Children's Opportunities

Nursery

All children are encouraged to participate in Worship each Sunday. A nursery [see photos] is provided for children younger than three at the parents' discretion.  The nursery is staffed with volunteer church members on a rotating twelve-week schedule.  The use of the nursery is left to the discretion of each family.

Sunday School

We provide Sunday School [see photos] for infants through sixth grade. The Children Desiring God curriculum is used at all age levels. This curriculum is designed to impart to children a vision of God, Who He is, and who we are in relation to Him, and to establish them with a foundation of doctrine and truth. Children will be biblically grounded, seeing God as the hero of every story, with a God-centered worldview and a faith that will hold them when the days of testing come. They will be taught to love the Lord their God with all their heart, and to delight in Him forever (taken from a Children Desiring God curriculum overview). Parent take home sheets are provided with each lesson to give the parents a tool to use at home in teaching their child.

Sunday School Nursery Ministry

A Sure Foundation
The best foundation we can lay for our youngest children is the sure foundation of Jesus Christ. Everything else will crumble. The nursery ministry is just the beginning of leading a child to Jesus. Much of the work is hidden, and the fruits of this ministry may take years to see. But God is faithful. In constructing a building, the labor of digging holes and pouring footings may look unimportant to the untrained eye, but without a sure foundation, the building will not stand the test of time and the stress of adverse conditions. So it is in the life of a child. The foundation of prayer, blessing, and a godly atmosphere may look unimportant to the untrained eye and may even be forgotten when the child matures, but a sure foundation can be the means for salvation for a child. Every Sunday a Parent Sheet will be sent home to be used to review the story and truth taught during the Sunday School hour. A monthly Foundation Verse is also sent home.

Sunday School Preschool Ministry
Chronological Study of the Old and New Testaments

This curriculum is designed to acquaint the children with a great, big God. Each story is told with the purpose of answering the question, “What does this say about God?” God is presented as the main character in each story rather than Abraham, Noah, Moses, Esther, David, Mary, the disciples or Paul. Key doctrinal themes are emphasized such as:  God can do anything, God knows everything, God is holy, man is sinful, sin must be punished, God is merciful and loving, God is sovereign, man needs God, God is faithful, and God is unchanging. Recognizing that parents are the primary faith nurturers to their children, a Parent Resource Page is sent home each week to inform of the story, Scripture reference, key themes, and the Foundation Verse for the week.

Sunday School Children Ministry

Children [see photos] in kindergarten through sixth grade continue learning with the Children Desiring God curriculum.  Man is not the key player in history: God is the engineer of all life, and His purposes are fulfilled throughout history. These seven studies purposefully present God as the main character in each lesson, rather than dwelling on man. Each lesson focuses on the magnificent character of the One who can satisfy all our longings. Showing children the greatness of God gives them a basis to respond to Him.  This material presents a great God Who is worthy to be admired and imitated. (excerpt from CDG website.) As with the Nursery and Preschool curriculum, parents are provided with a weekly Parent Resource Page to assist them in nurturing the faith of their child. School-aged children are encouraged to learn weekly Fighter Verses printed in Sunday’s bulletin each week. We encourage all members, not just our children, to memorize these verses.

Click here to learn more about resources from Children Desiring God.

Foundation and Fighter Verses

Foundation verses are memorized by our preschoolers and their families. The youngest memorize one verse a month. The three and four year olds memorize one verse a week. These verses are sent home with the children on Sundays. The entire congregation is encouraged to memorize the Foundation verses during the summer months. The verses are printed in the weekly bulletin and the Weekly Worship guide.  Fighter verses are memorized by our children and their families. These verses are printed in the bulletin each week during the school year. All members of the congregation are encouraged to memorize these verses along with our children and their families. Binders with either the Foundation verses or the Fighter verses may be purchased from the church for use in the home. Please contact the Children’s Minister at pwright@pbchurch.org for more information.

