Vineyard Christian Kids

Upcoming Baptism!

2011-07-24T06:49:00.001-07:00

Mandatory Class for both kids and adults at 1:30pm on August 28!

Gearing Up for the Big Egyptian Family Adventure!

2010-07-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

Put the Big Family Egyptian Adventure on your calendars for July 30th from 6-8:30 pm. Snacks, Games, Crafts, Drama, Worship and More! Nothing beats a Christ centered fun and free family event! We have extra flyers to pass out to your friends and neighbors in the church lobby!

Big Changes!

2010-06-12T18:04:00.000-07:00

We are making a BIG change. This year we are substituting a One night Family event for Vacation Bible School. Here is part of the reason why we are doing this.

I've loved VBS both as a child and as an adult too. It was a difficult decision to make. I always want us to have a summer "out of the box" event for kids. But does it have to be VBS? The culture has changed ALOT for families since VBS was first introduced. For example, kids used to get together with their friends and walk to the church for the event. As little as 10-15 years ago we could pick up kids on a bus or in a van and get them to the church for VBS. But our culture has changed so much that most parents won't let their kids ride in the car with anyone they don't know well. They won't let them go into a building they've never been in as adults and they certainly don't want their kids supervised by adults they've never met. So what we've found is that our kids show up for VBS because they know us...and a few visitors from other churches will come if those visitors are well known to the adults who are working at VBS....but we get very few area kids who are not churched in some way. The reason VBS was started so many years ago was strictly for the purpose of getting unchurched into an environment and connected to people who would share the gospel with them.

It isn't good enough for me that the VBS event is simply fun and educational for our kids. See we do that each weekend in 4 services in 3 departments. We want to play with ideas to move towards reaching the original purpose of VBS which is to bring kids into a relationship with God and people who love Him. This year's event is transitional. We had already decided to shake things up for next year. This year's event is strategic to moving to next year's stuff.

The truth is, our kids can and often do attend other churches in our area for VBS and we welcome that. I don't think our changing our minds about it administratively keeps us from being able to participate in VBS which has been so meaningful to all of us as we've grown up. Does this irritate you? I don't mean for it to.

What I've shared with you is the strategic perspective, but there is also a path of spiritual insights God has been giving the leadership team for the past 6 months or so. Ask us about it.

This is kind of what the night will look like. It will start at 6:00 PM. You'll come with your kids and your visitors to the church for what we hope will be an out door time. This outdoor time will be an opportunity for your family to play with an Egyptian theme. There will be 15-20 booths set up around the church for you to choose to engage with. Then at about 7:30 we'll all come inside for some large group fun together. We will of course give people the opportunity to take a step towards having a relationship with Jesus Christ and we will see some drama and we'll sing and "dance like Egyptians". Sounds like fun doesn't it!

Selena
Pastor to Children

Online VBS Registration!

2010-05-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

Vineyard Christian VBS Registration

Click above for online Registration is up for volunteers and kids for Vineyard VBS!

Upcoming Kids Events!

2010-05-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

Kids Day Camp at Potters Ranch 9:00am-3:30pm. Ropes course, zip line, prayer walk and lunch! $30 ages 7-11 welcome! Spread the word! $10 deposit saves you a spot by June 20th! Sign up at the KV sign in table!

VBS Egypt: Joseph's Journey July 26-30! See our table in the lobby starting the first week in June!.

We need you!

2010-05-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Summer is creeping up on us and that means it is time for our vacations! Our children's ministry volunteers are no exception and they need a break too! Each week it takes a lot of volunteers to make each service work and we need for help! Would you consider helping us this summer? If you think that teaching isn't your calling, you are in luck because we have other opportunities available!

We are in need of:
-Teachers
-Shepherds (think of them as the teachers aides who just connect with the kids!)
-Greeters (sign in kids and greet the families)
-Prep Workers (making copies, preparing crafts)
-Donations (we always appreciate nut free snacks!)

