Our main Sunday morning ministry to children is called Jesus and Friends.  It is for children from age 3 through 5th grade.  Jesus and Friends meets every Sunday morning from 10:05-11:05 (between worship services), in our upstairs education area.

Each Jesus and Friends morning begins with a high-energy, large group gathering.  Here we present an aspect of the month's overall theme and give the children a chance to interact with each other and their adult leaders.

 Then we break into small groups, based on age and compatibility.  In these small groups, led by a teacher and a helper, the children rotate to a different activity station each week.  In a given month, the stations may include acting, science projects, games, arts and crafts, baking, singing or service activities.

Serving Others

At Christ the King, children learn early that we are called to serve others as Jesus did.

Every week you'll find children engaged in active service.  Children may prepare a craft project (based on the lesson they're learning that day) and then give their items to elderly members, as an act of service.  We make cookies for soldiers and for shut-ins, and sponsor a yearly gift-giving tree to brighten Christmas for local families in need.

Children also take on other church tasks, such as helping with worship as a greeter, usher, or acolyte.

When a special need arises in the church or community, the children, as disciples-in-training, find their own ways to help meet the need.

Children and Worship

We think worship can be meaningful, God-centered and kid-friendly too!  We understand that kids sometimes get restless in worship, so we provide coloring pages with crayons.  And we try to keep worship services lively -- with music, multi-media and messages with something for everyone.

Professional nursery care (complete with a wireless paging system) is also available for infants through age 5 year olds during all worship services.  During this time Bible stories are read and games are played; a crib is available when a nap is in order too.

First Communion

A big milestone in any child's spiritual life is his or her first experience of Holy Communion.

At Christ the King, children are welcome to commune as soon as their parents feel they are ready to do so.  Most parents, though, choose to have their children take part in our program of First Communion instruction, which we offer in the 4th grade.  This program helps children understand the significance of this sacrament and involves them in planning for their own First Communion experience.

To find out more: contact Karen Bernardo our Director of Children's Ministry. 

Our Philosophy

Today's teens are bombarded on every side with messages about what they should wear, do, or think and who they should be.  Friends and the media are strong influences that set unrealistic standards for teens and also cause parents great concern.

However, studies show that teens consistently name parents as having the biggest influence on their decision making -- whether it be about alcohol or drug use, sex, or driving.  The same holds true for teens' spiritual development.

 At Christ the King, our spiritual goal is to work alongside parents as they help their teens to grow spiritually.  We focus on creating a church environment where teens feel valued and respected and where they have many opportunities to explore and demonstrate their faith.  As teens develop relationships with mature Christian adults (and other teens), they have the experience of being part of an extended Christian family.

Sunday Morning and Beyond

On Sunday morning, from 10:05-11:05 teens meet in 3 different groups: Jr. High (6th-7th Grade), Confirmation (8th-9th grade), and Snr. High (10th-12th grade).

Each group promotes discussion about issues that are relevant to teens' lives and challenges them to think beyond their own lives and experiences.  On recent Sundays, they've talked about: Peer pressure and healthy relationships, How to make tough choices about alcohol and drugs, What song lyrics are really saying, Finding God in movies or on TV.

Because we place a strong emphasis on relationships, adult leaders and volunteers spend time with teens outside of Sunday mornings doing activities like snow-tubing, or going to sports events or concerts.  A few times each year we have an overnight lock-in with music, food and games.  The activities are fun, but more importantly we've found that they provide an opportunity for meaningful conversations and a foundation for life-changing personal connections.

Confirmation at Christ the King

There usually comes a point in young people's lives when they want to move beyond an "inherited" faith to a faith that's all their own.  That's what confirmation offers teens -- a chance to ask a lot of questions and then to stand up and say "This is what I believe!"

At Christ the King, the heart of the confirmation process is the relationship between each student and an adult Confirmation Mentor; students meet regularly with their mentors to develop friendships and to discuss a range of topics.  Weekly confirmation classes also deal with important issues, such as grace, forgiveness, resurrection, or the Ten Commandments.

The goal of confirmation at Christ the King isn't to produce "cookie-cutter" Christians, but to launch each teen on a life-long journey with Jesus.

Serving Others

Christ the King teens are very involved in service to others, both locally and globally.  Among other activities they have done is past years are the Southern Tier AIDS Program Walk and the CHOW Hunger Walk, serving meals at a local soup kitchen, washing cars to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research, and participating in the 30 Hour Famine to fight world hunger.

Work Camp is a summer highlight.  A group of teens (and adults) travel to other areas (Like Maryland, Ohio or Ontario) where they join with church groups from across the US to do home repairs for the elderly and disabled.  The week includes lively large-group gatherings and time off for recreation.

To Find Out More:  Contact our Director of Youth Ministries,  Angie Roux. 

Our church's ministry to children begins with our Nursery, which welcomes children from birth through kindergarten age during our Sunday morning worship services. A paid Nursery Supervisor presides over a Nursery designed to communicate the love of Jesus to even the smallest child. The Nursery is also a haven for children up to three years old during our Christian Education Hour, between the worship services.

Jesus and Friends - Now that Lent and Easter are over, Jesus and Friends will be studying the story of Doubting Thomas, and the concepts of faith and disbelief in their own lives. At the end of this month, the children will be receiving either Story Bibles or real Bibles to keep, and we'll close the year learning to look up Scriptures by chapter and verse. At that point all the children will really have to bring their new Bibles to church every Sunday, as there aren't enough Bibles in the classroom for everyone.

First Communion Class for children who have not yet received their first Communion, on Sunday, May 20, starting after the second service. There will be lunch, activities, and lots of fun and learning. So mark your calendars!  The children will actually receive their first Communion on Trinity Sunday, June 3. If you have any questions about the process or concerns about whether your child is ready, ask Pastor Norma.

Youth Movie Night -  Friday, April 27th at CTK 6:30-10pm.  Sign up with Angie Roux (angie@ctkvestal.org or 624-0305) by Wednesday, April 18th.  Bring a snack or drink to share, or $2 to contribute toward pizza.

Work Camp - Parents of past & present Work Camp Youth are invited for Dinner & Devos on Monday, April 30th.  Work Camp youth & adults, sign up this Sunday for a job and for items to bring - food, paper goods, etc.  Desserts & salad can be brought the day of the dinner.  Please bring all other items to church no later than Sunday, April 29th so that we will have everything we need to cook.  Cooks should be at CTK by 5 pm and everyone else by 5:45 to help set up.  Dinner is at 6pm, followed by devotions.  Youth (& parents) not attending Work Camp this year can leave by 7:45pm.  The last part of the evening will double as our regular May Work Camp meeting.  Final payments are due Tuesday, May 1st.  More information about the final payment will be sent by email.  Contact Angie (angie@ctkvestal.org or 624-0305) with any questions.