Children’s Ministry is for kids from birth – 5th grade, their friends, and their families. We live into our mission statement: You matter. You belong. We care. Living our faith in daily life while we experience God’s unbounded love and embrace the teachings of Jesus to love God and love Others!
Families and kids connect, learn, play and grow in faith every Sunday and Wednesday, and during special events throughout the year. Our programs are intentionally crafted so kids can hear and experience God’s abundant love and practice following Jesus in their daily lives.
All are welcome! We hope you can join us.
Sunday Mornings: Sunday School and Worship Together
We need about 60 volunteers to make Sunday School run smoothly and would love to have you! You choose your role AND schedule. (Prep Team, Welcome Team, Activity Leader Team/once a month, twice a month, every week, or occasionally).
Sunday School (Sept 14, 2025 – May 10, 2026)
Sunday Mornings are centered on hearing and exploring God’s story of love for them and for the world. In Sunday School, we open with Faith Rocks – a lively worship time designed for all the kids with leadership by our 4th and 5th graders! We’ll sing songs, experience a Bible story and the theme for the day through storytelling, drama, large group activities, videos, and prayer.
After Faith Rocks, kids break into small groups by age and return to their classrooms to begin processing the Bible story with volunteer Activity Leaders through engaging activities, curious questions, crafty fun, and games. There is lots of hands-on learning as we joyfully explore God’s promises of love and joy for us!
Sunday School is offered during the 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM worship services on Sunday mornings for kids age-3 through 5th grade.
- Check-in: When you arrive, go to the check-in table in the narthex and check your kids in. Make sure to get a printed nametag.
- Classroom Welcome: Bring kids to their classrooms to be welcomed by their Activity Leaders and friends.
- Room 204: 3- and 4-year-olds
- Room 205: 5-year-olds, Kindergarten and 1st grade
- Room 207: 2nd and 3rd grade
- Room 208: 4th and 5th grade
- Faith Rocks: Activity Leaders will bring all kids to Room 206 for Faith Rocks – our large group worship time.
- Activity Time: Activity Leaders will bring kids back to their classroom for activities that support the theme of the day.
- Check-Out: Pick your kids up and check them out in the same room you dropped them off.
Worship Together
The third Sunday of most months (2nd Sundays in Dec and Jan) is a Worship Together Sunday, where we celebrate the gifts and talents of children in worship. Kids can sing or ring bells in a choir, read the lesson, serve communion with their families, usher, write and share prayers, and more. Kids and families grow in faith when they worship and lead worship together, so we have built in opportunities for you to do that throughout the year. There is no Sunday school on these dates.
- September 21 – Bible Sunday – Milestone Blessing for 3-year-olds and 3rd graders
- October 19
- November 16
- December 14 – Christmas Program at 9 AM service
- January 11 – Camp Sunday – 1st time camper Milestone Blessing for 2nd graders
- February 15
- March 15 – Prayer and Blessing by 4-year-olds and caregivers
- April 19 – First Communion celebration
- May 17 – Camp Sunday (wear Spirit in the Pines swag)
Wednesday Nights: “Youth” Groups and Choirs!
Wednesday Nights are a time for community, connection, friendship and fellowship starting with dinner at 4:45! We have a full hour (or more) of program options for kids from age 3 – 5th grade, AND you can also eat a delicious homemade meal at church! St. Andrew families with kids and their friends LOVE Wednesday nights.
We’ve got “youth” groups for kids from age 3 – 5th grade where we play high energy games, have creative competitions, silly challenges and lots of laughs with friends, old and new!
We’ve also got handbell choirs for kids starting in 4th grade, and vocal choirs starting at age 3. If you’re looking for something fun to do, Wednesday Night is the place for you!
4:45 – 6:30 PM – Dinner served in the Fellowship Hall
5:00 – 5:30 – Ring of Fire Handbell choir for kids 4th – 6th grade – Register here: Bell Choirs – St. Andrew Lutheran Church
5:30 – 6:00 PM
- Shine (youth group for 1st – 5th grade) – Register here: Event Details – St. Andrew Lutheran Church
- Starlight Singers (vocal choir for 3 year-olds – Kinder) – Register here: Vocal Choirs – St. Andrew Lutheran Church
6:00 – 6:30 PM
- Sonshine Singers (vocal choir for 1st – 5th grade) – Register here: Vocal Choirs – St. Andrew Lutheran Church
- Pray and Play (youth group for 3 year-olds – Kinder) – Register here: Event Details – St. Andrew Lutheran Church
Milestone Ministries
Passing on the Christian faith from generation to generation is at the heart of the life and the work of the church. Milestone Ministries brings an awareness of the presence of God in our lives and gives us the tools for living our faith in daily life.
