Children’s and Youth Ministry News
WHAT’S UP??!!!!!
Lots of exciting stuff is on the verge in children’s and youth ministry. PLEASE take time to read through and PLUG in. You don’t want your kids to miss out on the great stuff getting ready to happen. Here’s what to look for:
WNF – kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 8th and it is going to be AMAZING. Here is what is in store for children and youth.
PreSchool-2nd grade – Faith Factory – “I LOVE MY BIBLE” series. Led by Tracy Freeman and Michelle Schaecher. All participants will receive a CD the first day of class with a song that will help teach the books of the Old and New Testament in a fun and exciting way. We’ll be singing the song every week in class (the song is produced by the song writers at Dry Gulch, so you know you’re gonna love it J). Mid way through the course each child will receive their very own children’s version bible AND at the conclusion of the course all participants will receive a “I Love My Bible” t shirt. The great stuff you’ll be getting isn’t even the best part – the great stuff you be learning is. Not only will be you learning to sing all the books of the Bible, you will be learning some amazing stuff about God’s amazing word and you’ll be doing it through object lessons, games and crafts. I WANNA COME. Don’t miss out – this is gonna be some good stuff.
3-5th grade – JYF – will be led by Diana and Wade Watkins. They will once again be using Grapple curriculum. Grapple lessons allow preteens to dig into the Bible and grapple with faith and life issues. Weekly challenges will dare preteens to apply what they’ve learned in simple, effective ways. AND BEST OF ALL, participants will have access to your own online community for YOUR class. You will be able to connect with one another online…and Grapple – safely and easily. MyGrapple.com gets kids plugged into Bible lessons. It’s packed with clues and upcoming lessons, discussion starters, games and polls for participants to vote about what activities they want to do in future lessons. Partipants will be able to post God sightings, send prayer requests, care cards and messages to each other. If you are in the 3-5th grade you are NOT going to want to miss JYF sessions this year.
Chi Rho/CYF Youth – Rick and Sondra Ladd will be leading “Gospel Journey”. Seven students, six days, one unforgettable journey. What happens when you bring together seven unlikely strangers, throw them right in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and take them on a journey through the gospel message as it unfolds throughout the story of the Bible? Raw, raw and riveting discussions, an emotional breakdown or two and a few shocking surprises! This unscripted reality series unleashes seven very different students on one unforgettable quest, to understand the gospel message straight from the pages of Scripture. Extreme challenges like white water rafting, and rock climbing combined with powerful illustrations from nature and real life lead these students on a journey toward Jesus in an edgy and relevant way. Can’t see where this journey will take all of US. We’ll all be talking about this a lot – be there to add your opinion to the mix.
AND WE AREN’T DONE YET!!!!
Sunday, Sept. 12th will be our youth kickoff at Boomer Lake. (Grades 6-12) There will be the usual great food and an opportunity to fill out all your annual forms and papers. A chance to have your beautiful photo on the youth room wall for the entire year AND some new fun added to the mix. Mark your calendars – parents are encouraged to attend as well. If you have digital cameras please bring them along (I need help photographing small groups). Bring your friends and be ready to start of the youth year right.
Sondra’s Lunch schedule – Tuesday Middle School, Wednesday High School lunch at FCC, Thursday Junior High. Watch for me!!!!!
OFFICIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL PROMOTION SUNDAY IS SEPT. 12TH. NEW CLASSES AND TEACHERS ARE AS FOLLOWS: PreSchool-1st Grade, Sara Bailey, Garden Room; 2nd-5th Grade Wendy Stookey, upstairs classroom; Chi Rho (6th-8th grade) Sharon Gober, upstairs classroom; CYF (9th-12th grade) Anita Young, Youth Room.
STILL MORE GOING ON
I am very excited to announce Oct. 3rd will mark the beginning of a new worship program for FCC children. Children’s Worship and Wonder will be introduced. Parents are invited to attend an orientation session during the month of Oct. so YOU know how that program works. I promise you will be as excited as I am about this new opportunity for children’s worship. The children’s worship and wonder room will be set up in the 1-2nd grade Sunday School classroom. For this reason we will be trying a new combination for the Sunday School classes. PreK-1st Grade will meet with teacher Sara Bailey in the Garden Room; 2nd-5th grade will meet with teacher Wendy Stookey in the upstairs classroom. Children’s Worship and Wonder will be a work in progress and YOU will want to be involved. Opportunities for involvement include: teen (9th grade and up) guides and assistants (must attend a training session) and story tellers (9th grade through adult). We will need to acquire many story boxes for worship, another way to participate is to purchase items for a story box. A detailed list will be available soon. All donated story boxes will be marked with the name of the contributors.
OTHER EXCITING STUFF TO WATCH FOR
Mission Camp Reunion – Sunday, Sept. 18th. Details TBA
Girls Stuff Retreat – Details TBA
6th Grade/9th Grade initiation – Details TBA
FOOTBALL PARKING SATURDAY, SEPT. 4TH – Audrey Memmott, Nicole Gum, Elizabeth Dempsey, Makayla Levings, Gavin Guthrie and Garrett Guthrie. Make sure you are here at 2:00 (don’t be late). Someone needs to drop you off and pick you up – there are no parking spots available. You will need to stay until 6:00pm. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. If you have questions or are unable to fulfill your commitment PLEASE notify me ASAP.

Thanks so much to everyone who attended the Summer Highlight Services Sunday. We hope it gave you a little insight into the amazing summer our children, youth and sponsors at FCC experienced. Thanks also to the youth who shared their camp stories and experiences and helped present the service, YOU ARE AMAZING.
We had a great turnout at the children/parents/youth meeting. In case you missed it here are the details.
EVERYONE who will attend a Summer camp, conference or mission trip MUST work 8 hours of football or basketball parking to receive a ½ paid scholarship. If you did not get signed up to work football parking contact Rick or Sondra Ladd. Please remember there is NO parking available for workers – you must have someone drop you off and pick you up.
Mark your calendars now for the upcoming events and activities:
Sondra’s lunch with the students schedule: Tuesday – Middle School; Wednesday High School lunch @ FCC; Thursday – Junior High. Watch for me at the Middle School and Junior High, it takes a while to learn where you sit – High School students and friends are invited to lunch @ FCC each Wednesday – hop to see you there.
Wednesday – Sept. 8th WNF Kick Off - Faith Factory for children Pre K-2nd Grade; JYF for youth 3-5th grade, Connect for youth 6th-12th grade. Watch for details to be posted soon.
Youth Kickoff – Sept. 12th – Boomer Lake – cookout, photos, sign up and releases . All youth grades 6th-12th. Parents are encouraged to attend. 5:00- ??? (Youth kickoff will mark the beginning of youth meetings each Sunday night 5-7:30 for middle school – high school youth).
We are also planning to begin a new children’s worship program. Kick off goal is Sunday, Oct. 3rd. Parents will be invited to attend one Sunday throughout the month of Oct. to get an idea of how Children’s Worship and Wonder works. We are very excited about this program and know the children and parents are going to LOVE attending weekly worship. Watch for details and information.
I know that the start of school marks the beginning of lots of extra curricular activities. Please remember to make God a priority in your families schedule. We don’t expect that you will attend EVERY meeting, event or activity but please sit down and determine the ones that best meet your families schedule and needs and plan to encourage your children and youth to attend regularly. Options include Sunday School classes for children PreSchool – 12th grade; Children’s Worship Pre-School – 12 yrs. ; Faith Factory; JYF; Connect and Chi Rho and CYF Youth Meetings. Hope to see you all OFTEN.