OC Kids... Leading kids into a growing relationship with Jesus



This is the place to find out what we are planning, learning, and doing.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Kids Church Theme Starting Sunday, December 19th!


What's the Point?
I will worship God in all I say and do!

Life Verse
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14, NIV)

Bible Focus
Mary, Joseph, and others in the Christmas story

Monday, November 8, 2010

Kids Christmas Musical- "Legacy of Love"

BGMC Pop Out for November



Did you know that one-third of the world’s children struggle with inadequate food and drinking water—let alone having the luxury of soda pop to drink?

Our Boys and Girls November Missionary Challenge is to “Pop Out for Missions.”

We are challenging the kids to give up soda pop (or something else) during the month of November. The money that would have been spent on soda pop would then be given to BGMC, which helps needy children around the world.

Here’s how it works:
Kids across the nation are to make a pledge to give up soda pop for the next three weeks, ending on Thanksgiving Day. On that day, kids may once again drink soda pop—remembering not only to be thankful for their own blessings, but remembering the children around the world who don’t get to celebrate the many material blessings that we are thankful for on Thanksgiving Day.

Kids Church Theme

The Praying Mantis- The importance of prayer in our lives
Don't be a Stinkbug- Have a Godly Attitude
From Caterpillar to Butterfly- The transforming power of God
Ants- Working together in unity
Are you Moth or a Cockroach- Being drawn toward the light
Spider- Avoiding the web of temptation
Busy as a Bee- We should "Bee" about the Father's business
Lightning Bug- Shine your light in a dark world

HighPoint New Theme


In Good Vs. Evil, your kids discover God is the ultimate winner in the supernatural battle between good and evil. When they’re faced with good or evil choices in daily life, kids will be challenged to live for God and choose good.

What's the Point?
I will stay away from evil and choose what’s good!

Life Verse
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans12:21, NIV)

Bible Focus
Adam and Eve, Saul and the Witch of Endor, and others

Sunday, July 18, 2010

New Kids Church Theme


July 18th- No more Humpty Dumpty for me!
Main Focus: God can put our broken lives back together again.
Power Verse: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us...” 1 John 1:9
July 25th- Community Worship Service 10:30AM-11:30AM
@ Linn County Fairgrounds
August 1st- Help a Brother Out!
Main Focus: We must help others who are broken by sin.
Power Verse: “…if another Christian is overcome by sin, you…
should gently and humbly help them back onto the right path.”
Galatians 6:1
August 8th- BGMC Sunday!
August 15th- Broken Bones!
Main Focus: God can heal our bodies when they are broken by sickness.
Power Verse: “…I am the LORD who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
August 22nd- We're all in this together!
Main Focus: When we find ourselves in the middle of a BROKEN relationship,
we must do our part to bring it back together.
Power Verse: “If you forgive those who sin against you,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.” Matthew 6:14
August 29th- Family Service

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Oak Creek Kids welcome the Clement kids!


Dan, Gretchen, Elijah, Micah & Leah we are so excited to have you join our church staff team! Looking forward to great times with you!

BGMC Decorate a Buddy Barrel Winners!!!!

Thanks to every kid who participated in decorating and giving to BGMC!!!!
Here are all the decorated Buddy Barrels-


Decorated by Hayden Watts

Decorated by Addy Watts

Decorated by Kara Marks

Decorated by Joseph Dunn

Decorated by Shane Rush
Won for Funniest Buddy Barrel

Decorated by Makayla Hershfelt
Won for Most Beautiful Buddy Barrel

Decorated by Addy Marks
Won for most Creative and Best Overall Decorated

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Awesome August Events for kids!!!

August Oak Creek Kids Events
Sunday, August 1st from 5:45PM-7:30PM
Mini Golf (Meet at Lakeshore Lanes - 5432 Pacific Blvd SW • Albany)
Cost is $6 per person

Sunday, August 8th @6PM
Water Games Night (Oak Creek)
Bring a towel and be prepared to get wet!

