Children’s Ministry

At St. Paul we seek to connect Children to Christ in many ways, click below to view the different Children programs we offer.

Why Baptize My Child?

Baptism is a washing, a sacred act commanded by Jesus Himself. It is God’s gift to us that brings us into His family as His adopted children. When we obey Jesus’ command to baptize, God extends His grace in many ways. The baptized child begins a new relationship with God, receives forgiveness of sins and is filled with the Holy Spirit.

How Do I Have My Child Baptized?

Baptism is an important event and milestone in the life of a child, and not just a box to be checked. Because it is so important we require all those interested in Baptism or in having their child Baptized to meet with Pastor Kyle. This class helps to educate and equip parents on Baptism and being the primary faith developers for their children. This class must be completed before Baptism can be scheduled. Please contact Pastor Kyle to set up an appointment at 467-6449 ext 123 or kyleb@stpaulfalls.com.

Why Does St. Paul Lutheran Church Baptize Babies?

Baptism Children, too, are sinful and need God’s forgiveness. The Bible never says God’s promises only hold true for adults or for those who are able to understand. Our right standing with God does not depend on our decision to come to Him, but rather on His coming to us.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children.” Acts 2:38-39

What Happens On The Day Of Baptism?

You will want to arrive at least 20 minutes before the worship service begins and inform the Pastor you are on site. Upon your request, seats will be reserved in the Sanctuary for your family and guests. During the service the pastor will welcome your immediate family and sponsors around the baptismal font. You will receive a certificate and a gift to help your child remember this day. Pictures can be taken after the service.

What Is My Responsibility After The Baptism?

Children need to be taught about their new relationship with Jesus. This is just as important as the baptism itself. The little seed of faith that has been placed in his heart needs to be watered and fed with God’s Word so it will continue to grow. You as the parents and sponsors hold the God given responsibility to raise your child in the faith. Having a child helps many new parents realize their own need to “walk the walk” and “talk the talk”. If this is the case, we are here to help and guide you in your own faith walk.

What Does St. Paul Do After The Baptism?

At your child’s baptism, our church family promised to continue to pray for you and your child as you raise him or her in the faith. Through our Faith Path we offer various parenting classes will be available at church for you to attend. At age 3, (by Sept of that year) your child is old enough to begin attending Sunday School to help them learn more about Jesus and His love.

About Our Nursery

The Nursery staff will provide free care for children from birth up to 4 year olds during the 9:15 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday worship services. The nursery consists of staff that are have a deep love for children. They look forward to watching the little ones while you attend worship. You will be texted if you are needed immediately in the nursery. Parents are also welcome to stay in the nursery with their child to get the wiggles out! Nursing moms are always welcome to nurse here. The worship service is broadcasted on the TV screen so you won’t miss the service.

Click HERE for the brochure and other helpful information. If you have any questions, please contact Savannah in the church office.

Vacation Bible School is back at St. Paul. Mark your calendars for July 26-28th 2023 from 3-6pm here at St. Paul’s!

What does a day at VBS look like?

Children will be split into a crew for the week. Within their crew, they will rotate to different stations which will emphasize the Bible Point for the day through various activities. VBS Sample Schedule

What ages are welcome to attend?

The grades are based on the 2023-24 school year. 3K-5th grade are welcome to attend VBS. 6th grade and up are able to volunteer for VBS!

When does registration open up?

Registration opens for Volunteers on April 23, 2023

Registration opens for Children on May 14, 2023

How can I help with VBS?

There are many ways to help out with Vacation Bible School. We are looking for Crew Leaders and Assistants. We are also looking for people to help with our stations. Volunteer sign up opens on April 23rd. If you have any questions, please contact Savannah Henn.

How much is registration for VBS?

Vacation Bible School is a free event.

We are currently looking for volunteers to join the planning team for VBS this year. If you are interested, please email Savannah at savannahh@stpaulfalls.com

If you are interested in signing your child up for Sunday School, please contact Savannah in the Church Office.

