Jesus loved learning more about God when He was a child and we want the children of Mountain Chapel to be excited about learning too!  There are so many exciting and fun ways for them to learn about our Savior and we take educating our children seriously – it’s our goal for these children to truly want to be in church every Sunday.  We are dedicated to teaching them the Word of God and how they can have a daily relationship with Jesus, as well as making sure our church is a safe, fun place for them to be.  Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” What a privilege it is to have an opportunity to be a positive influence on our children as they grow physically, socially, and in God’s love.

Kids Worship Service

Children worship and praise God in different ways from adults: They sing BIG songs with motions expressing praise to Jesus; They need a little more teaching on why we do certain things in the worship service; They need to be able to interact and participate so they can fully worship.  So… we’ve created a worship service just for kids, Kindergarten through 6th grade, at 10:30 each Sunday in the Chapel.  This service is formatted like the adult worship service with music, a message, offering, drama, Communion, everything – except it’s for kids!  There’s no time like NOW for our kids to start falling in love with Jesus!

Children’s Time and Children’s Church

Preschool children ages three through five are welcome and instructed about God’s Word at a special “Children’s Time” at the altar every Sunday morning during the 10:30 worship service. They are then dismissed to Children’s Church. During their time in Children’s Church, they will listen to the Children’s Church leader teach a Bible story and reinforce it through art, music, or games, as well as receive a snack. Parents can pick up their children in Room 114 after the worship service. Volunteers are always welcome!

Shepherd’s Club

Shepherd’s Club is a time of fellowship for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade on Sunday evenings, from 5:00-6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. This fall, the children will be learning from a book that is full of fun games and activities, as well as stories that are geared toward shaping us to have a Christ-like character.  “Stepping Up, Stepping Out” will encourage children to:

•  Choose God’s way instead of my own
•  Choose whom to listen to
•  Choose which way to go

We’ll break into Small groups by age group after our lesson for a time to discuss what we’ve heard, ask questions, and just go a little deeper to enhance our spiritual growth.  Dinner is provided and we would love to have you as a volunteer!

Lambs’ Club

Lamb’s Club is a time of fellowship for children ages 2 through 4 and meets on Sunday evenings from 5:00-6:30 in Room 202 by the Fellowship Hall. These young children do creative and fun activities, while learning about Jesus.  They learn Bible stories, make really great crafts, sing songs, play in the gym or outside on the playground, and enjoy dinner that is provided by the church.  During the year we perform songs for special occasions.

Wednesday Nights

Children, ages 3 through 3rd grade, meet in the gym September – May from 6:15-7:00pm to learn an important lesson from a Bible story and then have some fun through arts and crafts, reinforcing the lesson.  We usually move upstairs to Room 204 and then back down to the gym and end with some time for free play.

Nursery

Our devoted nursery staff and volunteers know that our littlest members of Mountain Chapel need to see the love of Jesus when they attend church.  We offer nursery care for children ages 2 and under during all the Sunday morning worship services, Sunday School times, Wednesday Night Alive, Sunday evening activities and many other church-sponsored events. During the Sunday School time, two-year olds have activities to learn about Jesus through a Bible story with crafts, music, and play. Church members 18 years and older may volunteer in the nursery to assist in providing an adequate child-to-caregiver ratio.We have two rooms with a sign in/sign out policy for each child. You will receive a beeper when your child is signed in and we ask that you return it when you sign them out. We have at least one person who is certified in Infant CPR and First Aid as a caretaker. If you are visiting and would like for your child to be cared for in the nursery, please ask an usher for directions prior to the worship service. Or, you may locate it using our online map.

Acolyte Program

Children in 3rd through 5th grade may serve as acolytes during the 10:30 am worship service. Training is held twice a year. Acolytes are responsible for lighting the altar candles at the 10:30 service, carrying the light out after the service and assisting with the serving of communion on the first Sunday of each month. If your child is interested in volunteering as an acolyte, watch the Messenger or News and Events for training times.

Vacation Bible School

Offered in the summer and usually held in the evenings, this one-week experience is fun, fast-paced and based on Scripture. From age 2 through 6th grade, children will enjoy this casual learning environment. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated! VBS next year is planned for July 16-20 – mark your 2012 calendar now!