....and boy, do we have a full month!
First off, let me say, "Family Fun Night" last night was an absolutely wonderful occasion shared with many friends. We 'built' sundaes, made crafts, played games, and watched "The Incredibles" together in Tower Chapel with our blankets and pillows spread out underneath us. Boy those sundaes were GOOD! Thanks to everyone that helped with set up and clean up.
More events for family fellowship ~
Wednesday Night "KidzAlive" continues and we too are following "The Way", our churchwide study with interesting activities on Wednesday night from 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. Any elementary school aged kids are welcome to join us. And if you like to sing praises to our Lord, you can follow it up with Children's Choir rehearsal with Ms Esta at 6:30!!
Saturday, March 16th - our 'field trip' to the "Shrine of Christ's Passion" in St. John, IN. We will be leaving Asbury Parking Lot at 10 a.m. and drive out to the Shrine together (or you can meet us there if it's more convenient!) I would suggest carpooling between families to save on gas! It will take us about 50 minutes to get to the Shrine. This is an OUTDOOR event - the Shrine is a walking pathway with beautiful sculptures and narrations depicting Christ's 'Passion' - it really a beautiful experience that will take us into Holy Week with a renewed sense of what it was like for Jesus. The tour can take 30 - 45 minutes, it is self directed so you can spend as much time as you wish at each station.
Afterward, we can all join together for lunch (if you wish) at "Northwoods" (just a mile or so north of the Shrine) - a big, fun, rustic restaurant with a buffet for $12.95. You can also order off the menu, if you'd like.
There is no fee for the Shrine (although there is a nice gift shop!!) and each of us can pay individually at the restaurant. Please let me know if you plan to join us (children@valpofumc.org) I will need a number for the restaurant!! So, let's pray for decent weather - and I look forward to being with you the 16th!
Two weeks later (3/30) we will hold our annual Easter Egg Hunt at Rogers Lakewood Park, from 10 - 11 a.m. There will be signs leading you to the hunt inside the park. Each age group, from the youngest to oldest, will go at different times, in separated areas, so everyone will be safe!
Helpers are needed for :
Egg Stuffing - Fellowship Hall, Wednesday 3/20, 5:45 - 7:30 - come when you can!!!!
Set Up, 9:15 - 10,
Welcoming and Signing in 10 - 11, and
Tear Down, 11 - 11:30
** We are also taking donations of individually wrapped candy to fill 1000 eggs!!!! Please leave the candy in the marked box in the Welcome foyer at Franklin St. **
So much fun and fellowship in store, all in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Looking forward to being with you all at these events.
If you are going away for spring break, I pray you will travel safely and return refreshed! Ms. Karyn
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Lent
Christians, we begin the Lenten season tomorrow, Wednesday, February 13th. There is no choir nor Wednesday Night Alive this night. Let us join together at the service at 7:00 p.m. to hear a message from Pastor Jacob and receive the ashes.
In Sunday School, we will be following Pastor Jacob's sermons and the church wide study of "The Way", where we will be "walking in Jesus' footsteps" to the cross and ultimately to His resurrection. We will be following where Jesus went on His travels and will learn what He did on those travels; being baptized, healing the sick, preaching, welcoming and loving the 'outcasts', and finally, his ride into Jerusalem where he died and rose from the dead. The Sunday School program is interesting and exciting. I just know the children are going to gain much from this study. Be sure to ask them about what they learn each Sunday!
I have several plans for family togetherness and celebration during this season. Please look at what's coming up the next few weeks and mark your calendars!
Wednesday, 2/27
Family Fun Night - from 6 - 8:15 in tower Chapel (Children's Choir will begin at 5:30 this night!) We will offer family games and crafts, we will show the movie, "The Incredibles", and we will be servincg popcorn. Everyone will also be invited to "Build your own Sundae" at the 'Sundae Bar'. This is just a fun, mid week event that will get us out of our homes and pull us together as families on a cold, winter night! Please let me know if you will be attending by Sunday, 2/24 so I know how much popcorn and ice cream to buy!!
Saturday, 3/16
Field Trip to "Shrine of Christ's Passion" - (on Rt. 41, St. John, IN) Convoy leaving Asbury Center parking lot at 10 a.m. (carpooling is encouraged!) The shrine allows visitors to walk through a pathway of beautiful. touchable sculptures with narrations that depict Jesus' last week; from the Last Supper to His death and resurrection. This is a beautiful experience and I feel, a wonderful family event. Understand that it is an OUTDOOR event so we can only hope that the weather cooperates! The shrine costs nothing BUT there is a gift shop that is quite nice! Also, I have arranged for us to go to lunch together at "Northwoods" - a restaurant close to the shrine - for those that wish to do so. They offer a nice buffet lunch (chicken and beef plus a pasta dish, salad bar, light dessert, and a drink) for $12.95 plus tax and tip which can be paid directly at the restaurant. There will also be an opportunity to order off the menu but that can take more time. If we have a good number of people, the price for children will be less than $12.95. Again, I need to have a count for the restaurant so PLEASE let me know who will be coming by March 9th:)
Saturday, March 30th (Holy Saturday)
Easter Egg Hunt - Rogers-Lakewood, 10 - 11 a.m. Our annual "hunt" will be at the 'hill' at R-L Park (turn left at the first stop in the park). There will be roped off areas for the littlest "just walking" to the big 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. It should be a fun time for all! I sure hope the weather is nice this day too!! By the way, I need egg stuffers for this event so email me if you can give me some time the week before and I thank you!!
