Thursday, July 3, 2008

Uncle Maurice - Children's Christian Entertainer

Uncle Maurice and "George"






Story time with Uncle Maurice






Uncle Maurice and "Shaun the sheep"


(Click picture to enlarge)
"Teaching Bible truths to children in a fun-filled way."

*Ventriloquism

*Gospel Illusions

*Balloon Modelling

*Puppets

*Fun Stories

Primary school assemblies - Sunday schools - Kids clubs - Family services - Holiday programmes - Uniformed organisations - Birthday parties - Church camps, dinners, outreaches and picnics.

(No charge made within the Auckland area to Christian groups)


Uncle Maurice has ministered to over six thousand groups during his fifteen years in New Zealand. He has also worked in association with Churches Education Commission, Christian youth camps, Open air campaigners, Scripture union, Sunday school union and Kidsreach.



Other Ministries.

1. An exciting, free, 6 part Discipleship programme for your Sunday school or Holiday club. This is designed to teach in a 'fun' way the importance of perseverance, prayer, the Church, the Bible, sin and forgiveness , and love. (These programmes are designed to fit into either six 30 - minute slots, or three 1 - hour slots).


2. Two training programmes are offered for your Children's workers : A - Exciting object lessons. B - How to do illusions.


3. A free monthly Newsletter for Children's ministers - Teaching tips, object lessons, illusions, stories, puppet plays, skits etc. (Email me to subscribe).


4. Web Sites (Free Resources for Children's ministers):-

All teaching material (All published Newsletters) - http://www.mauricesweetsur.blogspot.com/

Object lessons and Illusions - http://www.objectlessons.blogspot.com/


Stories, skits and puppet plays - http://www.christianstoriesandplays.blogspot.com/


To access all my material on major teaching themes, check out the 'Special Blog' sites below :-

1. Creation. http://www.ms-creation.blogspot.com/








9. Teaching Memory verses. http://www.ms-memoryverses.blogspot.com/


11. Object Lessons (using natural laws). http://www.ms-objectlessons.blogspot.com/

12. Lessons involving balloons. http://www.ms-balloons.blogspot.com/

13. Lessons involving fire. http://www.ms-firelessons.blogspot.com/



Kidzone (Children's site. Each month there is a new story, illusion, question answered and laugh break) - http://www.funatkidzone.blogspot.com/

Kidzone - Archives (All previous Kidzone postings) - http://www.kidzonearchives.blogspot.com/

Maurice Sweetsur

Telephone - 09 2961495
Email - mnmsweetsur@xtra.co.nz


Uncle Maurice has taken programmes at the following churches :-

Anglican.

All Souls, Clevedon
Beachaven
Christ Church, Ellerslie
Good Shepherd, Massey
Holy Trinity, Devenport
Papakura
St. Chads, Meadowbank
St. Mary by the sea, Torbay.
St. Peter's, Pakuranga
St. Philip's, St. Heliers
St. Stevens, Whangaparaoa

Apostolic.

Equippers, Auckland
Manukau
Torbay
Tuakau

Assemblies of God.

Albany City Church
Awhitu
Glen Innes P.I.C.
Grace Assembly, Birkenhead
Harvest Christian Church, Papakura
Harvest Christian Church, Pukekohe
Indian C.L.C., Papatoetoe
Lincoln C.L.C., Henderson
Mangere Samoan
Mission India, Pt. Chevelier
Tamaki C.L.C.
Waiuku

Baptist.
Albany
Avondale
Birkenhead
Blockhouse Bay
Clendon
Emmanuel Community, Penrose
Franklin
Glen Eden
Glenfield
Henderson
Hillside Community church
Long Bay
Manukau
Manurewa
Manurewa Chinese
Milford
Mount Albert
North West
Orewa
Otahuhu
Otara
Pakuranga
Ramarama
Remuera
Sunnynook
Swanson Community
Te Atatu
Thames
Titirangi
Whangaparaoa
Whatakane
Windsor Park, Mairangi Bay

Brethren.

