Lent is around the corner starting on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022. People observe lent by fasting, worshiping, Bible studying, giving up something, and prayer. Kids love to pray! So Children's Ministries at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities has put together 40 Days to Pray! It is as simple as 1-2-3! Starting Ash Wednesday, … Continue reading 40 Days to Pray!

So I did some digging with families of infants and toddlers at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, where I serve as the family pastor. Of everyone I have talked to, most are happy little families, BUT they are tired. With interrupted sleep, working from home during a pandemic, and no vaccines for kiddos under … Continue reading Baby Book Club

As I was walking through the airport last week, Christmas music was playing. It was one of my favorite songs: "The Twelve Days of Christmas!" Immediately, I started to sing along! The tune is so catchy, and the words are absurd. So that got me thinking on how I might weave this delightful song into … Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas

It's true. I can say that I have been to the SPAM museum in Austin, MN. There are tours about the history of SPAM, even virtual tours, a gift shop, and cookbooks and recipes on how to prepare SPAM at home. I'm not sure though if SPAM ever thought they would be involved in art … Continue reading Spam Nativity Art

In 2020, it was a Covid Christmas where kid ministry was all online. Christmas program? Online. Christmas Eve family service? Online. Infant/ Toddler Christmas? You guessed it, online. Well, now it is 2021, and it is still a Covid Christmas. People are all over the map when it comes to kids, gatherings and inside programming. … Continue reading Another Covid Christmas

Yes! So many fun things you can do with families during Advent. But I like to mimic what is happening at church and help families create new traditions at home. Lighting advent candles is done at church each Sunday in Advent. So if we can do that in church, we can do that at home! … Continue reading Advent Kits for Families

Can you believe that it is almost Advent 2021? If you are still looking for an Advent devotional for your church check out "Coming Home!" It's a free download (see below) written by pastors, deacons, youth directors, children's ministers, and CYF specialists, and it is written for all ages! Design by Kenna Chase, Design Coordinator … Continue reading Coming Home – Advent Devotional

Who's on Deck? is free confirmation curriculum for anyone to use. There are two others that a team of people have put together: Cafeteria Confirmation and Tell Me a Story! Check it out: Who's on Deck Background: People love sports. Just go to any YMCA, and you will find swimmers, weight lifters, basket ball players, … Continue reading Who’s on Deck?

I can't say I have been bored in ministry this past year. Covid has changed how I have done everything. And now, with kids still not vaccinated and the Delta variant, we will not be going back to how things were before. So what's new for Kid Ministry 2021 at my congregation? Rally Day: Make it … Continue reading Kid Ministry 2021

This pandemic thing has been wild. With Covid on the rise, the new Delta variant and kids not vaccinated yet, I have been talking to more and more of my families - many of whom have entered the church building for worship (online, yes!). One mom told me, "I will do outdoor or online anything!" … Continue reading Outdoor Family Worship