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Christian Education is a necessary step toward seeing our young people become more like Jesus Christ. We believe in offering a variety of classes suited for all age groups. Our Sunday School program is based on scriptural teachings with a contemporary flare. All classes begin at 9:45 each Sunday morning. Sunday School is not in session during the summer months. For many years, we used curriculum published by David C. Cook in our Sunday School classes. Beginning in September of 2009 we switched to a program by 252 Basics. This was a three-year program that covered a different virtue each month. We would kick off the monthly virtue by holding a “Family Fun Time” activity to introduce the virtue of the month with a series of skits in a humorous manner. For the remainder of the month the virtue would be expanded upon in individual classrooms. Beginning in September of 2011, our church undertook to go through the bible in 31 weeks using “THE STORY”. The pastor preaches on a chapter of the book, “The Story” each week and it is followed up in each class, pre-school through adult with age appropriate material. It is our intent to come back to the 252 Basics material in 2012-2013. The following classes are meeting each Sunday: Pre-school, grades K through 3, grades 4 – 5, middle school, high school and adult. In addition, one other adult class is meeting using the book “The Confident Heart” as their guide. All are welcome. Each summer Avondale Presbyterian Church hosts a week long summer camp for kids ages 3 through 5th grade. Each year we choose a new theme to get the kids and volunteers excited about God's word. No one is too old or young to hear the message of God's love at this fun filled week. Your children will enjoy a variety of activities each day to enhance the daily "Bible Point". These activities include: Bible Adventure, where God's story comes to life in an interactive presentation; Bible Games, where the kids play games that reinforce the "Bible Point"; Crafts, where take home projects are created as a reminder of the day's "Bible Point"; Chadder's Theater, where kids meet Chadder the Chipmunk and see how he faces challenges by relying on God's message; Snacks, where kids get reenergized on snacks made by volunteers; and Music and Skits; where kids sing and dance to uplifting music that is very contagious and will no doubt make its way into your car and home. In addition, each VBS supports a mission for the week. In the past, we have collected shoes and school supplies, made teddy bears to send to orphans and sent Spanish Bibles to kids in need. The children's support of these missions is overwhelming. They get so excited to do something for others. We hope to see your children and you at our next VBS. Ministry with children and youth is a high priority at Avondale Presbyterian Church. Ninety-Five percent of people who make a decision to be Christ's followers do so before they are twenty years old. We believe we must strive for excellence in nurturing our children and youth.
In January, Kingdom Kids begin meeting every other Tuesday after school for "Terrific Tuesdays". The four parts of Terrific Tuesdays: 4:30 p.m. Recreation/Crafts, 5:00 p.m. Bible Discovery, 5:30 p.m. Dinnertime and 6:30 p.m. Music/Mission Time. This follows the example of the early church as described in Acts, Chapter 2. Each dinnertime includes a theme, a game and a thank you song to be sung to our cooks. The Angel Breakfast is
held each year at the beginning of December. It is open to
children ages 2 through 3rd grade. Each child may
bring a parent. Their photo is taken on arrival. The
children start the morning with a craft, then, prepare a paper
Advent chain to help them count the days until Christmas.
Everyone then comes into the dining area, which is decorated with
clouds for a delicious breakfast. Just as breakfast begins,
Angels arrive through the clouds singing Christmas carols!
After they sing, they greet each child individually and share the
message of the coming of Jesus. Each child has a candle at
their breakfast place, along with a scroll containing a simple
Family Christmas Worship Program to use at home on Christmas
morning. After breakfast, the children watch a short video
segment entitled "Birth of Our Savior". They go home with full
bellies, happy faces and wonderful memories of the Angels that came
to see them. |
Kingdom Kids is an
exciting ministry for children in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Each
year as fall approaches, we get ready to begin a new year for our Kingdom
Kids. We meet once a month for a fun activity such as the "Amazing Maize Maze",
picnicking, hiking, roller skating, hay rides and Christmas caroling.