Welcome to the Family!

WELCOME to First Church!  We hope that you will want to be a part of all that we have planned for kids and families and that you will invite your friends to come with you.  We are excited about our schedule of activities and events, from Sunday School and weekday programs to special events throughout the year. A great bunch of volunteers have signed on to make things fun for all. 

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
NOTE:  DECEMBER 30 IS A FAMILY WORSHIP DAY.  THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE RESUMES JANUARY 6

8:15 AM
  Nursery care for Infants through 4 year olds in Room 155

9:30 AM
Nursery care and Sunday School for children through 5th grade

11:00 AM
Nursery care for babies, toddlers, and 2 year olds in Room 155. Children 3 years old (as of Dec. 1, 2007)  through 3rd grade begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment.  3s, 4s, and Kindergartners are grouped together and 1st-3rd graders are grouped together.  4th and 5th graders meet in the Children's Center for God's Kids Youth Group

12:30 PM - begins September 23
Nursery care and children through Kindergarten are in Room 155.  Older children worship with parents.

5:00 PM
Nursery for Infants through Two year olds in Room 155
3 and 4 year olds (by Dec. 1, 2006) through 3rd graders begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment. 
 

FAMILY WORSHIP TODAY FOR FAMILIES

Family Worship—Sunday, December 30 is Family Worship day.  Children are always welcomed into our worship services but today Kindergarten through 5th grade have a special invitation to attend the worship services at 8:15 am, 9:30 am , 11:00 am, and 12:30 pm.  There will be nursery care and Sunday School for Crib through 4 year olds in the morning but Sunday School classes for older children will not meet.  At 5:00 p.m. there will be nursery care  for children under 3 years, but all other children are invited to attend Sunday Night Alive with their families.

Whoever seeks him will find him
Faithweavers Lesson for December 30

The Bible tells us that visitors from far away came to see Jesus.  Sometimes we call them Wise Men, sometimes we call them Kings.  Whoever they were, they had noticed a new star in the sky.  They read the ancient prophecies which told them a king would be born in Judea and they decided the star was a sign that the king had arrived.  They decided to look for the king. They followed the star to Bethlehem, where they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.  They believed they had found the Promised One.  They rejoiced and gave valuable gifts to the baby king, and they worshipped him as the Son of God. We don’t know for sure how many Wise Men there were but we do know they traveled far to see Jesus. Jesus came to earth for all people, not only the people of Israel.  Jesus came to show people of the whole world what God is like.  Like the Wise Men, if we look for Jesus, we will find him.  Jesus is for everyone, no matter who we are or where we come from.  What a wonderful, loving God we have, to give us the gift of his Son.

Rejoice and give thanks!

Family Work Camp— Families of all ages are invited to be a part of the  Family Work Camp experience the week after Easter.  We will be working on projects at Camp Lael, where Choir Camp takes place during the summer.  A variety of projects and activities will give each member of the family meaningful work to do.  Cost will be $250 per family, which includes meals and lodging for the five days.  This is a joint project between  Missions Ministry and Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministries. For more information, call the Children’s Ministry office at 248.646.6407 ext. 3124.

Our church’s Preschool and Enrichment Program is taking registrations for next September.  We have a wonderful program for 3 year olds (Tues-Thursday mornings), 4 year olds (M-W-F) and 5 year olds (M-F afternoons).  It provides a great first school experience in a Christian setting.  If you know of parents who are looking for preschools for their little ones, please tell them about our program.  There will be an Open House on Thursday, January 10 starting at 9 am which is an opportunity for parents and children to stop by and meet teachers and see the school rooms.  Or call the Preschool at 248.646.4889 to talk to Paula Darany (Preschool 3s and 4s) or Julie Busch (Enrichment - young 5s program).

            SAFETY FIRST...

The Sneed Children’s Park provides many hours of fun for our children.  We would ask that all users of the playground follow basic safety guidelines when playing on the equipment. 

1) Parents or care-givers should supervise children at all times from inside the fenced area.

2) No pets should be brought within the fenced area.

3) The equipment is specifically designed for children 5-11.  Younger children should be closely monitored and children over the age of 11 should not be on it at all.

4) No climbing UP the slide -- use the stairs.

5) No climbing ,sitting, or standing on top of the curly slide structure or the tube.

6) The Preschool and Enrichment programs have exclusive use of the playground Monday through Friday at specific times.  For the safety of all of our children, please do not visit the playground when the preschool and enrichment classes are playing on the playground.

NO NUTS and NO ANIMALS, PLEASE!!!

Please be aware that First Church has been declared a nut-free environment.  No nuts of any kind should be brought to the church.  A number of people in our congregation have life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other kinds of nuts. Please check the ingredients of any food product you bring into the church. Also there are people who are highly allergic to animals, so please leave your pets at home.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

THERE'S ALWAYS A PLACE FOR VOLUNTEERS
IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY!

Volunteers must complete a Volunteer application and submit to a Michigan State Police Criminal Record Search.

IN CASE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY…
During the week you can usually find a staff person in church:
Monday—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday—9 a.m. to 4p.m.
Thursday—9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays are days off — Please try to contact us about Sundays before Friday morning