Bethany Bible Chapel, Massey
Birkdale Bible Chapel
Eden C.C.
Lynfield C.C.
Manurewa Bible Chapel
Manurewa C.C.
Ngarie Av.
Northcross C.C.
Papatoetoe Bible Chapel
Papatoetoe C.C.
Papatoetoe Samoan
Pukekohe C.C.
Rosgrove Chapel, Mt. Albert
Thames Gospel Chapel

Elim.

Forrest Hills
Manurewa
Otara
Papatoetoe
Thames

Life Churches.

Central
South
West

Presbyterian.

Clevedon
Drury
First Presbyterian Church, Papakura
Glenfield
Greyfriars, Mt. Eden
Kawakawa Bay Community Church
Mahurangi, Warkworth
Maraetai
Papakura East
St. Aidans, Conifer Grove
St. Andrews, Manurewa
St. Andrews, Otahuhu
St. Andrews, Waiuku
St. Columba, Botany Downs
St. Cuthberts, Browns Bay
St. Heliers
Titirangi

Salvation Army.

Browns Bay
Henderson
Papakura
Pukekohe

Wesleyan Methodist.

Cession Community, Pakuranga
C.O.M.E., Manukau
Papakura
Waterview

Independent.

Auckland International
Avondale Reformed
Becon Baptist, Papakura
Christian and Missionary Alliance
Christian Covenant Centre, Papatoetoe
Cornerstone Celebration Centre, Beachaven
Devenport Christian Family Church
Faith City, Manukau
Liberty, Avondale
Life City, Glenfield
Life Connection, Ponsonby
North Shore City Church
Oasis, Ngatea
Pakuranga Christian Fellowship
Red Beach Fellowship
Reformed Church, Bucklands Beach
Southgate Christian Centre, Papakura
Shore Christian Community Church, Albany
The Gate, Papakura
Waikowhai Community Trust
West City Christian Church
West Harbour Missionary Alliance


Other Denominations.

New Life Reachout centre, Papakura
Harbour Vineyard, Takapuna
West Vineyard, Henderson
New Lynn, Nazarene
Crossroads Methodists, Papakura
Three Kings Congregational
St. Austells Congregational, New Lynn
Papatoetoe S.D.A.
Covenant Presbyterian, Manurewa
Trinity Presbyterian, Takanini


What they are saying.
Churches.

"I would like to say a big thank you for the wonderful presentations that you gave to our children over the two Sundays of the last school holidays. I was impressed with your material and presentation. It was neat to see the children responding so well to you and what you had to give them. We are so fortunate to have people like yourself who have been blessed with such creative gifts and give them so willingly to grow God's kingdom."
Rosa McLean, Co-ordinator for Oasis Superkids, Shore Community Christian church.


"Thank you so much for your entertaining and inspiring presentation at our service last Sunday. Everyone I have spoken to, both children and adults, thoroughly enjoyed it and are full of praise for the content and your expertise. Thank you for adding so much to the effectiveness of our special service." -- Red Beach.


"Thank you for your ministry to the children at our church. You gave them a delightful programme full of variety, interest, and great Biblical content -------- The children still talk of your visit, and remember the lessons you taught." – West Auckland.


"We were really amazed at your items. You have a wonderful gifting in entertainment, and it is good to see it being used for the Lord’s work. We hope to have you back again in the near future." – VJ Patel. Pastor, Indian Christian Centre, Point Chevalier.

"Our school holiday project benefited immensely from your experience, expertise, and sheer fun that you make out of the Bible stories. You are by far the best in your field and the adults and children alike enjoy the stories and puppetry that you do."
Rev. Colin Neal,
Clevedon Anglican Parish.

"Hi Maurice, many thanks for today, it was great and the feedback from mum's & dad's and the kids was very positive. We had over 80 people and at least 55 of those were kids, probably 45 of whom we had not seen regularly before, so we are hoping there will a good spin off for a future ongoing children's work at the Church. So THANKS for your help in giving us a 'kick start'. "

Pastor Ray White,
Manukau Apostolic church.

