Welcome to Children's Ministries! "Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:5 Nancy Tiernan, Director nancy@elfinwildchurch.org Elfinwild Church has a heart for children! The mission of Children's Ministries is to nurture young hearts as they grow in Christ. We want to show them Jesus' love and instruct them in God's Word. Spiritual growth is progressive, cumulative and dynamic. A child's heart is the most fertile soil in which to plant the seeds of God's lasting hope, joy and peace. The heart of our ministry is to love, encourage and disciple children and their families so that they may grow to do great things for God. Children are learning that faith is real, prayer works, and God is involved in their every day lives! "Raise a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it!" Proverbs 22:6 JUNIOR CHURCH-- Junior Church has been discontinued for a period of time. Children from, preschool age through 2nd grade are encouraged to attend Children's Worship during the 11:10 a.m. service. Children gather in the Green Room in the C.E. Building and have a snack after Sundy School before going upstairs to the Children's Worship Center. Children in the Third grade and older can now worship with their family. YOUNG CHILD IN WORSHIP (Preschool through 2nd grade). Young Child in Worship provides an opportunity for children to experience God through a worship service that is age-appropriate and multi-sensory. The wooden figures, the desert box and other materials create a visual representation of the Bible. The lighting of candles and discussion of other church traditions introduce children to the meaning of many of the symbols they see in the large sanctuary. The hands-on experience of the children retelling the stories by manipulating the figures helps the lessons of the Bible take shape in their minds and hearts. All participation is welcome! Where is God calling you to learn and grow this season? In His grace, Nancy Tiernan 412-486-5400 New 4th -6th Grade Youth Group!! Is your child finishing 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade? If so, we have just the fun for him or her! A new youth group sponsored by Children's Ministries, is being organized. We'll be throwing a pizza party on Wednesday, June 18th immediately following dismissal from VBS for all kids in this age group. We hope we can have their input on what they would like to do at our gatherings. We also hope to come up with a clever name! Mark your calendar for June 18th as well as every 3rd Wednesday of each month so your child can have fun and fellowship here at church with a youth group designed just for them. Don't let the kids have all of the fun! Join us on our Planning Team _ lead a game, teach a craft, serve a snack, provide crowd control. Come and be a part of this ministry for our 4th through 6th graders! For more information, contact Nancy Tiernan or Kristin Coco through the church office. Children hear about the love of Jesus through God's Word We display a real and active God as we share our faith with them Children are provided opportunities to learn about and practice Christian living We honor and encourage their full involvement in the life of our congregation Sunday School, 9:45-11:00 A.M. No classes July & August except for Young Child in Worship Preschool   Kindergarten   1st & 2nd Grade: Meet in the first floor class rooms of the Christian Education building. The teachers make God's Word come to life through storytelling, drama, art activities and music. 3rd-5th Grade: Meet on the second floor of the Christian Education Building. These classes provide a fun, engaging, Bible-based ministry where kids learn to love Christ in a way that transforms their daily lives. They've studied the Ten Commandments, Jesus' life and miracles and sent letters and packages to the soldiers in Iraq. They've also preformed the drama, "Jesus Walks on Water", for the worship service; made Easter boxes that held the symbols of Easter and used these boxes to teach the younger classes. Sunday(Before sermon,children leave the Sanctuary for Young Child in Worship & Jr. Church) Young Child In Worship Preschool age through 2nd Grades are invited to experience God through a worship service that is age appropriate and multi-sensory. The wooden figures, the desert box and other materials create a visual representation of the Bible. The lighting of candles and discussion of other church traditions introduce children to the meaning of the symbols they see in the large sanctuary. The hands on experience of the children retelling the stories by manipulating the figures reinforce the lessons of the Bible. Jr. Church has been discontinued for a period of time. Children 1st-5th grades are encouraged to worship together as a family. Those who are too young to stay for the entire service may leave at the given time to participate in activities designed to engage children while their parents worship in the Sanctuary. Activities range from Bible lessons and games to cooking, Christian videos or art projects. During this time we learn more about our faith and enjoy a time of fellowship. Cradle Roll For very young children (infants - 2 year olds) the Cradle Roll room is located on the same floor as the Sanctuary. This room is available during the worship services and Sunday School hour. Caring individuals with extensive experience love to nurture our youngest churchgoers. Toddler Room Two -three and a half year olds have a classroom of their own downstairs from the sanctuary. Loving, experienced teachers provide care, nurture and a simple, hands-on Bible lesson for these children during the Sunday School hour and the 11:10 service. Special Events Bibles to First and Fifth Graders Sacrament Education Rally Day Mission Projects All-Church Retreat at the Laurelville Retreat Center Advent Celebration Christmas Pageant Christmas Eve family Service Family Game Night Celebrate the Young Child Vacation Bible School Hand Chimes HAND CHIMES HANDCHIMES 2006– 2007 It is that time of year when children in grades 3-6 begin ringing the handchimes! They work on Sunday mornings from 9-9:30 a.m. in the chime toom (ground floor next to youth room). Our goal is to learn music that we can share with the congregation during Sunday worship. Each week in addition to our practicing, we have a devotion and prayer together. We meet in two "semesters"...October-December and February-April. First Practice - October 1, 2006. There are two openings for Fall. Please call Ruthie Riethmuller(through the church office) if you'd like to talk more about having a young person ring! 7-12 grade Choir ATTENTION 7-12 GRADE MUSIC LOVERS Come be a part of the new choir exclusively for 7-12 graders! The music will be fun and challenging, as we sing from a wide range of styles, including pop Christian music, spirituals, contemporary hymns, traditional anthems, and classical music. The choir will meet every Wednesday evening from 7:30-8:30 p.m., beginning September 6. If you can carry a tune, why sit on the sidelines when you can enjoy being a part of what's new in worship at Elfinwild! So come join Heather Heere and the rest of the choir on Wednesday, September 6 at 7:30 p.m.