Children's Ministries
Children are valued members of our congregation, not just for their future potential, but for their present gifts. They are essential to our celebration of God's presence in our midst. As participants and leaders, children are an integral part of every area of ministry at St. Paul's: worship, learning, caring and outreach.
"...and a little child shall lead them." - Isaiah 11:6
Sunday School for Children
Sunday School classes for children of all ages are offered at 9:45 in the Jones Building. The Sunday School curriculum for children in the preschool and elementary classes, Seasons of the Spirit is based on the lectionary Bible passages read in worship, allowing the whole family to share a common experience each week. An At-Home Supplement is available in the foyer.
When arriving for Sunday School, parents sign in on the appropriate form at the classroom door and sign out on the same form at pick-up. Make a nametag for your child, label all possessions, and note any special instructions or concerns. You may list a cell phone or pager number, if you wish. To help us provide the best care for your child, please complete a Children’s Ministry Registration Form.
Snacks served on Sunday mornings include dry cereals, crackers, animal cookies, pretzels, and sometimes fruits or bread, served with water. Please notify us of any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Information about each age grouping is below:
Let's GROW in Sunday School
A new Sunday School program has begun for second through fifth grades. Over the summer and fall of 2009, the Jones Building basement was transformed for the 
exciting "rotation model" approach to Sunday School, GROW.
Lessons are based on the seasons of the church year and the Lectionary scriptures that are read during worship, including both the Old and New Testaments. A typical four-to-six-week unit of lessons includes a home classroom introduction, then rotation workshops, followed by a wrap-up lesson or celebration. The Jones Building basement provides a backdrop for learning in a variety of ways:
- Drama and storytelling
- Visual arts
- Cooking and science
- Bible discovery, history and culture
- Music and movement
See photo galleries for examples of some of the learning units in action.
Children and Worship
Children are welcome in all worship services.You may wish to sit near the front so that children may see and participate more fully. We do offer nurseries and childcare on the first floor of the Jones Building during all worship services, and the ushers will be happy to direct you to the Jones Building.
- Children's worship bulletins for Sunday morning services are available in the narthex or from an usher. A “Welcome to Worship” leaflet explains the parts of the liturgy and encourages discussion at home.
- At the 8:30 and 11:05 worship services, young children are invited to meet in the center aisle during the second hymn to be escorted to the Jones Building for "Children's Church" and other age-appropriate activities. Children of any age are welcome whenever they feel ready, and adults are welcome to accompany them.
- A preschool worship assembly, “Joyful Noise,” begins the Sunday School hour at 9:45 with singing, scripture, and prayers for children age 3 through Kindergarten.
- Elementary children’s choirs (1st – 5th grades) rehearse on Sunday mornings, learn about worship, and provide music for worship services throughout the school year.
- Children are always welcome to participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion in the United Methodist Church.
- For information about baptism for infants, children or adults, contact any staff member.
- Educational series about worship and the sacraments are offered periodically, often with a companion series for adults.
- The seasons of the Christian year are celebrated with special worship opportunities, including a Children's Good Friday service, Flowering of the Cross at Easter, the Children's Christmas Candlelight Service, and Blessing of the Animals. Children provide art for Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter devotional booklets for family devotional time at home.
Kids Night Out/Kids Day Out
Our popular Friday-night program for children 4 months to 5th grade continues with a full schedule of games, crafts, play, snacks and supervised activities from 6 to 10:30 p.m., all for just $25/child/night ($5/each additional sibling). A light supper is served around 6:30.
Winter-Spring 2010
Jan. 22. Outer Space Adventure Apr. 9. Castles and Dragons
Feb. 12. Chinese New Year Apr. 23. Earth Day
Feb. 26. Go Texan May 14. Fiesta
Mar. 12. St. Patty's Day May 28. Mad Science
Mar. 26. Spring Fling
Summer 2010
June 11. Hawaiian Luau Aug.13. Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!
July 9. Sports Fun Aug. 27. Splash Party
Similarly, Kids Day Out is held on two Saturdays during December, each from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kids Night/Day Out is available for families of St. Paul’s Church and School. Reservations, which are required due to limited space and staff, are accepted for each date up to two weeks in advance. All spaces are often filled by the Wednesday before the date, but a waiting list is usually available. To reserve your child’s place, respond via the "Register" button below, call Marisa at 713-528-0529 X16, or make a note on your Sunday worship attendance registration card.
For questions or special needs, please contact Ellen Edwards at 713-528-0529 x17.
Music for Children
St. Paul’s offers a comprehensive music program for children of all ages.
MUSIKGARTEN is a highly acclaimed music and movement program for families with infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Weekly classes meet in fall, spring, and summer semesters. The sessions, attended by children along with a parent or other adult, emphasize the pure joy of music with the benefits of sensory and motor development, parent/child bonding, and social interaction with peers. The fee includes a CD and other materials to keep the enjoyment going at home. For more about the Musikgarten curriculum, go to www.musikgarten.org. For schedule and fee information or a registration form, contact Ellen Edwards.
“JOYFUL NOISE” is a worship assembly for preschoolers that meets as part of the Sunday School hour during the school year, beginning at 9:45 in the Jones Building. Anna Teagarden leads children in singing, scripture and prayers. Following the assembly, children are led to their individual classrooms for the weekly Bible story, art projects and activities. All children in the 3-year-old through Kindergarten classes are welcome; no reservations are needed.
ELEMENTARY CHOIRS for children in 1st through 5th grades meet on Sunday mornings, led by Anna Teagarden.
- Wesley Singers (1st & 2nd grades) meet immediately after Sunday School at 10:45 in the Children’s Choir Room, S-106, in the basement of the Sanctuary Building.
- St. Paul’s Choristers (3rd grade and older) attend the 11:05 worship service, exit during the 2nd hymn for separate rehearsals for Boy Choristers and Girl Choristers in S-106. Choristers participate in the “Voice for Life” curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music.
- A Treble Choir for older girls meets on Wednesday evenings.
Throughout the school year, children’s choirs provide leadership for worship services and special occasions such as the Children’s Christmas Candlelight Service, Children’s Good Friday service, Blessing of the Animals, and Holly Hall retirement center services. For specific information or to register for choir, contact Anna Teagarden.