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Northwood Children’s Ministries
“Touching lives… Changing hearts”
Nursery
GOLF Program
Children’s Ministry Events
Director of Children’s Ministries
Betsy Clewett
Nurturing young children in their faith development is a privilege and responsibility we undertake with joy at Northwood Christian Church. We know that early faith development is a strong foundation for having life-long confidence in God’s promises, a life-affirming understanding of God’s Word, a life-changing relationship with Jesus, and a life-supporting reliance on God’s grace, love and forgiveness.
“You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing that God wants us to do. 2 Tim 3: 15-17
At Northwood, Children’s Ministries are driven by a conviction and vision that our efforts prepare children to develop a firm and unshakable faith that strengthens them when they encounter the first disappointments that everyone inevitably experiences, and a strong desire to share that faith through active church participation and service to others.
The reality is that most children experience the first significant challenge to their faith in the world’s goodness and justice at age 11 or 12. Blessedly, we know that the foundation of moral judgment is in place by the time children reach age nine, about the same time Northwood’s kids are promoted to Student Ministries.
If parents and pastors do their work well, children will leave with a Christian understanding of God’s Word and His promises, and the values of truth, integrity, justice, morality and ethics. If we model these values, our children will have confidence that walking the Christian path is achievable and rewarding.
Children reared and taught in Christian environments have an advantage when they face hardship or heartache, having already been assured that God loves and comforts during adversity, that He has a good plan for each person’s life, and that He keeps His promises found in His Word.
Northwood’s Children’s Ministries represent a proactive and positive approach to prepare our youngsters with the knowledge, skills, and values to weather these first challenges with a steadfast knowledge of a loving and faithful Father. Based on this vision, the goals of Northwood’s Christian Ministry are to:
Provide a nurturing environment with caring adults who model and teach God’s great love shown through His Word and the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, as well as other heroes of the faith.
Celebrate each youngster’s uniqueness and honor their diversity in intellectual, social, emotional, physical, moral and spiritual development as they grow and learn.
Offer age-appropriate and engaging activities to learn God’s Word, to praise and worship Him, to communicate with Him and fellow believers, and to serve others in ways that are relevant to children’s life experiences.
Encourage families in all their diversity (e.g., two-parent, single-parent, blended, grandparent-headed households) to integrate faith and worship into family life, as well as form caring relationships with other members of the Northwood congregation.
Presently, Northwood’s Children’s Ministries include:
Sunday programs, including nursery, Children’s Church, Sunday School, and Act Up for Jesus! (drama club)
Wednesday G.O.L.F. programs
Small group activities and special events
Week-day preschool
Sunday Programs
8:15 Service
Nursery for infants and toddlers
“Soul Food” bags for children in worship
Children’s Moment: 3-5 minute lesson by worship leader.
Children’s Church: Faith Friends ages 4-10 years are dismissed after Children’s Moment for an integrated Bible-based program related to the pastor’s message
9:45 Service
Nursery for infants and toddlers
“Soul Food” bags for children in worship
Sunday School for ages 2s, 3-4s, grade K-1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th
11:00 Service
Nursery for infants and toddlers
“Soul Food” bags for children in worship
Children’s Church: Faith Friends teachers provide worship
Nursery Christ, Care and Comfort is the theme in the nursery. For our youngest friends, newborn through 3 years, it is a safe place to play, sleep or interact. Procedures for child check-in and -out, feeding, diapering and play insure a safe environment. Our loving caregivers all have a heart for Jesus. All paid staff on duty have cleared a criminal
Children’s Moment Early in the 8:15 worship service, children are invited to the front of the sanctuary to share in a brief lesson related to the weekly theme of the pastor’s message. They are then dismissed to Children’s Church, escorted by
Children’s Church (Faith Friends) After Children’s Moment in the church’s first service, youngsters ages 4-10 enjoy praise (songs and hymns), age-appropriate Bible study (story), application (craft), worship (prayer), and snack (communion). This sequence replicates a typical congregational service, preparing children for attending family worship. Content is organized in 6-week sessions around an important Biblical principle or theme. “Soul food” bags are also related to the content. An ethic of Christian service is also cultivated as the older members of the multi-age group assist younger children in these activities. The final week of each content series is devoted to expressing our new understanding through artistic expression.
Sunday School A collaborative program between the Education and Children’s ministries, Sunday School for our youngest church members is offered for age 2s, 3-4s, and grades K-1st, 2nd-3rd, and
4th-5th during the 9:45 service. It is helpful for parents of children with special needs to inform the Director of Education or Children’s Ministries about ways we can best accommodate them in Sunday School.
*Northwood’s Children Ministries external communications do not contain photographs of children currently enrolled in its programs and services, for their protection and safety.
Small Group Activities and Special Events
Baptism An important role of each Northwood Ministry involves preparing members who desire baptism. In childhood, thoughtful preparation involves a 4-week course examining the child’s decision for baptism, writing and illustrating a story to celebrate the event, meeting with parents to assure their involvement in the child’s continuing faith development, and a conversation with the Senior Pastor prior to the sacrament. Parents of youngsters in Children’s Ministry are asked to step forward during the service, and each baptism is celebrated in the Fellowship Hall afterward.
