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.   Full-day attendance at the retreat is necessary to participate in the First Communion worship service.

RETREAT INFORMATION

• First Communicants will come with their parents, or other significant adult, to learn more about who God is and who we are as His children.
• Full-day attendance at the retreat is necessary to participate in the First Communion worship service.
• The cost is $35 per child for the day. This includes lunch and materials.
• Scholarships are available if needed.
• Childcare is available for siblings for a $15 fee per child. Lunch is included.

SERVICE INFORMATION

• Invite family to a special First Communion Service.
• Optional cake reception follows.
• If you cannot attend, your child can receive communion on the next weekend your family comes to church. Please understand that First Communicants will only be recognized at the First Communion Service.

Upcoming First Communion dates will be listed here when details become available.

For more information, reach out to our ministry leader by using the button below.

Is your child musical? Do they love to sing? We're excited to announce our 7th season for Children’s Choirs at Good Shepherd. This program is a fun, meaningful way for kids grades K-6 to experience group singing and learn about sharing God’s love through music. Groups rehearse weekly and sing in worship quarterly with additional opportunities for service and fun throughout the season.

• Grace Notes (Kindergarten -2^nd grade)
  • Rehearses Tuesday evenings from 5:30-6:15pm
• All God’s Children (3^rd-6^th grade)
  • Rehearses Sunday mornings from 8:30-9:15am

Register here.

SPARKS is our year round Children's Ministry opportunity geared towards children 2 years old through 5th grade (by September 1 of any given year). Offered during:

• 9:29/9:30 & 11:00/11:01 Sunday services

During SPARKS, your child(ren) will experience: hearing The Big God Story and responding to it, worship, small group discussion, prayer, blessing, and other crafts/activities. Children are grouped by age and school they attend to help foster Christian relationships even outside church. We aim to have the same small group leader, who is background checked, each week so children can build in relationship with the leader and peers. All are welcome! Church membership is not required to participate. Register here.

For kids in kindergarten - 2nd grade + parents. God tells us that we have a responsibility to open up Scripture with our children. Children's Ministry offers this pastor-led interactive Bible experience to share tips, practical ideas, and resources. Our goal is for you to feel motivated and equipped to read the Bible regularly as a family! Childcare is available for a small fee.

Upcoming My Bible dates will be listed here when details become available.

For more information, reach out to our ministry leader by using the button below.

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:

• One-on-one buddies
• Coordination with staff and small group leaders
• Accommodations (visual schedules, fidgets, etc.)

These supports are available in all children and student ministry opportunities and special events. If you have any questions, please click the "Email Leader" button below. CURRENT CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES REGISTRATION FORMS AND UPDATES CURRENT STUDENT REGISTRATION FORMS AND UPDATES

What is VBS?

Vacation Bible School is a hands-on, Spirit-led week, which focuses on a different theme each year. Our theme is explored through prayer, singing worship, crafts, games, small group discussions, and so much more!

When is VBS?

Vacation Bible School takes place one week every June from 9am - noon.

Who can attend?

• Birth - 36 months (children of FULL-TIME LEADERS ONLY) - nursery • Age 3 by 9.1.of given year (children of FULL-TIME LEADERS ONLY) - Early Childhood VBS • Age 4 by 9.1.of given year thru Kindergarten - Early Childhood VBS • Children entering 1st - 5th Grade - Elementary VBS Accommodations are available for children with special needs. Contact special needs ministry for more information.

Who can be a leader for VBS week?

This is not only a transforming experience for the children attending, but also for the 200+ leaders! Adult and student leaders welcome!

• A background check for adults 18 and older is required. If you do not already have a current background check on file, this will be emailed to you by our HR team.
• It is mandatory for all leaders, even if you have served before, to go through the leader training.
• 6th - 7th grade student leaders must serve with a parent.
• There is 5 year age gap between leaders 8th grade and up. (i.e., if you are in 8th grade, you will enjoy working with children 3rd grade or younger.)
• 8th - 12th graders will be partnered with an adult leader. 11th - 12th graders are able to lead a small group with another 11th - 12th grader. An interview with a staff member is required for both students.
• For Special Needs (FUSION) buddies, 6th - 8th graders MUST serve with a parent. 9th - 12th graders will be paired one-on-one with a FUSION student at the director’s discretion.

Students entering 6th - 8th grade can consider signing up for Eternal Impact. Information will be available in Student Ministries. Full-time leaders do not pay for nursery-aged registered children (birth - 36 months). A VBS T-shirt included in registration if registered by early deadline. Payment through online registration. 

Upcoming registration for VBS will be listed here when details become available.

For more information, reach out to our ministry leader by using the button below.

All of our family ministries work together to create a worship experience geared towards the ENTIRE family (parents, kids, teens and grandparents, too). In addition to the services, family worship events may include an optional meal, encouraging fellowship time with our community.

Purpose/Vision of Family Worship:

Connect families in community to engage in activities that foster a heart posture toward God in everyday life.

Annual Events:

• Ash Wednesday
• Summertime Family Worship
• Back-to-School Worship
• ADVENT Night

Upcoming events will be listed here when details become available.

For more information, reach out to our ministry leader by using the button below.

There are only 936 weeks from birth to young adulthood in a child’s life. “It’s Just a Phase” pairs current and ongoing discoveries in child development research with the teachings in scripture “so adults don’t miss what’s happening during the critical phases of growing up and parents can connect God’s love and forgiveness to the heart of the next generation”. We are very excited to announce that Good Shepherd’s Family Life Ministry (Birth – Young Adulthood) will be hosting our first ever series of parent workshops this year. Utilizing the Phases-enriched content (http://justaphase.com/), our parent-workshops will be a comprehensive resource available to all parents in our community who are seeking to learn more about the phases our children are in and how to be present in these moments. HOSTED BY: Bethany Hammer (Director of Family Life – Children’s) and Ryan Schaible (Director of Family Life – Students). WHEN: Upcoming dates will be listed here when details become available. WHAT TO EXPECT: Parents will be able to leave this seminar-styled workshop with a further understanding of the physical, mental, and verbal phase their child(ren) have been in, currently are in, and will be soon transitioning into. COST: This event is free for all parents in our community. Childcare will also be provided at $5/per family. If you have questions about this event, please don’t hesitate to email us below.

Upcoming dates will be listed here when details become available.