Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
Many thanks to our Deacons for a beautiful service they provided last week! My family stayed home and rested while we recovered from a bug we all caught, but we are so excited to be with you tomorrow for worship. Thanks for joining us in this season as we approach Easter together. Read on for the important happenings in the life of our church in the coming weeks!
Palm Sunday | Kids and Youth Singing
We are so excited for our kids to lead us in worship on Sunday, March 24, for our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing on Sundays during our kids class each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining Pastor Leslie and the adult choir in processing with palm branches at the start of the service, we need them here at 9:30 AM that Sunday to practice and get set for the morning. We'll have some pastries and coffee for parents at that time so you can hang out together. It's going to be such a fun morning! To help your kids practice at home (and to have a family dance party), here are links to the song and lyric sheet. You could invite them to teach you the words, too!
Easter Plans
Though I'm trying to engage with all that Lent has to offer through various practices and postures, we are also excited to look ahead to Easter with our church family. This year we will host our Easter brunch in the church park, and we will have a staggered egg hunt for kids in the park as well. Parents, please note that the brunch begins at 10:00 AM. Our first egg hunt will happen at 10:30AM for kids 6 years old and younger. At 10:45 AM we will have an egg hunt for kids ages 7-10 years old/5th grade. Bring an Easter basket from home if you have one, and we will have some available for anyone who wants one. Yay!
Parent Night Out
Pastor Mary and I are planning a night of fun for kids so parents can enjoy an evening out (also known as "Parent Night Out"). You can drop off and pick up your child anytime between 5:30-8:30 PM on Friday, April 12th, and then go do whatever you want. We'll serve dinner and provide activities for your kids! You can register your kid(s) with this link.
Families with Kids Potluck
Calling all families with kids or youth to join us in the Park after worship on Sunday, April 14th, for a potluck lunch to hang out and get to know one another better. We are looking forward to a time of connection and fellowship for parents and kids alike. Bring a dish to share and enjoy some time with other families! Text “village” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP for this event.
Save the Date: Kids Camp!
We are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 24-28. This year we are pleased to announce a track for our rising Kindergarteners/5 year olds! We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. We have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together! Registration will open next week.
SUNDAY
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for those who are attending Sunday School before service. This week our nursery kids will continue to explore the story of Jonah. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.
Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary in the front pews. This week the kids will explore St. Patrick and all the meaning behind his life and the symbols we associate with him. We are so excited to share in some storytelling together!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What is St. Patrick known for?
What does the bell of St. Patrick symbolize?
What meaning might we associate with the shamrock?
YOUTH
We are on for our regular youth gathering this Sunday! Parents can pick up their youth in the park at 1:30pm.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay