In-Home Church for Your Kids: April 5
WALK THE PATH
WHAT YOU NEED: Masking tape, Little People® figures, small toy cars, and/or small plastic animals
Use the masking tape to create a line down the center of a table or the floor in the activity area to create a path. Then place the figures, cars, and animals on the table. Encourage the children to use the items to walk down the path.
WHAT YOU SAY: This looks great! All of our people and animals are down the path! In our Bible story today, we are going to hear about how Jesus went down a path, too!”
PALM LEAF PARACHUTE
What You Need: Parachute or sheet and palm leaves
Print and color the palm leaves provided on the next page or make your own from green paper. Then, lay the parachute or sheet flat on the ground and have each person grab the sides.
Say, “We’re going to bounce these leaves and shout ‘Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!’ just like the people in Jerusalem when Jesus entered on the donkey.
Flipped Upside Down
WHAT YOU NEED: One or several water bottles
Fill the water bottle(s) 1/4 to 1/3 full with water and put the cap on tightly. Hold the bottle loosely by the top and toss it forward (so the bottom rotates away from you). Try to throw the water bottle so it does one complete flip and lands upright without falling over. See how many times you each can get the water bottle to do a full flip.
WHAT YOU SAY: Jesus flipped everything upside down! Being arrested and taken to the cross is not what the Disciples would have expected. It was confusing. But Jesus was going to do something even more unexpected!
Humility Jar
Create a humility jar for this month and write, “put others first” on your jar as a reminder. Pick any item you would want to add; such as, pom poms, cotton balls, or M&M’s. Anytime you see a family member put another family member or friend first, add one item to the jar. See if you can fill the jar by the end of the month and then celebrate with a special treat.
WHAT YOU SAY: It’s easy to think about ourselves and without a plan we will default to putting ourselves first. Let’s take some time to think about how we can put others first. Then we can ask God to help us!
For memory verses, discussion questions, and prayer, please download the PDFs below!
About Willamette Kids
Willamette Kids is a caring community designed just for kids! All kids, birth through fifth grade, experience safe and fun environments where they can grow in relationship with friends, leaders, and God.
The Bible is taught in creative and relevant ways so that your child can grasp and understand God’s word. Our desire is to partner with you as parents to be another voice in your child’s life so your child will know, love, and live their life for Jesus Christ.
What to Expect
Your family is invited to join us in Willamette Kids during the 8:00am, 9:30am, or the 11:15am service!
When you arrive, follow the Willamette Kids signs upstairs to the check-in where we will check your child into their room. At check-in you and your child will be given matching security tags that will be used during check-out time, or should we need to contact you during the service.
We strive to create safe environments where young children learn about Jesus and build relationships with leaders and friends.
Learn more about our Infants – Pre-K and K – 5th programs using the dropdowns below!
Our Infants – Pre-K rooms enjoy the Orange Curriculum and teach children three basic truths:
- God made me,
- God loves me, and
- Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Your child will learn these truths through age-appropriate Bible stories, hands-on activities, and real-life application.
Our K-5th grade rooms use the 252 Basics curriculum, based on Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Children experience God’s Word through Large Group (kid-friendly skits, music, and live teaching) and Small Group (time with leaders and peers).
Leaders serve every week to provide consistency and to encourage healthy relationships with the children in their Small group.
Parent Resource Wall
Meet Hope & Murisa!
We are privileged to introduce Kaliza Hope and Mutesa Remi Murisa, our Africa New Life sponsored children at Willamette Kids!
We believe that one of the ways your child will grow in their spiritual development is through the act of giving. We invite you as parents to lead your child in the act of giving sacrificially to God. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 teaches us, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
Hope & Murisa’s sponsorship of just $39 per month covers a school uniform, shoes, school fees, medical insurance, and participation in discipleship through Africa New Life. If our offering exceeds $78 per month, the additional proceeds will go towards occasional gifts for Hope, Murisa, and their families such as food, bedding, and clothes.
Our prayer is that your children will actively participate in this opportunity to give generously!
Kaliza Hope
Mutesa Remi Murisa
FAQ
What if my child has special needs?
If your child has special needs, please contact the church office to speak to a member of the Willamette Kids staff prior to attending on a Sunday morning so we can work together to set you and your child up for success.
What curriculum do you use?
Orange is a strategy that combines two influences to fuel faith in the next generation. It’s what happens when you combine the light of the church (yellow) and the heart of the family (red) to lead a generation toward God.
How does drop-off and pick-up work?
Classrooms open 15 minutes prior to the start of the service. After your child has been checked in at a computer, parents can accompany their child to their classroom where they will be signed in by a leader in the room. To ensure a continued safe environment, we ask parents/guardians to pick up their children immediately following the service unless paged beforehand.
If there is anyone who is not allowed to pick up your child or you have custodial information of which we should be aware, please be sure to notify a check-in attendant who will direct you to a Willamette Kids staff member.
How do you determine classroom placement?
Infants through 5th graders at Willamette Kids have been placed in a classroom based on their birth date as it applies to Oregon’s state standard for school placement. All children in each classroom must be the age or grade of that specific class before September 1st of the year they are entering school.
At Willamette Kids, all children move up to their new classrooms together, one time each year. This means when your child has their birthday they will remain in the same classroom in which they currently attend. We structure our classrooms this way because we highly value the relationships your child is forming with leaders and friends in their classroom. Similar to your child’s weekly school or preschool routine, your child will remain in the same classroom for the entire school year and then graduate to the next classroom on our Move Up Sunday in the summer.
Can I bring my child if he/she isn’t feeling well?
Our desire is to offer safe, healthy and quality ministry to children. Children with the following symptoms cannot be left in our care. Children must be symptom free from cold or flu for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Yellow/green runny nose.
- Elevated fever during the past 48 hours (99.6 or above and without the use of fever reducing medication) and experiencing symptoms of diarrhea and/or vomiting.
- Eye drainage or infection.
- Contagious rash and specifically any open wound caused from itching a rash.
- Persistent coughing or sneezing that is not allergy related.
- Exhibiting signs of a contagious health condition such as lice, croup or chicken pox.
More!
Life is busy but one of the things we get to teach our kids is that our faith goes with us into the everyday messy and mundane moments. Family Table is a place for resources and inspiration to parent your kids with intentionality!
Our church values families and we want to see you thrive. Parent Labs were created to equip parents, and help them take their next step in parenting, all in a safe environment.
Baby Dedications are a chance for you, with the support of our church family, to commit to raising your child to know and love Jesus for the whole of their life.
Click the above link if you are interested in serving with our Willamette Kids team!