"Just wanted to say thank you so much for Sunday. Our kids had such a great time, you were a real hit! I especially loved the Joe-Joe story, very pertinent for my kids."
Shona Hamilton,
Children's Pastor, Life (South).

"Thank you so much for the wonderful entertainment you provided on Sunday! We all thoroughly enjoyed the tricks, puppets and stories. It was great to see you involve the kids as well, and to hear all the different links to Biblical truths and stories.
I will certainly invite Uncle Maurice around again! Thank you so much!!!" - Northshore.

"I can't even begin to imagine how many lives you have changed because of your message, love and object lessons." - Andie Bennett, Children's Pastor, Auckland Christian City Church.


"I would like to thank you sincerely for your programmes at Windsor Park Baptist Church yesterday. We were delighted as the children were too! They are still talking and asking how you did the tricks!! Thank you once again for your willing heart and wonderful message to the children. I know that they will remember the story about opening their Bibles." - Susie Johnston, Children's Pastor.


Uncle Maurice has presented programmes at the following school Assemblies :

North Shore.

Browns Bay, Dairy Flat, Glamorgan, Kauri Park, Marangai Bay, Northcote, Orewa North, Riverhead, Sherwood, Torbay, Waioneke, Warkworth.

Auckland - Central.

Cornwall Park, Epsom Normal, Glenavon, Glendowie, Glen Taylor, Halsey Drive, Hillsborough, May Rd., New Windsor, Royal Oak, Victoria Av., Waikowhai,

Waitakere.

Birdwood, Henderson, Henderson North, Henderson South, Henderson Valley, Hobsonville, Kauri Park, Lincoln Heights, Marina View, Titirangi, Waitakere, Western Heights. Whenuapai.

Pakuranga - Howick.

Beachlands, Bucklands Beach, Cockle Bay, Elm Park, Mellons Bay, Oiwairoa, Riverhills, Sunnyhills, Willowbank.

South East.

East Tamaki, Fairburn, Favona, Flatbush, Jean Batton, Mayfield, Panmure Bridge, Sylvia Park, Yendarra.

Manurewa.

Clayton Park, Everglade, Finlayson Park, Hillpark, Leabank, Manurewa Central, Randwick Park, Weymouth.

Papakura.

Ararimu, Brookby, Clevedon, Conifer Grove, Hunua, Papakura Normal, Papakura South, Paparimu, Ramarama, Takanini, Te Hihi.

Franklin.

Akaaka, Awhitu, Buckland, Harrisville, Mauku, Onewhero, Paerata, Patamahoe, Pollock, Pukekawa, Te Kohanga, Tuakau, Waiuku.

Waikato.

Ohinewai, Waeranga, Waiterimu.

Rotorua.

Aorangi, Glenholme, Kawaha Point, Malfroy, Mamaku, Ngongotaha, Sunset, Westbrook, Western Heights.



What they are saying .

Schools.

"Your visit was a real delight both for us and for the children." – Rotorua.

"Thank you so much for using your wonderful talents to entertain the children." – Rodney district.

"Our sincere thanks for making our end-of-year Assembly so memorable and special." – East Auckland.

"Thank you for your wonderful contribution to our R.E. Assemblies. It goes without saying that the children thoroughly enjoyed your performances. I have also had nothing but positive feedback from the R.E. teachers in attendance. We do hope that you will be able to return to the schools in future years." – East Auckland.

"The children loved you so much the first time, they wanted you back again. Your message is spot on." – Franklin district.

"The children were obviously very impressed. There was also very positive feedback from some of the school staff." – Rodney district.

"Thank you for taking such an exciting program for us. I know the children really enjoyed everything you did, and will remember the messages associated with each part of your program." -- Epsom.

"You made our end of year Assembly so memorable and special." - Howick.

"The most lively show in Auckland - - - - - - making Jesus real and fun." - Henderson.

