Children

Children's Ministries

at Lewisburg United Methodist Church

Sunday School is offered on Sunday mornings from 10am-10:45am. There are four classes for children: ages 3 & 4, age 5-1^st grade, grades 2 & 3, and grades 4 & 5. Wonderful teachers prepare interesting, interactive lessons that will teach and engage children.

The Children’s Sermon is offered during the 9am and 11am Sunday morning worship services. Children are invited to come to the front of the church to sit on the steps and hear a special message, just for them, from one of the pastors or other adults in the church. The children’s sermon lasts about five minutes, and brings the day’s lesson to life for the children.

During worship services, children take part in a variety of ways on a regular basis. Each week, children in the 3rd-5th grades serve as acolytes. Acolytes carry the light of Christ into the sanctuary and light the candles for worship. At the conclusion of the worship service, the acolytes carry the light of Christ out of the sanctuary, symbolizing that each of us are to go forth from the sanctuary carrying the light of Christ. Acolytes help in other ways as well. Children also participate in the Sacrament of Communion. Not only are all children invited to feast at the Lord's Table, they also take part in the ritual by carrying in the baskets of bread. Children who are in Children's Church are always brought into the sanctuary so that they may participate in Communion. Children also provide special music, read scripture, and take part in dramas.

Children’s Church is offered during the 11am worship service. Following the Children’s Sermon, children in kindergarten through 2^nd grade are invited to gather for a special time of worship…just for them! The lesson always correlates with the lesson and sermon that the pastors will present that day. Children spend that time hearing the story and participating in activities and games and prayer. After worship concludes, parents come and pick up their children from Children’s Church.

Activity Bags are available for children to pick up on their way into the sanctuary. The bags are located on small, wooden trees. Children simply take the bag into worship, and if they are a little wiggly, they can work on the activities located in the bag…a children's worship bulletin, coloring pages, dot to dots, mazes, an etch a sketch and more!

Children’s Music Ensembles rehearse on Wednesday afternoons. The Cherub Choir, made up of children age 4-1^st grade and the Carol Choir, made up of children in the 2^nd-5^th grades, rehearse from 3:30-4:15 each week. The music directors meet many of the children on the steps of the music building at the elementary school and walk them to the church. Other children are dropped off by their parents. A light snack is served before rehearsals begin. Children sing during worship several times each year. A Hand Chimes ensemble is also offered for children in grades 2 through 5. The Hand Chimes are really fun to play. This group rehearses from 4:15-5:00 on Wednesday afternoons.

The Joyful Noise After School Program began its’ seventh year of operation at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year. Over 40 elementary age children come to the program each day for homework help, healthy snacks, and lots of great after school activities including crafts, games, creative play time, one on one reading help and much more. Throughout the year, very special programs are offered. Past programs include French classes, dance classes, hat making, an indoor planetarium, cooking classes, jewelry making, and potato stamping. Children have a wonderful time at the program and receive love, guidance and homework help in a safe, well-staffed environment. Limited spaces are still available. Call the program at 304-647-4140or e-mail Erica Vaughan, Director, for more information or to enroll your child.

A fully staffed Nursery is offered during Sunday School and both worship services on Sunday mornings. The nursery is also open during any meetings, classes, or events during which a participant needs the nursery service for their child(ren).

Parent's Morning Out(PMO) is LUMC's newest ministry for children! The program offers quality childcare to children ages 1 through 5 years of age on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am-12:30pm. Check out the PMO page for more information!

Special Events are offered for children throughout the year.

The Christmas Program and Birthday Party for Jesus
Easter Egg Hunt
Trunk or Treat
Pool Parties
Picnics
Advent Festival
Vacation Bible School is held for one week each summer. Lewisburg United Methodist Church (LUMC) is blessed with fabulous volunteers each and every year. The volunteers have a heart for children, and they not only present the program in a fun, memorable way, but they also make each child feel special. The next Vacation Bible School will be held in June 21-26, 2009.
Lots of other special programs

Snacks In Packs is an outreach ministry sponsored by the Lewisburg United Methodist Church. If a child has enrolled in the program by signing a form sent home with all elementary school students, then that child will receive a bag of healthy snacks to take home over the weekend to supplement his or her diet over the weekend. This program has been providing healthy snacks to over 80 children per week during the school year for five years. Snacks In Packs programs are also established in several other schools throughout Greenbrier County for which LUMC provides organizational and financial support.

Community Organizations for Children meet regularly at Lewisburg United Methodist Church. Weekly meetings include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, and Modern Woodmen of America.

If you have any questions or ideas about Children's Ministries at LUMC, please e-mail Lara Nunley Edwards, Minister of Children and Christian Formation or call the church office at 304-645-2727.