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WELCOME
Our Children's Ministry seeks to equip families to disciple children to be lifelong followers of Jesus who:
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know they are a beloved child of God
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actively grow as apprentices in the Faith
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serve others in the name of Jesus
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share their faith
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
DEUTERONOMY 6:5-9
FIRST TIME GUESTS
We are so glad to welcome your family to First & Calvary! Here are some tips for joining us:
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Feel free to park in the large parking lot on the east side of the church (map here)
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A friendly greeter will direct you to the worship service or to the sign-in area for one of our children’s programs.
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Reach out to us through our form below to get the registration link for our children's programing and be added to our weekly parent email list.
WORSHIP SERVICES
By learning about and experiencing worship, children grow to become full participants in the faith community. This helps children see their place in god's intergenerational family. They learn that worship is a continuous response to God's grace (Psalm 122:1)
Children are a cherished part of our congregation and are welcome at all of our services as we love the wiggles and having them part of our worship. We have a children's message before the sermon and engaging, brightly colored worship bags with activities that help hands that like keeping busy during the worship service.
CHILDCARE CENTER
Our Childcare Center is open from 8:30 AM -12:00 PM on Sunday mornings. Children ages 0 through 1st-grade are invited to play, make art, hear a Bible story, pray and praise, and enjoy a snack with our dedicated team of Childcare Providers. The Childcare Center is located on the first floor at the north end of the corridor.
Young children know, love, and worship God, but most worship is structured and full of words and symbols based on stories and memories children do not yet have.
With that in mind, during our 11 AM service we want to invite potty-trained children ages 3–3rd grade to have an opportunity to encounter and worship God in a manner meaningful to them. They will enter into a sacred time and place where they can be with God, hear the stories of God, talk to God, and listen to God.
Worship & Wonder uses Biblical stories, parables, and liturgical presentations in a ritual of worship that corresponds to First & Calvary's order of service. We want to help children learn the framework of worship so they can abide in God's love, experience meaning and order in their lives, and, as the body of Christ, live as Christ's ministers in the world.
Children should be signed in before the 11 AM service, either in the Narthex or the Gathering Area, and then remain with their families for the beginning of the service. A Worship & Wonder leader will escort children to the Children’s Worship Center (room 216) after the Time for Children and bring them back to the Sanctuary before the end of the service.
SUNDAY CLASSES
Children’s Sunday Morning Classes will resume on September 7th.
During the school year, we have encouraging, Christ-centered Sunday school classes for children ages 3-5th grade at 9:45 AM. Sunday school classes help children learn who God is through the Bible and grow in their faith with the support of the church family and in partnership with their families. Attendance is a foundational habit of faithful families, who are encouraged to foster discipleship at home as well (Colossians 3:16)
All children should be signed in at room 215. Children of all ages will participate in an opening worship moment, and then potty-trained children ages 3-Kindergarten will move to room 214 for the remainder of class time.
FAMILIES
We value walking alongside parents and families as they strive to raise children who love Jesus, and we want to support parents in their spiritual growth as well. Throughout the year, we offer parenting-specific events and resources, as well as events that are fun for the entire family. Additionally, each week we send out an email with information, encouragement, and resources to help your family grow as disciples of Jesus. If you would like to be added to our email list, please use the registration form linked below.
BAPTISM
If you would like to discuss having your child baptized, please email us at blessings@firstandcalvary.org or call 417-862-5068.
To view our document on baptism, click here
AMELIA DAVIDSON
Children's Ministry Coordinator
Amelia Davidson has been worshiping at First & Calvary since 2007. She has been a participant and volunteer in the Children's Ministry department since 2016 and became the Children's Ministry Coordinator in the spring of 2025. Amelia has a background in music education and nearly 20 years of teaching experience with learners of all ages.
