We have a two exciting things to remind you about this weekend:
1. The Riverside Block Party is this Saturday (9/6/08) from 4pm to 8pm at the church. Invite friends and bring the whole family. Free food, games and unlimited fun!!!
2. This Sunday we will begin our Discovery Hour schedule. Together we are committing to discovering God and each other more fully.
There will be opportunities for infants through adults from 9:00AM to 10:00AM each Sunday. Then, beginning at 10:15AM each Sunday we will worship together. Everyone, except the infant and toddler nurseries, will gather together for worship and then the 3-year-olds through 5th-graders will be dismissed during the offering to go downstairs for Children’s Church. All parents are always welcome to have your children stay with you in the worship service if you would prefer.
What’s Happening During Discovery Hour?
Infants
"Praise Baby" videos and music will be played and children are given the opportunity to play with toys and have books read to them. Infants have a safe place to play or to nap in cribs if needed.
Toddlers
Age appropriate toys, books and videos will be available. A short Bible story will be shared with the children and they will often color a Bible story picture.
Ages 3 – 5
The Willow Creek Promiseland curriculum will use concepts, stories, vocabulary, and music – all carefully chosen to be concrete and easy for preschoolers to understand. The Discovery Hour will consist of response-oriented teaching, singing, visuals, motions and more to actively engage preschoolers each week and build the spiritual foundation they need in order to enter into a relationship with Jesus. From the Creation Story to the tale of Paul and Silas in prison, kids will learn more about God’s amazing story.
Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
The Willow Creek Promiseland curriculum will help kids discover core Bible truths and how they can apply them to their lives. Kids will learn Bible stories through relevant and creative presentations and then helped to discover some of the things that make them a unique creation made by God. Kids will participate in activities designed to reinforce lessons, interact with adult leaders, and discuss life application.
4th and 5th Grade
The Willow Creek Promiseland curriculum will develop kids that are being transformed by GRACE, GROWTH, GROUP, GIFTS, AND GOOD STEWARDSHIP or as we simply call them, "The 5 Gs." These lessons will help students understand what the Bible has to do with them and aid them in becoming influencers of their peers. Lessons will include, "The Bible is the Final Authority," "Christianity vs. Other Religions," and "Lost People Matter to God and Me."
Junior High
The Junior High Discovery Hour will be led by Ryan and Lindsey Umbeck, Dan Teefey and other youth volunteers. The Junior High will be using The Journey discipleship curriculum. The goal of The Journey is to present an overview of the entire Bible and church beliefs while offering students the opportunity to make or strengthen their personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Our hope is that all our students will come face to face with the call of Jesus to enter into a personal relationship with him and grow in their faith.
Senior High
The Senior High Discovery Hour will be led by Becky and Ryan Wellner. The Senior High will be using the Dare 2 Share curriculum that trains teens to transform their world by taking them deep and wide into God’s Word. Our hope is that this scripture-based focus will really grow deep Jesus followers in our older teens!
Adults
The Adult Discovery Hour will be led by Dave Timmerman and others. The hour will include a brief introduction to a biblical text and then an in-depth group discussion. The discussion time will provide the opportunity for everyone to discuss the implications of the passage and discover others’ insights into what God is doing through the scripture. For the first several weeks the topic will be Bible passages illustrating the public ministry of Jesus in the book of Luke.