Children

About:

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Our goal is to provide an environment where children are welcomed and experience the love of Jesus. We want to help them discover who God is and to know Him. As they grow and learn about God we also want to help them understand God has a plan for each of them.

Kiosk Check In Procedure: All children, except visitors,must sign in at one of our 5 kiosks. We ask visitors to stop at our Children’s Welcome Desk to get signed in and receive their security stickers. Children should be dropped off and picked up at their classroom by an adult with the corresponding security tag. (You must have your half of the sticker for picking up your child.)

There are 5 different kiosks you may use to sign in your child.

1 in the Gym Area
1 by the Welcome Center – for first time guests only
2 in the Main Hallway across from the library
2 in the Nursery Hallway
2 in the Elementary Hallway

Elementary Children:

All children can be dropped off any time after 9:45 am.
Those attending the 2nd service (10:00) will need to be checked in at one of the kiosks before the service begins.

Get Involved:

Child Dedication

We believe: Children are a gift from God, and offer families the opportunity to publicly dedicate their child to God’s purposes here on earth. This public dedication is when parents, along with family and friends, dedicate themselves to raising their child to know Jesus love. We believe the “body of Christ” is called to come alongside families and assist them in loving and educating children. Therefore we commit together to “train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it”. (Prov. 22:6)

Child dedication is not the means of salvation for the child. Until children are old enough to understand sin, forgiveness and their need for a Savior, we believe children are covered by God’s grace.

In Child Dedication, parents are pledging to:

Teach their child about Christ and to live their lives in a way their child will learn about the Christian life through their example.
To bring their child to church regularly and experience Christian Education with other children, and families.

A one-time “Child Dedication Class” is required for all families who want to publicly dedicate their child.

To register click HERE, email family@firstfriends.org, or call the church at 330.966.2800

Camp Gideon

Join us in 2017 for ” From the Ground Up” at Camp Gideon.

Click HERE for a brochure.

*Please note the change in where to send your registrations: Camp Gideon P.O.Box 313, Damascus, OH 44619 NOT to the EFCER office as in previous years.

Early Bird Registration – postmarked by May 15.

Camp Name	Pickup/Drop Off	Grade	Price
Adventure	June 11-16	4-6	$250
Father / Son	June 16-18	k-5	$65
Gideon On the Go	June 19-23	k-3	$90
Awaken	June 25-30	6-9	$300
Day Camp	July 3-7	k-3	$90
Mother/ Daughter	July 7-9	k-5	$65
Splash Camp	July 9-14	3-5	$250
Mini	July 16-19	2-4	$125

Classes

Children’s ministry is offered for children from newborns through 5th grade during two Sunday morning worship services.

8:30 am : Nursery is available for children 4 and under. All other children are encouraged to worship with their families.

10:00 am Children’s Church: Children may go directly to their classes anytime after 9:45 am

We are here to provide a safe and loving environment for both you and your child. Children birth through 24 months experience Jesus’ love as volunteers care for them in one of our 3 nurseries: Infants, Walkers, and Toddlers.

Visiting parents will receive a pager which would be used if your child needs you during the service.

Mobile Text Alert System is available. You may sign up for this at our nurseries. Your child’s name and your cell phone number is all that is needed.

There is no Children’s Choir during summer break.

Date: Wednesday evenings
Time: 6-6:50 am

Description: Children’s Choirs meet from September to the end of April. Choir follows the schedule of CLC. Choir directors and their assistants help children get to their CLC classes.

The Little Praisers: Children ages 4 – 5, and Kindergarten – Grade 1. This choir may occasionally sing for a worship service. They also sing for Christmas and for the Children’s Choir Concert in the spring. They meet in Room E-122 with Glenda Ross.

The Glory Gazers: Children in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This choir occasionally sings for a worship service. They present a musical for the Children’s Choir Concert in the spring. They meet in Room E-110 with Tammy Forsythe.

For further information about the Children’s Choirs, please email tforsythe@firstfriends.org.

Christian Life Club (CLC)

There is no CLC during summer break.

Date: Wednesday evenings
Time: 7-8:15 pm
Location: Education Wing

Description: CLC is an activity based midweek opportunity for children ages 3 through 5th grade. We design our own program using a variety of materials and curriculum with the goal of reaching kids who attend regularly, as well as newcomers.

Our Goals: We hope that the children will “see Jesus” in the adults and in their classmates. We aim to build fellowship, and include times for kids to get to know each other and make friendships that will last.

What We Do: We praise God through singing and enjoy a Bible lesson in chapel time each evening. Miss Tammy leads the preschool chapel and Miss Kris leads the elementary chapel. Children then go to their age level classes for activities, games, and a snack.

Special Events: We also feature special fun days such as the Harvest Party and the Christmas Party.