AWANA INFO

Just a reminder: there is no Wednesday night programming next week due to HSE schools' fall break. Our AWANA schedule runs in sync with the HSE school calendar. We look forward to seeing you the following week on October 29th! Enjoy your break and keep studying your verses!

The Message of the Cross

"The message of the cross seems foolish to those who are lost and dying but it is God's power to us who are being saved."

1 Corinthians 1:18

Baptism

Below is a copy of the letter given to students interested in being baptized on November 2nd, 2008. Included is a link to the Wesleyan Kids website on baptism. At this site you will find the Application for Baptism. You may either download it and print it from home or contact Cady Stephens at cadystephens@fallcreekonline.org to receive a copy from the church.

FCWC will be having a baptism service on November 2, 2008. On this date we will be doing baptisms for children (grade 3 and older) through adults in the morning service. Please talk with your child and make sure that he or she understands the importance and significance of this event. It is extremely important to us that you, as a parent or guardian, are supportive of your child's decision.
Here are a few things to expect:

• Baptism info meeting on Sunday October 19th immediately following the morning service. Lunch will be provided for those who attend so be sure to RSVP to Cady Stephens at cadystephens@fallcreekonline.org as soon as possible.
• Baptisms will be performed on Sunday, November 2, 2008 by Pastor John.

If you and your child decide that this is something you would like to do please follow these steps:

• Attend the info meeting on October 19th.
• Complete the Application for Baptism packet and bring with you to the meeting.
• On November 2nd have your child come to church wearing dark, modest clothing that is not see-through.
• On November 2nd have your child come to church with three beach towels.
• On November 2nd bring a change of clothes for your child to wear after the baptismal ceremony.
• Encourage your child to invite family and friends--including non-Christian friends and family as witnesses. (Invitation cards will be provided at the October 19th informational meeting)

Other important information will be presented at the meeting. This will also be a time for you to ask questions and voice concerns. Both parents and children should attend this meeting. Be sure to have your child bring his or her completed Application for Baptism which is available for download at this address: http://www.headhearthand.com/media/documents/Baptism%20-%20Ch.8.pdf

As your Director of Children's Ministry I am so excited about being a part of this important day with you and your child! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I would be happy to meet with you and your child if you would like. The phone number at the church is (317)841-8749 and my email address is cadystephens@fallcreekonline.org. I can also be reached at the church during my weekly office hours: Monday-Thursday (9am-3:30pm). Don't forget to RSVP for the informational meeting on October 19th immediately following the morning service. Thank you!

Cady Stephens

Director of Children's Ministry

Fall Creek Wesleyan Church

(317)841-8749

cadystephens@fallcreekonline.org

The Tiniest Christmas Star

Our Christmas Musical this year is called, The Tinest Christmas Star. Through the music the children will be looking for the special star to light the way for the shepherds, wise men and all others who will come to worship the Newborn King. The musical will show that God can accomplish big things through all kinds of people and events.
Practice CDs will be available as soon as they are delivered. The cost for that CD is going to be $10 and you'll want 1 CD per family to help your kids memorize the fun songs in the musical! Look for the CDs to become available at the children's check-in station soon! There will be a few speaking part in the musical too. If your child is chosen for a speaking part you will receive a confirmation letter. If you have questions regarding the Christmas musical, please contact Danielle freed at (317)502-7291 or by email at daniellefreed@fallcreekonline.org

Thanks so much! We look forward to celebrating the Christmas season as a church family!

Remember to mark your calendars for:
December 13th: Saturday morning dress rehearsal
and
December 14th: Sunday morning performance!

Must Know INFO

Here is a quick update on what your kids are doing on Sunday mornings this fall through the month of December.
The first Sunday of every month you will check in your child at the check-in station like normal and you will pick up your child in their classroom at the end of the service. However, instead of going directly to their classrooms, the children will go upstairs to The Lab for the large group rally service. This is a fun and exciting service that we are putting together so that our Sunday School teachers can have the first Sunday of every month off. After our time upstairs your children will go down to their classrooms where you will pick them up.

Here is a list of the rooms:

• Nursery: rm. 108
• Toddlers: rom. 107
• Preschool/Kindergarten: rm. 117
• 1st and 2nd Grade: rm. 115
• 3rd and 4th Grade: rm. 118
• 5th and 6th Grade: Sunday School is held upstairs in rm. 204 but for your convenience you will pick up your 5th/6th grader downstairs in The Depot.

We have just started our practices for our Christmas musical! We are going to be using the first 20 minutes of every worship service to go over our Christmas songs. We will perform for the church on December 14th during the morning service (Also, mark your calendar for dress rehearsal Saturday morning, December 13th). This means that on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays your child will go directly to the Depot for our brief rehearsal. You will drop off your child at the check-in station (like normal) and pick up your child in their classroom (like normal). Your regular routine should not change at all. We just wanted to give you a brief idea of what your kids will be doing during the service.

Please stop by the check-in desk on Sunday morning or contact Cady Stephens by email at cadystephens@fallcreekonline.org or by calling the church office at (317)841-8749 if you have questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you and your children on Sunday!

Isaiah 43:18-19

"But the Lord says, 'Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep thinking about them. I am about to do something new. Don't you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land'."

Children's Ministry Needs

We have two very important needs in our children's ministry.

• We are in desperate need for a teacher for our 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class. Sunday mornings are a little different this fall than they have been in the past. For the first 20 minutes our volunteers are allowed to go into the adult service and participate in worship. Starting at 10:50 the children will go into their classrooms for their Sunday School hour. The first Sunday of every month is our large group rally time. This means that ALL Sunday School volunteers get to have the first Sunday of every month off to enjoy the entire adult service. Due to Christmas programming our volunteers will also have the majority of the month of December off. If you are willing to help with our 5th and 6th graders please contact Cady Stephens by email at cadystephens@fallcreekonline.org or by calling the church office at (317)841-8749. Please consider this opportunity to serve in our church. We could definitely use you!
• Another great need that we have is for AWANA sponsors. We have four children in our AWANA program right now whose parents have asked for sponsors. There is a $35 registration fee per child but we are not willing to turn any child away. Therefore, we need our church to step up to the plate and sponsor our kids! If you are willing to give $35 or more so that a child can attend AWANA please contact Cady Stephens. This is a great way to give if you do not have time or do not particularly enjoy working with kids. The registration fee pays for learning materials, handbooks, uniforms and awards for the entire school year.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can serve in our children's ministry or if you are looking for a place for your kids to get connected please do not be afraid to contact me at the information given above. Thank you and I look forward to serving with you!