Here at Schoeneck Moravian Church, we believe that no one is too young to be influenced by God’s work and the love of Jesus Christ. We offer a safe and loving environment in which children actively participate in worship, learning, fellowship, and service activities that are tailored to their age and developmental stage.
Keeping faith with the promises we make to our children and their families at baptism “to love and nurture them in Christ”, we embrace the joy and energy they bring to our congregation. Schoeneck’s Little Lambs provides many opportunities for children and their families to learn the stories of our faith, build friendships, and find their place in our community.
No one has more of an impact on the lives of their children than their parents, and we want to keep it that way. Our goal is to partner with you as a parent in the spiritual and relational development of your kids. We offer Sunday morning programs, weekly ministries, and special events throughout the year to help Schoeneck’s Little Lambs grow and participate in their relationship with God, their families, and the world.
Jesus was intentional about showing his love for children and, like him, we joyfully welcome all children into our Schoeneck community! We intentionally seek to meet children where they are, providing a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where every child feels known, valued, accepted, and loved.
Baptisms for Infants & Children
Baptism is a reminder and affirmation of the salvation we know as the result of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us on the Cross. It is the visible means of entry into the new covenant between God and the people of God, and the means by which a person enters the fellowship of the Christian church.
We believe that baptism of children beautifully illustrates God’s grace that runs ahead of us and waits patiently for us. When an infant or a child is baptized, the congregation is called to commit itself to extend God’s grace, love, and care to that child. Our church family pledges by word and example to help parents raise and nurture their child in the hope that the child will come to acknowledge their personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The usual mode of baptism at Schoeneck is sprinkling, and the church administers the sacrament in the name of the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Baptisms are performed during regular worship services. Arrangements are made in advance with Pastor Ian, who will arrange preparation classes as appropriate. There is no charge for a baptism. For more information about the Sacrament of Baptism, please click here.
Please speak with Pastor Ian if you wish to have your child(ren) baptized.
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 little ones 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 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.
Nursery Care
If you would prefer, we do have a Nursery available with childcare for all children, newborn to 4 years old. Our youngest children can experience the love of God through the attention and care of those around them. The Nursery, located near the main entrance across from the Church Office, is a clean, safe, and child–friendly environment, led by volunteers who are dedicated, trained, and have successfully completed a recent background check.
Children can be in worship long enough to participate in the Children’s Message before you take them to the Nursery if you would like.
Christian Education
We believe even the smallest child of God can be taught to love and praise Him. We provide a safe, loving, and clean environment where children have fun and learn just how much Jesus 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.
Cradle Roll
Coordinator – Donna Francisco
Every child under the age of three who is baptized or received into the non–communicant membership of our congregation is enrolled in the Cradle Roll. Parents are provided with newsletters at appropriate intervals in their child’s development. SPLASH curriculum covers a broad range of subjects concerning child–rearing and nurturing the spiritual growth of children. Children remail enrolled in the Cradle Roll until the age of three when they are promoted to the Pre–K Sunday School class.
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. Our Sunday School classes begin at age 3.
Attending Sunday School instills 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 it 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 download it and email it directly to us or 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.
Pre-K & K meet in the Nursery with Leader JoAnn Heckman.
We believe learning about Jesus should be a joyful experience, while at the same time providing our children with a strong foundation in our faith. This class uses the Gospel Light curriculum which helps children to experience God by using fun, easy–to–learn activities to inspire and encourage our Little Lambs to start their life–long journey with Jesus.
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. 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 (VBS)
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.
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 children to participate in our worship services strengthens their 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.
Fellowship Opportunities
Children form life–long friendships via shared experiences and activities, which provide them with support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging within the church community.
Little Lambs
We are currently in the process of developing a fellowship group for our Youngest Schoeneckians! We want to get our little ones together for fun, fellowship, spiritual formation, and outreach activities. BUT WE NEED YOUR INPUT! For example, we could meet one Sunday afternoon a month following worship for social events or supervised play — with games, crafts, music, and more. During the summer we could enjoy day trips in the area and Vacation Bible School. Children can grow their mission heart through group service activities. We want kids to have a blast and learn how to live like Jesus.
We hope you and your Little Lambs will join us! Please send your thoughts, ideas, questions, and comments to [email protected].
Church-Wide Fellowship Events
Schoeneck Moravian Church strives to bring together church members and friends, from all age groups and with diverse interests, to 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 Little Lambs 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 Opportunities
We believe even though children are small, they can achieve big things for God!
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.
Greeters for Worship Services
Greeters 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.
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 child(ren) pick something out as their contribution to the collection. When you bring your donations to the church, allow your Little Lamb to bring their item to the collection table in the sanctuary.
Join Us!
We are always looking for volunteers to help with our Children’s Ministry. We have plenty of big and small opportunities to get involved in this ministry and no experience is required. 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.