"We have had other Presenters at our Christmas Assemblies, but they usually just entertain the children. You really relate to them." - Northshore.

Thank you for taking our "Bible in schools" Assembly at Manurewa Central school for the second time this year. Your programme was great.
Jill Hall,
Chairperson, Churches Education Commission, Auckland.

Uncle Maurice has taken regular (weekly) Bible lessons at the following schools :

Bombay, Brookby, Clendon Park, Clevedon, Conifer Grove, Cosgrove, Drury, Edmund Hillary, Everglade, Hill Park, Karaka, Kelvin Rd., Manurewa Central, Opaheke, Paerata, Papakura Central, Papakura Normal, Papakura South, Papatoetoe Central, Park Estate, Puhinui, Pukekohe North, Ramarama, Takanini, Te Hihi, Valley.


What they are saying :

Children, parents, and schoolteachers.

"Thank you for all the effort, time and love that you have put into Bible in Schools whilst teaching Amanda-Sheri. She has continually come home with only special words of you and your teachings of the good Lord. You have made an impact on this young girl."

"Thank you for taking Jona for R.E. He has certainly enjoyed your lessons, and has a positive attitude because of them."

"Thank you very much for coming and sharing the gospel with my class. It is wonderful to see them so enthusiastic about 'Bible' each week, and to hear the conversations it sparks later on."

"At the beginning of the year, three pupils were withdrawn from 'Bible' lessons by their parents. By the end of the year, they were all attending your class!"

"You made 'Bible' so interesting, funny and enjoyable. Learning about Jesus and God was a lot of fun. Now this year you teach my brother, and he always comes home and tells us what you have taught him. I enjoy listening to him to see what you have been getting up to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ." Olivia (aged 13).

"I really enjoy your tricks and Memory verses. They are a lot of fun. When I got home I forgave my sister, and now we seem to be getting along a lot better. I pray for my family and other people like you, and for people who are sick." Danielle (aged 10).

"Please come back next year. If you hadn't come this year, most of us wouldn't know how much fun 'Bible' can be." Breanna (aged 9).

"You are such a cool Bible teacher and a good trickster. Thank you for making us believe that God is real." Toni (aged 8).

"You are such a cool teacher with your tricks and stories. Thank you for leading me to a good and happy life." Katerina (aged 9).

"I have learnt that Christmas isn't about presents. Christmas is Christ. I love your tricks and George was cool. The best trick was when your Bible caught fire." Sharnalee (aged 9).

"I learnt a lot about the Bible that I didn't know, and you made it lots of fun.My favourite trick was when you got the guillotine and we thought you would chop our hands off, but it wasn't for real." Tessa (aged 8).


Uncle Maurice has taken programmes at the following Christian Camps :

Coopers Beach
Hunua Falls
Kaeuranga Valley, Thames
Kidsreach, Waikanae
Ngaruawahia C.Y.C.
Peter Snell Youth Village, Whangaparoa
Salvation Army, Snells Beach.
Sonshine Ranch.


What they are saying.

Christian Camp.

"Your programmes at our camp are a real highlight for the kids." - Ted Muir, Director, Christian Youth Camps, Ngaruawahia.

Discipleship Programme.

"I Just wanted to let you know that we have had 4 Baptisms in the last month as a result of your visits. You are doing awesome work for the Kingdom! Thanks so much for coming to visit us!"
Rachael Fisher, Children's Pastor, Orewa Baptist church.

Newsletters and Blogs. (A selection from the hundreds I have received).

"Thank you for that wonderful article, “What Proof Would Satisfy.” It comes at a perfect time. I have been teaching apologetics in my church and wanted something to share during the Holiday season. This will work perfectly.
Pastor Wally LeyerleFirst Baptist Church The Colony, TX, USA.

