Children’s Ministries
Mid-week children’s activities run from mid-September through mid-March and begin at 5:30 each Wednesday evening with a free community supper provided for anyone who would like to come and enjoy good food and fellowship. Sunday afternoon and evening youth activities are offered year-round.
Sunday School
Emmanuel Children’s Sunday School activities are held in the church basement after Sunday church services, meeting from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.. They meet the first Sunday after Labor Day until the Sunday before Mother’s Day each year. Grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade are divided into four groups: Pre-K (age 3-5, not yet in kindergarten); kindergarten and 1st grade; 2nd and 3rd grades; and 4th and 5th grades. Pre-K through 3rd grade opens with singing and snacks, and then moves to age-appropriate Bible teaching about God’s love and plan for us. Activity sheets are incorporated into the lessons so children are able to remember them. The 4th and 5th grades join the younger children for the singing portion during practice for the annual Christmas program. For all grades, the Gospel Project curriculum is used.
Wednesday Night Activities ~ DELTA Club
Emmanuel Church’s DELTA Club stands for Disciples Equipped for Life Transformation, and provides activities for kindergarten through eighth-grade students. Children from the community are welcomed to join the activities each week.
Grades kindergarten, 1st and 2nd are named the Hikers, and grades 3rd, 4th and 5th are named the Adventurers. These groups focus on the same Bible study through age-appropriate videos and activities, praise and worship. They meet from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the church’s basement.
Grades 6-8 meet together in the Christ Center from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. for Bible study and group activities.
Contact Lydia Ohlsen at 563-212-0325 for more information about Children’s Sunday School.
F.U.E.L.
F.U.E.L. (Families United in Experiencing the Lord) is an extension of our nursery services that provides individualized childcare for children with special needs. This program allows many families in our community the opportunity to worship together, knowing their children are safe. To learn more, please contact Katie Rodriguez at 815-499-9806 or Lydia Ohlsen at 563-212-0325.
Vacation Bible School
Emmanuel Church participates in the community-wide Vacation Bible School, sponsored by the Morrison Ministerial Council. It is held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Morrison Junior High School for a week in June each year. All community children from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade are welcome. A committee of children’s ministry workers and teachers plan the activities. To volunteer to be one of the VBS teachers and helpers, or to make donations of supplies, contact Lydia Ohlsen at 563-212-0325. Registrations for the VBS are through the churches, and information is provided at the schools.
Church Camp
Emmanuel Church shares in the ministry of the Camp Manitoqua and Retreat Center Camp, located in Frankfort, Illinois. Children age 8 can participated for 2- or 3-day camps, with older children, in 3rd through 9th grades spending a week at camp. More information about the camp can be found at www.manitoqua.org. Emmanuel Church supports student participation in the camp experience by paying for part of the cost of the week for children who attend from the congregation, and/or participate in DELTA Club or the church’s Sunday School.