kidsFIRST
We believe that kids aren’t just the future of the church, they are the church of today, too! We are excited to welcome all children into our church and to invite them to experience God and our community of faith.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH (PRESCHOOL-5TH GRADE)
At JupiterFIRST Church we hold high the values of intergenerational ministry (where all ages of our church family are together for ministry) and developmentally appropriate children’s ministry (where we have ministry that meets kids where they are developmentally). On Sunday mornings, here’s what you can expect: Stop by the Narthex and check-in your kids. Then head into the Sanctuary with your kids to worship together for the first portion of the service. Shortly into the worship service, kids who are 3 years old (and fully potty-trained) through 5th grade are invited to participate in Children’s Church in Faith Hall.
For our 1st-5th graders, we’ll provide a simple lesson that matches what the parents are learning (based on the Revised Common Lectionary) and we’ll provide an activity or two to reinforce the lesson.
For our preschoolers and kindergartners, we’ll provide a simple lesson from the Godly Play curriculum as well as activities meant to engage the curiosity of children about God, life, and faith.
NURSERY CARE (BABIES AND TODDLERS)
At JupiterFIRST Church we provide parents the option of either taking their babies and toddlers to church or bringing them to our staffed nursery. In our nursery, babies and toddlers have time to play, interact with their peers and caregivers, and hear a story that helps them develop a sense of wonder for God. If you are interested in your child participating in the nursery during our Sunday services, please check them in at the Narthex on Sunday before dropping them off in the Noah Room on the east end of Faith Hall.
Please contact our Director of Children’s Ministries, Marthe Hjortshoj, at marthe@jupiterfirst.org for more information. Click here to download and print the 2022-2023 Family Registration Form. Bring your copy along to save time on your first visit!
EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA
Bring your Easter basket and join us Palm Sunday, April 2, 12:00pm-1:30pm on the green behind Faith Hall for our annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza community event! The Egg-Stravaganza will follow our 40th Anniversary BBQ celebration. Your kids will enjoy bounce houses, face painting, egg hunts, games and a visit from the Easter bunny!
CAMPING IN THE BACKYARD
Join us for a night of fun and camping with your family in the backyard (on the green behind Faith Hall)! Bring along your tent and all your camping needs. The fun will start at 6:00pm on Friday, April 28, with dinner at 6:30pm. The event will conclude at 9:00am on Saturday, April 29. Food, bounce houses, and activities will be provided. The cost is $30.00 per family. You can pay online when you register or you have the option to pay later. Click here to register.
LIGHTHOUSE K-5th YOUTH GROUP
Kids in K-5th grades are invited to join us for Lighthouse K-5th Youth Group on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm in Faith Hall for fun activities, a snack, and an opportunity to discover something incredible about God. Please enter under the drive-through awning on the west end of the building. Free pizza dinner will be provided each week. Here’s what is coming up:
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- March 29: Lesson: Rest for the Land
- April 5: Lesson: Parable of the Sower
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Many of our parents have asked how they can get involved in providing snacks and food for Lighthouse K-5th grade youth group. Because we have to consider allergies with any food items we serve, the best way to help is by sponsoring the pizza for a night. It costs $40-50 per week for us to serve pizza during youth group. If you can help sponsor the pizza, please click here. Thank you in advance for your support of Lighthouse K-5th Grade Youth Group and kidsFIRST children’s ministry!
MomsFIRST
Are you a mom looking for a way to connect with other moms? Come join MomsFIRST for support, encouragement, spiritual growth, and more! MomsFIRST meets on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm in CSR – the Center for Spiritual Renewal. There is no registration fee.
KidCare will be available for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. KidCare runs from 6:00-7:30pm in Faith Hall and pizza dinner will be available for the kids. Please register for MomsFIRST (and KidCare, if needed) here.
STORYTIME AT THE PLAYGROUND
Storytime at the Playground is back on Mondays at 9:30am! This low-key, 30-minute weekly meet-up provides parents, grandparents, and caregivers an opportunity to bring their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to the JupiterFIRST Church playground for some play time (playground, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, etc.) and age-appropriate stories (along with an occasional activity). It also provides grown-ups a chance to connect with other grown-ups who are raising or caring for young children.
*Please note, Storytime will be on break on April 10.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Hero Hotline VBS will be hosted at JupiterFIRST Church June 19-23 for kids who are 4 years old (by June 19, 2023, and fully potty trained) through kids who are completing 5th grade (in May 2023). Please keep an eye out for VBS participant and volunteer registration to be available in spring 2023!
Meet our kidsFIRST Volunteers!
Pat Bean
Abby Bell
Brooklynne Boettge
Savanna Boettge
Jenalee Bolen
Charles Braznell
Kara Brooker
Neil Buzick
Shella Buzick
Monica Cantor
Valentina Cattaneo
Amanda Dailey
Janice Gutteridge
Karen Halpern
Judy Harris
Andy Hjortshoj
Lyndsy Howard
Mackena Howard
Natalie Hume
Margie Huske
Haley Johnson
Amy Jurskis
Jen Kothe
Jim Kothe
Eileen Larkin
Jim Larkin
Bella Levitt
Colt Levitt
Taryn Levitt
Pam Malone
Brenda Markert
Savannah Maynard
Emily McGlon
Keith McKeown
Vicky McKeown
Kathy Megrath
Melissa Mesteller
Olivia Mesteller
Emma Pessagno
Grace Pessagno
Catherine Rich
Mary Ellen Rivieccio
Nicole Stanton
Jessica Surtees
Andrew Tallaksen
Michelle Tallaksen
Kim Tinley
Lynda Walker
Jillian Zielinski
Meet Marthe,
our Children’s Ministry Director
Marthe (pronounced Marta) was born and raised in Ohio and moved to Illinois to pursue her undergraduate education at Lincoln Christian University. She earned a B.A. in Children’s Ministry and an A.A. in Early Childhood Education in May 2011. It is also where she met her husband, Andy. She also obtained her M.A. in Ministry (specializing in Children, Youth, and Family Ministries) in April 2022. Marthe has over 13 years of professional experience leading…