Tuesday, August 10th from 8AM -4PM
Zoo Trip
Meet at the church @ 8AM and we will be back at the church aprox. @4PM
Cost: $6
Sign up by August 8th so we can have a count for transportation
Bring: Sack lunch, water bottle, and some spending $ if you choose
Wear comfy clothes & shoes!

Sunday, August 15th @ 6PM
Inside Out Campout (Oak Creek)
Cost $3 (to cover food)
Bring: sleeping bag, pillow, PJs, flashlight, Bible
We will play games and watch a movie and have Smores & hotdogs
Breakfast will be served in the morning.
Starts at 6PM and parents can pick up at 8AM(if not spending the night parents can pick up @9PM)
Bring a friend!

Tuesday, August 17th @5PM-8PM
Family Night Swim @ Swanson Cool Pool (705 Railroad Street SE, Albany)
Meet at Swanson Cool Pool
Cost: 5yrs and under $2.50, 6-17yrs $3.25, Adults $4, observers $2.00
Must be accompanied by adult

Sunday, August 22nd @6PM
Luau Party & Talent Show (Oak Creek)
Sign up with Charity to be in the talent show!
Bring: a snack to share with everyone!

Family Missions Sunday, July 11th!

I am so excited for Sunday!

Winners for our Buddy Barrel Decorating Contest will be announced Sunday! I will post pics of all the Buddy Barrels and the winners soon. Thanks to everyone who voted!

New HighPoint Theme!



In Ministry Now, your kids discover that God wants to use them in ministry to help change people's lives. They'll learn that ministry begins by following Jesus. Even if it's not always fun or if they're afraid, kids can still please God by serving others in special ways.


What's the Point?
I will serve God in every way I can!

Life Verse
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)

Bible Focus
Peter

Monday, June 7, 2010

Don't forget to decorate your Buddy Barrel! Contest starts this Sunday!



Decorated Buddy Barrel Contest...

Vote for your favorites!

There are four categories:
Funniest
Most Beautiful
Most Creative
Best Overall Decorated

Everyone child who participates receives a prize!

Contest runs June 13th through July 4th

Everyone (kids-adults) may participate and vote for their favorites!

Winners will be announced BGMC Sunday, July 11th during 10AM Kids Church.

Please vote only once per person! Thank you!

New Worship Songs for Kids Church





Wednesday, May 19, 2010

The GOOD, the BAD, and the EXCITING!

Sorry folks I haven't posted much lately. Lot's of new and exciting things happening in Oak Creek Kids that I want to briefly tell you about. I have good news and I have bad news for you...I will start with the good.

We have been growing in kids church in the past couple months. We have been consistently running 25-30 kids now. It is so exciting to me seeing that there has been steady growth since Scott and I first came to Oak Creek and had 10 kids my first week leading Kids Church. There have been so many great moments where kids are meeting Jesus and growing in their relationships. Woohoo!

The bad news is as more kids come into kids church a stronger need arises for us to have more leaders join us. As more kids attend that means less time for one on one connection time with each kid. Right now, it is just Scott and I leading the kids. Please pray with us as we look for a few people to partner with (And of course let me know if you feel you could and would like to be part of our team).

I also have exciting news....

In June we are launching something that is a huge passion in my heart and I can't wait to get started! We have started a kids ministry team called H2O for 2nd-5th grade kids. It's going to be amazing watching kids have opportunities to grow and serve!


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Decorate your Buddy Barrel! Contest starts June 13th!

Fill your buddy barrel and decorate and dress it however you want! Bring them in FULL on BGMC Sunday, June 13th for a fun contest!

We will be asking the adults to vote on the funniest, most creative, most beautiful and best overall decoration from June 13th-July 4th. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in all categories! So be creative and have fun!

Ready, Set, Go Decorate!

