Seasonal Events For Children
Seasonal Events for Children
We schedule events throughout the year to celebrate the church season with our younger members. These events are great fun, and we invite you to join us!
VBS and Missions Camp
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School, for children ages 3 through 8, occurs in July. Children participate in crafts, games, and Bible lessons related to a common biblical theme. There is no charge for attendance, but parents are asked to assist.
Missions Camp
For children 9 to 12, this older children’s version of Vacation Bible School helps children to put feet to the gospel. Campers will engage in a mission project each day of the camp. In addition, they’ll study scripture as it relates to their activities.
Children's Discipleship Kick-Off
Each August, on the Sunday one week before Labor Day, the Children’s Program sponsors its kick-off event following the 10:00 a.m. service. This is a morning of fun, food, and fellowship that allows our parish family to come together to celebrate the beginning of the new Discipleship (Sunday School) year. This is also the day that parents enroll their children in class and learn which rooms and teachers they will have.
Summer Campers
We want to keep in touch with our children during the summer, so please let us know when and where they will be going to summer camp. During their time away, we will send them “care packages.” Look for the sign up poster in early May each year!
Advent Fair
Our Advent Fair is held one Sunday during Advent every year. Children and their families have fun making family crafts, including an Advent wreath. (There is a minimal fee to cover materials.)
Christmas Pageant
The annual Christmas Pageant is usually presented the week before Christmas at the 8:45 a.m. worship service. Shepherds, sheep, angels and more!
Las Posada
The custom of Las Posada celebrates Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas. Each day between the first Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve., statues of Mary and Joseph journey to 25 different homes throughout the neighborhood and find refuge for the night. Families are provided resources that enable them to participate in simple meditations and given suggestions to make this event a meaningful experience for everyone.
Lent and Easter
Calendars and Mite Boxes
Our children participate in the Lenten Season with their calendars and mite boxes. (Mite boxes are “poor boxes” or boxes for alms.) The calendars are specifically designed for our collection theme and provide families with prayers, scriptures, and other items to help children focus on the meaning of Lent and Easter.
The mite boxes are returned to the church at either the Easter Vigil or Easter Day services. The White Cross will be placed in the church before the Easter Vigil service so that children can put their mite boxes on one of the shelves on the cross.
Solemn Communion Preparation
This optional atrium experience will be offered to children 2nd grade and up during Lent. Participating children will meet on Saturday mornings for presentations and work time related to the theme of preparing for communion. The series culminates in an on-campus weekend retreat which will include an opportunity for the children to participate in the Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) as well as a special communion celebration.
Palm Sunday Procession
All children who are in childcare during the 8:45 a.m. service participate in the Palm procession. There’s even a donkey!
First Grade Bible Presentation
At the end of the year, the First Grade Bible Presentation is held. In recognition of the presentations based on the Bible, we give each of our first graders a Bible of their own.