Kicking off a new season

Greetings everyone from your new Interim Director of Ministry to Children and Families. I must first start off by saying how grateful I am to all of you for your warm, heartfelt support in this ministry. I am so blessed each week as I spend time with our children here, teaching and learning of God's amazing love.

We are having so much fun this fall. In Little Church, Kathy and Steve Cavander have been involving the pre-schoolers and kindergartners in some major construction. The children built a model of Noah's Ark using a large wardrobe box and construction paper. No doubt a good time was had by all as animals boarded the vessel and the children learned how much God cares for all His creatures. The Cavanders will continue to lead the children in more adventures from the Old Testament and then move into Advent. In Junior Church the kids have been focusing on the Old Testament as well. We are currently spending time in 1 Samuel. As we learn about David's relationship with the Lord, we are learning that is what God desires with all of us. This is exciting stuff and a wonderful preparation for our upcoming Advent season.

We are pleased to announce the return of our Angel Breakfast. For our little folk here at St. Luke's and all their friends and families, we will have a wonderful breakfast served by our very own angels (upper elementary), followed by crafts, story telling, and photos to take home. This will be on Saturday December 6th. 8:30 - 11:00. St. Nicholas day is Sunday December 7th (2nd service). The children will each bring an unwrapped toy to church that Sunday to give to our "surprise guest" who will take these gifts to children in need. As they enter church, they will leave one of their shoes outside and perhaps receive a "gift" as well. And last but not least, the children of St. Luke's will be presenting the Christmas Story this year at our Christmas Eve Family Service. More details will be posted soon in the Sunday Chimes.

Thank you for all your continued prayers and support.

Kaydi Draney

L.A.M.B.S. (Learning About My Beautiful Shepherd) is a co-operative playgroup which meets in the Nursery and Little Church rooms every Monday and Wednesday at 9 am under the direction of Beth Grecu. The goal of L.A.M.B.S. is to provide children, age 15 months to 5 years, with an enriching play experience in a loving, Christian environment, where they can have the opportunity to build relationships with other children, engage in improvised play, and also enjoy some structured activities such as making crafts, singing songs, and hearing stories read aloud. At the same time, L.A.M.B.S. provides parents with three hours of free time two mornings a week, requiring them to attend and be the helper on a rotating basis. The fee for L.A.M.B.S. is $125 per child per quarter. Other children in the same family are $75 per child per quarter. For registration information and availability, please contact Beth Grecu or the church office.

Our loving nursery staff is committed to providing our very young children with a safe, interesting and developmental play-experience. Miss Ann, Mara and their wonderful volunteers create a nurturing place where our smallest children can flourish. A Child Protection Policy is in place to provide a safe and secure environment for all.

Many activities are planned around the Bible stories that are presented each week; Bible songs with hand motions, coloring, crafts, healthy snacks, and the use of felt boards in retelling the stories. The review of animal sounds, colors, and the various types of fruit are used to thank God for his bountiful creation.

The children from grade one through six continue to explore the many facets of God’s love through the Bible stories in both the Old and New Testaments. A vibrant and musically fun way to worship God through music is provided by the music ministers that are volunteering their time to enrich the lives of our St. Luke’s children.