Kids of the Kingdom is where children ages 7 through 12 develop their own personal relationship with Jesus. Our goal is to provide opportunities for kids to discover who Jesus is and what a relationship with him looks like. We do this by providing environments that help them connect with friends and our church family, grow in faith, and make a difference through serving. We help to connect faith with life right where kids are.
At Schoeneck, Kingdom Kids learn important values such as love, kindness, forgiveness, and empathy through teaching, games, and activities, which they use to guide their interactions with others. Kids of the Kingdom fosters a generation of caring and ethical individuals who positively contribute to their communities by emphasizing moral development and spiritual growth.
We also understand our Kingdom Kids are trying to navigate the daily challenges of school. At Schoeneck we give them a safe and encouraging place to learn how to live in a healthy relationship with God, family, friends, and the people around them. Kingdom Kids guides children in building relationships with each other and with Jesus.
No one should have more influence on a student’s life than their parents. Our goal is to come alongside you as a parent to help your Kingdom Kid through these key developmental years. Schoeneck partners with parents and invests in children to raise authentic followers of Christ.
Children In Worship
Church isn’t just for adults! Children are always welcome and encouraged to attend worship. Worship is a serious and seriously joyous time, only made better by the inclusion of children. Children — noises, fidgets and all — are an integral part of what God is doing in our midst, and we are delighted to share this time with them. Activity bags filled with a few quiet activities are available to help entertain the kids during the service. Simply ask one of the ushers for activity bags for your children to use during worship.
Children’s Message
At most worship services we offer a Children’s Message for children of all ages. This time in worship features a special message from Pastor Ian just for our children (and also maybe for the adults listening in!) relating to the theme of the day’s worship service. Children are invited forward, and parents are welcome to join their children if it helps them participate, or members of our Youth Group are happy to hold their hand or sit with them.
Holy Communion
Baptized children may be admitted to Holy Communion provided they have an age–appropriate understanding of the sacrament or after appropriate pastoral instruction and counseling with the children and their parents/guardians concerning the meaning and observance of the Lord’s Supper. For more information about the Sacrament of Holy Communion at Schoeneck, please click here.
If you think your child is ready to receive Holy Communion, please speak with Pastor Ian.
Christian Education
Our Christian Education Ministry provides the needed support for every Kingdom Kid to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. We provide a safe, loving environment where kids have fun and learn just how much God loves them. New families seeking a warm and positive environment to learn about God’s love are always welcome. Please contact JoAnn Heckman, head of our Christian Education Ministry, or Pam Stampf, our Sunday School Coordinator, for more information.
Sunday School
Our children’s Sunday School is an exciting place to learn and grow each Sunday! Children engage in age–appropriate study of scripture to inspire faith by learning together. Our leaders and shepherds provide a safe space to ask big questions, and help them claim their identity as children of God. We learn about Jesus through Bible stories, crafts, music, and fun each Sunday.
Attending Sunday School instill virtues in children by educating them about their faith and providing them with a solid foundation in Christian ideals. Early exposure to God’s Word encourages youngsters to keep their faith and seek comfort in times of adversity, building a life–long relationship with the church and its teachings.
Sunday School is offered most Sundays at 9:15 am, September through June. Even if the Sunday School year may be underway, everyone is welcome to join at any time. The Sunday School Registration Form can be found here. You can print it out and bring it with you on Sunday morning.
Schoeneck has devoted and caring leaders and shepherds teaching our children in Sunday School. Two teachers are present each week and are required to complete the Safe Sanctuary volunteer training.
1st – 4th Grade meet in Room 2 with Leaders Barbara Butz & Tammy Mehlig.
5th – 7th Grades meet in Room 10 with Leader Sarah Hriniak.
We believe that learning about Jesus should change our hearts as we come to experience and understand how Jesus is present in our lives.Both classes use the Whirl curriculum by Sparkhouse which uses Bible Stories to help kids move from knowing facts about God to knowing and understanding God’s heart. Interacting with the Bible in every lesson, the children and their teachers grow in faith as they explore each story. We study God’s Word, learning to apply it to our lives and learning how to help others.
For more information about our Christian Education Ministry, including how you can get involved, please click here.
Summerfest
Summerfest begins on the first Sunday of our Summer Schedule (when worship moves to just one service at 9:30 am). The Summerfest program is for all children ages 3 through 5th grade. Youth in 6th grade and older are welcome to be shepherds for Summerfest. The children go with their family to worship, and after the Children’s Message they are dismissed with the leader and shepherd for that week to be taken to Summerfest.
Each year has a special theme, and our time together may include a brief lesson, a video, and a craft.The children go with their family to the worship service. After the Children’s Message they are dismissed to Summerfest for a fun time together. Each year has a special theme, and our time together includes telling stories, doing crafts, playing games, and learning about God, ourselves, and one another! We encourage kids to ask questions, be themselves, and leave our church knowing that God and this congregation loves them, and that church is fun!