Currently, our Milestone Ministries celebrate four moments in a child’s faith journey: First Bibles, Prayer, First-time Camper, and Communion.
Bible Milestone for 3-year-olds and 3rd Graders
Children will receive an age-appropriate Bible and together with their caregivers, will learn tips and tricks for navigating God’s Word.
Sept 21, 2025: Bible Sunday for 3-year-olds and 3rd graders during the 9:00 and 10:30 AM Worship Together services. (9:00 and 10:30)
- 3 year-olds get their own copy of the Spark Story Bible and a blessing
- 3rd graders get their own copy of the Spark NRSV Bible and a blessing
September 28, 2025: Interactive Bible Basics workshops for Child/Caregiver(s) during Sunday School at 9:00 and 10:30 AM for 3-year-olds and for 3rd graders. (Unique workshops for each age group)
First Time Camper Milestone for 2nd Graders
At St. Andrew, kids can be first-time campers at Spirit in the Pines (our camp) after completing second grade. To honor this milestone, there is a blessing in worship and kids are given a Spirit in the Pines pillow case to take with them when they go.
- January 11, 2026 – Blessing at the 9:00 and 10:30 AM services.
Prayer Milestone for 4-year-olds
This milestone shows kids and families ways to have a more active prayer life by modeling easy and fun ways to pray together and bless each other every day.
March 8, 2026: Interactive Prayer and Blessing workshop for 4 year-olds and caregivers during Sunday School at 9:00 and 10:30 AM.
March 15, 2025: Kids and caregivers will help lead a prayer or blessing during Worship Together at both morning services.
First Communion for Kids in 1st grade and older who haven’t had instruction
This milestone teaches kids and caregivers about Jesus’ Last Supper and walks through their participation in this sacrament.
- March 22, 2026: Interactive First Communion workshop from 12:00-1:30 PM for kids and caregivers. (Registration open in February)
- April 19, 2026: First Communion celebrated at both morning services
Contact Arlene Flancher or Shawna Berg for more information on milestones.
Special Events
Serve and Play Days
When school is out, St. Andrew is on! Kids in 1st – 8th grade can join us from 9 AM – 4 PM for Serve and Play days through the year. We serve others for part of the day and play for part of the day.
Pre-registration is required and the cost varies based on activities. Serve and Play dates for 2025-26 school year are:
- Friday, November 7, 2025
- Monday, January 26, 2026
- Friday, February 27, 2026
- Friday, May 8, 2026
Parent’s Night Out
Our Children, Youth, and Family team and Spirit in the Pines counselors invite parents and caregivers to allow us to care for your kids from 5 – 8 PM a few times a year. Bring your kids (1-year-olds – 5th grade) and enjoy a few hours to do whatever you want to do. We will feed your kids, play games, do crafts, share devos, and more!
Pre-registration is required and the cost is $15 per child. Parent’s Night Out dates for the 2025-26 school year are:
- Friday, October 3, 2025
- Friday, November 7, 2025
- Friday, January 9, 2026
- Friday, February 6, 2026
- Friday, March 6, 2026
Holiday Events for Families
A few times a year we host events for families to gather with the broader St. Andrew community to celebrate together! We’ll have more information about these special events as we get closer to them.
Sunday, October 26: Trunk or Treat (2 – 4 PM)
Saturday, December 6: Advent Family Event (10 AM – 12 noon)
Sunday, February 15: Pre-Lent Pancake party (10 AM – 12 noon)
Children’s Ministry Volunteers
Children’s Ministry thrives and grows when there are many hands shaping and nurturing the hearts and faith of our kids! If you’d like to volunteer with our Children’s Ministry, please contact Arlene Flancher for more information on opportunities to work with Sunday School, Wednesday Night groups, Milestone celebrations, or other events!
Contact Arlene Flancher for more information.