Sunday School 2022-2023 Information Ss INFORMATION 22-23

What is Sunday School? The Goal

*Hear, learn about and apply the Word of God. *Reinforce what families are doing at home. *Form/Build-on Christian relationships

A Brief Summary 1. Sunday School is offered during the 9:15 service 2. Children are dismissed for Sunday School from worship service. 3. Sunday school starts just before the pastor’s sermon 4. Children are picked up following the worship service.

Structure Large group time is spent in song and opening of the days topic.

Small group is spent in classroom working through age appropriate lessons

Palm Sunday Song April 2, 2023 – Meet in Fellowship at 8:30am

Questions

Have questions about Sunday School Ministry at St. Paul please reach out to Savannah in the Church Office.

Registration for the 2022-2023 school year has closed. If you would like to still sign up, please contact Savannah in the Church office.

WHAT IS AWANA…

Our Wednesday night program offers children the opportunity to join a million plus kids in a fun and Bible based club called AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) which is an acronym for 2 Timothy 2:15. A typical AWANA club revolves around games, activities, scripture memorization and Christ centered devotions to list a few. Children, families and congregations across the world have found AWANA to be an exciting program that is not only fun but important in developing a child’s understanding of the Scriptures. Those who have utilized AWANA have found the program to be invaluable in a child’s faith development. Some of the benefits include developing a strong understanding of God’s love, forgiveness and plan of salvation through Christ alone.

AWANA at St. Paul…

Wednesday nights at 6pm we kick off with opening in the church Fellowship Hall as a large group. Students then gather with their small groups and rotate between games and devotion time. We close the evening with large group in the Worship Center and end at 7:30pm.

Ages…

Sparks- students are those in K through 2nd grade

TnT- students in 3rd-5th grade

Materials & Points…

Students and parents work at home through their student book and come with their signed books when having completed a section and memory work. Memory work consists of different key passages we can find throughout the Bible. Students will recite their memory work each week at AWANA.

Points are earned each week for different aspects of this ministry(participating in the theme that week, attendance, etc). They collect points and then use them at the AWANA store a couple of times a year.

Schedule & Theme night…

AWANA takes place on Wednesday evenings here at St. Paul from 6-7:30pm

The 2022-2023 welcome letter and schedule can be found HERE

Parent Meeting Video can be found HERE

Questions…

If you have questions about AWANA or need more information please contact Savannah in the Church Office.

AWANA Sparks / Sparks Club (Kindergarten – 2nd Grade)

About AWANA Sparks

Our Sparks Club is designed for children in Kindergarten – 2nd grade. The aim of this club is to take God’s children a step deeper into God’s Word. As boys and girls grow in their understanding of the Word they will have a better understanding of the importance of trusting Christ for their salvation. Spark’s club meetings combine learning with fun to create an atmosphere of irresistible excitement. Club meetings are divided into four segments: Opening, Games, Small Group and Large Group.

About Flight 3:16

All Sparks enter their AWANA journey by reading/completing Flight 3:16. Through this they’ll learn the essentials of a Christian’s life—that we are sinful, God sent his son to die and pay for our sins, through Jesus death and resurrection, all who believe will receive eternal life.

Upon completion of Flight 3:16, the children enter into their handbooks, where they learn more of the important Biblical people, accounts, and teachings that are essential to God’s master plan of salvation. Over three years clubbers make their way through 3 handbooks which chronologically cover key Biblical figures. In addition the handbooks challenge clubbers (and their families) to apply the Bible to their daily lives.

Small Group:

This is a time of devotion, teaching, and discussion. Teachers will lead their kids in a devotion associated with the theme for the night.