Vacation Bible School
Our Vacation Bible School is a long-running ministry outreach program which teaches children about the role God plays in their lives. For one week each summer, children gather right here at Schoeneck for three hours in the morning. Our VBS program is for children ages 3 through 5th grade. Youth in 6th grade and older are encouraged to serve as class helpers.
The theme changes each year, bringing a variety of biblical stories, fun activities, and new friendships to the children. With storytelling, crafts, games, snacks, music, science, and more, the children have fun and learn lessons about God’s love for us and how we can share God’s love with others. VBS kids take away life lessons about treating others with respect, a deeper understanding of faith, and improved social skills. Younger kids get a feel for camp without having to go away overnight.
Registration is typically available about six weeks prior to VBS. Please click here for the most up-to-date VBS information.
Music Opportunities
Encouraging participation in our worship services strengthens our Kingdom Kids’ connection to the church community and promotes their spiritual development. Please contact our Director of Music Ministries, Ryan Morrow with any questions about our Music Ministry.
Cherub Choir
Children from Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to join our Cherub Choir. Our children’s music program focuses on helping children learn simple songs and enjoy the warm tradition of church music. We teach using hymns, children’s Bible songs, and church camp songs, as well as simple rhythm games and melodies. The Cherub Choir sings occasionally during our 10:30 am worship service. Special services include our Children’s Christmas Eve Lovefeast, Palm Sunday, and Easter Sunday.
The Cherub Choir meets to practice on Thursday evenings (from September to May) at 6:00 pm in Room 2 for about 45 minutes. A schedule of when the children will be singing during worship is handed out at the first rehearsal in the fall and again in January.
Every child is welcome and encouraged to come sing, learn, and have fun with us! Even if rehearsals have already started for the season, children are welcome to join at any time.
Junior Choir
All young people, 4th through 8th grade, are encouraged to join our Junior Choir. We enjoy singing fun, youthful songs as well as songs that are a bit more challenging with two vocal parts. The Junior Choir sings several times a year during our 10:30 am worship service. Special services include our Children’s Christmas Eve Lovefeast, Palm Sunday, and Easter Sunday.
The Junior Choir meets for rehearsal on Thursday evenings (from September to May) at 6:45 pm in the Choir Room for about 45 minutes. A schedule of when the Junior Choir will be singing during worship is handed out at the first rehearsal in the fall and again in January. Come sing and have fun with us! Even if rehearsals have already started for the season, youth are welcome to join at any time.
Junior Handbell Choir
All young people, 3rd through 8th grade, are encouraged to join our Junior Handbell Choir. We play between 8 and 10 times per year, including our Christmas Eve Lovefeasts and Easter Sunday. A schedule of when the Junior Handbell Choir will be playing during worship is handed out at the first rehearsal in the fall and again in January. Junior Bells rehearse on Thursday evenings (from September to May) at 6:15 pm in the Sanctuary Balcony for about half an hour, and are led by our Director of Music Ministries, Ryan Morrow. Join in the fun and fellowship as you learn to play handbells and tone chimes!
Please Note: For Fall 2025, rehearsals will not begin until November.
The Brass Choir
Our Brass Choir has the special privilege of announcing the major seasons of the church year — from the resounding peals of triumph on Easter morning to the beloved strains of Christmas chorales on Christmas Eve. All brass players, young and old, are invited to join!
The Brass Choir is open to everyone from Grade 5 through adults. Led by Bill Heiser, we play a half–hour of preludes of traditional chorales before all lovefeasts, in addition to accompanying hymns for several of the lovefeasts. Rehearsals are held as needed. The Brass Choir also plays for our Christmas Eve Lovefeasts, the Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at God’s Acre, Easter Sunday Worship, Memorial Day at God’s Acre, and for funerals when called upon.
Morning Star Soloist
Morning Star is a beloved hymn sung by Moravians on Christmas Eve during our candlelight vigils. A young child sings the beginning of the hymn and then the congregation sings back, with the child and the congregation singing back and forth. Soloists are usually between the ages of 7 to 12 years old and practice for several weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. More than one child may sing each year, as our church has several Christmas Eve services.
Special Music
Does your Kingdom Kid play a musical instrument? Great! We have opportunities for soloists, duets, trios, and small ensembles to play special instrumental music for our worship services. Special Music is often needed for the 8:00 am or 10:30 am worship services from September to June, for the 9:30 am worship services in the summer, as well as special services throughout the year such as lovefeasts and Holy Week.
Our church family embraces our young musicians as they gain experience in performing and are very enthusiastic about their endeavors to praise God through music.
Fellowship Opportunities
Building meaningful relationships within the church community will fosters your Kingdom Kid’s feelings of belonging and identity, laying a solid foundation for their spiritual growth and development.
