The Children’s Ministry provides a safe and loving environment for kids to learn about who Jesus is, why they were created so uniquely and to usher them into a life after God’s heart. We believe that the family is the cornerstone of society and that healthy families are critical to fostering healthy communities. We are committed to delivering to children and their parents the powerful message that Jesus is the answer. Click here to get a glimpse of what we’re about Heritage Kidz.

Partnering With Parents

We want to partner with parents as they disciple their children into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To do this, we provide safe and healthy environments for children to learn that are relevant and fun.

We make available to parents weekly written materials that help them teach their children and follow up on what is being taught in Sunday School. This includes “God Time Cards” and “Refrigerator Door Cards” that provide activities for the children and discussion items for parents to interact with their children at mealtime, in the car, and at bedtime.

All ages from 2 years old through 5/6th grade are learning the same meaningful message in each of their respective classrooms. Discussion of the topic goes deeper as the grade level increases. This allows parents to focus on a single topic for all their children through the elementary school years.

What We Represent

•An awesome God children can trust no matter what happens

•A trusted source that believes in a Christian Worldview just like they do

•A voice of encouragement to help parents succeed with raising children utilizing Biblical principles

•A source of reason to guide children in making wise choices

•A support system for parents to help them know where their kids are spiritually

What We Teach

The Children’s Ministry program is built around three basic truths, woven into the curriculum each month, that every child should embrace. These truths were modeled by Jesus in Luke 2:52. “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

•Wisdom: I need to make the wise choice

•Faith: I can trust God no matter what

•Friendship: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

The curriculum focuses on a monthly virtue (character trait exhibited by Jesus), a monthly Bible verse (that centers on the virtue) and weekly Bible stories (that describe and model the virtue). This is a powerful curriculum developed by the ReThink Group.

How We Teach

The mornings are divided into three segments:

1.Worship (music)

First, children ages 4 years through 5/6th grade worship with their parents in church. We believe that it is vital to teach children to worship with adults. This helps them establish a life-long pattern of being a part of a church family. When the music portion of the service is over, the children are released to their Sunday School classrooms. Care for children, babies through age 3, is available during the entire church service, including worship.

2.Small Group Setting (discussion/application)

Second, after checking into their classrooms, the children break into small groups and participate in a fun activity centered on the monthly theme. They talk about how what they are learning applies to their everyday life. The children pray for each other, their families, friends and the world around them.

3.Large Group Setting (drama)

Third, after the small group portion is completed, the children gather with their friends in a large group setting. Here, they enjoy an entertaining yet meaningful skit performed by a “Host” and ”Storyteller” that focuses on the month’s virtue and weekly “Bottom Line” message. The children also watch a short video, which focuses on the monthly theme. Finally, the children sponsor a less fortunate child in another country through Compassion International. Each week we take an offering to pay for the care of this child. This helps to teach children the concept of giving.

The morning closes with some playtime outside in the playground or in the classroom. Parents are always welcome to stay with their children in Sunday School to enjoy this learning opportunity.

Children’s Sunday School

Sunday School is Available

9:00 &11:00 am services

All children (except babies and toddlers up to age 3) join parents for the first half-hour of the service during worship. Then, the children are dismissed to their Sunday School classrooms. Parents, please feel free to accompany children if you so desire. Babies through 1st graders must be signed in and out of classrooms by parents. Ushers are available to assist you in finding the right classroom. There is also a “cry room” available for parents that want to stay with their children during the entire service.

Newborns-3 years

Care for babies up through age 3 is available during the entire church service, staffed by loving parents and caregivers. Bring your little ones any time during the service for care. Babies and toddlers remain in their classrooms throughout the service; 2- and 3-year-olds must be signed in by a parent and will participate in our large group and small group settings as described above.

4 years- 5/6th grade

Children 4 years old through 5/6th grade enjoy the worship time in the regular church service with their parents. After the music portion of the service the children are dismissed to their respective classrooms. Parents of children 4 years old through 1st grade must personally sign children in and out of their classrooms. 2nd through 5/6th graders are dismissed after church without parents required to be present.

Parents have the option of having their 6th grader attend either the 4th through 5/6th grade Sunday School class or the Middle School program on Sunday mornings. The Middle School program meets on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays of the month after the worship portion of the service. On the 1st and 3rd Sundays, they remain in church with the adults.

During the Middle School years, we begin the transition from Sunday School to church. When the children enter their High School years, they remain in church on Sunday mornings every week. The Middle School and High School also meet every Wednesday evening from 6:45-8:45 pm at the church.

Questions

If you have any questions, please call Bruce Wegner, Pastor of Family Ministries, or Anita Lo, Children’s Ministry Administrative Assistant, as noted at the top of this page.