Monthly Childrens Newsletter

TREK News for Children is now available on PDF.

Upcoming Events & Sign-Ups

Summer Camp - GLLM

Green Lake Lutheran Ministries
Week # 9
August 3-8

320-796-2181
www.gllm.org

Youth completing 2nd through 12th grades are encouraged to attend the appropriate camp for this week.

Elementary Camp

Completed 2-5 Grades
Shores of St. Andrew - Andy's Gang Program
Great counselors, a big beach and fantastic surprises await you. Spend a week playing, praying, singing, creating and growing in your faith. Bring a friend! See page 8 in the camp brochure.

Bethlehem Confirmation Camp

Completed 6-7 Grades
Green Lake - Beach House Program
Fun campfires, exciting worship, life-changing Bible studies, a place where Jesus becomes real and students are excited about their faith. Campers will gather with Pastor Beth each day for Confirmation. Bring a friend! See page 6 in the camp brochure.

Younger High School

Completed 8-9 Grades
Green Lake - Hill Town Program
Your week will have many activities that help you develop and grow in your faith. Everything you need will be in your own town, including the new Lighthouse Lounge where you can hang with friends, listen to some tunes and experience community. Bring a friend! See page 6 in the camp brochure.

Completed 7-9Grades
Green Lake - Homestead Program
Survivor, Bible Camp Style! Ever wonder what it would be like to really "rough it?" See how your life may change when you "unplug" and listen. No clocks, no tight schedule - just peace, quiet and fun. Bring a friend! See page 6 in the camp brochure.

Older High School

Completed 10-12 Grades
Green Lake - Dock Crew Program
Sand between your toes, sun kissing your face, and God's love around you. You live int he "Crew Quarters" and spend the week going further and doing more than any previous week at camp. You will not only study God's word, but you will have chances to live it too! You have done camp before, now it is time to BE camp! Bring a friend. See page 7 in the camp brochure.

S.I.T. Program

Completed 11-12 Grades
Staff in Training Program
This is a two week leadership training program. The first week is spent learning what it means to be a camp staff person. Topics incldue: leading Bible studies, worship planning and leading, game leading, and how to work with campers. The next week is spent as a junior counselor with a group of campers. See page 8 in the camp brochure.
Week 1 Training: June 22-27
Week 2 Leadership: August 2-8

Family Camp

August 3-6 (Week #9)
Shores of St. Andrew

Cost:
Adult (per) $175
Youth (K-12) (per): $90
Preschooler: FREE
Family Max: $525

New this year is family camp with programming by GLLM Camp Staff! While adults have Bible study and personal time, children are being well taken care of. Afternoons are spent together doing whatever you want, such as: boating, swimming, crafts, hiking, napping, etc. See page 9 of the camp brochure.

Special Needs Camp

June 29 - July 2 (Week #4)
Green Lake Lutheran Ministries

Cost:

Adult (per) $175
Youth (K-12) (per): $90
Preschooler: FREE
Family Max: $525

Participate in this short week of camp geared expecially toward campers with special needs and their families. Campers receive 1 to 1 attention from camp counselors with opportunities for parents to socialize with other parents or have time for themselves. Each camper's schedule is adapted as necessary. For more information contact the camp. See page 7 in the camp brochure.

Summer Choral Camp @ Green Lake Lutheran Ministries

July 27 - August 1 (Week #8)
Completed 6-8 Grades

NEW THIS YEAR: Lutheran Outdoor Ministries and Lutheran Summer Music Program partner for new music camps in 2008.

Cost: $400 per camper

Grow musically and spiritually by enjoying Bible camping and having time for musical instruction by professionals. There will be a concert at the conclusion of the week where you can show family and loved ones what you have learned. See page 7 & 11 in the camp brochure

Vacation Bible School 2008

 

What an amazing week we had June 16-20, 2008! We had 266 children age 4 to 5th grade participate this year.

A very special THANK YOU to all who volunteered their time, talents, and gifts to making a life-changing experience for all! This included 93 youth in grades 6-12 and 69 adult volunteer staff! We couldn't have done it without you and the gifts God blessed you with!

Sunday School

Click here to register

Sunday School is offered for children age two through sixth grade on Sundays at 9:00 and 10:15 a.m. during the school year.

• Kids explore the Bible & make connections between faith & everyday life.
• Friends are always welcome to join!

2-year-old Sunday School

• Explore Bible stories through learning station
• Emphasis on a safe and loving environment that allows kids to branch out socially & become comfortable at church as they come to know Jesus.

Two-years-old by September 1.

Room 08 is located on the lower level.

Early Childhood Sunday School

• Sunday School for preschool and kindergarten-age kids
• Hands-on, creative, experiential & multi-sensory
• Children meet their teacher and small group in the Assembly Room
• Travel together to experience both large & small group learning
• Three-years-old through kindergarten as of September 1st.
• Meets on the lower level.