BGMC Recipe for Chicken & Pork Adobo

2 Tbs. Vegetable Oil
1⁄2 tsp. Black Pepper
1 lb. Boneless Chicken (cut into small bite size pieces)
1 lb. Pork (cut into small bite size pieces)
2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
1⁄2 c. Cider Vinegar
1⁄4 c. Soy Sauce
2 Tbs. Brown Sugar (firmly packed)
Steamed Rice

Heat oil in a saucepan and add chicken, pork, and garlic. Cook until chicken and pork are light brown (about 5 minutes). Drain excess oil. Add black pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Stir meat to cook evenly in the sauce. Serve with hot steamed rice.

*The kids loved this recipe and wanted seconds :)

Friday, April 16, 2010

Romanian Meatball Soup Recipe

Ingredients
3-4 carrots
1 large diced onion
21⁄2 lbs. of ground beef
1 c. short grain rice, uncooked
3-4 Tbs. Knorr Delik’at seasoning(we used a steak rub- pretty much the same spices in it)
1 Tbs. pepper
1 tsp. dill weed
2 eggs
2 small cans tomato sauce
1 bunch of fresh parsley, chopped


Directions
Fill a large pot with a gallon and a half of water and bring to a boil. Add the diced carrots and onions. In a bowl, combine meat, rice, spices, and eggs. Roll meat mixture into one-inch balls. Place meatballs into boiling water. When meatball cook, sometimes foam floats to the top. Scoop out the foam with a spoon. After about 30 minutes, stir in the tomato sauce. Continue to cook soup over medium heat. Add more seasoning, if desired. Stir in parsley. Let simmer another 20 minutes.


Serves about 10 people. (We served about 24 a small cupful with one meatball each)

It's delicious but a couple kids thought it was a bit spicy, so, you could reduce the amount of pepper if you wanted it to be less peppery. :)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Does anybody know what's this Sunday? Why it's BGMC Sunday!

The country we will be learning about on Sunday morning is....Romania! Remember to bring your Buddy Barrels Kids!

On March 31st, @HighPoint Kids the kids met Missionary Tamara Henkes who is a kids missionary in Romania. We are excited to challenge the kids to a deeper level of giving to BGMC this Sunday.

Check out her video below.



NEW Day, NEW Time, and NEW Theme for HighPoint Kids starts April 11th! Sunday nights during Fusion @6PM!


Welcome travelers! Join us on a journey to Alaska’s Denali National Park where we’ll discover just how challenging climbing a mountain can be as we watch our crazy character attempt Mt. McKinley.

In Overcoming Disappointment, your kids will discover how to trust God and choose to do right when they feel disappointed. The patience and persistence they learn through disappointing times will also help them during rewarding times.


What's the Point?
When I feel disappointed, I will trust in God!

Life Verse
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)

Bible Focus
Joseph and his brothers

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Remembering Jesus- Kids Church Special Easter Service

Today was pretty emotional and packed with hands-on activities that hopefully helped your child really understand and realize just what Jesus chose to do for them on the cross. In fact this may provide a great opportunity for you to talk as a family about what Easter and the cross mean to you.


We retold the story of Easter using a great tool called "Resurrection Eggs." I highly recommend this as a great tool to tell the Easter story to kids and keep them interested and involved. I tweaked it a bit and here's my version of the Resurrection Eggs, which starts with the events that led up to Jesus' arrest, Crucifixion and rising from the dead three days later. You will need an empty egg carton and twelve colorful plastic Easter eggs.

Here is the list of items and explanation. You can make your own and do this at home if you would like.