AWARDS (see p. 102 of Hang Glider book for visual) **Each Sparks book revolves earning 1 patch (Rank Emblem) and 12 jewels (4 Green, 4 Red, 4 Blue). Completed in order…the kids first earn their Rank Emblem by completing the first 8 sections. Completing the next 4 sections earns them Red Jewel 1. The next 4 earns them Green Jewel 1. The next 4 earns them Red Jewel 2…and so on. Blue Jewels are earned once a quarter based on club attendance (usually attending 5-6 times/quarter).

**Once the Rank Emblem and all Red and Green Jewels have been earned, depending on their grade and the time of year, the kids will either work on “Extra Credit” sections or move onto the next book. (See “ORDER OF COMPLETION OF HANDBOOKS” below) This determination will be made by the AWANA Commander and Secretaries.

**Book awards are given out once a quarter.

**Uniforms and bags are handed out after the Rank Emblem patch has been earned

**All sections must be completed in their entirety and in order

THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS-WHICH MAY BE DONE ANY TIME A) Bring A Friend (Red Jewel 1, Section 1) B) Missionary Activities (Green Jewel 2) C) Listening To Parents/Life at Home (Green Jewel 4, Sections 2 and/or 3) **For placement and description of awards, please consult the back of the book or ask your leader.

KEY PARTS OF THE BOOK FOR PARENTS/AWARDS:

Page 2-3: Parent Guardian Letter–Describes the parts of the book AND which sections can be done out of order *Red Jewel 1:1 Kids need to bring a friend (see leader if alternative is absolutely necessary) *Green Jewel 2:1-2:4 Missionary Activities *Green Jewel 4:3 Kids must complete a responsibilities chart Back of the book Information on awards/Parent ideas to apply Bible Bibliographies *NOTE—These sections may be done out of order—all others must be done in order

ORDER OF COMPLETION of CURRICULUM

Kindergarten: Flight 3:16, Hang Glider, HG Review Emblem, HG Frequent Flyer 1^st: Flight 3:16, Hang Glider, Wing Runner, WR Review Emblem, WR Frequent Flyer, HG Review Emblem, HG Frequent Flyer 2^nd: Flight 3:16, Hang Glider, Wing Runner, Sky Stormer, SS Review Emblem, SS Frequent Flyer, WR Review Emblem, WR Frequent Flyer, HG Review Emblem, HG Frequent Flyer

REMINDER OF POINT VALUE/WHAT TO BRING TO CLUB

Attendance: 50 Bring a Friend: 100 Theme: 50

Section completed : 100

Truth & Training Club (TNT) (3rd – 5th Grade)

About AWANA TNT

All TNT youth enter their AWANA journey by reading/completing Start Zone. Through this they’ll learn the essentials of a Christian’s life—that we are sinful, God sent his son to die and pay for our sins, through Jesus death and resurrection, all who believe will receive eternal life.

Upon completion of Start Zone, the children enter into their handbooks (for new clubbers this will actually be a Binder), where they learn more about God and his plan for them, including His master plan of salvation. Over three years clubbers can make their way through 3 binders which explore important foundational Christian faith questions. With God’s Word as a foundation these clubbers (and their families) become greater equipped to share the good news of Jesus with others.

Small Group takes place on Wednesday evenings: This is a time of devotion, teaching, and discussion. Teachers will lead their kids in a devotion associated with the theme for the night. Teachers will also guide them through opening, games and large group closing.

Memory Work and at home time: Parents as you work your way through each handbook you will be signing off on different sections that you complete. Memory work should be studied at home and then signed off for in the handbook. Students can then show their leader each week their progress and secretaries will award them as sections are completed.

Handbooks: All students begin in a Start Zone.

Once this is completed they will then begin the following progression of binders:

Binder 1 Binder 2 Binder 3

In all of the books the kids are working on sections. These sections have similar requirements involving the areas of memorizing scripture and looking up Bible passages and answering questions. Students will earn different color chevrons as they get to the half way point of a group of sections and the completion of a group of sections. Uniforms are given when the first Chevron is earned (after section 1.3)

Again each book should be worked on at home with their parents involvement. Books should be brought each week to class to show small group leaders.