:4-7 says, “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David…And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
3) Micah 5:2 says, “But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
A Look at Our Week…
AG Program - Monday’s Science Class
This week’s AG program is for grades 3&4 Students will be outdoors doing a variety of things with Mr. Wyatt Johnson. Throughout the year, there may be a few rainy days. Boots and gloves are great things for working outdoors on Monday Science Days. Water bottles are great things to have outside too. Here is a schedule of the days and classes:
Monday, December 15 - Grades 3&4
Monday, January 5 - Grades K-2
Monday, January 12 - Grades 7&8
Monday, January 26 - Grades 5&6
Christmas Program Practice on Tuesday & Wednesday
This week will be a four-day week. Our school will be practicing for the Christmas Program on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings beginning at 8:45 am.
ECA Christmas Program - Wednesday, December 17
ECA will be having our annual Christmas program on Wednesday, December 17. Our Christmas program will be at the the Pleasant Hill SDA Church, across the street from the school campus. The program will begin at 7:00. Students should plan to arrive by 6:30. Here are some things to take note of:
Where do students go? Students in grades K-4 will go down the left hallway upon entering the church and meet in the youth room. Students in grades 5-8 will go down the right hallway and meet in the Teen room. Teachers will be there to help them as they line up for their entrance.
Where do parents go? Parents can go straight into the main sanctuary.
How long will the program last? The program tends to be between 60 and 90 minutes.
What happens after the program is over? Home and school works together to provide drinks and cookies after the program.
Will there be school after the program is over during the rest of the week? Yes, even though our school program will be on Wednesday night, there will be school on Thursday, December 18.
Last Day of School before Vacation - Thursday, December 18
On Thursday, we will have a regular full-day of school. There will be after-school until 5:00. Christmas vacation will then begin and classes will resume on Monday, January 5.
Fundraiser Report - Thank you all for your support!
Thank you all for supporting our Spirit Week and our fundraiser for our gift program for the children at Jasper Safe Center. We raised almost $800. With your support, students were able to purchase gifts for all of the children at the school. While monitoring the front doors at Target, I had several individuals ask about our school and why the children were at the store. My favorite comment was, “You are saints! Thank you for all you are doing.”
Hot Lunch for the Month
Citizenship & Monthly Chapels
Every month, we focus on one of our school’s key values or missions. In September, we focused on growth mindset. October brought our love for God and others to the forefront. November was focused on thankfulness. December highlights serving others. For children, doing little things at home, school, and church are great opportunities to grow.
Christian Counseling Available - Free Resources:
The NAD (North American Division of SDA) has recently shared new resources for children and teens that offer a safe and anonymous place to talk or text. Here is a news release from the NAD.
We’re excited to announce the launch of www.aruggedjourney.org our newest NAD site providing free online mentoring for guys. A Rugged Journey joins www.gorgeous2god.org (for young women) which has grown in its scope and ministry since its beginning in 2017.
These sites, along with their counterparts on social media, provide free help to our teens/young adults in a space they can ask questions without judgment or fear. The questions are answered by a team of dedicated Seventh-day Adventists at AIM on the campus of Andrews University.
In addition to the confidential Q & A, positive content is provided through videos, posts, etc.
www.gorgeous2god.org/ FB: gorgeous2god/ IG: @gorgeous2god
www.aruggedjourney.org/ FB: aruggedjourney/ IG: @aruggedjourney
Announcements & Upcoming Events
Wednesday, December 17 - ECA Christmas Program at the Pleasant Hill SDA Church
Thursday, December 18 - Last day of school before Christmas vacation.
Monday, January 5 - Classes resume.