Grades 1-6 "Living Waters"

• Begin each week with music
• Break into age-based small groups for hands-on learning
• Variety of workshops including: drama, art, cooking, video, computer lab, games, storytelling, & science
• Meet on second floor in Rm. 201
• Check the info. board in the hallway each week to see where the kids are headed

Serving in Children's Ministry

Lead a large group, connect with a small group, or work behind the scenes setting up classrooms, decorating bulletin boards, etc. Please give us a call or e-mail so we can match your gifts!

Protecting Our Children

Youth and adults serving in Children's Ministries must complete a background check and participate in a one-time risk management training session. Thanks for understanding the need to take this precaution.

TRAINING DATES:

Wednesday, August 27: 6:30-7:15pm, Commons

Wednesday, September 3: 6:30-7:15pm, Harrisville

Saturday, September 6: 9:00-10:15am, Cinema Room

Family Ministry Activities

Baptism Class

Prior to baptism, parents and their children participate in a Saturday morning class to explore the meaning of baptism and to become familiar with the service. To schedule a baptism and register for the class, please contact Peggy Dunn at pdunn@bethlehem-church.org

Third Grade Bible

Each fall, third graders receive Bibles from the congregation during Sunday morning worship. Students and a parent attend a "day away" the morning before for a fun introduction to the Bible.

Trunk or Treat

On October 31 from 6:00-7:00pm

Bethlehem folks decorate their cars, dress up in costumes and fill their trunks with candy to greet the kids who travel from car to car saying, "Trunk or Treat!" It's a fun activity to welcome the neighborhood to Bethlehem. To sign up your car - click here.

Advent Family Event

Join families of all ages for a meal and Advent activity to help you celebrate Advent in your home.

Baby's First Christmas

Parents and their little ones celebrate in December to welcome new babies and honor the Holy Baby.

 

Kid's Journey to the Cross

Good Friday and the events of Holy Week are not easy to explain to young children. This journey is designed for preschool kids!

First Communion Training

Each spring, children at Bethlehem are invited to prepare for their first communion including:

• Reading a booklet at home with a parent;
• Participating in the First Communion Day Away with a parent on a Saturday in March or April;
• Attending the Passover Seder Meal with a parent or as a family in March or April;
• Receiving First Communion on Maundy Thursday or an alternate Sunday

Children are welcome and encouraged to receive the Lord's Supper. Most often it is elementary students but sometimes preschool children participate. Students in fifth grade or older who have not yet communed should enroll the next time it's offered.

Other Family Activities

Other family activities are occasionally planned throughout the year. If your family would like to host a movie night, swim party or other event, let us know!

Make Payments Online

 

Infant, Toddler & Family Ministry

Nursery available every:

1. Sunday at 8:50 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
2. Wednesday Church Night, 6:20 - 8:00 p.m., and for congregation-wide events.

Location: On the main level on the west side of the church.
Ages: Equipped with toys and furniture for children 3 months through 3 years of age.
Staff: Trained adults and teens staff our nursery.

Note: As a "co-operative" nursery, we ask that parents who use the nursery, on a consistent basis, help serve once a month. Our adult/child ratio is 1:4 for toddlers and 1:3 for infants.

Nursery Caregivers Needed

Touch the Hand of a Little One!
Hands-on opportunities for ministry in the nursery includes playing with toys, reading stories, and offering a little comfort when necessary.

 

Kids Choir

Register for Cherub or Chorister Choirs - click here

The Choirs:

• Little Lambs is a program for 3-year-olds which includes age-appropriate music, puppets, Bible stories, and movement. Parents are welcome to participate.
• Kinder Choir is a musical experience with a Christian emphasis for 4 and 5 year-olds and their parents.
• Cherub Choir is for early elementary children (Kindergarten - grade 2) and includes singing, Orff instruments, and crafts. The cherub choir sings in worship about once a month. Contact Mindy Mennicke with questions.
• Choristers (grades 3-6) read music and sing a more sophisticated repertoire. They also sing in worship about once a month. Contact Gayle Myles with questions.

Choirs rehearse on Wednesday nights
from 6:30-7:45 p.m. September through May.

For more information about kids' choirs, contact Maria Bucka mbucka@bethlehem-church.org

Grades 4-5-6

What is 4-5-6?

About once a month during the school year, kids in grades 4-6 get together for fellowship and service, usually on a Sunday afternoon. Activities are planned and hosted by the kids and their parents.

 

Some opportunities include:

• Toys for Tots

• Feed My Starving Children

• Easter Baskets for homebound members

• Bowling

• Movies

• Trips to museums or the theater

• Lock-in at church