I am sure that not everyone will be able to attend every event as we are busy, busy people BUT I do hope that those you can attend, you will attend. It is important for us all to gather as we are able, to share God's love with each other and then, take that love out into the world!
Until next time ~ Ms. Karyn :)
In Sunday School, we will be following Pastor Jacob's sermons and the church wide study of "The Way", where we will be "walking in Jesus' footsteps" to the cross and ultimately to His resurrection. We will be following where Jesus went on His travels and will learn what He did on those travels; being baptized, healing the sick, preaching, welcoming and loving the 'outcasts', and finally, his ride into Jerusalem where he died and rose from the dead. The Sunday School program is interesting and exciting. I just know the children are going to gain much from this study. Be sure to ask them about what they learn each Sunday!
I have several plans for family togetherness and celebration during this season. Please look at what's coming up the next few weeks and mark your calendars!
Wednesday, 2/27
Family Fun Night - from 6 - 8:15 in tower Chapel (Children's Choir will begin at 5:30 this night!) We will offer family games and crafts, we will show the movie, "The Incredibles", and we will be servincg popcorn. Everyone will also be invited to "Build your own Sundae" at the 'Sundae Bar'. This is just a fun, mid week event that will get us out of our homes and pull us together as families on a cold, winter night! Please let me know if you will be attending by Sunday, 2/24 so I know how much popcorn and ice cream to buy!!
Saturday, 3/16
Field Trip to "Shrine of Christ's Passion" - (on Rt. 41, St. John, IN) Convoy leaving Asbury Center parking lot at 10 a.m. (carpooling is encouraged!) The shrine allows visitors to walk through a pathway of beautiful. touchable sculptures with narrations that depict Jesus' last week; from the Last Supper to His death and resurrection. This is a beautiful experience and I feel, a wonderful family event. Understand that it is an OUTDOOR event so we can only hope that the weather cooperates! The shrine costs nothing BUT there is a gift shop that is quite nice! Also, I have arranged for us to go to lunch together at "Northwoods" - a restaurant close to the shrine - for those that wish to do so. They offer a nice buffet lunch (chicken and beef plus a pasta dish, salad bar, light dessert, and a drink) for $12.95 plus tax and tip which can be paid directly at the restaurant. There will also be an opportunity to order off the menu but that can take more time. If we have a good number of people, the price for children will be less than $12.95. Again, I need to have a count for the restaurant so PLEASE let me know who will be coming by March 9th:)
Saturday, March 30th (Holy Saturday)
Easter Egg Hunt - Rogers-Lakewood, 10 - 11 a.m. Our annual "hunt" will be at the 'hill' at R-L Park (turn left at the first stop in the park). There will be roped off areas for the littlest "just walking" to the big 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. It should be a fun time for all! I sure hope the weather is nice this day too!! By the way, I need egg stuffers for this event so email me if you can give me some time the week before and I thank you!!
I am sure that not everyone will be able to attend every event as we are busy, busy people BUT I do hope that those you can attend, you will attend. It is important for us all to gather as we are able, to share God's love with each other and then, take that love out into the world!
Until next time ~ Ms. Karyn :)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
It's a new year!!
HAPPY 2013!!!
Welcome (or welcome back, as the case may be!) to the Kidz4Jesus blog.
This is my first time writing as the new Director of Children's Ministries
and I can barely contain my excitement for all we have to look forward to in 2013.
In January we will be talking about what gifts WE can give to Jesus in Sunday School.
In February we will already be looking at Lent with Ash Wednesday on the 13th! Hard to believe that is only one month away! Pastor Jacob will be leading an all-church series called, "The Way", and we will be following suit in our Sunday School classes. This will be a special time for adults and children alike as we will all be working on the same study. It should provide for some interesting dinner table conversation.
In March we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord - EASTER - on the 31st and there will be many exciting things leading up to that special day.
Come Springtime, family life gets pretty crazy with sports and end of school year events so we will be laying low with family activities here, and getting geared up for summer - always keeping Jesus at the forefront of our minds!
Speaking of Summer - I would like to put together a family picnic at one of our parks - maybe a beginning of summer celebration! Of course - Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be back! We plan to return to a daytime, full week event as we have done in the past. We are looking at dates in July for that.
Then we swing into Fall with the beginning of a new school year, the promotion of students to new Sunday School classes, and Fall Family Fun Night.
Suddenly, we are celebrating Christmastime again and we have our annual "Breakfast With St. Nicholas" and our Family Service on Christmas Eve.
I have always felt that a faith based upbringing is so important as it enables our children to handle the best and the worst of times this life can bring. Plus, the time with our children goes by SO quickly! I have always been grateful to my church for activities that bring us together as an independent family but also as the family of God. I hope you feel the same and will make these activities a part of your family's life.
Ongoing Activities
Sunday School - Every Sunday
Toddlers report to class at 9:15 a.m.
Grades Pre K - 5 go to worship at 9:15 and are dismissed to Sunday School after the "Children's Moment"
There is also an 11 a.m. Toddlers (ages 3 -5) class.
Wednesday Night Alive Kid's Program (grades 1 - 5) - 5:45 p.m. every Wednesday
Devotions/activities for a mid week "faith boost" and recreational activity for winter nights! :)
(Children's Choir follows at 6:30 p.m.)
Children's Choir - Wednesday nights at 6:30.
Bell Ringing for children grades 3 -5 to follow at 7:10 - 7:30.
Children's Library - Always open for children aged 10 and up. Younger children MUST be accompanied by an adult. And please - NEVER leave your child unattended in the church building!
I Need YOU!!!
** Please think about assisting with Summer Sunday School and VBS.**
These seem far away but will be upon us before you know it!
I will need teachers for PreK/K, 1st and 2nd grade, 3rd and 4th grade, and 5th grade classes.
The classes are small and I provide your lessons to you.
Please give an hour and a half per week to the children and your church!
VBS is a huge undertaking and I will be looking for MANY helpers. This is a good opportunity for our youth to give service to their church.
Please be praying about what you can do for our children!
Contact me, Karyn Custer-Jankowski (or more simply, Ms. Karyn :) at
465-1661 or email: children@valpofumc.org
I look forward to hearing from you!!
Friday, December 28, 2012
Breakfast with St. Nick
We are happy to report that our Breakfast with St. Nicholas raised over $500 for The Caring Place! We also gave them plenty of hats, scarves and mittens from the "warming tree".
We'd like to thank everyone who came out and supported us-we had a great turnout!
We would especially like to thank those of you who provided donations for the meal and to those who cheerfully worked to make the event happen!
We pray that you all had a Jesus-filled Christmas and we welcome you to worship with us on Sunday, December 30th at 10:00am. We will only have one service that day and there will be Sunday School for ages 2-5 only. Of course, the nursery will be available, too!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Christmas is coming....
As we prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth, we want to remind you of what we have planned for the children in the next 10 days....
This Sunday, December 23rd, we will have Sunday School, as usual. Of course, the lessons will cover the Christmas story, which we love to hear, no matter what our age!
On Christmas Eve, our Family Service is at 6:00 p.m. The Children's Choir and Youth Choir will be singing and the Praise Band will be leading worship. Ms. Erin Utesch will be telling the Christmas story and the children will be invited to sit around her as she does so. All of the children will have the opportunity to hang an ornament on a Christmas tree during the service. At the end of the service, during "Silent Night", the children will return to their families and we will "light" candles (battery operated). It will be a beautiful service and we would love to have you join us!
The nursery will be available during all three Christmas Eve services-a description of each can be found on our website.
Finally, on Sunday, December 30th, we will have one worship service at 10:00am. There will be no Sunday School that day (except for 2s & 3s), but the nursery will, of course, be available.
We wish you hope, peace, joy and love this Christmas season!
This Sunday, December 23rd, we will have Sunday School, as usual. Of course, the lessons will cover the Christmas story, which we love to hear, no matter what our age!
On Christmas Eve, our Family Service is at 6:00 p.m. The Children's Choir and Youth Choir will be singing and the Praise Band will be leading worship. Ms. Erin Utesch will be telling the Christmas story and the children will be invited to sit around her as she does so. All of the children will have the opportunity to hang an ornament on a Christmas tree during the service. At the end of the service, during "Silent Night", the children will return to their families and we will "light" candles (battery operated). It will be a beautiful service and we would love to have you join us!
The nursery will be available during all three Christmas Eve services-a description of each can be found on our website.
Finally, on Sunday, December 30th, we will have one worship service at 10:00am. There will be no Sunday School that day (except for 2s & 3s), but the nursery will, of course, be available.
We wish you hope, peace, joy and love this Christmas season!
Bible Sunday photos
During our 9:15 service on November 18th, ten 3rd grade children received their Bibles after attending 8 weeks of class.
After the presentation during the worship service, all of the Sunday School children celebrated with them: we had cake and ice cream and watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
We appreciate the time and efforts of our teachers and the support of the parents, who brought their children to church each week to attend the class!
After the presentation during the worship service, all of the Sunday School children celebrated with them: we had cake and ice cream and watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
We appreciate the time and efforts of our teachers and the support of the parents, who brought their children to church each week to attend the class!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Holly Days Caroling
All are welcome to join us on Friday December 7th to carol at Central Park Plaza stage. Meet at 5:20 at the stage, we will carol at 5:30. Esta will have booklets for everyone, so don't worry about knowing all the words!
At 7:00, come to the church for hot chocolate and cookies, followed by carol singing in the Sanctuary. The community is invited to join us, so invite your friends and neighbors!
At 7:00, come to the church for hot chocolate and cookies, followed by carol singing in the Sanctuary. The community is invited to join us, so invite your friends and neighbors!
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