We desire for the kids of our church to thrive in an environment that welcomes, engages, and encourages our kids as they grow deep in their love for God and His word. We strive to partner with parents to build a strong foundation of faith in the lives of their kids.

A NOTE FROM PASTOR HUNTER

Faith Families,
I want to make you aware of an upcoming change in our Kids Ministry beginning this August 2nd. Starting on Promotion Sunday, we’re shifting away from Kids Worship during the 9:15 service. While we value the age-graded ministries at Faith, we also want to place a greater emphasis on families worshiping together. Because of that, our goal is for every child to spend one hour in corporate worship with their family and one hour in age-appropriate Connection Classes.

This change is driven by our conviction that some of the most important discipleship opportunities happen when children worship alongside their parents and church family. Corporate worship is not simply a place to receive information; it is a place where we are formed by God's Word, God's people, and the regular rhythms of gathered worship.

The church is one of the few places in our culture where multiple generations regularly gather together. We want our children to see and experience the faith of the whole church, not just their peers. Children often absorb far more than we realize. Week after week, they are being shaped by what they see, hear, and experience. When children worship with their families, they are learning by:
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• Watching you open your Bible and follow along with God's Word
• Hearing you sing the truths of the gospel
• Joining the congregation in singing those truths together
• Observing the prayers of the church, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper
• Building relationships with believers of different ages
• Experiencing the regular rhythms of worship, prayer, Scripture reading, and preaching

Over time, these repeated patterns help shape our children into faithful followers of Jesus. We believe worshiping together as families is one of the most significant ways that discipleship can happen in the life of our church.

Let me give you a snapshot of the next few weeks leading up to the transition.
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June 21st & 28th: We had Kids Worship
July 5th & July 12: We will not have Kids Worship. We’re using these two Sundays as a runway for our kids to get acclimated to being in the service.
July 19th & 26th: We will have Kids Worship
August 2nd (Promotion Sunday): We will start the new rhythm of one hour in Connection and one hour of worship with our kids ages Kindergarten – 2nd Grade.

Here are some FAQs we’ve anticipated…

What will be available in place of Kids Worship?
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Beginning in August, children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will have Connection Classes available during both the 9:15 and 11:00 hours.

Our recommendation is that families attend corporate worship together during one hour and have their children participate in Connection Class during the other hour. This allows children to experience both age-appropriate discipleship and worship alongside their family and church family.

What if I serve one hour and attend Connection Class the other hour?
We recognize that many of our volunteers serve during one hour and attend their own Connection Class during the other. We’re fine making accommodations for families who serve! It may be that on occasion, on the weeks you serve and go to Connection as an adult, your child goes back to back in Connection class. However, we would encourage the Sundays you serve to prioritize corporate worship with your kids.

What if my child has difficulty sitting through the worship service?
That's okay! We understand that children are learning, and we want families to feel welcome in worship. It's important to remember that a successful worship service is not measured by how much a child can immediately recall afterward. If that were the standard, many adults would struggle as well! If your child needs a break, feel free to step into the lobby for a few minutes and then return when they're ready. We do not expect children to sit perfectly still or remain completely silent throughout the service. Children learn to participate in worship over time, and we want to support families through that process. We’re encouraging those in the service who don’t have children to be hospitable and welcoming to the kids in our congregation.

What resources will be available to help my child engage during worship?
‍Each week, we'll provide listening guides, coloring sheets, crayons, and other age-appropriate resources to help children follow along during the service. We're also working on a permanent resource area in the lobby where families can find these materials before worship. Many of the listening guides will connect directly to that week's sermon and include activities designed to help children engage with the message.

We’re excited about the transition and can’t wait to see your kids in the worship service! Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

— Pastor Hunter

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