Where It All Began…
At ECA, our vision is that school families Love God, Value Learning, and Serve Others.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem
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
Our Monday AG classes will continue at the end of the month. 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 16 - Grades 7&8
Christmas Program Practice on Monday & Tuesday
This week will be a four-day week. Our school will be practicing for the Christmas Program on Monday and Tuesday mornings beginning at 9:00 am.
ECA Christmas Program - Tuesday, December 17
ECA will be having our annual Christmas program on Tuesday, 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 Tuesday night, there will be school on Wednesday and Thursday, December 18 - 19.
ECA FREE Holiday Gift Program - Wednesday, December 18
On Wednesday, students will have a chance to be a part of our FREE “holiday store” to wrap gifts for family members. Thank you for sharing items from your home you would like students to be able to regift. Students will be working with your Big Brother / Big Sister groups to go through the gifts that have been donated. Together, they will work to find gifts for family members. Together, they will wrap the gifts and then take them home Wednesday after school.
Here is a repeat message from last week about the program:
Many of you have already helped with this program by dropping of “already loved, but ready for someone new” gifts at our school office. Again, one of our alumni high school students is operating a holiday gift “store” for her community service project again this year. The neat thing - the store is FREE to all students at ECA. What’s the catch? This is where we need your help parents. If you have items in your closets, under your bed, in the attic, etc. that have been loved but are ready for a new home, you have the opportunity to bring these items to the school office where they will be organized in our “holiday store” for our ECA students. Students will be able to come to the store before vacation begins, select a gift for parents, grandparents, or siblings and the gifts will be wrapped at school, ready to be taken home, and saved for Christmas morning. If every family is able to contribute a few items that are taking up space and ready for a new home, this will be an exciting program for everyone. If you have any wrapping paper you would like to donate, that is appreciated too.
Remember, the purpose of this program is to regift an item that your household no longer needs or wants. The gifts that children pick out are for their siblings and parents. There will be a donation box in the school office. Donations can be dropped off there. If each child in our school picks 2-3 gifts, then we are in need of 2-3 donations per child. This program will happen on Wednesday, December 18.
Last Day of School before Vacation - Thursday, December 19
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 6.
Hot lunch happens every Monday and Wednesday. Additionally, whenever we have a 1/2 Friday, hot lunch will be offered by our Home & School. You can click on the link below to order hot lunch for the week for your child. If you have more than one child, please click the link more than once and turn in one week’s submission for each child. There is a payment option that is included in the form.
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
Tuesday, Dec. 17 - ECA Christmas Program
Wednesday, Dec. 18 - ECA FREE “Holiday Store” for all ECA students
Thursday, Dec. 19 - last day of school before Christmas vacation begins
Monday, January 6 - school resumes