Nursery and Toddler Program
Infant and toddler care is available in the Nursery. Adult babysitters with CPR and First Aid training are employed to care for the children during both worship services on Sunday morning. Parents may bring their child to the Nursery before the worship services begin or at any time during the service. Parents will be issued a pager when the child arrives. If a child gets distressed and cannot be comforted, the pager system allows parents to be quietly contacted during the worship service.
The Gathering and Communion
The Gathering is held on the first Sunday of every month, during the Sunday school hour for the 2nd-6th grades. The Gathering is a time of worship, singing and focused learning. The Gathering focus for 2009-10 will be The Lord’s Prayer. Children are invited to participate in the monthly Communion service beginning in 2nd grade. The conclusion of the Gathering coincides with the beginning of the communion service. At this time, the students and teachers return to the Sanctuary to sit with and share the Lord’s Supper with their families.
Bibles for Second Graders
It is a long held tradition to present our second graders with Bibles of their own. The presentation of Bibles takes place during both worship services the Sunday following the beginning of new Sunday school and church year. The children are given the New International Version (NIV) of The New Adventure Bible. Each Bible is inscribed with the child’s name. Parents of 2nd and 3rd graders are invited to attend class with their child on Bible Sunday for interactive games that will start the children learning and getting excited about their new Bibles.
Bible Scholar Program
The Bible Scholar program is a tool in which to adequately prepare students for Confirmation, a time for them to explore what they have already learned and to confirm their belief in the Christian faith. Grade level “tasks” and principles are introduced during Sunday school, but the program is primarily an opportunity for parents to partner with us in the Christian nurture of their child. Although the program is voluntary, all children in grades 1-7 are encouraged to embark on the journey towards becoming a Bible Scholar. Each one of the tasks falls into a specific category of Christian knowledge and experience that we want the children to learn by the time they reach Confirmation. Detailed information and a grade level Bible Scholar card is included in the September mailing to parents.
Bible Scholar Tasks Overview: Click here
Tasks and Answers (Click on the Grade):
Children and Music
On Communion Sundays, the preschool – 1st grade classes are taught simple bible songs by a visiting song leader. There are two choirs for children at Acton Congregational Church. The Children’s Choir is a voice choir for children in kindergarten through third grade. Practices are held at 10:00 AM on most Sundays during the school year. The Junior Choir is for children in fourth through eighth grades. Practices are held on Sunday evenings from 7:00-8:00 PM.
Offering
The Sunday school offering is collected at the beginning of class. Age appropriate offering envelopes are available for children in preschool – 6th grade. The Sunday school offering is used primarily to sponsor two Compassion International children. Other Sunday school missions include Ingathering Sunday, UNICEF, Operation Christmas Child and One Great Hour of Sharing. Whenever appropriate and possible, classes are given the support and encouragement they need to implement group service projects.
Special Events
Christmas Pageant
A simple Sunday school Christmas Pageant will take place during the 10:45 worship on December 19,2010. Children in all grades, including Junior High, will have the opportunity to participate. Available speaking and singing parts will be announced in mid-late October; the roles will be assigned several weeks later.
Three practices are scheduled:
Saturday, December 4, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Saturday, December 11, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Sunday, December 12, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM; Pizza Party
Children's 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Service
This short children’s service features readings from the Gospel of Luke. Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus (portrayed by a church family) are there. Each child has the opportunity to participate in the service by choosing to be either a shepard or an angel.
Season of Lent and Easter
Sunday school classes are held for all grades on Palm Sunday. A Good Friday Vacation Bible School is held from 9-12 for children in kindergarten – 5th grade. The children bake Communion bread, make fun Easter crafts, sing songs and go on a Journey through Holy Week. Families worship together on Easter morning. A special Easter program is offered for young children if volunteers are found to lead it.
Summer Vacation Bible SchooL 2010 - EGYPT:
Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace
August 2-6, 2010 9:00 – noon daily
Ages 4 – completed 6th grade
Travel back into Bible times! Each day children will become part of history as they see, hear, touch and even taste what it was like to live in Pharaoh's empire! Children will explore authentic Marketplace shops, visit Joseph (who is in Pharaoh's prison....then gets promoted to Pharaoh's palace!), take part in games, dance to lively songs and sample tasty tidbits as they discover more about how God was with Joseph in good times and bad.
Monday God gives us hope Jeremiah 29:11
Tuesday God gives us special abilities Romans 12:6
Wednesday God gives us wisdom James 1:5
Thursday God gives us forgiveness Nehemiah 9:17
Friday God gives us family Galatians 3:26
For more information or to volunteer, please call Merrill Noble at the church. 978-263-2728 ext. 112
To register, complete theVBS Registration Form and mail it to:
Kirsten Nelson, 105 Sacramento Dr., Leominster , MA 01453
Safety
The safety of our children is of paramount importance to us. Please Click here to review ACC's Sunday School Safe Church policies.
