FOOTHILLS UMC KIDSCONNECT

Hello Foothills UMC kids and families.
We're glad you're here!

Nativity Town December 18

Family Ministries invites you to “press pause” in this busy season and enjoy the re-telling of the Christmas story as a family.

In place of a family Christmas Eve service this year, we are offering “Nativity Town” – an interactive way to hear and tell the Christmas story -- immediately followed by our annual Christmas Caroling outing.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for your family to “be filled with the Christmas spirit” and to bring some Christmas cheer to the Foothills folks who no longer get out and about!

DATE: Sunday, December 18, 2022

4:00-5:00pm Nativity Town
On the Sanctuary Patio
"Travel" from table to table for an interactive re-telling of the Christmas story. Enjoy make & take activities, a Christmas Story snack, and a photo opp at our Nativity Scene -- complete with costumes! We'll even have hot cocoa and a light meal available to fortify you for a night of caroling.

5:00 – 6:30pm or 7:00pm Christmas Caroling!
Meet at the Sanctuary
Pick up a songbook and a list of addresses to visit and spread some Christmas cheer! You'll be caravanning with others to sing Christmas carols to several of our Foothills folks who no longer get out and about. Plan on spending about 90 minutes to 2 hours to visit everyone on your list. Dress festively and bring some bells to jingle if you have some!

Please RSVP so that we can have an estimate of how much food to provide.

Advent and Christmas Resources

These ideas can be quickly and easily incorporated into your family's Christmas tradition!

Advent Candle Lighting
Telling the Christmas Story

Make a Gratitude Gobbler for Thanksgiving!

Here's a simple way to acknowledge God's many blessings in our lives, and the ways that others are a blessing to us and how we are a blessing to others!

We've also included some blessings or table graces you can incorporate into your Thankgiving this year.

CLICK HERE to download the pdf.

Trunk-or-Treat was a great success!

A fun time was had by all, thanks to our amazing volunteers who hosted trunks, ran one of the games, led a craft or an activity, and donated candy!

CLICK HERE to check out the trunk winners and photos taken at the event

KidsConnect is our Sunday program for kids ages 3 through 8th grade. Kids discover how they can "live in faith" by loving God and loving others . . . not just on Sundays, but every day of the week!

KidsConnect @ 10:30am

For ages 3 years* through 8th grade

Bring your child/ren to the sanctuary first so that we can start the day together as an all-church family!
Before entering the sanctuary, please sign in your child/ren at the sanctuary check-in table.
After the children's message, kids will be escorted to KidsConnect for an engaging Bible story and interactive small groups with fun activities that reinforce the Bible message.

*NOTE: If your 3 or 4-year-old would prefer an unstructured environment with access to toys, they are welcome at the nursery room (see Sundays for Babies & Toddlers & Preschoolers)

KidsConnect "on demand:" If you're not able to participate on Sundays, we provide the Bible story video and "food for thought" questions on our FREE Parent Cue App! Download your free app today!

Bible Fun for Kids @ 8:30am

For ages 1st Grade and younger

Start off in the sanctuary with your family and then meet Ms. Lisa in the sanctuary lobby (narthex) after the Children's Message. She'll take you to the childcare center for a "Bible Fun for Kids...& More!" which includes a Bible Story and Craft. Parents will pick up their kids after the service in the childcare center.

For ages 2nd Grade and older

Pick up a worship activity bag in the sanctuary lobby (narthex) to guide you through the service as you worship in the sanctuary with your family.

Sundays for Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers

We offer childcare at both services (8:30am and 10:30am). Your child/ren are always welcome to worship with you in the sanctuary. We do have a small "cry room" at the back of the sanctuary with rocking chairs if that is more comfortable for you, and we offer a "Bible story and craft time" for children ages 6 months to 3 years in the infant/toddler center in the building across from the sanctuary entrance. When you arrive at church, you can go directly to the childcare center and get your infant/toddler/preschooler settled in before you head over to the sanctuary, or you can start in the sanctuary and then go to the infant/toddler center at any time during the worship service.

Download the Parent Cue App (free!)

The Parent Cue App is designed to help every parent do something each week to help move your child toward a deeper faith. It includes the weekly KidsConnect Bible story video plus questions to have conversations during everyday activities like mealtime, drive time and bedtime.

The app has content for infants to high school. Parent Cue is a free tool to help you to engage the faith of your child at home. What an easy way to grow in your faith together!

DOWNLOAD IOS DOWNLOAD ANDROID

Kids & Youth Programs Update (September 2022)

For Sunday worship service (8:30am and 10:30am), masks are optional.

For children and youth programs, Masks are optional.

Go on a Nature Prayer Walk!

There are many ways you can go on a nature prayer walk - choose one that works for you.

As you begin your walk, ask God to show you the unique and ordinary in creation.

Quiet Prayer Walk - ask everyone to walk in silence, saying their own quiet prayer as they walk.
Pray-As-You-Go Walk - Walk together, when you come to something that catches your eye, say a prayer. It could be as simple as “Thank you God for this thing” or “Thank you God for this thing because it reminds me of _____.”
Nature Prayer Walk - Use the Nature Prayer Walk sheet to pray for specific things upon finding objects in nature. For younger ones, collect leaves, sticks, and other nature objects by sticking them on a piece of tape around their wrist for an instant prayer bracelet!

Help is needed at the Bethlehem Food Pantry

Donate food
Help distribute food and diapers on Saturday mornings
Help sort and package food on Friday mornings
Send drawings to brighten the entry gate

Learn more...

Mission Possible!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to spread the love of Christ in real and practical ways. You have the entire summer to complete your mission, but really, you can do them any time during the year!

Download the Mission Possible documents from the “envelope” on this website.