Junior Youth Group
Leaders — Lanie Yaswinski & Courtney Schnyderite
Be part of a group of kids that is welcoming, accepting, and loves to have fun! The Junior Youth Group welcomes all kids in 2nd through 6th grade. We meet about once a month to have fun and learn to “Live God’s Love” and “Be the Church” by reaching out and serving our church and wider community. Friends are always welcome, and we invite younger siblings to join us for some activities.
Our Junior Youth Group participates in plenty of fun activities and service events! Past activities include: Making Valentines for our homebound members, pizza party, roller–skating, sharing a taco party for the residents of Safe Harbor Easton, participating in Youth Sunday, made chocolate goodies for Father’s Day, helping to trim candles for the Christmas Eve services, finding our way through Mazeilla, pumpkin carving, baking Christmas cookies for our homebound members, and Christmas Caroling.
Camp Hope
The Moravian Church has a long-standing appreciation for a Christian–based camping experience. Schoeneck encourages our children and youth to attend a week of summer camp at Camp Hope.
Hope Conference and Renewal Center, located in Hope, NJ, offers children and youth an opportunity to experience Christian faith with other Moravian youth in an outdoor setting and leave with memories that are sure to last a lifetime! Schoeneck Moravian Church offers generous 50% tuition reimbursements through the Kyle Butz Memorial Fund. For more information about summer camps at Camp Hope, please click here.
Church-Wide Fellowship Events
Schoeneck Moravian Church strives to bring together church members and friends from all age groups and with diverse interests, and enable stronger personal relationships, through a variety of church–wide events.
Some of these events include the annual Birthday Social, Mother’s Day Tea, Father’s Day Breakfast, Rally Day Festivities, and an Advent Workshop hosted by the Christian Education Ministry. The Senior Youth Group hosts an Easter Egg Hunt and Spider Web Social each year. Other activities include church picnics, Fire Pit fellowship, game nights, movie nights, and more.
We encourage our Kids of the Kingdom and their families to join in as many activities and events as you can as a way to share fellowship and faith together.
Service & Outreach
The ideas listed below are just a fraction of the service opportunities our Kingdom Kids have to love and serve God, Schoeneck, and their neighbors. Please see our Serving & Caring pages and our Mission & Outreach pages for more ideas for ways you and your family can get involved.
Joyful Noise Offering
A Joyful Noise Offering takes place on the first Sunday of each month. Following the Children’s Message, the children grab metal buckets and collect loose change from the congregation. Proceeds go to Moravian Open Door, a not-for-profit organization committed to providing transitional housing and supportive services to those experiencing homelessness, to the distressed and the underserved population of New York City.
Outreach Collections
Whenever Schoeneck collects physical items for organizations such as the Nazareth Area Food Bank or Safe Harbor Easton, or for things like a School Supplies Drive or a Winter Coat Drive (coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and scarves) we encourage you to have your kids pick something out as their contribution to the collection. When you bring your donations to the church, encourage your Kingdom Kid to bring their item to the collection table in the sanctuary.
Greeters & Ushers for Worship Services
Greeters and Ushers provide a welcoming atmosphere for worshipers. This is a great way for families to serve together!
Greeters wait inside the vestibule of the main entrance. They smile, shake hands, and verbally greet people who enter the church.
Ushers welcome worshipers just outside the sanctuary. They offer everyone a friendly smile and a handshake as they give out the worship bulletins Ushers also collect the offering during the worship service.
Scripture Readers During Worship
Older Kingdom Kids are invited to participate in this special ministry. We are always looking for people who would like to be part of Sunday morning worship by reading the day’s scripture readings. Special training is not needed — just a desire to share God’s Word with the congregation. Scripture readings will be supplied in advance.
Adopt-A-Highway
Held three times a year on a Saturday morning in April, July, and October, we care for God’s creation as part of the PennDOT Adopt–A–Highway program. Join us as we clean–up our designated 2–mile section of Jacobsburg Road. Participants must be at least 8 years old, and at least one parent/guardian must accompany them. This is another great way for families to serve together!
Make A Meal for Safe Harbor
Schoeneck provides a healthy, home–cooked meal to the residents and staff of Safe Harbor in Easton once a month. Your family can sign up to make and serve a meal together (or join forces with another family)! For more information or to volunteer to make a meal, please contact Carolyn Hertzog.
Holiday Hope Chest
Schoeneck participates in the Holiday Hope Chest Christmas Shoebox Program in November every year. Each holiday season, gift–wrapped shoeboxes filled with age–appropriate gifts make a meaningful, positive impact in the lives of underserved youth. Your Kingdom Kids (with your guidance) can fill a shoebox with Christmas items for another youth living in the Lehigh Valley.
Join Us!
Influencing our Kingdom Kids on their faith journey will be one of the most rewarding ways you spend your time. If you love hanging out with kids, having fun and pointing them to Jesus, or just want to serve behind the scenes, consider serving in our Kids of the Kingdom ministry. As a reminder, all volunteers who interact with our children and youth must obtain the proper background checks and child-abuse clearances before they begin working with our kids. Background checks and clearances are provided at no cost to the volunteer.
