We love children at Saint Luke United Methodist Church -
and we're committed to helping them build a firm faith foundation.
Our goal is to create a positive environment where children and families can
engage in programs and activities that encourage them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
We recognize each stage of a child’s development is different, and parenting presents a variety of joys and challenges along the way. Families and children of all ages and stages are invited to engage in the activities and life of the church as we help nurture their faith journeys together!
We hope the overview below provides a glimpse into our active children's and family ministries at Saint Luke!
OUR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TEAM
Our team of volunteers gathers on a regular basis to help set goals and plan the activities for the Children’s Ministry at Saint Luke. The team works in partnership with the Director of Children’s and Family Ministries and plays an active role in casting seasonal and annual visions for this vital ministry.
*All workers and volunteers in all of our children's programs follow the Safe Sanctuaries policies established by the United Methodist Church. Interested in volunteering?
*All workers and volunteers in all of our children's programs follow the Safe Sanctuaries policies established by the United Methodist Church. Interested in volunteering?
Sundays
Children's Church
There's nothing better than the sound of children in church! Families may attend the worship service of their choice at Saint Luke. - 8:30, 9:00, or 11:00 AM. Families may prefer their young children to stay in the nursery during the 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM services, but children of all ages are always welcome in worship!
9: 00 AM WORSHIP
Young children (nursery through 2nd grade) who attend the 9:00 AM service in the Davenport Christian Life Center (DCLC) may participate in Children’s Church. After enjoying music led by the praise and worship team and the children's message, the kids will exit for Children's Church in the downstairs nursery and education wing.
11:00 AM WORSHIP
Children during the 11:00 AM service in the sanctuary will have the same opportunity to head out after the children's message to participate in Children's Church upstairs, just down the hall from the sanctuary (next to the Parker Chapel).
The kids' worship experience includes songs, scripture, and lessons correlating with the adult worship service to help prepare them for corporate worship. At the conclusion of the worship service, the children may stay for Sunday School or be picked up by their families (Rooms 100, 102, 104, and 112 downstairs or Room 236 upstairs).
9: 00 AM WORSHIP
Young children (nursery through 2nd grade) who attend the 9:00 AM service in the Davenport Christian Life Center (DCLC) may participate in Children’s Church. After enjoying music led by the praise and worship team and the children's message, the kids will exit for Children's Church in the downstairs nursery and education wing.
11:00 AM WORSHIP
Children during the 11:00 AM service in the sanctuary will have the same opportunity to head out after the children's message to participate in Children's Church upstairs, just down the hall from the sanctuary (next to the Parker Chapel).
The kids' worship experience includes songs, scripture, and lessons correlating with the adult worship service to help prepare them for corporate worship. At the conclusion of the worship service, the children may stay for Sunday School or be picked up by their families (Rooms 100, 102, 104, and 112 downstairs or Room 236 upstairs).
Sunday School
Sunday School begins at 10:00 AM (Note: Some adult class start at different times) and children are divided into smaller groups according to their ages. This is valuable time in which your kids are introduced to Bible stories, Christian principles, and faith practices through art, play, stories, and songs. Click below to learn more about our specific
Sunday School classes and times!
Sunday School classes and times!
Nursery
We recognize that babies and toddlers are capable of learning at an amazing rate! So we've created spaces downstairs and upstairs that provide a warm, safe, and loving environment to capture their attention, allow them to learn and explore in a variety of ways, and help launch their faith formation journey.
A nursery is offered during the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM worship services for babies and toddlers up through age 4 (or until they enter Kindergarten). The nursery is available
8:45 AM through 12:00 PM.
The Nursery Wing is housed in Rooms 100, 102, and 104 (infant nursery, 1s and 2s, and 3s and 4s). on goes.
A nursery is offered during the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM worship services for babies and toddlers up through age 4 (or until they enter Kindergarten). The nursery is available
8:45 AM through 12:00 PM.
The Nursery Wing is housed in Rooms 100, 102, and 104 (infant nursery, 1s and 2s, and 3s and 4s). on goes.
JAM (Jesus and Me)
JAM (Jesus and Me), 4:00-5:00 PM on Sundays, is for Kindergarteners through 5th graders. They meet in Rooms 116/118, where they enjoy a time of food, fun, and learning while hanging out with their buddies! Each week they participate in fun games and activities that allow them to further explore what they learned in our Sunday morning ministries. They also participate in mission projects, special outings, and seasonal events.
NOTE: JAM follows the traditional school calendar.
NOTE: JAM follows the traditional school calendar.
Kingdom Kids
Kingdom Kids is for our youngest music makers (2-4 years old). This choir meets on Sunday afternoons, 4:00-5:00 PM in Room #114. The children perform during church services throughout the year.
NOTE: We follow the traditional school calendar.
NOTE: We follow the traditional school calendar.
Saint Luke Children's Choir
The Saint Luke Children’s Choir offers an opportunity on Sunday afternoons, at 3:15 PM, for children ages Kindergarten through 5th grade to “let their little lights shine.” The children share their music throughout the year and participate in seasonal musicals/plays.
