Filed under: Birth-Preschool
This month in ClubHouse, our preschoolers are learning about doing the right thing! Preschool age children are just beginning to discover the difference between right things & wrong things. Doing the right thing is hard sometimes, but God wants us to do the right thing!
(Q) What does God want you to do?
(A) God wants me to do the right thing!
Our memory reminds us that God wants me to do the right thing:
LEARN (point finger to head)
TO DO (pound fists together twice)
WHAT IS RIGHT (put 2 big thumbs up).
ISAIAH 1:17 (hold hands in front like a book)
HOME TIP: This month,as you reinforce doing “the right thing” at home, remember to help your child apply this truth too: God loves you no matter what. When we do the right thing, God loves us. But even when we do the wrong thing, God still love us! Say this over and over as your child grows older to help them understand the overwhelming love of God.
MAY BIBLE STORIES
May 6- Joseph Does what is Right ( Genesis 37:12-28, 41:36-56)
May 13- Joseph Forgives His Brothers (Genesis 42:1-6; 45:1–46:7)
May 20- Daniel’s Diet (Daniel 1:1-16)
May 27- Daniel and the Lions (Daniel 6:1-28)
May 1, 2012
This month in ClubHouse, our preschoolers are learning that Jesus wants to be their friend forever!
(Q) Who is your friend?
(A) Jesus is my good friend!
Our memory reminds us that we can be a good friend just like Jesus:
A FRIEND (Clasp hands together)
LOVES (cross arms over heart)
AT ALL TIMES (Spread arms out in front of you).
PROVERBS 17:17 (hold hands in front like a book)
HOME TIP: This month, reinforce this verse by “catching” your child being a good friend. Ex. When your child shares a toy with a sibling or a parent, praise them and say “You were a good friend by sharing your toy. Remember the Bible says, A friend loves at all times.”
APRIL BIBLE STORIES
April 1- Palm Sunday Parade ( Matthew 21:1-16)
April 8- The Lord’s Supper & Easter Story (Matthew 26: 20-30, 28:1-7)
April 15- Mary & Martha (Luke 10:28-32)
April 22- Caring for Jesus (Luke 7:36-50)
April 29- A Place for Us (John 14:1-4)
April 11, 2012
A short Spring Play Day session has been planned (only 4 weeks) at a discounted price of $10.00. As always, we’ll provide all the supplies & the snacks. All play days for preschoolers & their parent(s) are on Thursdays from 10-11 a.m.
Play Days give kids an opportunity to make friends in a relaxed environment while parents connect with other parents.
You must register in advance to participate. Each play day session is limited to 20 kids. Email Jessica at JessicaS@wschurch.org to register.
Spring 2012 Session:
April 19, Washington Park, Making Nature Discovery Boxes
May 3, TBA
May 17, Centennial Park, Flower Planting
May 31, Henson Robinson Zoo
April 11, 2012
West Side Kids Families,
We have exciting news about how God is using West Side Kids!
- Our Children’s Guest Center checked in 150 guests in the first 6 weeks of 2012.
- Our children’s ministry has seen a 10% increase in attendance since this time last year.
- Elementary kids are more enthusiastic than ever about Bible memorization thanks to the Wild Take Home Edition and the Bible Bucks program.
- Each week, an increasing number of early childhood parents report that their children are expressing simple Bible verses and principles at home.
West Side Kids is busting at the seams! We’re growing in every way—numerically and spiritually. Yet, we still believe God has called us to something greater. Parents, we need your help!
GET IN THE GAME!
The primary goal of West Side’s Family Ministry is to help parents become the primary spiritual leaders in their child’s life. One of the best ways for a parent to help their family develop spiritually is to volunteer in the children’s ministry area where their child participates. Currently, only 17% of our parents are invested as volunteers in their child’s church experience on Sunday morning. We believe our parent volunteer team can and should be much stronger! We hope to see the majority of West Side parents serving alongside their kids. Are you in the game yet?
WHY VOLUNTEER?
