Children’s Ministry
“Let the Little Children Come to Me”
We tell our youngest people, even as babies, that they are beloved children of God! Love is the most important part of Jesus’s message, and we deliver that message to our children through regular activities led by kind, caring staff and volunteers.
Dawn Rupe, Minister of Children and Families
Weekly Children’s Gatherings
Learning About Being a Child of God
Every Sunday morning, we gather our children together to talk about Jesus’s love for us and how He wants us to share that love in the world.
Bible Adventure
Sundays from 10:00-10:45 a.m. | Walled Lake Campus
For children aged four through 5th grade, Bible Adventure time allows kids to learn what the Bible says about who God is, how He sees us, where we each fit into God’s family, and how we live like Jesus. We also build on good spiritual habits of faith like prayer and personal time with God.
Children’s Church
Sundays During Worship | Walled Lake Campus
At the beginning of the sermon, kids aged three through 4th grade are able to leave the worship service to hear a message that is on their level, with elements planned just for them, returning to church afterward. We use puppets, videos, songs, games and more to share God’s Word with your children. While children are always welcome to stay with you in worship, this time allows you to hear your message, and they get to hear the message on their level.
Worship Options for Kids (old and young)
Everyone learns and grows in different styles and we want to aid everyone in that growing! Everyone is welcome to utilize the following options:
Children’s Worship Notes
Do you want to keep your children in church and have help picking up on pieces of the message and worship? We will have a few different pages you can choose from and you can get a notebook to keep them in! They are adult-worshipper friendly too if it helps you to take notes!
Sensory Toys/Fidgets
Some of us just need to keep our hands busy while we are listening. We have a selection of fidgets for you to borrow during worship. Marble mazes, stress balls, pop its, and more are available. Please return them to the bin so someone else can use them after you!
Coloring Pages
For our friends that want to be colorful about following along!
Faith Milestones Classes
A milestone is a marker along the journey that tells you something happened. Milestones in our faith provide markers for us as we grow with God in our faith individually and as families. These moments bring the church and home together, strengthen faith, and are celebrated as a family of God! You will see Faith Milestones classes on the calendar at different times. We know life is busy and we aren’t trying to just add another thing you feel you have to do – or feel guilty about not doing – to your days. We are going to give you tools to take the moments you have, recognize and celebrate God in them, and strengthen the foundation of their faith for a lifetime.
Appropriate age groups are given for the milestones, however, due to the absence of these classes, you can go back and get classes you have missed if you would like. Classes will be offered multiple times.
Baptism and the Faith Journey
Your home is your first and most important small group! Parents, this class is for anyone with young children who want to start their family faith journey off with added support and resources. We will talk about baptism (if your child hasn’t been baptized, we will have next steps available for you!), praying and speaking blessings over your children, family time, faith chests, and so much more! Almost too much to pack into one meeting, but we want to get you started off well – or give you more ideas and support for what you are already doing!
See upcoming classes on our Events page!
First Bible
Parents and student receiving the Bible attend together. Childcare will be offered so both parents can attend if desired. Getting your first “big, non-picture book” Bible is a big deal! Whether you are ready for it as a reader or need it for school (next year’s St. Matthew 3rd graders, I’m looking at you!), it’s an exciting milestone! Find out more about your Bible, practice using it, see what extra helps are in there, “go” on a Bible scavenger hunt, and more! We use the NIV Adventure Bible, but you may bring a different Bible. If you would like to purchase one through the church, it is $15.
See upcoming classes on our Events page!
Special Events
We offer Special Events for kids and families throughout the year! Watch our Events page for details on upcoming events such as Trunk or Treat (October), Winterfest (January), VBS (June), Summer Nights and Summer Fest! Some events, such as VBS, require sign ups, but many do not require RSVPs. Our events for kids and families are open to the community and are absolutely free!
Vacation Bible School
Annually in June | Walled Lake Campus
Every summer we offer a weeklong Vacation Bible School (VBS) for kids aged three through 5th grade. VBS meets every morning for a week, during which kids experience the love of Jesus through a special theme that includes movement, music, snacks and games. To learn more about the upcoming VBS, visit our Events page.
Trunk or Treat
Annually in October | Walled Lake Campus
Our annual Trunk or Treat is a well known and well attended event in our community! Each October, we line up decorated trunks and trucks and hand out goodies to excited children and they walk with their families through our back parking lot. Food, inflatables, games, crafts, petting farm and more are always open to the community! This free event provides a safe and fun way to celebrate the fall season! Watch for details of this year’s event on our Events page.
Summer Nights and SummerFest
Throughout the Summer | Walled Lake & Wixom Campus
Each summer we offer special events for the entire family, with inflatables, foam parties, games, crafts and more! Our Summer Nights (Walled Lake) and SummerFest (Wixom) events are always open to the community and free! Watch for details of all our upcoming events on our Events page.
Upcoming Children’s Special Events
See all Events here.
Get Connected
To receive our weekly church eNews which includes Children’s Ministry updates, click the button below. Join the St. Matthew Children’s Ministry Facebook page here.