Category Archives: Parent Cues

Elementary Ministry May 11, 2025

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Miriam Takes Initiative in Exodus 2:1-10. We can look for ways to help the people we love.

Faith at Home

DO/SAY THIS at a MEAL

At a meal this week, have everyone at the table answer these questions: “What is something you need help with? What are some ways we can help one another?”

DO/SAY THIS IN THE MORNING

As your kid starts their day, tell them: “I noticed your kind heart when you ______ .”

WHILE ON THE GO

While on the go, ask your kid: “What’s something kind you remember doing for someone or someone doing for you?”

Early Childhood Ministry May 12, 2025

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Joshua showed us, in Sunday's story, that God will help us be a strong leader.

Faith at Home

DO/SAY THIS IN THE MORNING

Enjoy doing the memory verse hand motions at home with this video!

WHILE ON THE GO

As you drive, tell your child to look for big and little things. Encourage [him/her] to name the big and little things [he/she] sees. Maybe it's a big truck or a little bird. Talk about how God made us to do big things and He will always help us.

PRAY TOGETHER BEFORE BED

Cuddle with your child and pray, "Dear God, You are such a strong & wise leader. Help us be strong, wise leaders too. Help us do what You want us to do, even when others do not. Thanks for helping us do big things. We love You. In Jesus' name, amen."

First Lights Family Check In Sunday March 30, 2025

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Mission: To partner with parents to lead children to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Vision: To connect the light of the church with the heart of the family to ignite the faith of the next generation.
 
Upcoming Events:
March 26 - 6pm-7pm Kidmin on Wen
March 30 - Reminder - 5th Sunday. No Sunday School.
Donation Luncheon following the 10am service.
April 2 - 6pm-7pm Communion Class for Parents and Children
April 13 - 9am and 11am Palm Sunday Processional
April 16 - 6pm-7:30pm Candyland Lane Easter Outreach Event
April 23 - 6pm-7pm - Mission Commission - Connecting leaders of ministries with children/families to inspire working together for God.
FIRST LIGHTS GOOGLE CALENDAR
 
Parent and Child Communion Class April 2, 2025 6pm-7pm
 
Every parent wants to be present for the significant moments in their child’s life; ESPECIALLY the eternally significant moments! A child’s dedication, baptism, first communion and more are significant firsts in a child’s life, and we want to help equip families as we celebrate with parents along the faith journey. This class will facilitate interactive discussion between parents and children. Bring your Bibles!
 
Preschool Play Day!

It finally happened! After a rough February of changes, we got together to play on Saturday and had a 'ball'!

Thank you to all the families that joined us for our Preschool Play Day! 

 

Sunday's Bible story was about how respecting our bodies is one way we can honor God. 

This week make the lesson stick: Fill a bag with a toothbrush, hairbrush, soap, shirt, and apple. Tell your chid to pull an item out of the bag. Ask, "How can you use a [item] to respect yourself?" Talk about how we use each item to care for our bodies that God made.

 

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First Lights Family Check In Sunday March 23, 2025

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Mission: To partner with parents to lead children to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Vision: To connect the light of the church with the heart of the family to ignite the faith of the next generation.

Upcoming Events:
March 19 - 6pm-7pm Kidmin on Wen
March 22 - 10am-11:30am Preschool Play Day
March 30 - Reminder - 5th Sunday. No Sunday School.
Donation Luncheon following the 10am service.
April 2 - 6pm-7pm Communion Class for Parents and Children
April 16 - 6pm-7:30pm Candyland Lane Easter Outreach Event
April 23 - 6pm-7pm - Mission Commission - Connecting leaders of ministries with children/families to inspire working together for God.

 
Meet Ms. Michelle! She is a SGL in the Sparks classroom with Ms. Terri and Mr. Dave and Ms. Sue!
 
Michelle and her daughter Savannah (3) have attended FUMC since 2022 courtesy of an invitation from Ms. Terri Stevens. 
 
Michelle is a kindergarten teacher at Hamilton Heights Elementary. We are so grateful that she is willing to share her gift of teaching with us. But more than anything, we are blessed to have her as a regular presence and influence in the life of our children on Sundays!
 
I do admit to being swept away by Savannah's sweetness and charm. Watching her walk through the lobby and greet all of her admirers is something I look forward to getting to watch on a Sunday morning.
 
While we are fortunate to have so many engaged teachers, in our ministry, not everyone who serves needs to be a teacher.
 
The only qualification to serve in Children's Ministry is to care about the faith of the youngest generation and I am grateful for Michelle and all the SGLs and servants who demonstrate this care faithfully on a regular basis.
 

SERVE WITH US!

We are asking you to consider and pray about being part of a team which shares Jesus' love with kids during the Sunday School Hour or for an hour on Wednesday nights.

Do you feel a nudge from God, but hear doubts and criticisms from the Enemy? Don't listen to the doubts!

Let's have a conversation and discover what God can show and teach you about your purpose in the Kingdom as part of our team.

Sunday's Bible story teaches us that we are so important to God, He sent Jesus into the world so we can be with Him forever. 

This week make the lesson stick: Go on a nature treasure hunt with your child. Give them a container to put all of their important treasures in. Ask your child to tell you why each item is special. Talk about how we are very, very important to God. That makes us His treasures! 

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First Lights Family Check In Sunday March 16, 2025

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Mission: To partner with parents to lead children to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Vision: To connect the light of the church with the heart of the family to ignite the faith of the next generation.

Upcoming Events:
March 12 - 6pm-7pm Kidmin on Wen: Prayer Pretzels - mark your calendars to join us for making pretzels during Lent.
March 30 - Reminder - 5th Sunday. No Sunday School. Donation Luncheon following the 10am service.
April 2 - 6pm-7pm Communion Class for Parents and Children
April 16 - 6pm-7:30pm Candyland Lane Easter Outreach Event
April 23 - 6pm-7pm - Mission Commission - Connecting leaders of ministries with children/families to inspire working together for God.

 
Meet Ms. Tammy our 2nd and 3rd Grade SGL!
 
47 - That is how many years Tammy Shuster has been serving in Children's Ministry!
 
She is retired from Letterkenny and travels to Collegeville, PA during the week to babysit her 5 year-old grandson and 8 year-old granddaughter. 
 
She seems to be Nathan's preferred SGL as he always goes to her Small group!
 
I asked Tammy if she would recommend serving in Children's Ministry. After 47 years, I was hopeful.
 
She replied:
 “Yes I would! You will be greatly rewarded by learning more about God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit through the eyes of the children! As Matthew 18:3 states, ‘And he said … unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

HIDE AND SEEK!

We are SEEKING a few good people to help kids HIDE God's Word in their hearts!

If you are interested in serving in children's ministry, we want to help you find out how best you can communicate God's Word to children.

Let's have a conversation! Email: kidmin@firstonsecond.org

Sunday's Bible story was about how we are smart, creative, and helpful like God because He made us in His image.

This week make the lesson stick by playing with puzzles. Affirm your child with words like, "You are so smart!" as they work. When you're done, ask them to put the puzzle away. As they do, affirm with words like, "You are so helpful! God made you smart and helpful, just like Him." 

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An Advent(ure): Journey to Jesus

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Embark on a kids' Advent journey! This large, engaging poster takes kids on an adventure toward Christmas, guiding them through the Christmas story with daily Bible verses and weekly devotionals. With a small, moveable donkey, kids can visually track their progress towards Christmas day. Through this interactive experience, kids will not only count down the days but also lean into the true meaning of Christmas, and build excitement and anticipation for the celebration of Jesus' birth.

Advent (ure) Journey to Jesus is available digitally and in hard copy at the church.

Faith at Home June 2024

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"I have hidden your word in my heart."

Psalm 119:11 NIV

When you go in your child’s room this month say, “Good morning, [child’s name]! It’s morning time. God loves us in the morning time, nighttime, ALL the time!”

As you drive, insert the places you pass along the way into this question, “Is God’s Word with you at the [grocery store]?” Encourage your child to say, “Yes, God’s Word is with me wherever I go!”

Cuddle up with your child this month and pray, “Dear God, Your Word says in Psalm 5:3 that ‘In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice’ (NIV). We want to thank You for listening to us when we talk
to You. I pray [child’s name] will grow up talking to you, believing that you hear everything [he/she] says. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

For bath time, cut a new kitchen sponge into the shape of a heart. When you place the sponge in the water say, “Water goes in.” When you squeeze the sponge say, “Water comes out.” As your child plays with the sponge say, “When we say God’s words over and over, the words go in our heart.”

SAY THIS:

WHAT IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO?

 

GOD'S WORD IS WITH ME WHEREVER I GO!

REMEMBER THIS:

GOD MADE ME. GOD LOVES ME.
JESUS WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND FOREVER.