The Intersection: Where Faith, Family, and Fun Meet!

The children’s program at Northside (The Intersection) aims to get kids involved in having fun worshiping God. From drama to puppet shows to service projects — children at Northside get to explore the various ways that we can serve others through our own individual talents. We also have activities where families can share quality family time in a Christian atmosphere — from roller skating to evenings at the ballpark and weekend retreats.
 
The Mission Statement of The Intersection: Growing in God’s Love, Learning His Truth, and Sharing His Love with Others.
 
Our mission is to:

GROW: To create a healthy, spiritual atmosphere that allows each child to grow in their relationship with Jesus and with each other.
LEARN: To train each child in the knowledge of the Word, help them discover their own uniqueness, and equip them and their parents to live faithfully in an ever-changing world.
SHARE: To prepare each child to share the love of Christ with their family, friends, neighbors, community, and the world through their attitudes, actions, and words.
Northside is a place where children are loved, nurtured, and equipped to build strong Christian relationships with their peers and adults. We offer many opportunities for Bible Studies, music, special events, and ministry for all kids through 5th grade. Our goal is to equip our kids with God’s truths so they can make good choices and be inspired to live out their faith each day. Northside is a Safe Sanctuary Congregation.
 
Sunday Morning Worship Opportunities

Childcare is available during the worship services (infant to 5 years) and Sunday School (infant to 3 years). Worship Services are held on Sundays at 8:30 AM and 10:50 AM. Children’s Church is a place where our kids have an age-appropriate worship experience that includes Bible lessons, puppets, music, and more, during the 8:30 AM and 10:50 AM worship services. Children attend the first part of the worship service and are dismissed following “Moments with the Children” (a special time for children to come down front for a short message from the Pastor).
 
Acolytes
Third through fifth graders are invited to serve as acolytes during our worship services. A training session is held in September. Schedules are mailed out quarterly.
 
Sunday School

3 year-olds through 6th grade – 9:45 AM - 10:35 AM
 
Buzz: Preschool through 4th graders use the BUZZ curriculum, an entirely new way to teach kids the truths of the Bible—a way that excites and engages kids. Children will know and understand eight foundational truths about God—He is loving, perfect, forgiving, faithful, real, giving, powerful, and good. Every quarter each age level focuses on a different attribute of God through a unique, fun theme and age-appropriate Bible lessons.
 
Grapple: 5th and 6th graders use the Grapple curriculum to get preteens digging into the Bible for answers to issues they grapple with the most. Cool videos, an interactive website, games, and weekly challenges guarantee they’ll have fun as they explore what they believe…and why they believe it.
 
Sunday Night Opportunities

Music: There are music opportunities for children ages 3 through 5th grade from 5:30 – 6:30 PM.
 
5:30-6:00 Bells
Color Bells              Pre-K – 1st grade    Room 117
Belleplates              2nd – 3rd grade      Room 119
Tonechimes            4th – 5th grade       Chapel
 
6:00-6:30 Choir / Worship Arts
Pre-K and K                                          Room 117
1st – 2nd grade                                     Choir Room
3rd – 5th grade                                     Chapel
 
 
Wednesday Night Worship Opportunities

Praise Service: Mid-week worship is offered, for all ages, from 6:00 -6:45 PM in Hope Hall.
 
Bible Study: Bible Study is offered for children ages 3 through 5th grades from 6:45-7:45 PM

Preschool- K:  The teachers present Bible stories, songs, and prayer during this hour of time. The primary objective is to introduce these young ones to God’s word in an exciting and age appropriate way. Room 110

Kidzone (1st-2nd) – This Bible study incorporates time for solid learning, prayer, and personal reflection. We want our kids to explore God’s word and learn how these scriptures apply to their lives in an everyday sort of way. Our teachers are committed to presenting this material in an efficient, fun, caring, and compassionate environment. Room 119.

Covenant Kids (3rd-5th) – This 3-year curriculum is designed for the purpose of training our children in Bible knowledge and scripture memorization. This Bible study incorporates solid Bible teaching, word puzzles, games, and scripture memory. The Summit.
 
Special Events

Easter Egg Hunt
Children fifth grade and younger are invited to an Easter Egg Hunt on the church grounds on the Saturday before Easter. Following the hunt, special activities such as puppet shows, activity centers, crafts, and photo opportunities can be enjoyed by the whole family.
 
Vacation Bible School
Children from four years old through graduated fifth graders are invited to participate during this exciting and energetic week from 9:00 AM to noon each day. Children will enjoy skits, crafts, storytelling, music, games and snacks. The week ends with a finale presentation at our Sunday Worship services. Many youth and adults help make this the most fun week of summer vacation!
 
Summer Day Camps
A variety of day camps are offered to Northside’s kids, including day trips and on-site activities. Camp Ultimate, a day at the beach, pool parties, a trip to the zoo, laser tag, bowling, roller skating, and trips to the Children’s Museum are some examples of these fun-filled events.
 
Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly
Third through fifth graders attend a weekend retreat at Lakeshore at the end of the summer. Whether they’re rocking out to great worship tunes, playing crazy games, swimming in the water park, creating team covenants, or sharing and discussing in small groups, the kids are learning about God’s love for them.                                                

Octoberfest
Northside’s fall festival is a time of family fun and community outreach. Highlights of this event include costumes, candy, great food, trunk or treating, inflatable’s, and games for all ages. This is one of the major family events of the year.
 
Children’s Christmas Musical
Each Christmas, children fifth grade and younger participate in a special musical about the message of Christmas. While the musical is different each year, the message is the same. God’s love and care for us is apparent through the birth of his son, Jesus.
 
Children’s Sabbath
Northside’s annual Children’s Sunday features children leading worship. There are ample opportunities for involvement, including liturgists, ushers, acolytes, scripture readers, and song leaders.
 
Themed Events
Northside offers a variety of themed events for kids throughout the year, such as a Father-Daughter Banquet, Mother-Son Banquet, Talent Show, Teddy Bear Picnic, Pajama Party, Luau, Homebound Member Project, and Palm Sunday Processional.
 
Bibles for Third Graders and Preschoolers
Each fall, it is our tradition that each third grader receives a new Bible with his or her name imprinted on it. Preschoolers also receive a colorful, age-appropriate Bible to introduce them to God’s Word.
 
Children’s Activity Bags
These bags are provided for younger children who appreciate having something designed especially for them in worship.
 
Boy Scouts
Our congregation sponsors Boy Scout Troop # 203.
 
Cub Scouts
Our congregation sponsors Cub Scout Pack # 203.
 
Girl Scouts
Our congregation sponsors Girl Scout Brownies Troop # 4421.
 
For more information about The Intersection, Northside’s Children’s Ministry, contact Kristy Richardson at kristy@northsidemethodist.org