First Reformed Church | Pella, Iowa
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Frequently Asked Questions | Children and Family Ministry | Youth and Student Ministry

Children and Family Ministry

MISSION
Jesus loves children and so do we. (Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." - Matthew 19:14)

We will show this by providing a safe and nurturing environment for all God’s children to grow in love and devotion to God.

VALUES
• God-centered
• Kid-targeted
• Family and faith community-oriented
• Outward-reaching
• Spiritual gifts-based
• Fun and applicable
• Reflective of God’s love and grace

KNOW, GROW, SHOW, AND GO
We value children as precious members of our church. We want kids to KNOW each member of the Trinity personally, continue to GROW spiritually, to SHOW God’s love and grace to everyone, and ultimately to GO out and make disciples of Christ all for the glory and honor of God.

BELIEF STATEMENTS

KNOW
We believe ...
• the Bible is alive (Hebrews 4:12), it is relevant to children of all ages, and that it is a guidebook for all of life.
• spiritual formation begins at an early age. Children need to be mentored intentionally in their faith walk from the beginning.
• it is primarily the duty of the family to guide children to Christ; as a church we must give parents the support and tools necessary to help children mature in their relationship with Christ.
• children learn best through hands-on, multi-sensory lessons that apply directly to their lives.

Therefore we will ...
• include and celebrate children as a part of the greater faith family.
• offer support to families as together we strive to imprint our kids’ hearts with God’s word and love. (Deut. 6:6-7)
• teach Bible lessons in creative and memorable ways for children.

GROW
We believe ...
• spiritual growth is as important as physical growth. (Matt. 4:4)
• what we do is ultimately much more important than what we say.
• maturing in love and service is a vital part of every Christian’s journey, no matter what age.
• God has given each person unique spiritual gifts and only by recognizing, developing, and offering those gifts can we effectively further God’s kingdom.

Therefore we will ...
• encourage our staff, volunteers, and parents to share their faith by being living examples.
• model and encourage spiritual habits such as devotions, prayer, and worship.
• nurture our own personal relationships with our Savior.
• identify and promote the spiritual gifts each believer has been given.

SHOW
We believe ...
• we are all called to love God, our neighbors, and ourselves. Jesus tells us to! (Matt. 22:37-39)
• children need to feel safe, loved, and accepted before they will be willing to open their hearts to what we are teaching.
• the Holy Spirit dwells in each believer and helps guide our daily walk.

Therefore we will ...
• reflect God’s love and grace to all children and will teach them how to love in return.
• provide a safe and nurturing environment
• encourage children to show love and honor to God through meaningful worship experiences.
• model grace, compassion, and stewardship as tools to convey love to all neighbors and our world.

GO
We believe ...
• each of us is called to be a disciple of Christ according to the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:19-20)
• habits and values rooted in childhood become life-long practices and beliefs.

Therefore we will ...
• teach children how to share the Good News of the Gospel with others.
• provide opportunities for mission and service for children and their families within our church, our community, and our world.

SO THAT children who spend time at First Reformed Church will have a firm foundation to continue their life-long faith journey as devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Through it all, the Family Ministry Team will seek God’s guidance through prayer and will trust God to fulfill His purposes and promises through us as individuals and as a church family.

Expect, Engage, Enjoy

in the Power of Community …

Expect, v. to look forward confidently

Engage, v. to involve yourself

Enjoy, v. to take pleasure/satisfaction in the power of community and watch out – sparks of friendship, growth, and love may start flying!

Children and Family Ministry Update

Day Camp with Mr. Travis—Kids who will be in 1st-4th grade are welcome to sign up to attend a Lake View Day Camp with Mr. Travis. It will be held July 12-14 at White Breast Recreational area from 9:30 to 4:00 each day. Cost will be $95 for all three days of crafts, adventure, games and fun. Cost includes a t-shirt and transportation from church to White Breast. For sign up sheets see Mr. Travis or Jill in the church office

(Vacation Bible School) VBS Volunteers Needed! This year June 14-18 is the week of VBS. We will need lots of volunteers so please sign up Today! Sign up sheets are available at the FRC Happenin Headquarters. Let's bless the kids during the week of VBS with your smilesJ If you can't volunteer every day of the week, we will still need your help. If you have any questions please contact Travis Albers 628-3493

VBS is again looking for donations of items needed for crafts and snacks. The list is available at the FRC Happenin' Headquarters. Sign up ASAP. Bring the items to the box in the kitchen on the lower level by Wednesday, June 9.

VBS Registration—Did you miss the carnival? Registrations slips are in mailboxes; if you did not receive one see Travis. Slips need to be returned today.

A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who attended the Vacation Bible School work night. We had a great turnout! We completed every item of work and much more. Thank you again to all who were able to make it.


Library Notes
Spring is here and it is a good time to go to the church library and pick out some books for you and your children to read. You will find a good selection of children’s books, books for families, regular print, and large print books. There are also VCR’s and DVD’s. You can also find some devotional and reference books. Why not take a few minutes and browse?


In the next few weeks, we will be adding the following large print books:

THE SECRET by Beverly Lewis is the first book in her new series Seasons of Grace. Beverly’s keen interest in her mother’s plain heritage has inspired her to write another Amish related novel.In this novel, Grace wondered why her mother would get up in the middle of the night and start wandering outside. She would watch her cut through the cornfield and disappear out of sight. Her mother would always go in the same direction, and she would lean forward as if shouldering the weight of the world on her shoulders. These happenings took place after she met a woman I had never seen before at a barn raising southeast of Strasburg. At that time my mother and this stranger left together for a long time without telling me or anyone else what was going on. No one seemed to hear my mother’s footsteps as she left the house except me. What would cause her to be so restless? Yet as much as I longed to know what my mama’s secrets were, something told me I might come to wish I had never knew. Read this book to see what the secret was.
The Librarians

 

First Reformed Church | 605 Broadway St | Pella, Iowa | 641-628-3493 | frcpella [at] frcpella.org | Sitemap