Ministries
Children's Ministry
Children are forming the beliefs and faith that will guide them for the rest of their lives.
Our desire is to come alongside parents as they "train up their children in the way they should go".
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We want to help children grow into a personal relationship with our saviour, Jesus Christ. Through worship, teaching, and a variety of fun activities, children are exposed to God's word and are challenged to grow in thier relationship with God. |
Nursery
Children of all ages are always welcome in worship services. The nursery however provides a welcoming and safe environment for little ones with a variety of age appropriate toys, books, and play areas. Loving childcare workers, as well as parent volunteers, care for children ages 6 weeks through two-years old. Childcare is available during both worship services and Sunday School and includes a secure check-in process. A pager system is available for parents of children in the nursery.
Preschool
Preschoolers are discovering thier world. They are constantly changing and learning. That is why we are so committed to creating a caring environment in which preschoolers can learn about God's love. We know that children are a gift from God and should be handled with care.
We strongly believe that parents are the primary religous instructors in a child's life. We want to come alongside you as you grow your child toward a personal relationship with Jesus. We utilize materials that help to reinforce the basic core beliefs of our faith. In addition we allow time for play to encourage social interaction and for the kids to just have fun.
Sunday School
Our elementary students (1st - 5th) are engaged in activities that teach the basic tenets of our faith and where they are found in scripture. Children learn why we believe what we believe. These classes provide supplemental materials for children to take home which are useful to parents actively educating thier children at home.
Children's Church
Children learn to praise and worship God primarily by observing and imitating thier parents. For this reason we bring all children ages 4 years and up into the sanctuary to particpate in praise and worship with thier church family. Children ages 4 years through 1st grade are dismissed for Children's Church just before the pastor begins the message. The lessons provided during this time reinforce the ideas and themes presented during Sunday School.
Wednesday Nights
Elementary students in grades K-5 participate in Awana.
Puggles (Ages 3-4) Puggles works to present two basic biblical concepts. First we are a unique creation of God. Second, God loves us very much. Puggles teaches toddlers simple lessons through teaching cards, activities, music and more. Then parents—a Puggle’s first and best teacher—can step in to reinforce the lessons with take-home cards that include ideas to point out God’s work each day. This club plants seeds of faith and teaches toddlers God’s Word!
Cubbies (K-1) Cubbies is built on two premises. First young children can and should receive spiritual training. Second, the home is the primary place for spiritual training. Our preschool program meets these needs through … Fun – and lots of it! Awana is fun with a purpose – to reach and train kids for Jesus Christ. Games, puppets, crafts, awards and other activities transform our preschool program into a lively weekly experience where fun and learning go hand in hand.
Sparks (2-3) Sparks builds on the material taught in our preschool clubs. The curriculum takes kids a step deeper into God’s Word while giving unsaved boys and girls regular opportunities to hear the gospel and come to faith in Jesus Christ. After being immersed in solid foundational teaching at the preschool level, boys and girls frequently come to an understanding of their need to trust Christ as their personal Savior while in Sparks®.
T&T (4-5) This group specializes in "Truth and Training". T&T reflects the passion Awana has for teaching boys and girls the truth of God’s Word and to train them to follow Christ in their daily lives. Our goal is that many of today’s young people will become tomorrow’s church leaders. T&T is the program that trains the leaders of tomorrow — today.
Children ages 2-3 years participate in worship with elementary students and then are led to thier class for thier lesson.
Parent Partnerships
We want to work with parents, reinforcing the biblical teaching children recieve in the home. We strive to:
- assist you in laying a biblical foundation in your child's life that will point him/her to the love of God and salvation through His Son, Jesus.
- help your child associate God, Jesus, and the Bible with love and security.
- ensure that your child feels safe, welcome, wanted, and loved while in our care.
- provide loving care from Godly adults who are part of this church family.
- provide religous education that gives children a comprehensive view of the Bible and an understanding of scriptural theology as it relates to thier faith.
We ask for your help in making your child's time at church happy and meaningful by:
- embracing the role of primary spiritual trainer in your child's life.
- bringing your child to church regularly so he/she will develop meaningful relationships with teachers, classmates, and church family members.
- ensuring your child is consistently present and ready to participate in class activities.
- designed to teach Biblical foundations and the basic core beliefs of our faith.
- communicating information and concerns with your child's teachers and church staff.
Safety and Security
Ensuring a safe and secure environment for children is a major focus for our ministry team and parent volunteers. We ask that all parents observe the following policies and procedures.
Preschool
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Each child must be signed in at the Children’s Welcome Center and have a Green Sheet on file.
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Parents will be issued a pager on silent mode with a number that corresponds to their child’s number. This number is used for your child’s protection.
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Parents will be contacted if a child is inconsolable for five minutes or if a child becomes ill.
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Bags and cups must be labeled with the child’s first and last name.
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Teachers will wash their hands after changing each child’s diapers or after cleaning any type of body fluid.
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Teachers will accompany each child to the bathroom. Teachers will stand outside the door unless the child needs help. Children and teachers will wash their hands after each visit to the bathroom.
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Sick children should not be brought to classrooms.
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Children will be given a snack of crackers or butter cookies and juice. Feel free to send a sippy cup, but please do not send snacks from home unless your child has a special need. Other foods may be tasted as a part of the teaching process; teachers will check for allergies on the Green Sheet.
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Parents may enter the classroom at drop-off time but should not enter at pick-up time. Parents should come to the door and wait for their child to be brought to the door.
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We practice a positive identification system. Each child will be brought to the door only when his/her label number corresponds to the number on the parent’s pager number.
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Children should be promptly picked up after class or worship.
Children Grades 1-5
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Each child must have a "Green Sheet", completed with up-to-date information, on file at the Children’s Welcome Center.
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Children will never be left alone in a classroom or go to another location on church grounds alone unless specified as acceptable by parents.
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Children will be accompanied to the bathroom door, but teachers will remain outside the door unless the child indicates the need for help.
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As a means of discipline, a child may be placed away from other children for a short period of time. If this does not solve the problem, parents will be immediately contacted to handle the situation. We, at church, will not overstep our bounds.
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At least two adults will be in every classroom with the children.
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Children will not be allowed to leave a classroom until they are picked up by their parents unless the "Green Sheet" indicates that the child may leave alone