Kids page - Pinedale Christian Church

OUR GOAL The goal of the Childrens Ministry is to develop within each child the DESIRE (Heart) to find God in a personal way, and to help them GROW (Head) in their faith, and to challenge them to DISCOVER (Hands) their ministry, as they SHARE (Feet) His love with others.

SAFE ENVIRONMENTS We create safe environments parents can trust. All of our volunteers have gone through a thorough screening process with a criminal background check, reference check, and an interview. There will be at least two leaders with your child at all times to take great care of them while you participate in your own Worship and Bible study. Parents must use our digital check-in system before putting kids in their classroom. Kids and Parents receive matching security stickers that are compared at check out time to guarantee kids are not released to anyone not authorized to pick them up.

HOW TO CHECK IN Watch this video to learn about checking in your Birth-5th Grade kids. You'll learn how to use the Self Check-In Kiosks, and also how to utilize the Church Center App on your smartphone.

Sunday Mornings - 9:15 Service

NURSERY

The Goal of our Nursery is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which Biblical teaching and unconditional love are demonstrated and taught, so that a lifelong relationship with Jesus and His church can begin. The Nursery is foundational to all we do in the years to follow.

We don’t just play with, feed, and change your little ones. We teach them too! We offer a play-based, teacher-directed Bible story program called Palma Smiley. This program is a multi-sensory, hands-on program designed specifically for Babies and Toddlers. The kids sit in a chair around a semi-circular table with the teacher in the middle. As the lesson is taught, the kids are actively engaged and given lots of opportunities to touch, see, feel and hear. This amazing program gives little ones a very early start in learning about God’s Word and what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. On Sunday Mornings at 9:15 we teach Palma Smiley to the Oldest Toddlers.

PRESCHOOL SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Bible is the most amazing book ever written, and we strive to bring its stories to life in ways that keep Preschool kids (ages 2-5) engaged. We want every child to love God's Word and understand the value of applying it to their lives. They'll have fun each week as they learn about who God is through hands-on activities, games and crafts. Preschoolers also receive a small snack during class.

ELEMENTARY SUNDAY SCHOOL

Classes are divided into small groups by individual grades where kids engage in in-depth Bible Study designed to give kids a solid understanding of the story and how it fits into God’s One Big Story. Lessons are active, interactive, and fun. Teachers strive to help kids understand who God is and what the Bible teaches.

Sunday Mornings - 10:45 Service

NURSERY

SMALL CHURCH

We believe that even at a very young age, kids can be taught how to worship. 2 Year Olds through Kindergarten kids, along with their Leaders, participate in a unique blend of songs, prayers and object lessons that encourage them to respond to God’s love. This Service also includes a short review of the Bible story that was more fully taught in Sunday School.

KIDS CHURCH

An exciting and high-energy Worship service for kids in 1st - 5th grade with an opportunity to Worship God through songs, prayers, communion, offering, and a Bible lesson. Kids take an active role in planning and leading Kids Church.

Wednesday Nights - 7:00pm

NURSERY

The Goal of our Nursery is to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which Biblical teaching and unconditional love are demonstrated and taught, so that a lifelong relationship with Jesus and His church can begin. The Nursery is foundational to all we do in the years to follow.

We don’t just play with, feed, and change your little ones. We teach them too! We offer a play-based, teacher-directed, Bible story program called Palma Smiley. This program is a multi-sensory, hands-on program designed specifically for Babies and Toddlers. The kids sit in a chair around a semicircular table with the teacher in the middle. As the lesson is taught, the kids are actively engaged and given lots of opportunities to touch, see, feel and hear. This amazing program gives little ones a very early start in learning about God’s Word and what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. On Wednesday Nights, we teach Palma Smiley to the Birth-2 Year Olds.

PRESCHOOL CHOIR

The Preschool Choir is about learning to use our talents (singing and dance motions) to tell others about Jesus. Each week, the 2 to 5 Year Olds learn and practice a variety of songs that they perform in the Main Worship Services throughout the year. The night also includes a Bible story and a couple of hands-on activities that help bring it to life.

ELEMENTARY RECESS

A high energy environment with goofy skits and wacky games. Every week, kids learn a Biblical virtue in our grade-appropriate Small Groups and are encouraged to invite their friends along with them.

MULTI MEDIA CONTENT AND VIDEO LESSONS

PRESCHOOL ONLINE LESSONS

Click here to watch past video lessons for ages 2 through 5 years old

ELEMENTARY ONLINE LESSONS

Click here to watch past video lessons for Kindergarten - 5th Graders

ALL VIDEOS

Click here for All Childrens Ministry related videos

WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY CHILD’S DIAPER BAG FOR THE NURSERY?