Children’s Choirs

Two children’s choirs [see photos] are offered during the school year. Our Preschool choir is designed for children ages two through five. Our Children’s choir [see photos] is designed for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. The choirs meet each Wednesday night during the school year from 6:15PM until 7:15PM. Songs that glorify God and teach the children more about His character are the focus. Take a look at the music offered through Sovereign Grace Ministries to see examples of some of the Christ-exalting music sung in our children’s choirs. Awesome God is a compilation of God-honoring songs written specifically for children’s voices. Twice a year the combined choirs present a musical, in the fall and again in the spring. The choirs also, occasionally, sing during the Sunday morning Worship service. Many of the songs that are sung during Sunday Worship are taught to the children during Wednesday night choir, so they can be active participants during our corporate worship time. Several times throughout the year our children help to lead the congregation in worship through song.

Children’s Ministry in the Summer

Children’s Sunday School continues throughout the summer, but all other school year ministries are suspended to make room for summer specific activities.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School [see photos] is always a huge event at PBC. Children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to participate. Children from all over the community are invited to come for a great week of Bible Study, Missions, Music, Crafts, and Games. We provide transportation to and from area daycares. Look for information and registration forms at your child’s daycare. If we do not provide transportation from your child’s daycare and you would like for your child to participate, please contact the Children’s Minister at pwright@pbchurch.org or the Church Office at 967-6023.

Vacation Bible School Theme 2009:  Boomerang Express

To register your child for Vacation Bible School [see photos] complete the VBS Enrollment form and mail to Philadelphia Baptist Church 3001 Pump House Road Birmingham, AL 35243 or bring to the Church Office. If you desire for your child to be transported from one of the area daycares, you will also need to complete the Parent Permission Form. These forms need to be returned no later than Thursday, June 4, 2009.

Kidz Kamp

Kidz Kamp [see photos] is always a highlight of the summer. Children who have completed third through sixth grade travel to Camp Chandler on Lake Jordan near Wetumpka, Alabama. Camp dates for 2009 are June 22-26.  The cost of camp for 2009 is $205. This cost includes five days and four nights of Bible Study, Worship, Crazy Games, a whole host of recreation activities and meals. The children sleep in an air-conditioned lodge in large bunkrooms. For more information you may contact the Children’s Minister at pwright@pbchurch.org or the Church Office at 967-6023. Complete the Camper Activities Form and the Medical Release Form  and return with your deposit of $55 no later than Sunday, June 7, 2009. The remaining balance is due at the mandatory parent meeting on Wednesday, June 17.

Camp Brochure 2009

Backyard Bunch

Backyard Bunch is always a fun time for children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade. We meet on selected Tuesdays during the summer from 10AM until 2PM. The children are involved in Bible Study during the morning, enjoy a picnic lunch together and end the day with a field trip. If you have not completed a Medical Release Form for another activity in 2009, then complete one and send it with your child to the first Backyard Bunch. There is no other registration form required, however, we do ask that you let us know when your child is coming by email to pwright@pbchurch.org  or  phone call to the Church Office at 967-6023 the Sunday prior to each Backyard Bunch.

Backyard Bunch schedule for 2009

Neighborhood Bible Club

Neighborhood Bible Club is offered to community children during the school year.  The Children Desiring God curriculum for mid-week studies is used. We meet at the church right after school. Currently, we only provide a Bible Club for children in the Cahaba Heights area. If you are interested in leading one in your neighborhood or helping with the one in Cahaba Heights or having your child participate, please contact the Children’s Minister at pwight@pbchurch.org or by calling the Church Office at 967-6023. The curriculum and training is available to any church member desiring to minister to the children in their area.

Birthday Party for Jesus

Once a year on the first Friday night in December, the Children’s Ministry hosts a Birthday Party for Jesus.  Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children from our church, childcare center, siblings and friends are invited for a fun-filled evening celebrating the birth of Jesus. Parents usually take advantage of the evening to get a head start on Christmas shopping. The cost is $7 per child. This cost includes dinner and activities. The party begins at 5:30PM and ends at 9:30PM. We ask that each child be registered a week in advance.