Children
At Our Savior’s children are not just the future of the church, but they are valued members of the body of Christ now. We strive to provide safe, welcoming environments where children can explore, experience, engage, and connect to God and the entire Christian community. Children are welcome in all aspects of the life of this congregation, from worship, to Sunday school, to Wednesday night activities. Children and the noises, messes, and exuberance they bring add to the fullness of who we are as a community of faith.
Safety of children is extremely important at OSL. All staff and volunteers who work with children go through background checks; training and policies are also in place to prevent unsafe situations from occurring.
Here are some ways to serve the children of our congregation:
Birth – 3 years old:
Plus One Ministry: This is a ministry for couples or individuals who are adding to their family through birth of or adopting a baby (or two or three!). The ministry includes the baptismal class and family gatherings that will help parents learn how to begin teaching the faith as well as connecting with other parents who have children the same age.
Nursery: Open for most community events at OSL, including Sunday morning worship, the nursery is a place where little ones from birth through four years old come to play under the caring and watchful eye of our nursery staff. In the nursery, little ones play, dress up in fun costumes, hear books read by staff and volunteers, and are engaged in a warm community of fun and care. There are rocking chairs to help calm and soothe, big windows for them to watch the birds and squirrels outside, and a play staff that allows for safe activity.
Preschool – elementary (5th grade)
Sunday School: At Our Savior’s, Sunday School is not what it used to be! There is not a lot of sitting still in classrooms listening to teachers. Instead, kids are led by teachers and shepherds who help them explore the stories of the Bible using a variety of learning tools – computers, drama, video, music, science, art, cooking, and, of course, the Bible. For five weeks, grades 1-5 engage a particular Biblical story by rotating through these different stations, learning, living, and connecting with the great narrative of God. Becoming comfortable with their Bibles is an important part of the experience so kids are asked to bring their Spark Bible each week to class. Spark Bibles are designed specifically for this age group and include stickers and other fun tools to help them engage the Bible.
Rotation Sunday School is Sunday School in Motion... a multidimensional way of learning God's Word. God created children with intelligences such as verbal, visual, hands on, music, problem solving, nature, self smart, and people smart. Through Rotation Sunday School, children will develop all of their intelligences in ways that will help them to better understand God's Word.
Three-year olds, pre-schoolers, and kindergartners stay with their teachers, using their Spark Bibles to see fun pictures and hear the same stories the older children are hearing in their rotations. The preschool shepherds classes engage in coloring, drawing, reading, singing, playing games, and other activities as suits the attention span and interest of the kids.
Click here for detailed information on Rotation Sunday School
Sunday school schedule:
Sunday mornings during the school year: 9:55-10:50 a.m.
Click here to register or volunteer
Our Savior’s Together: Wednesday Nights
During the school year, Wednesday nights at OSL begin with a home-cooked meal and include activities for all ages. Meals are served from 5:00-6:30 p.m., with activities for elementary students available from 4:45-7:30 p.m.. It’s just one more way to engage and be nurtured in the faith.
Joy Ringers: a bell choir for youth in grades 5-9. Rehearsal is Wednesdays from 4:45-5:30 p.m.
Young Saints Choir: 5 year olds through 1st Grade, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Laudate Choir:
2nd through 5th grades, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 p.m.\n
Spark Bible Class: Using the same Spark program with which students engage in Sunday school, Wednesday nights providde different Spark lessons to offer another rotational experience for elementary students. The rotations are different from Sunday morning so families can use the Spark Bible Class as a way to build upon their Sunday morning experience, or families can be assured that their child is still able to engage the Biblical story if they are unable to participate in Sunday school. It’s an active, exciting way for kids to connect with the stories that reveal who God is and who we are because of who God is.
AGES: K-6th.
To find out more or to register, click here.
Vacation Bible School: For one fun week in the summer, 3 years old through 5th graders are invited to join in a frolicking, active, loud, fun experience that blends camp, Sunday school, and worship into an event that will leave the kids talking about it all summer. Vacation Bible School is a way to use the freedom and flexibility of summer vacation to immerse kids in learning about God and placing them into a fun environment where they can connect with caring and nurturing older youth and adults. Vacation Bible School is about music, games, Bible stories, and, most importantly, community. VBS for 2010: High Seas Expedition . . . Exploring the Mighty Love of God, June 1-4, 9:00a.m.—Noon each day.
Click here to register or volunteer
Christ Kids Adventure: This is another event that takes place Wednesday mornings in the summer. Again using the rotation model, elementary-aged kids (K-5th grade) are led by older youth and adults in learning, playing, and connecting to one another and God. With a few field trips thrown in for good measure, Christ Kids Adventure is something for which your kids will wake up excited every Wednesday this summer. Christ Kids Schedule for 2010: 8 Wednesday mornings, 8:30a.m.—Noon, June 9-July 28.
Click here to register or volunteer
The Library: The OSL Library
is a place for all ages and has books and electronic media for every developmental stage. There is a kid’s corner and easy to follow guides that will help you find age-appropriate books for your child.