Grace Children
Children's Ministries
Jesus said, 'Let the Children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.**rsquo; - Matthew 19:14
Here at Grace Church we take Jesus’ command in this passage seriously, striving to show all children who Christ Jesus is through engaging and exciting activities, in a safe and secure environment.
Sunday School (Sunday mornings during worship service), Kid’s Club on Friday nights, and our annual Vacation Bible School during the third week of July are just some of the activities we have for children from our church and community from JK until grade 6. For children under this age, we have nursery available each Sunday to give parents a break should they wish, as well as a Time for Tots held four times over the course of the year. All of our teachers and nursery assistants undergo a Police Records Check as well as annual “Safe Church” training on how to handle unexpected circumstances such as a fire.
For more information on our Children’s Ministry, please e-mail children@graceorleans.ca.
Sunday School
Sunday School, for children from JK until grade 6+, is a vital part of the ministry here at Grace. Partway through the service, the children will leave to have a time of singing before breaking off into 3 separate classes. All of the kids are encouraged to bring their own Bibles to class so that they can underline passages and bookmark them to show their parents what was taught or to read later themselves. For those who do not have a Bible of their own, we have some available upon registration.
JK to Grade One – our focus is on Children establishing a basic familiarity with their Bibles, and learning many of the Bible stories in both the Old and New Testaments. There are opportunities to re-enact stories using puppets, dress-up, and story kits, as well as time for crafts. There is a library of children’s books also available in the classroom which can be signed out. There will also be four key scripture passages to memorize each year.
Grades 2-4 – In this age group children will move beyond the basic Bible stories and learn more about who God is and the messages behind the stories. They will learn about the Fruits of the Spirit, the Beatitudes, the Ten Commandments, and the meanings portrayed in the parables that Jesus taught. They will do “Sword Drills”, a fun way of learning how to find passages in the Bible. In addition to applicable Bible passages, they will memorize such things as The Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles Creed, and the books of the Bible over the 3 years in this age group.
Kids Club
This is an evening open to the children of Orleans that’s all about having FUN! Games, painting, woodcraft, special kitchen activities such as moulding chocolate, baking cookies, making playdough and decorating cupcakes, are all a part of this ministry to the community.
Following our annual Gracefest celebration, Kid’s Club is held at least one Friday evening a month from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. for children in grades 1 to 6. This is a great opportunity for parents to get an evening off together without looking for a sitter. Our purpose is to demonstrate Christ’s love to the children living in our broader community by creating a fun time of fellowship. The evening is a mix of games, crafts, and other activities (adapted for age and ability), as well as a short Bible message. This ministry is FREE, though occasionally we may request a small supply fee for those able to do so. We start and close each year with a special family evening. E-mail kidsclub@graceorleans.ca for more information or to register.
Vacation Bible School
Do your kids get antsy after a few weeks off from school? Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a great way to break up the long days of summer. This morning program, held each year, is a free ministry to the community. Games, crafts, stories, snacks and other activities, all based on the theme for the year, is something the kids will be looking forward to summer after summer. For more information please e-mail children@graceorleans.ca.