Resurrection Eggs:

1- Bread or small cracker pieces – For the last meal Jesus ate with His friends (Passover) – Mark 14:22 or Luke 22:14

2- Three silver dimes – Judas takes 30 pieces of silver money from religious leaders then he helps soldiers identify Jesus. – Luke 22:3-5, Luke 22:47-52 and Matthew 26:14-15

3- Rooster (a picture of a rooster or a feather) – Jesus predicted that Peter would lie three different times and say he didn’t know Jesus before the rooster crowed. – Matthew 26:33

4- Thorns – People were mad that Jesus said He was the Son of God, so they made a crown of huge pointy thorns to put on His head to make fun of him being a "King". – Matthew 27:29-31 and Mark 15:17

5- Dice – When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and played a game (cast lots)to decide who would get his clothes. – John 19:23-24

6- Nails – Jesus was nailed to a cross. They left Him hanging there until He died, even though He hadn’t ever done one thing wrong. – Matthew 27:31 and Luke 23:33 and Luke 23:40-41

7- The Cross – (a small metal or paper one will do- I made one with sticks and string). They placed his cross on a hill between two other men who were criminals. He took our place on the cross to die for our sins.

8- Spear (toothpick) – One of the soldiers pierced Jesus side.

9- Gauze or piece of white cloth – After Jesus died, His friends wrapped Him up with cloth and lay Him in a special cave, a tomb. Luke 23:53 and Matthew 27:57-60

10- Stone or a rock – The ones who had killed him put a large rock over the mouth of the tomb, the cave to make sure no one could get Jesus out. –Matthew 27:62-65 and Matthew 28:66

11- Cinnamon sticks (burial spices) – Three women brought special spices to anoint Jesus body. – Mark 16:1

12- Empty! – Three days later, the huge rock was moved and Jesus was gone from the tomb. An angel said He was alive again! This day is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday. – Luke 24:3,6 and Matthew 28:2-6


The kids watched this video while holding a large piece of ice in their hands, which reminded them of the suffering and pain Jesus went through. It's from a Dr's perspective...



Then kids were invited to taste vinegar to remind them of the bitterness of what Jesus would have gone through and what was offered to Him on the cross when He was thirsty.

We then talked about how just one mistake, one wrong thing done, one sin separates us from God... and the price of sin is death but because God loved each of us so much He sent His only Son to be the sacrifice for our sin. The sacrifice on the cross had to be one without sin, perfect. Jesus was "the perfect Lamb" and the only one able to take our place and be the sacrifice for our sin. Each one of us (I named each person in the room) We were the reason Jesus chose to sacrifice himself.



Kids then were invited to come up front to a wooden cross and write their names on a piece of paper. Then(with supervision of course)use a hammer and nail to pound their names into the Cross. Afterwards we wrote with red finger paint our names on poster boards, which reminded us that after asking Jesus to forgive us of sin our names are written in God's book because of Jesus blood covering our sins. Each child was then invited to have communion and a time of quiet reflection.

It was an amazing service with the kids, one I will not forget for a very long time. Ask your child about the service and what their favorite part was today!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Togo Baked Bananas

Bananas, 1 per child
Lime/lemon juice, 1⁄2 tsp. per banana
Brown sugar, 1 tsp. per banana
Heavy cream, 1 Tbs. per banana
Spoons

Preheat oven to 350°. Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet or in a shallow pan. Bake for 20 minutes, until the skins are brown. Set the bananas on racks to cool. Make two slits along the length of each banana. Pull the peel back and remove a strip to reveal the fruit inside. Cut a slit along the length of the fruit. Use your fingers to open it slightly. Into the slit, sprinkle lime juice and brown sugar. Ladle one tablespoon of heavy cream over each fruit. Let children eat the fruit out of the peel using a spoon.

Although these are best when served warm and fresh, you can bake the bananas the night
before. Do not cut open the skins until ready to serve.

*We served only half a banana per kid*

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

New Theme for HighPoint Kids starting March 3rd!


In Changed Inside Out, your kids discover that real change happens on the inside as we ask God to help us be more like Jesus.

What's the Point?
When God changes me on the inside, people can see it on the outside!

Life Verse
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

Bible Focus
Paul

Life is a Highway Kids Church Lessons


Sunday, February 28th- Detour (Dealing with lifes problems)
Sunday, March 7th- Wrong Way (My way or God's way?)
Sunday, March 14th- BGMC Sunday
Sunday, March 21st- Watch for children (Be a godly example)
Sunday, March 28th- Remembering Jesus (Special Kids Easter/Communion Service)
Sunday, April 4th- All together Family Service in Sanctuary 10AM (Kids team performs special song)
Sunday, April 11th- Dead End (How to make a spiritual U-turn)








Sunday, February 21, 2010

This Wednesday night...February 24th

Is the last week of True Love character trait lessons. We have a Valentine Crush look-a-like contest with prizes for anyone who wants to participate. Here's the link for Valentine Crush' bow tie in case your paper was lost or forgotten.


http://www.gph.org/highpoint/Downloads/FreeResources/TL_Bowtie.pdf

Print on card stock or glue to cardboard and cut out to make more durable. Then glue, staple or tape string or ribbon so you can tie the bow tie.

The rest of his costume is pretty easy.... Have fun!

Here's the recipe from Kids church today...Haitian Recipe of Chicken in Sauce

Ingredients
1 Medium sized fryer chicken
1 large onion sliced in rounds
1 large pepper (mild or hot depending on your taste)
Several cloves of garlic, minced
3/4 cups of tomato sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
Generous pinch of salt
Lime or lemon
Dash of oil

Directions
1. Wash chicken well and cut into pieces. Rub each piece with the lemon or lime and sprinkle with salt.
2. Heat oil in a heavy pan (cast iron is best, as the pan will then be placed in the oven).
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 F and fry the chicken pieces in hot oil.
4. While chicken is frying combine the garlic, sugar, tomato sauce and salt in a bowl. Mix well.
5. After a few minutes add the onion rounds and pepper rounds to the pan, stir well.
6. Within a few minutes the chicken should be well browned. Remove from heat, drain excess oil and add the tomato mixture. Stir well.
7. Place the entire pan in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked completely.
8. Transfer cooked chicken to a platter and garnish with rounds of raw onion.
9. Tomato paste can be substituted for the sauce. Use 1/2 cup minus one tablespoon of paste. Add three tablespoons of water to the tomato mixture.
10. This dish goes well with diri blan (plain white rice) -- the sauce at the bottom of the pan can be poured on top of the rice.

Tastes similar to Chicken Catchitori! Yummy! All but one kid loved it and wanted seconds!

* In Kids Church we served the Chicken in sauce over plain white rice and minus the raw onion rounds.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

BGMC Sunday & Pink N Red Day on Valentines Day

On Valentines Day, BGMC Sunday we will be exploring the country of Haiti and learning about the organization Convoy of Hope. Should be very educational and thought provoking to all of us.



Scott eating a worm after the kids raised $1,000 for BGMC

Friday, February 12, 2010

BGMC Sunday


BGMC (Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge) is a Missions education program that instills a heart of compassion in kids by teaching them about the world around them and gives them an opportunity to make a difference by praying, giving, and going. BGMC Sunday is the second Sunday of every month.
Our BGMC goal for 2010 is $2,000! Be looking for the many fun ways we plan on using to raise the money this year.

HighPoint Kids

HighPoint disciples your kids to become more like Jesus, one biblical character trait at a time while having fun and traveling to different destinations. We intentionally spend five weeks on each character trait emphasizing the main point and Bible verse every week so the kids truly “get it” and then are able to turn around and live it. And that’s what discipleship is all about, right? Each night is full of hands-on activities, crazy character skits, songs and interactive Bible stories. High Point Kids is character-building discipleship at its best—with Christ at the center.



This is the Theme we are on now:



What's the Point?
I will choose to show love because God loves me!

Life Verse
[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:7,8, NIV)

Bible Focus
Ruth and Naomi