Children’s Ministry (Newborn – 5th Grade)
Supporting families as they nurture their kids in faith.
Infant-Pre-K Sunday Mornings
Children, Youth, and Family Ministries (CYF) at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities want to be known in the community as the church that helps families worship together, connect with church friends, and give space to kids and students to grow in their gifts. It is all about helping kids and students to Like, Follow, and Share, who we are – CHURCH.
Like God’s word. CYF work is about connecting kids and students to God so they might know God better. We do this work together in church and in home, modeling a life of faith.
Follow Jesus. Part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus is to be part of the Christian community. We, as the family of God, learn together, play together, serve together, and grow together in Christ.
Share the Holy Spirit. All of us have God-given talents and abilities. As kids and students grow older, they will discover how their greatest passions meet the world’s greatest needs, and the church can help provide a place for them to serve.
Below are some of the ways you and your family can connect with Bethlehem. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pastor Heather.
Sunday Morning Children’s Programming
ECHO Sunday School (MPLS)
Age 3 – 5th grade
9:00 am & 10:30 am, Minneapolis
On the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month, ECHO kids start and end with their parents/caregivers in worship. After Storytime, kids follow the leader out of worship to sing songs, learn the Bible story and play games together. They return to sit with their parents at the offertory.
On the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, we have Extended ECHO for the kids. The only difference is that kids do not return into the sanctuary at the end of the service. Instead, parents pick up kids in Iverson Hall on the lower level.
Register Here!Parent Share – Coffee Time (MPLS)
2nd and 4th Sundays, 10-10:30 am
Starting September 22!
Everyone wants a group to belong to at church. Starting in October, parents of elementary-age and younger kiddos will gather for some parent share time. Grab a cup of coffee, let the kids play, and join in some conversation together.
ENCORE Sunday School (MTKA)
Kindergarten-5th Grade
2nd and 4th Sundays, 10:45-11:15 am Starting September 22!
Encore! Sunday School meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month right after worship. We craft, play, sing and wonder about God’s love . You might find us baking bread, ringing handbells, splashing in the baptismal font, or making crowns. The Encore! calendar of events includes service projects that build connections between our outreach partners and care ministry team, too.
Children’s Choirs and Handbell Ensemble (MPLS)
Children are guided in their spiritual development through the singing of age-appropriate music to the glory of God while learning to be part of a musical ensemble. They are encouraged to grow in their faith through the sharing of their voices with each other and the congregation.
Kinder Choir (4-5-year-olds) – Sundays, 10:00 am-10:30 am
Cherub Choir (K-2nd Grade) – Wednesdays, 6:15 pm-7:00 pm
Chorister Choir (3rd-5th Grade) – Wednesdays, 6:15 pm-7:00 pm
Choirs sing during the 10:30 am worship service about once a month.
To learn more about the Youth Handbell Ensemble, contact Mindy Mennicke, [email protected]
Register for Choirs
Spark Bible Investigators
For Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Wednesdays, 7:00 pm-7:45 pm, Mpls Campus
(September 11, 2024 – April 30, 2025)
The Spark Story Bible will be our guide for this adventure. As a Wednesday night group, we will investigate Bible story mysteries, deepen our relationships with our peers, and serve our community with what we find out.
register here!Connect Bible Investigators
For 3rd – 5th grade
Wednesdays, 7:00 pm-7:45 pm, Mpls Campus
(September 11, 2024 – April 30, 2025)
It’s like Pre-Confirmation, but more fun! The Connect Bible will be our guide for this adventure. As a Wednesday night group, we will investigate Bible story mysteries, deepen our relationships with our peers, and serve our community with what we find out.
register here!Infants-PreK
Sunday Mornings for Infants & Toddlers
Family-friendly spaces or prayer grounds are available at each campus in the back of the sanctuary. At the Minneapolis campus, there is also a family-friendly space in the room adjacent to the sanctuary, and the nursery is staffed year-round. Click the button below to register your child for the nursery.
Nursery RegistrationBaby Book Club
Newborn to Age 3
September to May, All Campuses
Kids learn through repetition and in the laps of someone they love. Books help parents/ caregivers share their faith and kids love it! Back by popular demand is the Baby Book Club. Each month, we will send you a faith book, an activity, and spiritual practice for a nominal fee right to your mailbox.
Register for 2024/25
Itty Bitty Get Togethers
Newborn to Age 3
September 24, 2024–May 27, 2025
The last Tuesday of the month 6:00 pm-7:00 pm, Mpls Campus
Join Pastor Heather on the last Tuesday of each month for a pizza party for families with newborns to age 3. Parents, grandparents, or caregivers will eat together, join in some play fun, and read a book right before bedtime. There is no charge for this event, but free will offering accepted. Registration required.
register herePreschool Get Togethers
Ages 3-5
October 9, 2024–May 13, 2025
2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:00-7:00 pm, MPLS
Join Pastor Heather on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for a pizza party for families with kiddos age 3-5 (not yet in Kindergarten). Parents, grandparents, or caregivers will eat together, join in some play, and read a book right before bedtime. There is no charge for this event, but a free-will offering will be accepted.
register here!
Baptism
On the day of baptism, promises are made. Parents and sponsors promise to pray for their child and nurture them in faith, teach them the prayer, creed and commandments, bring them to communion and place in their hands the Bible, and live with them among God’s faithful people, so the child will learn to trust God and care for others and the world God made. The congregation, in turn, promises to help the child grow in faith.
Baptism is a communal ritual that welcomes believers to the Christian faith. As Lutherans, we welcome people of all ages, including infants. Prior to a child’s baptism, families attend a baptism class (currently on Zoom) to explore the meaning of baptism and to become familiar with the service.
Learn MoreFirst Communion
Kids are welcome to participate in the Lord’s Supper at any age – whether at church or at home. It’s helpful to have instructions, though, so we invite first-grade students and their parents to come and learn about communion together. Watch for an opportunity later this year, or do some at-home training, if you’d like. If your child is older and hasn’t yet received communion or participated in training, no worries. It’s never too late to be welcomed to the feast!
