Children
Birth - Elementary School
In Children’s Ministries at Good Shepherd, we invite your whole family to walk together in the calling of Christ for a life of eternal impact.
We recognize that God gave parents the incredible gift of children to love and lead. On average, parents are with their children about 3,000 hours a year. As a church, we spend around 40 hours a year with your child. Therefore, our priority within Children’s Ministries is to come alongside and support parents/guardians – the people who God designed to have the most influence on their child’s life and chose to become their primary spiritual leader(s).
Our desire is to help parents feel supported, equipped and empowered to lead their children through various ministry opportunities and resources offered throughout the year. We only have 936 weeks from the time our children are born until they graduate from high school. Let’s be intentional about how we spend that time. We are here for you, and we are cheering you on!
New Baby Walking Together with Parents
The Sweet Blessing of a New Baby
Whether this is your first child or fourth, Good Shepherd would like to celebrate with you and support you. Our in-person services provide a Mother’s Room and it is welcome for parents to use for feedings, rocking a child, or for diaper changes. There is extra clothing for children if needed! Additionally, we want to be intentional about supporting and equipping you as parents to be the primary influence on your child’s faith development, beginning from infancy. We invite you to fill out this form to help us celebrate your family! Celebrating Your New BabyAdditional Information for Parents of Newborns
- Sparklers is our nursery that is available for infants through 36 months of age during the Sunday morning services. Sparklers consists of an infant/crawler room and a toddler/walker room.
- Visit us at Children's Check-in on a Sunday morning to learn more about our nursery and to check-in your child!
Sparks Early Childhood - 5th Grade
Sparks is our Sunday morning children’s ministry for kids ages 2 through 5th grade! Sparks is offered for all in-person worship services.
At Sparks, participants are split into age-appropriate groupings where they come together to hear God’s Word, interact with God’s truths and join in discussion and prayer with their peers.
We ask that children take bathroom breaks prior to arriving at check-in. Please note that there is no food or drink allowed in Sparks rooms. At check-in, children will receive their name badges and will be introduced to their room and leader. During Sparks, all participants will receive supplies that have been properly disinfected ahead of time.
If you would like to inquire about Fusion - Disability Support for your child during Sparks, get connected with our Fusion team.
Interested in attending Sparks? Register your child for the ministry year online! After registration, they will be placed on the roster for a Sunday morning group.
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Club 45 Midweek Preteen Ministry
Midweek Preteen Ministry for 4th and 5th Graders
Tuesday evenings in September - April, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Club 45 provides a fellowship and outreach opportunity for 4th/5th graders. At Club 45, your preteen will learn about Jesus through games, a large group message, and connect group time with their peers and their Club 45 leader. This is a great bridging opportunity for 5th graders transitioning into our middle school ministry (FUEL). All 4th and 5th graders are welcome! Church membership is not required to participate.Register here.
Disability Support In Children and Student Ministries
Our goal is for all children and students to be able to successfully participate in all ministries with their peers. Based on each child’s individual needs, we provide:
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- One-on-one buddies
- Coordination with staff and small group leaders
- Accommodations (visual schedules, fidgets, etc.)
- Self-contained sensory room
Communion 4th Grade and Older
WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD BEGIN RECEIVING COMMUNION?
The decision of when your child will receive communion is one that every parent should prayerfully consider. The study of scripture, guidance by the Holy Spirit, and consideration of family beliefs are some of the things that help direct this decision. Regardless of when you choose for your child to begin receiving communion, Good Shepherd partners with families by offering Communion instruction beginning in 4th grade.INSTRUCTION & CELEBRATION INFORMATION
Communicants will come with their parent(s), or other significant adult, to learn more about who God is and who we are as His children. Prior to the selected instruction time, our team will provide you and your family with resources and conversations to begin at home. There is a cost for your instruction materials ($30/per Communicant). Scholarships are available as needed. If you have any questions, please contact us at children@goodshepherd-Information on the next Communion Retreat will be listed here when available.
Easter Bash A Family-Fun Easter Experience
Saturday, April 1 | 9 - 10:30 AM
This worship and fellowship event is designed for our families with young children to share in the fun of Easter and remember the resurrection of our Lord and Savior! A light breakfast will be served, we will have an egg hunt, and share in meaningful worship to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. Each family will get a project to take home and do together as we enter into Holy Week. Easter Bash is a sensory friendly event and welcomes ALL families. There will be a separate area for eating for those friends who need a calmer space to enjoy breakfast, and our Disability Ministry Staff will be on hand to provide support when needed, and the Sensory Room will be available for parents to use with their children when they need a break. Register for Easter Bash Questions about registration or how to get involved? We invite you to connect with Anne Sedore, our Family Life Administrator. Questions about Disability Ministry at Easter Bash? We invite you to connect with Danielle Schaeffer, our Disability Ministry Director.New to Good Shepherd? Learn more about our Children's Ministries.
Winter Camp Preteens - 12th Grade
For those in 4th grade and up, we're headed to Winter Camp! We are hoping to fill our buses for winter fun, community building, and Jesus! All camps will depart from Good Shepherd on Friday afternoon and return on Sunday afternoon.
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4th & 5th Grade | Preteens
Date: Friday, February 17 - Sunday, February 19, 2023
Registration Instructions:- You will be prompted to sign in (if your child is a previous camper) or sign up for an account (if your child is a new camper).
- Once you have done that, add your campers to "Session: Winter Camp for 3-6th grade, Feb. 17-19, 2023".
- Click "Add to Cart"!
- You will then be able to add Good Shepherd as your session option.
- Payment ($230) will be taken with registration via Covenant Harbor.
- Continue through to Step 5: "Review" and click the blue "Submit Application" button.