Children in classes Pre-K through 5^th grade meet in the Fellowship Hall for a brief opening service and are then dismissed with their teachers to the following rooms:

Pre-K: Room 105 (downstairs)

K – 1^st grade: Room 103 (downstairs)

2^nd -3^rd grade: Room 102 (downstairs)

4^th -5^th grade: The Upper Room (upstairs, north end of building)

6^th-8^th grade: Jr. High Room (upstairs over Narthex)

9^th - 12^th grade: Sr. High Room (upstairs over Fellowship Hall)

The Nursery is located on the main level of the north end of the building for children birth – 3 years.

COME JOIN US FOR CHILDREN’S CHURCH!

Children’s Church is offered during our 10:30 service for children ages 3 years through 2^nd grade. As noted in the bulletin, children are dismissed from the church service after our call to worship and prayer time. Their teacher will be waiting for them outside the sanctuary doors to lead them down the stairs where they will enjoy a bible story and craft and sometimes even a little snack! You can pick them up in Room 103 after the service.

We encourage our older kids, 3^rd grade and up, to stay with their parents and enjoy the worship service. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to model and explain the elements and traditions of our Methodist faith as well as helping our young ones to become familiar with the flow of our service. The more familiar they become, the more they will enjoy coming to church.

Sunday School for ages 3 and up is available during the 9am education hour and children under the age of 3 are welcome in our church nursery during both the 9am education hour and the 10:30am worship service.

HELPING YOUR CHILD ENJOY THE WORSHIP SERVICE

Are your kids eager to come to Sunday School, but not so excited about going to church? Things we are not familiar with can make all of us uncomfortable; not knowing the routine and what to expect can make children feel out of place. Over time, it will get easier, but there are also some things we can do to make them feel welcome and feel like they are a part of the worship service:

• Enter the church as a family and introduce your child to the adults you greet. Let them experience the warmth you feel when seeing your church family.
• Sit near the front so your child can see what is going on. It will be easier for them to follow and participate if they can see the leaders.
• While waiting for the service to begin, look over the order of worship and the announcements in the bulletin, noting special activities or people that they may know; comment on special hymns or rituals that you enjoy.
• Share a hymnal and Bible with your child. Holding the book together helps them to feel a sense of participation and draws them into the service.
• If the service invites you to shake hands with others, make sure you include not only your children, but other children around you; be genuine in your gesture and they will feel the sense of belonging.
• Talk about the service on the ride home. Did they recognize any of the hymns? Did they see any of their friends with their families? Encourage their questions: why do we do that, who is the person who did this or that, how do you know when to do something, etc. Talking about it takes the mystery and anxiety away and makes each time a little bit easier.

TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT GOD

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”  (Deuteronomy 6: 5-7)

As Christian parents, we have both the desire and the responsibility to provide our children with a strong religious foundation.  This can be overwhelming at times.  We wonder if we are “doing it right”, if they are really listening and if they are, do they really understand. But teaching children about God doesn’t’ have to be complicated or complex.  We don’t need a lot of expensive material and all the “right” products.  We just need to remember two very important facts: 

 1. We are the role models for our children.

 2.  Actions speak louder than words.

Children learn through example and consistency.  Even when we don’t think they are paying attention, they are.  In our day to day actions, we are constantly planting the seeds of faith.  Here are some tips to encourage your family’s spiritual growth:

• Talk about God.  Do your children hear you talking about God to other adults?  Do you give God enough of your attention that he is part of your patterns of thought and speech –even when you are not trying to “teach” something?
• Use your own Bible.  Before you start reading the Bible to your children, make sure they know you read it yourself.  A book that you are interested in is a book they will want to learn about.  Be excited about it and they will be too.
• Pray with children.  Pray naturally, simply and briefly about the things that interest them.  Talking to God about scraped knees and other “minor” events conveys that God is interested and cares about them.
• Build relationships.  Children develop the capacity to love and care simply by being loved and cared for.  Gentle touch, warmth in your voice, eye to eye conversations and careful listening are all skills that your children will mimic when they see it in you.
• Be open and encourage questions.  It is not necessary that you be able to answer all of your child’s questions and fully explain everything about God. It’s ok for them to know that sometimes, you too have questions.

CALLING ALL 3 – 8^TH GRADERS!

We need your help in bringing God’s light into our church services. Acolytes perform an important role in our worship and are needed for all three services. Training is provided and time commitment varies, but any and all are welcome to join us. Email mmo@hilltopumchurch.org or call the church office 801-571-5777 for more information.

“GOD SENDS CHILDREN FOR ANOTHER PUROSE THAN MERELY TO KEEP UP THE RACE- TO ENLARGE OUR HEARTS AND TO MAKE US UNSELFISH” Mary Howitt 

Our Sunday School fills a vital need in the lives of children. You can be one of the adults who will grow through serving, loving and teaching a small group of children. You can experience the deep satisfaction of knowing you have influenced a life for Jesus Christ.

Teachers are now being requested for Fall of 2012. Become a part of our teaching team. Your efforts will have a lifetime effect.

mmo@hilltopumchurch.org

Children’s Ministries Summer Programs

Summer is a busy time for all families, but we hope you will find the time to join us in some fun summer activities we have planned for our Hilltop children. Regular Sunday School classes will continue to the end of May. Starting the first of June, we will have a special 9:00am Children’s Celebration every Sunday through September 2nd. All age groups (except the nursery) will be combined to enjoy some exciting hands-on warm weather activities. In addition, we will continue to offer Children’s Church at our 10:30am service throughout the summer. Many thanks to our dedicated teaching staff for the countless volunteer hours that go into keeping our program running through the summer.

 We welcome everyone to be a part of our Children’s Ministry Program and invite you to check out the many volunteer opportunities available with our kids. Please contact Kara at Hilltop for more information.

SUNDAY SCHOOL DROP OFF/ PICK UP PROCEDURE

Parents, please take a minute to sign your child in when you drop them off for Sunday School.  Sign in sheets will be labeled by age level and available on the tables right inside the doors of room 103 where we begin our class.  We also ask that you sign them out when you pick them up.  If you would like your child to be picked up by a sibling or released on their own to meet you upstairs, please indicate that on the sign in sheet. 

WE FEEL THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROCEDURE THAT WILL HELP US INSURE THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD!!!

Please feel free to contact me or your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns with this procedure. 

Jeanne Anderson

Children’s Ministry Director

CAN YOU HELP???

Our Sunday School classes are in need of helpers! We have a talented and enthusiastic group of teachers, but an extra pair of hands would give them the freedom to expand on the ideas in our curriculum and add enjoyment to your child’s Sunday School experience. You will not be responsible for planning (unless you want to!), all we need is your presence and willingness to help. If you don’t think your child would do well with you in their classroom, we could always use you in another class. Please see Kara to volunteer –why not give it a try???