Faith Factory

Faith Factory is currently done for the summer. It will resume on Rally Sunday September 12, 2010

Children will begin Faith Factory with Kid Connection Time in their assigned small groups. Small group leaders will help their group talk about what has been happening in the lives of the children over the last week focusing on really getting to know the kids and building community amongst the group. Discussion will eventually lead to introduction of the Bible lesson/topic for the day.  Next, the small groups move into Large Group. This is where the Bible story is creatively presented through a variety of mediums; drama, skits, puppets, interviews, creative storytelling, game shows, interactive play and more! A separate group of creative teachers called the Large Group Leaders lead this crazy-fun learning time. Lessons are age-appropriate, kid-friendly and most importantly Christ-centered. The whole Bible is taught as God’s authoritative Word. Children’s Praise Time completes the large group time with dedicated energetic worship time lead by musicians who love to worship God and have a passion for children.

Small group leaders then shepherd their groups back to their meeting space or classroom and begin to facilitate a game, activity, craft or discussion that helps the children apply the Bible lesson they just learned in large group to their daily lives at home, school, with friends and in the community. Small groups pray together, care for one another and encourage each other to be a light for Jesus in this world.

Our Values

Atonement’s Children’s Ministry is…

• Christ-Centered           
• Child-Targeted            
• Safe
• Creative
• Fun
• Intentional Shepherding

Our Goals

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and 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

The goals of the Children’s Ministry programs are to help children and adults:

Experience a strong and vibrant faith through a growing relationship and increased knowledge of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;

Explore in active ways the Bible stories that form the heart of the salvation story;

Appreciate the Bible as God's living Word that reveals Jesus Christ our Savior and helps us each day to know, trust, praise, serve and obey God;

Celebrate their places in God's family, participating joyfully in the life of the Christian community;

Reach out to spread the message of the gospel in love and by acts of service.

Honoring the Promise

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is older he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

At Atonement we believe, in the waters of Baptism our gracious and loving Father promises that he loves us, forgives us, that He will never leave us, and promises us the gift of eternal life. Through the water and God’s word, your child will receive God’s grace and will be made a member of God’s family, the church.

The Charge and the Vow:

“Parents and sponsors, having presented your child for baptism, it will be important that you nourish your child in his/her faith. The faith your child will learn is the faith he/she sees in your. Therefore, you are to bring your child to worship and to Sunday School, teach him/her the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments. You should place in his/her hands the Bible and teach him/her about God’s word. Most importantly, you are to share your faith with him/her.”

Safety and Security

“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous.” Psalm 1:6a

It is our intention that every child placed in our care is safe and secure. Parents and/or guardians should feel comfortable leaving their children in a clean, safe and secure environment with workers who have been interviewed by staff, equipped and trained with skills necessary to provide quality instruction and build healthy bonds with kids.

Every classroom will be stafed according to the following ratio; One volunteer for every six 
        two, three, four and five year olds.

Every classroom will be staffed with at least two volunteer staff with at least one being an adult.

At least two adults will be present when a child requires assistance in the restroom or the restroom door and stall door will be left open.

Before being considered for working with children, a volunteer must be a member or regular attendee at Atonement Lutheran Church.

All field trips or special events will have at least two unrelated adults present and at no time
will adults have unsupervised time with a child.

Wellness Policy

 “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 41:31

To minimize the exposure of the children in our care to contagious disease, we request that parents and/or guardians keep their children at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

Temperature of 100 degrees or higher. Temperatures should be normal for a minimum of 24 hours before attending worship or Faith Factory.

Upper Respiratory Infection. Including cold, bronchitis, throat infection, etc.

Nasal Drainage. Thick, cloudy and/or colored drainage.

Cough. Frequent, loose, barky.

Wheezing or Difficulty Breathing.

Eye Infection. Redness of the eye, white or yellowish drainage, excessive tearing and/or dried drainage on the eyelashes after sleeping.

Vomiting and/or Diarrhea. Symptoms should be absent for at least 24 hours.

Antibiotic Treatment. During the first 24 hours of treatment for an infection a child is still considered contagious.

Rashes. Does not include eczema, heat or allergic rashes.

Head Lice.

In order to protect all children, parents/families will be asked to pick up their child if he/she is exhibiting any of these symptoms or becomes ill during class time.

How Can I Serve in Children's Ministry?

“For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Special Events Team: plan, brainstorm and implement monthly social and service activities for kids and families.

Small Group Leaders: commit to lead a group of about 8-10 children in a specific age group. Partner with parents to nurture children, facilitate discussions and develop a trusting relationship.

Large Group Leaders: work on a rotating team that presents the Bible lesson for the day in a creative format such as drama, puppets, game shows, and creative storytelling.

Praise Time Leaders: musicians who lead fun, kid-friendly, ‘camp style’ music and contemporary worship songs with each age group.

Administrative/Organization Help: with over 100 volunteer staff and 300 children, help is always needed keeping supplies and people organized.

Adult & Teen Helpers: assist small group leaders and build relationships with the children.

Craft Planning/Preparation: plan and help prepare weekly crafts for Pre-K children and monthly crafts for kindergarten – second grade.

Pray: Please pray regularly for the children, the volunteers and staff, and the program overall that we may honor and glorify God in all that we do.

Lesson Plans

“If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.” Romans 12:7-8

Little Lights and Pre-K Lesson Calendar: click here
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Lesson Calendar: click here
3rd - 5th Grade Lesson Calendar: click here