Hello Parents! We believe you (parents) are the most significant influence in your kids' lives and are in the best position to help your kids know God. We also believe that we can uniquely equip and partner with you along the way as a kid’s ministry. With this in mind, this newsletter will highlight resources, events, and opportunities for us to partner together in raising the next generation. 

September Series Description: Welcome to Tippy’s Mouse House! Just as mice are prone to do, Tippy has tiptoed into the preschool room and scurried off with the Bible story pictures. Together, the preschoolers get to peek into Tippy’s Mouse House and search for the pictures amongst all the other doodads Tippy has collected. It’s a super sweet search that culminates in the discovery of God’s provision and perfect love.

Monthly Memory Verse: Philippians 4:19 & Matthew 22:37

Weekly Bible Story and Ideas: 

Find the weekly videos and parent guides on our Preschool Resources Page.

September Series Description: What kid doesn’t love hamming it up in front of a camera from time to time? During the “Snapshot” series, kids will be encouraged to do just that. By striking different fun and creative poses throughout the lessons, kids will help tell the stories of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. More than that, kids will get an unforgettable snapshot of God’s enduring love and faithfulness through the deserts of life.

Key passages, verses, and questions for this month: Read the passages together as a family and ask the following questions. Also, take the time to watch the weekly lesson video (around 10 minutes) together as a family.

September 7: Abram and Lot

Big Idea: God desires that we humbly put others before ourselves.

Bible Basis: Genesis 12:1-9, 13:1-18

Key Verse: ”Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.” Philippians 2:3

Discussion Questions for Younger Kids: What was your favorite part of this story? Why do you think Abram let Lot choose the land first? 

Discussion Questions for Older Kids: If you were Abram, what would you have done? Why? Why do you think Abram let Lot choose the land first? 

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

September 14: The Ten Commandments: Part 1

Big Idea: The Ten Commandments show us how to love God.

Bible Basis: Exodus 19:1-20:11

Key Verse:”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength and with all your mind.” Luke 10:27

Discussion Questions for Younger Kids: What was your favorite part of this story? Do you think the Israelites will be able to obey all of God’s commandments? Could you? 

Discussion Questions for Older Kids: What do you think this story teaches us about God? Why do you think God gave the Israelites commandments to follow?

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

September 21: The Ten Commandments: Part 2

Big Idea: The Ten Commandments show us how to love others.

Bible Basis: Exodus 20:12-21; 32:1-35

Key Verse: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Luke 10:27

Discussion Questions for Younger Kids: What was your favorite part of this story?  Why do you think God was upset that the Israelites had created a golden calf to worship?  

Discussion Questions for Older Kids: What do you think this story teaches us about God?  Why do you think the Israelites turned away from God so quickly?  

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

September 28: 12 Spies Explore Canaan

Big Idea: God gives us a spirit of power, so we can have the courage to follow Him anywhere.

Bible Basis: Numbers 13:1-14:10

Key Verse: “God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.” 2 Timothy 1:7 

Discussion Questions for Younger Kids: What was your favorite part of this story?  If you were one of the spies, would you have been afraid too? Why or why not?

Discussion Questions for Older Kids: What do you think this story teaches us about God?  Why do you think the ten cowardly spies had trouble trusting that God would help them?  

Watch the weekly lesson video together as a family.

Find the weekly videos and parent guides on our Elementary Resources Page

September Series Description: Often we are taught to take Old Testament stories and apply them directly to our lives. We picture ourselves in the shoes of Biblical men and women that we think of as "heroes". For example: we are taught that we can beat our Goliath like David, overcome our trials like Job, be willing to sacrifice anything like Abraham with his son, Issac, forgive those who betray us like Joseph. All this is true! You can and should strive to do those things, but in this series we will focus on the big idea that although the Bible applies to us, encourages us, and challenges us it isn't actually about us. These individual stories we are so familiar with are actually all a part of a bigger story, pointing to someone different. Each book and each story work together to tell God’s big story of redemption. The Bible points to one true and better hero above all: Jesus!

Key passages, verses, and questions for this month: Read the passages together as a family and ask the following questions. 

September 7: True and Better

Big Idea: Jesus is the true and better hero of the Old Testament

Bible Basis: Matthew 22:37-38

Key Verse: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-39

Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.

September 17: Jesus is the True and Better Adam

Big Idea: Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden and whose righteousness is attributed to us.

Bible Basis: Genesis 3:1-23, 1 Corinthians 15:22

Key Verse: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.

September 21: Jesus is the True and Better Ark

Big Idea: Jesus is the true and better ark of Noah who saves, not just the righteous but saves us all.

Bible Basis: Genesis 7:12, Romans 6:23

Key Verse: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.

September 28: Jesus is the True and Better Issac

Big Idea: Jesus is the true and better Issac who was offered by his Father and truly sacrificed to save us.