The benefits of getting off the bench and into the game
Parents who volunteer have given us valuable feedback! There are many reasons why parents should be eager about diving into the volunteer game with West Side Kids.
- Parents often suggest volunteering in kids’ ministry has helped them become a better spiritual leader to their own child. They take home useful tips on how to talk with their kids about God and His Word. And, volunteer parents are better able to reinforce concepts from church at home during the week.
- Parent involvement often helps children enjoy church more. When children see the value their parents place on serving and worshiping with them, they often enjoy and appreciate church more than ever before. Volunteering creates a shared experience between kids and parents.
- Parent that actively server as volunteers help West Side Kids become an even more attractive place. We all want our kids to have a thriving church home where volunteers are lovingly guiding them toward Jesus. If West Side is to continue to grow, we need more all-star volunteers to make church fun and relevant for kids.
What if volunteering with kids isn’t my “thing?”
Many parents volunteer in our children’s ministry without working directly with kids. Many unique volunteer roles and a variety of skills are useful in a thriving children’s ministry! Some roles focus on working with adults or completing tasks. Click here to read about the volunteer roles available in children’s ministry!
What if I have limited time?
Some volunteer roles require as little as one hour per month. Nearly all of us can give an hour per month! We can likely help you find a role that works for your schedule.
Help us get ready for the BIG GAME!
There’s a big game just around the corner (EASTER SUNDAY) and we want our team to be at its best. We’d like to add 80 new players to our volunteer roster between now and April 4. If you’re ready to suit up and get in the volunteer game, click here: I want to volunteer!
You’ll hear more about opportunities to get in the game over the next few weeks. Please consider how you might be able to serve… and how volunteering could positively impact your family. Get in the game!
Praying for your family,
Jessica Schildman, Director of Early Childhood Ministry
Missy Farley, Director of Elementary Ministry
February 23, 2012
This month in ClubHouse, our preschoolers are learning to love God with all your heart. (Q) How do you love God? (A) Love God with all your heart!
Our memory verse this month is one that we hope our children will remember for their whole life time:
LOVE (cross your arms over your chest)
GOD (point up with both fingers)
WITH ALL (Spread arms out in front of you)
YOUR HEART (bring hands back in and place them on your heart).
Matthew 22:37 (hold hands in front like a book)
Helpful Hint: When you are practicing memory verses at home, make it a fun “no-pressure” experience. Have some fun with it- try saying the memory verse with a whisper, then a silly voice, then a BIG LOUD voice. Finding fun ways to encourge your child to repeat the memory verse is the best way to help them hide God’s Word in their heart.
FEBRUARY BIBLE STORIES
Feb. 5- Jesus Teaching in the Temple (Luke 2:41-50)
Feb. 12- The Greatest Commandment: Love God (Matthew 22-34-40)
Feb. 19- The 2nd Greatest Commandment: Love Others (Mt. 22:34-40, Acts 9:1-30)
Feb. 26- Jesus Prays (Matthew 6:5-13)
February 8, 2012
The Family Dedication Experience offers parents of infants and young children a formal and public opportunity to affirm their faith in Jesus Christ while promising to model and convey it to their children. Parents are challenged to pray daily with and for their children, teach them about God in their home, and participate faithfully in Christ’s Church. In turn, the church promises to support the parents and provide spiritual guidance for the family .
There are four steps in the Family Dedication Experience.
- Family Dedication Class: Tuesday,January 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m. (required)
- Bringing Up a Blessing Workbook: Worked on at home by the parents (required)
- Family Dedication Celebration: Saturday, January 21, 10:00-11:30 a.m
- Family Dedication: Sunday, January 22
Our Family Dedication Experience is held annually and is traditionally for families with children 24 months or younger. Contact the church office if you have recently adopted a child and would like to know if this event is appropriate for your family. The deadline for registration is Monday, January2.
Parents must be members of West Side Christian Church to participate in the Family Dedication Experience.
Click here to read more.
Click here to register for the Family Dedication Experience
November 15, 2011
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