Children

Welcome to Children’s Ministries

Children’s Minister, Rachel Patman
[email protected]
972.335.2882

All children deserve to be loved for who they are and who God has made them!

The Children’s Ministry at Grace Avenue is a place where all children, birth through 5th grade, can call home. Children have the opportunity to experience the grace and love of Jesus Christ through Worship, Sunday School, Missions, Special Events/Seasonal Activities, and Vacation Bible & Enrichment Camps.

New to the Pew Workshop!

Sunday, September 16th
12:30-2:00pm in the EDGE Room
This workshop is created specifically for our new kindergarteners and their families. We will gather for a yummy lunch and spend some time in both the Worship Center and Sanctuary learning how and why we worship God.

Register for New to the Pew!

Sunday School

During the 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School Hours, children in Kindergarten – 5th grades are invited to begin their learning adventure in the EDGE ROOM! Fellowship, videos, celebrations, prayer and an exciting “Attention Getter” are all part of our program!

Children's Sunday School Page

Nursery

We have six Nursery Rooms on Sunday mornings and one on Saturday evenings. Our goal is to share God’s love with your child as they play in a safe, loving environment.

Nursery Page

Children’s Worship Bulletins

We want children to participate in our worship services! To help your children share in the Scripture, Children’s Worship Bulletins and crayons are available at the back of the Worship Center or in the Narthex as you enter the Sanctuary.

Saturday Evening Worship

During our Saturday Evening service, we want children to worship with their families. We also want to provide children with a time of learning focusing on the evening's scripture reading. With this in mind, we developed a way for both.

Saturday Evening Worship Page

Special Needs Ministry

LINK: Learning, Including, and Nurturing with Kindness is a new ministry at Grace Avenue and occurs during Saturday night worship. This ministry consists of programs and activities for special needs children while offering their parents a time to attend worship.

LINK Special Needs Ministry Page

Children's Opportunities to Serve

We offer children opportunities to serve as acolytes, usher, greet, express generosity through our weekly Children's Offering and MORE!

Children's Service Opportunities

Special Sundays

Mission Possible Sundays; EDGE 4th & 5th Grade Fellowship; 3rd Grade Bible Presentation; Lenten Activities; Advent Adventure are all special Sundays for children at Grace Avenue UMC.

Special Sundays Page

Music & Praise
Praise Kids!

Children are divided by age level and spend time sharing in music, musical enrichment and fellowship.

Praise Kids! Page

Summer Camps

Summer is a fun and happening place at Grace Avenue. We offer Vacation Bible Camp and several special interest camps. There is something for everyone at Grace Avenue!

Children's Summer Camps Page

Kids Day Out

Kid’s Day Out is a weekday program for children who turn 1 as of September 1, but have not yet turned 2. Children have the opportunity to attend class one or two days a week.

Kids Day Out Page

Rainbow Corner Preschool

At Rainbow Corner it is our mission to serve each child as the individual they are. We believe in creating a loving, safe, and Christian environment in which they can grow socially as well as academically.

Rainbow Corner Preschool Page

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL

During the 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School Hours, children in Kindergarten – 5th grades are invited to begin their learning adventure in the EDGE ROOM! We begin with fellowship, videos, celebrations, prayer and an exciting “Attention Getter.” Once the opening is complete, children are led to their traditional classroom with their Volunteer Teacher. Parents will pick them up after class from their traditional classroom.

Looking for your Sunday School class or Nursery Room?  Here’s how you can find them!

Visit the Children’s Sunday School Page

NURSERY

We have six Nursery Rooms on Sunday mornings and one on Saturday evenings. Our rooms are staffed with paid nursery workers to help provide the children with a familiar face each week. Volunteers add extra loving care during the worship services as needed. Our goal is to share God’s love with your child as they play in a safe, loving environment. Our two older groups have a different lesson during each of the Learning Hours on Sunday mornings. Snacks are provided during time spent in the nursery unless otherwise specified. Please make us aware of any allergies or special issues your child may have.

Nursery Policies

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP BULLETINS

We want children to participate in our worship services! To help your children share in the Scripture, Children’s Worship Bulletins and crayons are available at the back of the Worship Center.

SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE

Saturday evening, we want children to worship with their families. However, we also want to provide a time of learning for them that focuses on the Scripture read in worship. With this in mind, we invite children to come forward following the reading of the Scripture and go for a time of learning with Ms. Kristen. The children will return during the time of offering to share in the final song with their families.

CHILDREN AND MUSIC – Praise Kids!

Children are divided by age level and spend time sharing in music, musical enrichment and fellowship. Come and join us on Sunday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Children who are 3 years old as of September 1, 2017, through 5th grade can participate in Praise Kids!

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Laurie at [email protected] or Ms. Kristen at [email protected]. We can’t wait to see you!

KID’S DAY OUT

Kid’s Day Out is a weekday program for children who turn 1 as of September 1, 2016, but have not yet turned 2. Children have the opportunity to attend class one or two days a week. The program runs Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Enrollment will be held in the Spring for the upcoming school year.

2016-2017
Registration Form

Contact Kristen Lane at [email protected] for more information.

Download Form

RAINBOW CORNER PRESCHOOL

Children who are turning 2 – 5 years old qualify for our Rainbow Corner Pre-School Program.

Learn More

Please contact Karen Lubbe, Rainbow Corner Director, at 972.335.2882 ext. 513 or [email protected].

Additional Information

ACOLYTES
(3rd-5th Grades)

Please email Kristen Lane at [email protected] if your child is interested in being an Acolyte.

An acolyte is a person who assists in the worship service. At Grace Avenue, the acolytes play an important role in the Foundation Service (9:30 a.m. Sanctuary). The acolytes will carry in the Cross, Light, and Bible to begin the worship service. Trainings will be held throughout the year. All acolytes must attend a training.

JESUS URGES GENEROSITY JUG

Our Jesus Urges Generosity Jug is an active sign of worship for all of the children in our church. Our hope is that each child can understand what an offering is and how it can help all the work that God does through us. Our goal is to use these offerings to help different organizations and groups continue to do their ministry. Each month we choose a different ministry to help support. We pray that as our children grow in this active part of worship, that they can teach the rest of us how to be good stewards of all of God’s gifts.

EDGE 4th & 5th GRADE FELLOWSHIP

EDGE is a fellowship group that meets on 2nd Sundays during the school year from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. We gather together to play games, have themed events, and get to know each other better. Come and have a BLAST at EDGE!

CHILDREN GREETERS/USHERS

One way to help your child get involved in the leadership of worship is for you to volunteer to be a greeter or usher on Saturday night or Sunday mornings. Your child can then assist you with these responsibilities. It is a great way for them to learn service as they grow in their understanding about being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

3rd GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION

All third graders will receive a Bible from their Grace Avenue Family as well as attend a on-day “Learning to Use Your Bible” event. Bible presentations are in October.

MISSION POSSIBLE SUNDAYS

During each month that has a 5th Sunday our K-5th Grades Sunday School classes will meet during their Sunday School hour to participate in a hands-on mission project at a large group.

ADVENT ADVENTURE

Children 4 years old – 5th grades are invited to attend a 3 week adventure during the Advent season that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. The children will share in snacks, singing, games and crafts.

LENTEN ACTIVITIES

Children will have the chance to participate in special activities and events such as an Easter Egg Hunt and more during the season of Lent. Watch for more details.