"I have never met you nor wrote to you before. BUT I have read all (or mostly all) of your newsletters and have learned much from them. I have traveled all over eastern Europe and Turkey teaching "Creative Evangelism" using my Christian clown character. I owe much of my knowledge and skills to YOU.
I thank you for your years of serving the Lord and passing on your knowledge to others like myself. The WORD continues to go forth because YOU have decided to share it. May the good Lord continue to bless you, your ministry, and your family. Richard Huntley, Auburn, California.

"I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the wonderful object lessons and teaching aids you e-mailed to me (and to all the others). God has given you a very special gift and it is most encouraging to see that you use it to the fullest -- and then share it with others!! What a blessing these things will make in the education of the children in our church!"


"This was an absolutely GREAT newsletter. I have forwarded it to all my Children's teachers. It is wonderful to know that powerful teachers are out there teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that kids will relate to the Truth."

"I wanted to stop and thank you for continuing to share your wonderful newsletters. I share them with my staff, and they are using the lessons as they are appropriate with our lessons."

"I am a Chinese pastor from Malaysia. I find that your teaching tips are very much different from the rest. And they have been very helpful to my wife, the children pastor. Can we have all your materials so that we can translate into Mandarin for the benefits of the Mandarin speaking children."

"I have personally used your object lessons in some occasions and in other occasions, I have passed it down to my folks in Africa and they all come back to say that the newsletters were great treasures."

"I just wanted to drop a line and let you know what a blessing your blog has been to my ministry. Your site has been an awesome resource and each time I use one of your lesson ideas, skits or object lessons I get such a positive response from the kids (as well as the other leaders in the room). Last night I used the Good Samaritan skit, the kids had so much fun! Thank you so very much for giving others access to your terrific ideas, your doing more for the Kingdom than you could ever imagine!!

"I haven’t written to you in a long while, but I wanted you to know we regularly use your ideas, and we presented the Easter story, “Jesus Understands” last weekend to 500 children.....and 57 children accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord as a result!!!!"

" I am speechless at the quality & quantity of your work! Thank you SO much for sharing with others. I have already forwarded the link to your website to several other children's pastors/workers in our community. You are a blessing!"

"Thank you for all the effort you put out to make your materials available. You have been a blessing to my church here in California, and I deeply appreciate you."

"You won’t find out until eternity how many lives you have affected through the sharing you have done so openly and freely. You are a blessing, Maurice, to me and my staff. I forward your newsletters to all of them, and inevitably I find that they are being used in one way or another. "

"I do so value your ideas, they are inspiring and the kids and fellow children's workers love them. Thank you so much for all of your hard work. God is using you to impact kids lives not only yourself but the world over by sharing your ideas."

"These are awesome ... I wish I had found your site years ago."

"I just wanted to say thanks once again for this stuff, it's brilliant. My teaching has come on leaps and bounds since I started acting like an idiot (to any outside sane person). The children love it."

"Again I want to thank you for your newsletters. I think the 3 steps to forgiveness is very good. And although teachers have been teaching "Love your neighbor as yourself" for years, your lesson makes it so much more understandable to small kids. Thanks for everything!"

"Your site looks great! Thanks for letting "Your Favorite Places" know about it. All of your lessons in The Vault have been such a tremendous blessing; you are gifted by God in your writing!"

Ailsa J. Linn,
Children's Ministry Today.

"I wanted to let you know that at our children's club on Friday we used your idea about the gift, we made an appeal after and out of 54 children there, 31 asked Jesus into their hearts. Praise God! Be encouraged your work, ideas and effort is amazing!"

" I found your plays quite by chance, and thank God I did. We have performed both the Xmas and Easter plays. It makes it all so much clearer to our children when these stories are performed by puppets."

"I am really excited about (Kidzone) as I think it will really help children who want to learn to grow in their particular giftings and to evangelise and above all to grow in their walk with God. I recommend you introduce your children to it."

David Goodwin, Kidsreach.

"Your articles and ideas ministered to thousands of leaders around the globe. - - - - Your ideas really have made a global impact on children’s ministry!"
Gary & Ailsa Linn, Children's Ministry Today.