All of our departments are in need of additional help! We provide training and the opportunity to weekly change kids lives! Will you consider joining us?

Doing the Stuff!

2010-05-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Doing the Stuff conference at the Vineyard! Childcare and lunch provided and an opportunity to actually do the stuff!

When?:
Fri, 05/07/2010 - 7:00pm - Sat, 05/08/2010 - 2:00pm

This conference is designed to equip you in feeling comfortable serving others in practical ways of showing God's love. What does that mean? It means learning to do the things Jesus did and loving people into a relatioship with God. Then we will take the opportunity to "Do the Stuff" in our community. There will be many options of serving to choose from. This conference is FREE, childcare is FREE, and lunch is FREE. Please sign up or call the church office.

Handbell Performance!

2010-03-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Our 4 year old-1st grade classes will be playing the handbells at church for our Good Friday service. All kids in this class need to be at church at 6:45 to practice! The service starts at 7:00 pm! We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Baptism!

2010-03-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

We will be having a baptism at the Vineyard on Saturday April 10th! If you are interested in becoming baptized then stop by and see Selena or Stephanie to get a baptism booklet for the kids and to sign up through the program. Also, plan on coming to our baptism class on April 10th at 5:00 pm. Baptisms will take place during the 6:00 pm service!

Free*

2010-03-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

Our church is on a journey together and we are approaching freedom together and breaking down strongholds! Kids have strong holds too and during this time we are studying the life of David. He had ups and downs just like our kids do today. He was thought of as too young, too small and just not right for the job. I bet many of your kids feel the same way. When we asked your kids if any of them ever felt that people thought they were too young, too small, too weak or not smart enough almost all of them raised their hands. God uses the small, young and the weak to do His work. We are breaking down the barriers that Satan has put up in our lives that we are simply not good enough because that is the enemy talking. Encourage your child as they are on this journey with you. God created each of us from a purpose that began before they were born, it would be silly to think their purposes don't matter until they are older! Pray for your kids this week, they are praying for you!

Stephanie

Save the Dates!

2010-03-20T06:45:00.001-07:00

Kids Venture Camp
@Potters Ranch Union, KY
June 21-23

Vacation Bible School
July 26-30
5:30-7:30 PM

More Information to Come!

Join Our Facebook Group!

2010-03-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Are you a facebook member and you want to keep up with what the Vineyard Kids are up to? Then join us on our facebook group!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=379970165151

Thanks to the Teachers of the Kids!

2010-01-28T12:40:00.000-08:00

Do your know them?

I know a group of people. They are people who work full time, either at home or in businesses around our area. Some are married and some are not. Most have children. Most spend their mornings in a rush, feeling like they are behind even before they get started and they spend their evenings at games or practices with the kids. Some of the people, not only care for their children but also for their aging parents. They mow the grass, clean the house, shovel snow and pay bills. They sometimes get frustrated with their families or their jobs. They experience times of great happiness, times of sorrow, and spend a lot of their time just simply tired. Most feel inadequate. I know them well, because in their very busy lives they have made the decision to be “givers” to this body of believers here in Florence. They are volunteers with our children. Yes, on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, they get up early and drag their families out of bed and rush to the church (regardless of the fact that one of their toddlers hid the car keys in the cushions of the couch or they completely forgot to allow time to scrape the frost off of their car windows.)

As you sit in the worship service they are singing “Father Abraham” at the top of their voices while kids follow them around in a circle. They might be speaking softly to a toddler who is screaming in their face and who refuses to be consoled. They might be encouraging a parent to just go on ahead to service while they serve the child. When a baby is dedicated in our church, I know that more than 1,000 hours of ministry will be gifted to him or her by volunteers….the gift givers…the time investors…by the time he or she moves out of the children’s department and into the middle school department.

Could I encourage you to look deeply into the eyes of your child’s teacher and just understand that in their hectic lives they took the time to be here for you? Will you say “thank you”, today and next week…and the week after that? After all they are giving you a gift that will remain with your child through the rest of his or her life.

