Children's Ministry

A ministry that emphasizes preparing children for a time of personal commitment of their lives to Jesus Christ. Basic Christian truths and values are taught in relation to a child's experience. Opportunities for forming friendships within a Christian context are provided through a variety of classes, leaders and groups.

The following is our weekly schedule for Fall 2008.

Sunday Mornings 9:30- 11:30 am	Wednesday Evenings 5:30- 7:15 pm
Sunday School	Family Dinner
Children's Church	Preschool Choir (Age 3-K5)
	Music Makers (Grades 1-2)
Sunday Evenings 6:00- 7:00 pm	Young Musicians (Grades 3-5)
During the Advent and Christmas season, we realize that Christmas can be a very busy time. We encourage families to spend Sunday evenings together. We have provided Advent activities below.	Form (Missions education for Age 3-K5)
	Spark (Missions education for Grades 1-5)

Family Ideas for the Advent Season

Christmas Card Prayers
Your mailbox is stuffed with Christmas cards this month. Before you set aside the cards you receive each day, bring them to the dinner table to share with the family. Have family members pass around the cards, and share special memories about each family that they are from. If your kids don not know the people, talk about how they are connected to you or the family.
Spend time praying for the people who sent the cards and thank God for those friends!
(Taken from Group Publishing, Children's Ministry, November/December 2008, 118.)

Naming God (Decorate a second tree in your home that represents the names of God)
The names of God in the Bible reveal God's character. These ornaments will remind your family of these characteristics in a fun way!

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is My Banner)
     Items Needed: 6- inch wooden dowels, linen fabric, permanent markers, fabric glue, and yarn
     Fold one end of the cloth piece over the dowel and secure with glue. Tie yarn at each end of the
     dowel for a hanger. Write "Jehovah Nissi" The Lord is My Banner" at the top of the banner, then as a
     family, draw a symbol that represents God, such as a rock or a shepherd.

El Roi (The God Who Sees)
    Add family members' names to a small mirror to remind them that God is always watching.

El Shaddai (God Almighty and Source of Comfort)
   Have each family member make a small pillow. Remember that as our pillows bring us rest and
    comfort as we sleep, God always comforts us.

El Olam (Everlasting and Eternal God)
   A soft pouch with a rock enclosed to remember that God is our solid foundation.

Jehovah (Never Changing, Self-Existent One)
     Glue block together that spell "I AM" and remember that God's love is so big it has no beginning and
     no end.

Jehovah Rapha (God Who Heals)
     Write the name of each family member on a bandage and tie them together with ribbon.

(Taken from Group Publishing, Children's Ministry, November/December 2006, 124.)

Good News Garland (Spread the good news of Christmas to your neighbors)
You need: Plastic cling wrap, red and green ribbon, Christmas invitation and hard Christmas candy.
Using 2 feet of plastic clip wrap, place candies in a line lengthwise on the cling wrap about one inch apart. Carefully roll the cling wrap around the candies to create a 2-foot candy rope. Tie ribbons on both ends of the robe and between each piece of candy. Attach an invitation cared to the garland that includes the time, date, and our church address of our Christmas Eve service!
Then distribute the garland to any neighbor that you would like to join you on Christmas Eve for our Candlelight and Communion Service.
(Taken from Group Publishing, Children's Ministry, November/December 2006, 124.)

Mitten Angels (Be a part of the Washington D.C. mission trip)
This is an ornament that can be used to provide comfort and warmth to homeless children.
You need: 1.5 inch foam balls, 12-inch squares of netting material, gold chenille wires, and assorted pairs of children's knit mittens.
Place one foam ball in the center of apiece of white netting material, then fold the netting around the ball to form the angel's head. Use a pair of mitten to create the angel's wings, by wrapping a chenille wire around the angel's neck and the mitten thumbs. Another chenille wire can be used to form a halo.
After using your angel on your Christmas tree, bring the ornament to church before December 28 and we will distribute the mittens our the Washington D.C. mission trip.
(Taken from Group Publishing, Children's Ministry, November/December 2006, 122.)

Three Gifts (Begin a new tradition that will save you money)
Family friends started this tradition when their three daughters were young. With three little ones, the parents knew Christmas could be expensive. However, they thought of an idea that could save them money and teach their children the real meaning of Christmas is not in the presents under the tree. Each child only receives a total of three gifts. Only three. The parents explained to their girls that the Bible tells us that Jesus received three gifts. True, one of those gifts was gold, but still, Jesus did not receive tons of presents.

Coming Soon!

Rehearsals for Down by the Creek Bank will begin on Sunday nights in January 2009!

The Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study

The children concluded their study on the Fruit of the Spirit on November 23. After packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child on November 16, the children discussed the final fruit, self-control and learned how Peter, Jesus' disciple, progressed from out-of-control to a person demonstrating self-control.

Fish Tales

On November 19, the Music Makers and Young Musicians shared their talents of drama and song in their mini-musical, Fish Tales.

Ministries

Links for Children's Ministry