Uncle Maurice has presented programmes for the following Christian organisations :

Postal Sunday School Movement
Sunday School Union
Open Air Campaigners (OAC)
Emmaus Road group
Drug Arm
Kidsreach
Boys Brigade groups
Girls Brigade groups
Royal Rangers

What they are saying :

"We really liked your tricks and ventriloquism."
Sir Michael Hardie-Boys, New Zealand Governor-General.


Maurice Sweetsur - From Scientist to Children's Entertainer.

I was born and brought up in Stoke-on Trent in England, but spent all my working life as a Research Chemist in Ayr, Scotland. I hold a PhD degree in Food Science from Strathclyde University (Glasgow). I am the author or co-author of over 60 scientific papers.

For most of my life I was an atheist, but after I had been going along to a Baptist church with my wife for a few months (just to keep her company), I was forced to consider for the first time the Christian claims.

For about a year I tried to prove the existence of God in a scientific way, but got nowhere. Then at 11 am on November 11, 1980, I was praying (I had begun to pray sometimes just in case God was real), and I realised the futility of my search for the truth. Suddenly a Scripture came into my mind "Without faith it is impossible to please God". Something 'clicked' , I realised that I couldn't prove (or disprove) the existence of God through reason or science, it was a matter of taking a step of faith. Then a second Scripture came into my mind "Ask, and you shall receive." So I did. I prayed "God if you are real, if you really do exist, reveal yourself to me." Immediately I sensed His presence. It was as though waves of love and joy were flowing through me. But intermingled with this was a devastating sense of shame. For the first time in my life I realised I was a "sinner" (By going to a Baptist church, I had been told I was a sinner and had accepted in my head, but having a revelation of that in your heart is completely different). The surprising thing was that I realised my 'sin' was not so much the 'bad' things I had done, but rather that I had centred my life around myself instead of God. I asked God to forgive me, and committed my life to Jesus. Suddenly all the doubts, problems and unanswered questions I had concerning the Christian message didn't matter any more. I just "knew" that God was real, and that He loved me and had accepted me.

If I could describe my life since that time in two words, it would be "New desires." I got a tremendous desire to read the Bible, pray, meet with other believers, and share God's love with those who didn't know Him - not because I thought I should now that I was a Christian, but because I really wanted to. The things that used to have priority in my life, such as sport and my work, didn't seem so important any more. (Though I did get promotion in my job about a year after my conversion experience because of my "greatly improved performance." Jesus enhances all areas of our lives!). I have been endeavouring to follow Him since.

I fellowshipped at an A.O.G. church in Prestwick, Ayrshire, and my Christian service included leading a Crusader (non-denominational children's youth movement) group, weekly "door to door" evangelism, and being Editor (and main contributor) to my church's magazine. Many of the articles that I wrote for this magazine were subsequently republished in British Christian outreach newspapers "Challenge", "New Life", and "The Challenger". These articles were mainly on Evangelism, The Authority of the Bible and Creation and Evolution.

In 1993 I took early retirement from my job in Ayr and emigrated with my family to Papakura, Auckland, where I now fellowship at another A.O.G. church.

On arriving in New Zealand I was amazed and thrilled to discover that "ordinary" Christians are allowed to teach Bible lessons in State Primary schools. I now spend a lot of time preparing for and taking these classes, averaging about 10 per week.

Presently, I also spend much time taking "fun-filled" Bible presentations to churches and schools throughout the Greater Auckland area.
I am committed to reaching and discipling children for Christ, and to help equip Children's workers for their ministry. Thus, in 2003, I started sharing teaching ideas by sending out monthly Newsletters to Children's ministers worldwide. The feedback has been very encouraging. More recently, I have been sharing my ideas in a series of 'Blogs', which are listed above. My prayer is that you will find something in these to benefit your ministry. My most recent project is a 'Blog' designed especially for children. This can be found at :-http://www.funatkidzone.blogspot.com/
Posted by Maurice Sweetsur at 4:00 PM
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