Each Thursday from now until December 24, there will be a new Faith-Based Christmas Craft you can make with your family.
Here’s the first one:
Looking for simple Christmas crafts that keep the focus on Jesus? Some of the most meaningful moments of the season happen in small, ordinary activities at home.
Here are 10 easy, low-prep crafts your family can make together this Christmas, each one paired with a Bible verse to help keep the true meaning of the season front and center. They work for a range of ages, so siblings can craft side by side, and most use simple supplies you probably already have at home.
1.Nativity Scene Ornaments
Verse: Luke 2:11
Build a simple stable out of popsicle sticks and decorate it with paper cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is an easy way to retell the Christmas story with your hands while you talk through it together.
Supplies:
Popsicle sticks (5 to 6 per child)
Brown construction paper or cardstock
Glue sticks or white glue
Child safe scissors
Crayons or markers
Small paper or foam cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Straw, raffia, or yellow paper strips for hay
Ribbon or yarn for hanging
Optional: star stickers or glitter
Instructions:
1. Glue 4 popsicle sticks into a triangle shape for the stable roof and sides.
2. Glue 1 to 2 more sticks horizontally across the bottom for the base.
3. Attach the stable frame to a piece of brown paper or cardstock.
4. Add the paper cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph inside the stable.
5. Glue straw or yellow paper under baby Jesus for the manger.
6. Decorate with a star sticker at the top and any extra details.
7. Punch a hole or tape a ribbon loop to the back for hanging.
Get ready to turn your next summer VBS into an unforgettable adventure with Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS 2026!
Snowball Mountain Challenge invites kids to an exciting winter sports event where they become Challengers, gearing up for frosty games, snowy surprises, and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. They will come to realize that with the strength God provides, they can share their gifts, be brave, give their all, pray, and hope.
Your kids will be guided by the energetic Activities Director and the lovable Ollie the Arctic Seal puppet, who is reporting on the events. Challengers aren’t just playing games. Using their Challenge Companion (the Bible), they learn to draw strength from their faith through powerful stories, while connecting the learnings to Bible Stories and Lift Lessons (Key Learnings). With a unique winter theme and solid theology at its core, Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS delivers joy and meaning in equal measure, teaching kids that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NRSV).
Bring your family together to experience Snowball Mountain Challenge. Your VBS program will be transformed into a mountaintop experience filled with laughter, life lessons, and lasting faith. As children face their challenges and discover their strength in God, you’ll hear them say, “Challenge accepted – with God I am strong.”
Ages
Potty-trained three year olds through ninth grade
Registration includes lunch and a T-shirt.
The cost is $30.
Our goal is that all children will know and experience the love of God, and then extend that love to others.
Follow: We want those who are teaching and spending time with children at Pender to be followers of Jesus, who then teach children how to also be followers.
Reach: Our desire is for God to reach your child in a unique and meaningful way. This may come through some of our various Children’s Ministry events and activities, or through the loving community of Pender.
Transform: Ultimately, a relationship with Jesus changes lives. Living in the love that God has for us is a true gift and often times transforms the way in which we live.
We have activities for children during COVID!
Every Sunday
There are two Children’s Sunday School Classes meeting on Zoom at 10:00 am.
Fun with Music. Music and fellowship for children (ages 0-5) and their parents and/or guardians. Contact the webmaster for more information.
March 21, 2021
The final How to Draw Session.
David Raich has been offering How To Draw lessons for children from Pre-K through 6th Grade.
Join us for the final class at 1pm on Sunday, March 21! Sign up at How to Draw Class
April 3, Easter Egg-stravaganza
The youth are hosting the Easter Egg-stravaganza for the church this year! It’s going to be a day where the youth are serving our community by hosting a fun event for the kiddos!
Check in starts at 12:45pm and the event runs from 1pm-2:30pm.
Starting after Easter
Children’s in-person Chime Group led by Brian Stevenson.
April 19, 2021
Children’s Storytime with Miss Ann and Mr Jim from 1-2 pm. In the parking lot.
May 17, 2021
Children’s Storytime with Miss Ann and Mr Jim from 1-2 pm. In the parking lot.
June 21-25, 2021
VBS (Vacation Bible School) Mystery Island
More information coming soon!
In case you missed it:
Our second “Pender Talk” webinar was February 24, 2021. Dr. K. Drew Baker told us about the difficulties children are facing during this pandemic.
He shared how to help children now, as well as how to help them get ready to go back to school face to face.
When we are COVID-free, Pender offers numerous activities for children of all ages:
Sunday worship (All ages!) – At Pender children are encouraged and invited to participate in worship at church.
Sunday School (newborn- 6th grade) – on Sunday morning, at 10:15, we offer Sunday school for children 2 years old through 6th grade. They are in classes with friends that are around the same age as them so they can learn more about God’s love together. We are currently using Orange Curriculum which is amazing! Their goal is to connect the church and family together to deepen the faith of children!
Sunday Morning Nursery– Babies up to 2 years old are welcome in the nursery during the 9:00 and the 11:15 am service. The nursery provides a warm and loving environment for the children. We also have a pager system to ensure safety and communication with parents. We also have the nursery open during other worship services that Pender offers.
Children’s Church– During the 9 :00 service we have a children’s message within the service specifically for kids! After this time of learning, children 2 years old through second grade are welcome to go downstairs for Children’s church.
Jesus Loves You (JLU) (4th – 6th graders) – On the second Sunday of every month JLU meets and has a time of fellowship, learning, and fun together! They meet from 5-7pm and learn more about God together.
Pender is dedicated to having family events throughout the year where the whole family can come and experience God’s love and fellowship with others together.
All teachers are required to submit to a thorough background check and complete Child Protection Training. In addition, all teacher helpers must attend training.
Pender parents are invited to drop off your kids ages 3-12 yrs. for a fun night of children’s activities, dinner and a movie at Pender while you go on a date with your special someone or just take time off to unwind & relax.
