12/1/25

It's Advent Season

Advent is a season of preparation in the church, when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ. Here at ALUCC, there are no shortage of events to celebrate what it means to be a church community! From the annual decorating of the church to advent crafts, the Christmas Pageant and our Christmas Eve services - there is plenty to do here at ALUCC for the entire family!

December may have more events, but the usual events are also still in place. Primary Pandemonium for 2nd and 3rd graders will still happen the first Monday of the month (December 1) and Mid-High will take place on the third Monday (December 15).

The annual Christmas Pageant is a treat for even the littlest kids as they get to be part of the fun! All kids who show up for church on December 14 can participate in the pageant by dressing up and being part of the show. If you show up by about 10:15am and head over to the chapel, your child can choose to be a sheep, an angel or a shepherd and have a walk on roll!

We have you covered for Christmas Eve as well, with three services. Our first service is at 5 pm and is geared toward families, with upbeat music, a story and Children's time, and battery operated candles for when we join together and sing Silent Night. Our 9pm service is our most traditional service, with organ and choir music and, of course, a candle lit singing of Silent Night. At 11pm, you can join us for a laid-back service with great music and communion and, you guessed it - Silent Night!

In the weeks following (December 28 and January 4) we will have one service at 10am, and there will be no Sunday School.

THE PROGRAM YEAR HAS BEGUN

If you are here for the first time, perhaps through a link or QR code, let me express our warmest welcome! I think you will find that Avon Lake UCC has the right balance for your child - a warm and loving environment, where children learn a positive message about who they are and how God loves them. A place where they are safe, where our volunteers are trained and background checked, and the facility is set up with safety in mind. Our Sunday School volunteers are church members with expertise in the areas of education and theology, with advanced graduate degrees  in their field.

Our curriculum is one that takes the bible seriously - but not literally. You won't find a "turn or burn" message here, because we don't believe that this was Jesus' message to the world. Instead, you will find a curriculum that promotes love for one's self, love of neighbor, love of creation and, of course, love of God.

Our education wing is decorated with positive messages, reassuring the children that they are beloved, and that every human has worth. We aren't a huge church - just about 1200 members, but we have a thriving children's ministry where kids can make new friends without just becoming a number in a computer.

There are many ways for your child to get involved, from our fellowship events (youth groups for kids) which begin in October for grades 2 through 5, to weekly Sunday School activities. While preregistration is not necessary, it does help expedite the check in process. You can find the registration link below.

If you are not sure where to start, reach out to me (beau@avonlakeucc.org) or Eileen Zakel, our Christian Education Coordinator ( ChristianEd@avonlakeucc.org ) and we can get you settled in.

Sunday School happens every week at both the 9am and 11am services, but a vast majority of our families with children attend the 11am service.  As a result, there is a children's message during the 11am service, though Sunday School is offered at both. We have child care available for your little ones as well, and a family lounge just off the sanctuary if that is a more comfortable space when your kiddos get a case of the "wiggles". All children are welcome in the sanctuary during worship at any time, so don't feel the need to leave the area if they become loud - kids will be kids, after all!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Beau

OCTOBER

Events and Signups

ALL are welcome!

Register Today!

Questions?

If you have questions about the Children and Family Ministry program here at Avon Lake UCC - or any of the other programs - feel free to contact the church office with the contact information below. If you would like to contact Pastor Beau directly, please use the email button below!