Eternity Circlet

Version One: Juniors & Primaries

Materials for Each Group

• 2 mm black elastic cord, 24 inches per child
• 5/16-inch flat washers, 1 per child
• Red translucent pony beads, 2 per child

Tools and Basic Supplies

• Scissors

Pre-Prep

Cut elastic cord into 12-inch pieces, 2 per child.

Teaching Tie-In

Today's craft is an Eternity Circlet, a cool bracelet that has a circle in the middle. Can you think of some things that are in a circle shape? Take responses. Since circles don't have a beginning or an end, they can remind us of Jesus who never began and will never end. There's never been another person who didn't begin or end but has always existed. In fact, there's never been another person like Jesus, period! He's the most important person of all time. He's the main person in all of history. No inventor, no scientist, no athlete, no teacher, no doctor, no king or president—nobody compares to Jesus. He is God, the eternal one! Let's make our Eternity Circlets now and let them remind us of Jesus!

Class Time Directions

1. Take a piece of elastic cord and fold it exactly in half. Next, with the top of the washer (rounded edges) facing up, push the fold up through the center of the washer. Then, feed the two ends through the fold and pull so that the loop closes down tightly on the washer. If necessary, adjust the elastic cord so the ends are even.
2. Repeat the same procedure with the other piece of elastic cord. The loops should be positioned on opposite sides (right and left) of the washer.
3. Take one side and feed the ends of the cord through a red pony bead. Slide the bead all the way up to the washer, then carefully tie an overhand knot to secure the bead in place.
4. Repeat the same procedure with the other piece of elastic cord on the opposite side of the washer.
5. Finish the bracelet by tying the four elastic ends together with a single square knot. Then slide it onto your wrist. If it’s too tight or too loose, simply adjust the knot. Use scissors to remove any excess cord.

Tip Corner

• Larger or smaller washers can work as well.
• The kids may want to color their washers with bright-colored permanent markers before assembling their circlet.

Version Two: Pre-Primaries & Toddlers

Materials

• 2 mm black elastic cord, 8 inches per child
• Metallic gold pony beads, 3 per child
• Metallic red pony beads, 3 per child
• Metallic silver pony beads, 3 per child
• Clear fuse (Perler) beads, 4 per child

Tools and Basic Supplies

• Scissors

Pre-Prep

Cut elastic cord into 8-inch pieces, 1 per child.

Teaching Tie-In

Look at our fun bracelet that has three different colors of beads! Can anybody name one of the colors? Take responses. Another? Take responses. Another? Take responses. Now here's a harder question. Can anybody name the three persons who make up our one God? We have God the _______ (take responses), God the _______ (take responses), and God the _______ (take responses). God is so kind and loving and good—and he has been around forever! When we wear our bracelets, we can remember that. Let's make them now!

Class Time Directions

1. Take a piece of elastic cord and tie a knot about 2 inches from one end.
2. Starting at the end without the knot, thread a clear fuse bead onto the cord and push all the way to the knot at the other end.
3. Next add a gold bead, then a red bead, followed by a silver bead.
4. Repeat the pattern all over again—clear fuse bead, then gold, red, and silver beads.
5. Repeat the pattern once more, then add a clear fuse bead to the end.
6. Now stretch the cord a little and tie another knot to hold the line of beads in place.
7. Finish the bracelet by tying the ends together with a square knot. Then slide it onto your wrist.

Tip Corner

• For the Toddlers, bracelets made with chenille stems and fruit ring cereal are a good alternative.
• Consider putting the materials in zippered baggies for each child.