Bible Basis: Genesis 22:1-4, John 3:16

Key Verse: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Please see your preteen’s weekly family guide for further activities and questions.

September Series Theme: God Helps His People

September Monthly Verse: Isaiah 41:13

September 7: 

Big Idea: Noah and the Flood

Bible Basis: Genesis 6:9-9:17

September 14:

Big Idea: God’s Chosen Family

Bible Basis: Genesis 1:2-50

September 21:

Big Idea: Let My People Go

Bible Basis: Exodus 7-12:32

September 28:

Big Idea: Israelites Leave Egypt

Bible Basis: Exodus 12:31-15:21

FG Kids Serving Need: Sign up to serve with Kids Ministry for a Sunday service! Join us to connect with amazing kids, be a positive influence, and serve the many families that will visit us throughout the summer. Register here to sign up for a Sunday in the summer. 

We are in need of leaders for Thrive 9 & 11 AM; Preschool Lower (18-24m and 2 years old) 9 & 11 AM; Preschool Upper 9 AM & 11 AM; K-3rd 11 AM; Preteen 9 AM & 11 AM. If you are interested in serving, please fill out the Serve Form.

Labor Day Weekend: There will be no Elementary Programming on Sunday, August 31st, due to the holiday weekend. Enjoy family worship! Nursery, Preschool, and Thrive will run as normal. Visit the FG Kids Elementary Resource Page for the lesson videos and parent guides.

Stage-Of-Life Groups for Moms - AM2PM (Affirming and Mentoring Preschool Moms) & MWSK (Moms With School-Age Kids): meet weekly around Bible teaching and in community and explore how Scripture speaks into the everyday realities of motherhood, equipping women to thrive in every season. Registration opens on July 1st. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Beth Williams at mbwilliams@fellowshipgreenville.org 

Next Gen Stepping-In Class - September 29: We believe that the act of baptism is significant in the life of a believer. Baptism is a wonderful way to share and celebrate your commitment to follow Jesus. This is why we have designed a special Next Gen Baptism Celebration for our kids and students. The first step in our Next Gen Baptism process is for kids and their parents to attend a Stepping-In class. 

Stepping-In is a fun and interactive class that will help your child understand what baptism is, discover exactly what the Bible says about it, and build their confidence in sharing their faith with others. Kids and students will need to attend this class before participating in Next Gen Baptism. This class is offered three Sundays a year during our regular service times. Our next class will be Sunday, September 28, at 11 AM. You can register on our website. 

Father and Son Campout - October 3rd-5th: Dads, grandfathers, and sons, get ready to unplug, get a little wild, and make lasting memories! Join us for the Father-Son Campout at Sadler's Creek State Park. It's an unforgettable weekend designed for fun and reconnecting. Registration is open! This is a tent-only camping experience for fathers/grandfathers and sons ages 6–18. There will be no electricity at the camping area, but we will have limited water bathhouses available. Whether you're seasoned campers or just starting out, this weekend is for you.

We’re excited to introduce you to our new Elementary Coordinator, Grace Morton!

Hi! I’m Grace Morton. I was born and raised in the country in south Texas. I have since lived in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, South Lake Tahoe, California, San Marcos, Guatemala, Ocean Grove, New Jersey, and now, Greenville, South Carolina! I am so excited to be in a spot now longterm. I got married this past November! My husband’s name is Raymond, and we have an adorable sheepadoodle, Peaches. I went to the University of Valley Forge for Intercultural Studies: Education. I have experience in teaching middle and high school English and Spanish, directing children’s church, working in a cafe, and preschool!

Some of my favorite things to do are crossfit, yoga, hiking, paddle boarding, and art! I have a passion for culture and food. My meal of choice is el pastor tacos. Coffee is one of my favorite ways to bring people together. I enjoy hosting friends and family for taco nights and affogatos with Italian espresso and Bluebell vanilla ice cream.

My husband Raymond runs a media production company where he specializes in photo and video production for weddings, fitness, and lifestyle! He has a passion for worship, as he previously worked as the worship director at our previous church. We enjoy doing cross-fit together, and cooking yummy meals. He LOVES the beach, so we see ourselves taking many beach trips soon.

I am truly grateful and excited to step into the role of Elementary Coordinator. While my original career path was focused on serving as a full-time missionary overseas, God has gently redirected my journey in ways that have deepened my trust in Him and opened my hands to His leading. I now see this role as a beautiful opportunity to live out the calling He has placed on my life. 

Being part of the Fellowship Greenville community feels like such a gift. I believe the Lord has provided this position at just the right time, and I’m eager to pour into the children, families, and culture here. With a heart shaped by a passion for kids, families, and the unique ways God is at work in community, I feel both humbled and excited to serve. Esther 4:14- “perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

I am available for anyone to reach out with any questions. Feel free to come find me and chat!