NOTE: The choir also follows the traditional school calendar.
NOTE: The choir also follows the traditional school calendar.
MAMA MEETUP
Mama Meetup is for moms with children elementary-age and younger. It's a casual gathering of moms which includes a short devotion and plenty of time for great conversation
and social connection. When in session, the group usually meets at the church on Sunday afternoons from 4:05-4:55 PM. Please check the church calendar for meeting dates.
Mama Meetup is for moms with children elementary-age and younger. It's a casual gathering of moms which includes a short devotion and plenty of time for great conversation
and social connection. When in session, the group usually meets at the church on Sunday afternoons from 4:05-4:55 PM. Please check the church calendar for meeting dates.
Annual Special Events*
*Check out our Special Events & Gatherings page for dates and times. We've included highlights below of our annual seasonal events and activities geared towards children and families!
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School at Saint Luke is over the top! We get excited about this annual event that reaches out to the community and welcomes many visitors each season. Children have the opportunity to learn Biblical truths in active, creative, fun, memorable, kid- size ways!
Beat the Heat
This mid-summer church-wide event is a cool alternative to the hot temps of Sanford! Kids of all ages, along with families and adults, enjoy the water activities and concessions for old-fashioned summertime fun!
Back-to-School Celebration
To kick off the new school year and register for the children's ministry programs (2 years old - 5th grade), kids and their families gather at the start of the new school year outside on the "hill" side of our campus to enjoy outdoor water activities, games, a cookout, and other yummy concessions.
Love Others Sunday
Each February, the Saint Luke kids (K-5) participate in Love Others Sunday. This beautiful tradition includes children gathering during Sunday School to apply what they've learned about God's love in tangible ways by experiencing a missions and outreach community project together. They also sing and lead worship during at least one of the worship services.
Easter/Lenten Celebrations
Large numbers of children and families come together each year for the Annual Easter Egg Hunts (ages infant - 5th grade) and Journey to the Cross (during the Sunday School hour for Kindergarten - 5th grade) where they hear the Easter story, scurry around looking for eggs, do fun crafts and activities, and enjoy snacks as children learn about the power of Jesus' love. Resurrection Sunday often includes a butterfly release which has become a family favorite as we gather around the beautiful Easter Flower Cross during the Sunday School hour.
Trunk or Treat / Fall Festival
Individuals and families decorate their vehicles in non-scary themes to provide a safe and family-friendly atmosphere for the children of Saint Luke and the community to celebrate the Fall season. The festival includes games, concessions, and friendly competitions!
Advent/Christmas Celebrations
SANFORD CHRISTMAS PARADE
Sanford is host to a Christmas parade that has been around for the longest number of consecutive years in NC for a night-time parade! Saint Luke's children have a blast as costumed characters and singers on our church's floats for the parade held each year on the first Monday evening of December.
ANGEL BREAKFAST & MUFFINS AT THE MANGER
These two wildly popular events happen simultaneously in the Davenport Christian Life Center during the Advent season, geared towards two age groups. Families enjoy beautiful photo moments with their babies and toddlers during the Angel Breakfast, while the older children (through 5th grade) enjoy hearing the Christmas narrative at the manger, as well as muffins and activities with their families. It's a lovely Saint Luke tradition!
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
The Saint Luke family looks forward to this entertaining perspective of the Christmas story each year. Children of all ages delight the church family through words, music, and costumes in our annual children's Christmas pageant!
THE LIVE NATIVITY
The church-wide Live Nativity is a popular community night-time, drive-through event. Infants and children of all ages play rotating roles, from baby Jesus to shepherds, in various outdoor scenes from the Christmas narrative, usually including live animals. It's always so special to see families participating together!
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Children (K-5) finish the year with a festive party to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Sanford is host to a Christmas parade that has been around for the longest number of consecutive years in NC for a night-time parade! Saint Luke's children have a blast as costumed characters and singers on our church's floats for the parade held each year on the first Monday evening of December.
ANGEL BREAKFAST & MUFFINS AT THE MANGER
These two wildly popular events happen simultaneously in the Davenport Christian Life Center during the Advent season, geared towards two age groups. Families enjoy beautiful photo moments with their babies and toddlers during the Angel Breakfast, while the older children (through 5th grade) enjoy hearing the Christmas narrative at the manger, as well as muffins and activities with their families. It's a lovely Saint Luke tradition!
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
The Saint Luke family looks forward to this entertaining perspective of the Christmas story each year. Children of all ages delight the church family through words, music, and costumes in our annual children's Christmas pageant!
THE LIVE NATIVITY
The church-wide Live Nativity is a popular community night-time, drive-through event. Infants and children of all ages play rotating roles, from baby Jesus to shepherds, in various outdoor scenes from the Christmas narrative, usually including live animals. It's always so special to see families participating together!
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Children (K-5) finish the year with a festive party to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.