Immanuel
Welcomes
Children

At Immanuel, we try to follow Jesus' example of respecting and loving children. He welcomed children into his company and told his adult disciples to learn from a child for "it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs" (Mark 10:14).


Here is how we try to keep the focus on children:

Baptism

Every baby born into an Immanuel family provides the opportunity for the church to celebrate the sacrament of baptism. The baby is a child of the covenant, and God's promise rest upon him or her. The entire church is that infant's covenant family, and when children are baptized, we promise to love and pray for them and to support their parents in raising the child in the way of the Lord.

Sunday School

Sunday School serves an essential purpose in the church to teach children the Bible, its stories and the doctrines, its history and poetry. We teach so that children will love and obey the God of the scriptures. Our curriculum introduces all parts of the Bible to children at least twice during their years in Sunday School.

Sunday School teachers are VIPs at Immanuel. We encourage adults to look upon this task as a high calling from God.

Worship

At Immanuel, we encourage children to sing and be a part of the congregation's singing. Before Sunday School, children aged 2˝ through 3rd grade attend our Children in Worship program, a curriculum that seeks to provide them with a joyful way to worship God. Children 2˝ through 4 years participate in “Toddlers in Worship,” adapted by Immanuel from "Children in Worship." These worship times utilize a unique story-telling format and multi-sensory materials invite children to experience the wonder and mystery of God. Each story, from the Old Testament, New Testament, or Parable is contained in baskets on story shelves and is told with wood figures and other materials. Children then are encouraged to respond through art to the story they have heard. Typical class size is 10 to 12. Sunday School meets during the school year. Children have also participated in Christmas programs and Mother's Day recitals.

Nursery and Preschool

The care of infants and toddlers when families are at the church must always be a high priority. Our facilities provide a save and secure environment.Childcare workers are instructed in proper procedures for a healthy church nursery.

Pioneer Clubs

During the school year, Immanuel conducts a Pioneer Clubs weekly program for children in Grades 1-7, on Tuesday evenings 6:00-7:30 PM. Pioneer Clubs helps kids have FUN, learn new skills, build relationships, and ultimately, learn to live for Christ in every aspect of life. Some special highlights are talent night, wild west night, and mask night as well as special Christmas and Easter programs.

For more information about enrolling your child in Pioneer Clubs contact the church office 630-393-4400 or Virginia Shaffer 630-690-1851, or Virginia Patterson 630-483-8661.

Vacation Bible School

Immanuel's Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be held July 9-13, 2007. More information to come. For more information contact Dan Taylor.

Protection of Children

The rise of child abuse incidents in recent years has required churches to be diligent in maintaining security. Immanuel screens all volunteers who work with children. We attempt to have two adults in each classroom. Policies for taking children to the bathrooms and releasing children to parents are enforced. Parents are urged to meet the adults who teach their children and explain any special needs or circumstances.

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