Preparing for the Program

In preparing for a sub (especially a sub who might not know all the songs we’re learning this year), I went back to the idea I had for “I Lived in Heaven” and a suggestion that another chorister on a blog had- to make a binder with all the songs for the year in it. I figure if I use the same pictures that I used to teach them with that when it comes time to review they will be quicker to their memories. Last year I was so stressed with re-teaching songs because it was as though they had forgotten all the songs they learned at the beginning of the year (I was put in this calling in Aug). This way I can pull it out throughout the year and remind them, and then use it to quickly re-teach when it comes time to review. I hope that having a game plan will make it less stressful. So while preparing for a sub while I’m out for maternity reasons, I’ve also been spending a great deal of time recollecting and printing all the pictures I have used to teach songs to put into this binder. I still have to not completed “My Eternal Family”, but I’ve put together my pages for April’s song- “My Redeemer Lives”. For “How Firm a Foundations” I gave up trying to find my own pictures since I hardly had any pictures anyway, but instead printed another chorister’s flip chart from her blog. So far the pages look really good. I kept this in mind also while I was making the pages for May’s song “Baptism”. I foresee this book being really handy to hand a sub, and throughout the year for relearning when needed. Also I copied/printed all the songs for the year out and placed in sleeves, into the front of the binder. I use them rather them rather than the primary book to learn the songs myself while preparing, and for leading the music in front of the children.

Easter Sunday Singing Time

I wanted to do something special for singing time and Easter. But I really struggled finding something that would still allow me to continue teaching "My Redeemer Lives" (Hymn 135, our choice for the April song). We already lost one Sunday for teaching because of General Conference. So I didn't want to loose another Sunday just doing something fun for Easter. So for the last two weeks I agonized over what I should do. Well, I had started to resign myself to continuing teaching the song, after all I only taught the first verse in JR primary (not because they were having a hard time picking up the song, but sacrament meeting really ran over and we had such little time we only learned the one verse) and in SR we learned the 1st and 2nd verse- but that was two weeks ago. Saturday night, really late, I came up with an idea. Easter Idea

• Take a picture of Christ, and made a puzzle of it. I printed it off of the church website. I printed 2 pictures- one for each primary group.
• For JR I made only the puzzle of 5 large pieces. SR primary I made the puzzle with 9 pieces.
• Each puzzle piece had a song written on it and was put into a plastic Easter egg.
• Each egg was taped under a chair in the primary room.

What songs did I use?

• My Redeemer Lives, JR- had an egg for the 1st vrs and an egg for the 2nd vrs. When we got to the verse I had not taught yet-we learned it then.
• Popcorn Popping
• How Firm a Foundation- only the first verse
• I Lived in Heaven- 3rd verse only
• For SR we did a few more songs and verses.

I know this is too late for anyone else to use. Maybe ya'll can find a way to use it without the eggs later. I was just grateful to finally receive inspiration of how to make it an Easter activity and still find an opportunity to each the next verse of April's song.

Teaching April's Song: My Redeemer Lives, Hymn 135

Song about Jesus: Hymn 135, My Redeemer Lives, by Gordon B. Hinckley

• Introduction- It’s fast Sunday.

What does that mean?

What is special about Fast Sunday?

--Testimonies

• What is a Testimony?

What do we bare testimony of?

What is the purpose of prophets?

--one purpose is to bare testimony of Jesus Christ

Show picture of Joseph Smith

Read D&C 76:22-24

This is Joseph Smith’s testimony of Jesus Christ.

Show picture of Gordon B. Hinckley

Read Hymn 135

This is Pres Hinckley’s testimony of Jesus Christ.

• By singing his testimony we make it our own testimony.

1^st verse

• I know that my Redeemer Lives

Gospel Art Picture-“Mary and the Resurrected Lord” 62186

• Triumphant Savior, Son of God

Gospel Art Picture- “the Nativity” 62495

Or any picture of Baby Jesus or the Nativity

• Victorious Over Pain and Death

Gospel Art Picture- “The Crucifixion” 62505, “Gethsemane” 62175

Or any picture of the crucifixion

• My King, My leader, and My Lord.

Gospel Art Picture- "The Second Coming", "The Resurrected Jesus Christ"

2^nd verse

• He Lives, my one sure rock of faith

Gospel Art Picture- “Stilling the Storm” 62139

• The one bright hope of Men on Earth

Gospel Art Picture- “Jesus Appears to the Nephites”, “Isaiah Writes of Christ’s Birth”, “The World”

Or any picture of the Earth or a really bright light

• The beacon to a better way

Gospel Art Picture- “Baptism”, “The Baptism of Jesus” 62133, “Boy Being Baptized” 62018

Or any picture of baptism or a temple

• The light beyond the veil of death

Gospel Art Picture- “Jesus Blessing Jairus’s Daugter”

3^rd verse

• Oh, give me thy sweet Spirit still

Gospel Art Picture- “The Gift of the Holy Ghost”

• The peace that comes alone from thee

Gospel Art Picture- “Search the Scriptures”, “Enos Praying”

Or any picture of prayer

• The faith to walk the lonely road

Gospel Art Picture- “Moroni Hides the Plates”, “the Prodigal Son”

Or a picture of a path or road

• That leads to thine eternity.

Gospel Art Picture- “Young couple going to the Temple”, “Jesus the Christ” 62572

Or any picture of the temple or Chirst
The numbers are references from a really old book so I don't know how good they are. The links are all to the Church website, all pictures are printable there or check them out from your building's library. Most (if not all) are in your gospel art kits.