Kids Count!

Selena

Do you have a 5th grade girl?

2010-01-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

Until now, your child may have been reasonably happy for you to make most of the major decisions in her life. But as she grows, so she develops a strong will of her own. It can feel hurtful when an amenable, friendly child suddenly becomes moody and snaps at you over the slightest thing.
Some parents find these changes harder than others to deal with. However, some parents prefer having young people to talk to and spend time with. For the adolescent, it's an experimental time, working out what sort of teenager and young person she's eventually going to become.
Emotional signs include:
• Moodiness and rapid changes of temperament
• Strong feelings about many different things (embarrassment, love, hate)
• Worry over appearance, especially the unfamiliar body changes
• Becoming much more idealistic and aware of external issues
• Sensitivity over body appearance - never tease your adolescent over spots, body shape and other physical changes
From around the time a child transfers to secondary school at about 11 or 12, the influence of friends often begins to take on greater importance than that of parents. The clothes they wear, the school bags they carry, the music and films they like must all be slavishly copied. This is extremely important for adolescents - nothing is more vital to them than feeling that they belong and are accepted by their peers. (Information taken from “Adolescence and your relationship” by Claire Halsey).
5th Graders at the Vineyard Church

The truth is that this time of pre-adolescence can be crazy for any family. So how can the Vineyard help with your craziness? We have a club for 5th grade girls that meets about every other Sunday night during the school year. The club is called clX (pronounced “clicks”). This club was named by the first clX girls’ club and stands for “Chicks Loving Christ”. (The “X” is a Greek symbol often used to represent Christ).

The point of the club is to bring 5th grade girls together to build a group of peers that you want your child to run around with throughout their teen years. And when there is a quiet moment, Selena (our children’s pastor) inserts biblical instruction about their identity as designed by Christ.

We would love to have your pre-teen join us for clX. For more information about when the next clX meeting is happening, call Selena at (859) 689-0777 ext. 124, or email her at selena.newton@vineyardchristian.org.

Great Songs to Help Memorize the Books of the Bible

2009-10-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

In the Elementary we teach kids to hands on with the Bible! We have regular races to try and find Bible verses in the hopes that one day all of the kids will be able to beat the teacher! These are two of the songs that we will be using to help learn the books of the Bible! These are fun and upbeat and are great tools to help your family learn the books together!

http://www.rhapsody.com/bryan-sirchio/worms-in-the-bread

(click on Books of the HB)

http://www.rhapsody.com/bryan-sirchio/bugs-for-lunch

(click on New Testament)

Calling all 5th Grade Girls!!!!!

2009-09-23T07:20:00.001-07:00

The 5th Grade girls club is meeting this Sunday at 6:30 pm at church! This event is for girls and their mom's to plan out their year! It is a lot of fun so don't miss out!!!

Swine Flu Precautions

2009-09-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

With the threat of swine flu and other strains of the flu going around right now we want to make sure that our families are taking all of the precautions that we can. Before bringing your child to class make sure they use the hand sanitizer located at each check in station. Please see this link that gives great info about the swine flu and how to best protect ourselves and kids!
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Prayers to say over your children

2009-09-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

As you are caring for your children today, please bless them with prayer. Some examples follow:

“Father I ask that [child’s name] be able to take in the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. That they reach out, experience it’s breadth, test it’s length, plumb it’s depth, rise to the heights! That they may live full lives, full in the fullness of You!”

from Eph 3:14-19, The Message

“God I ask that you give [child’s name] complete knowledge of your will and spiritual wisdom and understanding. So that [child’s name]’s life will honor and please you, producing good fruit. And all the while [child’s name] will grow to know you better and better.”

Col 1:9b-10

Welcome to Vineyard Christian Kids!

2009-08-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

We wanted a place where kids and parents could come for the latest happenings at Vineyard Christian Church! Keep checking back for event details as well as empowering info and links for both parents and kids!