Herrick’s Farm In late October, Kingdome Kids (ages 4 – 2nd grade) go to Herrick’s Farm for a tractor hayride, time with animals, enjoy a fresh apple, and pick out a pumpkin. In the past, the Herricks donate pumpkins so this is a no-cost event, usually two hours on a Saturday as Halloween approaches.
Lone Pine Farm In October, the Lifeliners (grades 3-5) take a trip to Lone Pine Farm to pet animals, go on a hayride, pick out a pumpkin and go through the corn maze. This is typically a 3-hour event we enjoy on a Saturday, at a cost of $5 per child.
Harvest Dinner The annual Harvest Dinner is a delightful event for the entire congregation. Starting with worship in the Sanctuary, adults enjoy dinner in the Fellowship Hall while kids enjoy McDonalds Happy Meals in classrooms in the Education wing. (Milk is substituted for soda.) After dinner, kids enjoy crafts and games until parents pick up their children.
Christmas Party/Shopping Adventure During the school break for Christmas, children’s ministry hosts a birthday party for Jesus at the church for Kingdom Kids hosted by those in grades 3-5. When the little ones go home, the older kids enjoy a shopping adventure at a mall to purchase gifts for family or friends if they are able or choose to.
Christmas Program Planning for this event usually begins in late Summer under the direction of Andy and Gretchen Petersen in recent years. Casting and rehearsals begin September 17th. Rehearsals are Monday 4:30-6 p.m., and the program will be presented Sunday, December 9th at 3 pm.
Easter Family Service This event is held on Good Friday. Families are invited to come together to learn more about the resurrection, starting in the Fireside Room with brief worship and presentation of the story. Next the event moves into the Fellowship Hall where there are different stations for art, communion, hand washing, and one symbolizing Christ leaving the tomb.
G.O.L.F. Carnival At the final G.O.L.F. Wednesday of the year, Children’s Ministry creates a Carnival for children to celebrate a successful year. Several booths with activities for children include the lollipop tree, cake walk, face painting, bean bag toss, and much more. Children earn tickets to redeem for fun prizes.
Lifeliner Welcome At the end of each school year, Children’s Ministries treat the incoming Lifeliners (incoming third graders) to lunch at Hometown Buffet. All other Lifeliners are also welcome, but must pay for their meal.
Vacation Bible School Like Sunday School, VBS is an intergenerational experience for children and adults. The Education, Music and Children’s Ministries collaborate on a week-long evening program that begins with dinner followed by classes for preschool, K-1s, 2-3s, 4-5s, youth, and adults. Each evening begins and ends with praise and prayer, and the last day is a carnival of fun! Nursery is provided for the wee ones.
Summer Events:
Enchanted Forest is a favorite for our younger children (Pp-2) on a week day to avoid large crowds. The cost is approximately $10-12, and kids bring a sack lunch for a picnic. The group departs at 9 a.m. and returns at 3 p.m.
Beach Bash is a fun, free trip to the Oregon coast for 3rd-5th graders. In addition to building sand castles, we will explore a quiet cove of tidepools near Florence. Children’s Ministry grills hot dogs on a fire that provides a perfect spot for devotionals. Wading in the water is also permitted. The group usually departs at 9 a.m. and returns at 3 p.m.
PJ Party It’s always fun for all kids Pp-grade 2 to gather for an indoor PJ party at the church. This no cost event held at the church includes music, games, a devotional, movie and snacks. Times are TBA.
Additional summer events change each year that may include water parties, a day at the movies, or “Back to School” celebration. Good ideas are always welcomed in Children’s Ministries!
“Learning to Love… Loving to Learn”
Since 2000, Northwood Christian Church has offered a high quality preschool program for 3- and 4-year-old children of the congregation and surrounding community. The Preschool’s mission is to cultivate in our youngsters, through God’s love for them, a genuine love for their peers, family and teachers that makes being together a joy and delight. In turn, as we spend time together, our intent is to nurture the children’s love of learning in an environment that encourages authenticity, exploration and self-expression
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Northwood Christian Church Sunday Services 8:00 am - Jump Start - Music 8:15 am - Contemporary worship 9:45 am - Contemporary worship 9:45 am - Sunday School 11:15 am - Traditional worship  2425 Harvest Lane Springfield, Oregon 97477 541-746-2790 Fax: 541-747-7485 staff e-mail addresses: barry@northwoodchristianchurch.org Senior Pastor Barry Lind paul@northwoodchristianchurch.org Senior Associate Pastor Paul Jackson betsy@northwoodchristianchurch.org Director of Children's Ministries Betsy Clewett jonathan@northwoodchristianchurch.org HS Youth Worker Jonathan Swartout amy@northwoodchristianchurch.org MS Youth Worker Amy Gilman joey@northwoodchristianchurch.org Youth Intern Joey Palermo-Silence john@northwoodchristianchurch.org Music Minister John Hakes jenny@northwoodchristianchurch.org Bookkeeper Jenny Frank jill@northwoodchristianchurch.org Administrative Assistant Jill Noble |