2-3 disposable diapers
An extra outfit
A bottle or cup of water, milk/formula or juice
A pacifier or other comfort item (if your child requires that)

Please label your child’s belongings so they can be easily identified by leaders in the classroom.

HOW DOES DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP WORK?

Children’s Ministry Check-In opens 15 minutes before the beginning of each Main Worship Service and closes 15 minutes after the Service begins. Be sure to early so you have plenty of time to get settled before Service begins.

First-time visitors, come to the Children's Welcome Center and a Leader will assist you. For returning families, Check-In using any of our digital kiosks located throughout the Children’s Ministry hallways. The system will print a Name Tag for your child and a corresponding Pick-Up tag for parents.

For a fast and easy Check-In experience, download the Church Center app. Our Children’s Ministry Leaders can show you how to use it at Check In. For more information, watch this video.

When you pick up your child, simply return to your child's classroom. Present your Pick-Up Tag and the classroom leaders will match your tags to ensure that you are authorized for pick up. In the event you lose your Pick-Up Tag, you may need to present a photo ID to allow us to verify your identity for check out.

HOW DO YOU CONTACT ME IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY CHILD?

In the event that we need to contact you during the Service, we will text you at the number you provided when registering your child. If necessary, we will also display a message on the screen in the Main Worship Center.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR MY CHILD’S CLASSROOM?

We ask you to keep your Child at home when you observe any of the following: fever, green/yellow runny nose, excessive coughing, vomiting or diarrhea, discharge in or around the eyes, or any other communicable disease.

If your child is being treated with an antibiotic, he/she should have received treatment for at least 24 hours before coming to class. For your child’s protection, we ask our Leaders to follow the same health guidelines.

HOW IS MY CHILD’S CLASSROOM DETERMINED?

For Birth to 5 Year Olds, room assignments are based upon your child’s age as of August 31st. This promotes better learning and safety, as kids are grouped with others of similar age and development.

For Elementary kids, their classroom at church will match their grade at school. So if a child is in 4th grade at school, they will be in 4th grade at church.

MY CHILD IS HESITANT TO GO TO CLASS. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

We encourage parents to give their child a quick hug/kiss, place them in their classroom and then head to their own Worship Service or class. While it’s tempting to linger, keep in mind that long drawn-out goodbyes actually increase anxiety in kids. Even if your child cries or is a little bit uneasy when you first leave, they will adjust quickly. Our leaders will welcome and connect with your child, and help him/her to calm down and get involved in the class.

IS THERE A PLACE FOR ME TO NURSE MY BABY?

A private room for nursing mothers is available near Room 103.

WHAT IS PARENT COMMISSIONING?

Every year, we invite families with babies born or adopted in the previous year to participate in Parent Commissioning. As a church, our aim is to partner with you in celebrating a new life, and equip you as together we build spiritually healthy homes.

HOW DO I VOLUNTEER IN THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRY?

Children’s Ministry Volunteers are people just like you who invest their time and energy each week by serving in our ministry. From being the first smiling face at the classroom to teaching the weekly Bible lesson, leading worship, or running audio/video behind the scenes, we have a place for you to use your gifts and talents.

Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of the next generation? Start by completing a Volunteer Application. Return completed Applications to the Children’s Welcome Center. A Children’s Ministry Staff Member will get back to you with the next steps to take.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS INTERESTED IN BAPTISM?

Is your older elementary child asking questions about being baptized or following Jesus? Do they have questions about salvation or what it means to become a Christian? Or, are you looking for a way to get the conversation started? Then you may be interested in attending Next Steps for Kids.

Next Steps is an interactive one-session event designed for parents and children to experience together. Adults learn the tools to help them communicate the gospel to their children as they make their own decision to follow Christ. And Kids learn the simple truths about salvation in a fun, active class that’s full of object lessons, challenges, games, Scripture reading, videos and much more.

WHAT EVENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR KIDS?

Throughout the year we have many special events for kids ranging from just a few hours, to an entire week out of town. Most events are for a specific grade and require funding beyond just what Pinedale provides. Lock-ins, day trips, summer camp, “Work Days”, Family Movie Nights, Talent Shows, Easter Egg Hunts, Inflatables, Parties, and so many more. Information will be sent to parents via text message, email, and listed on the Children's Ministry page of our church website.