Countryside Kids Christmas 2022:

Lessons & carols with Countryside Kids

This year, our children will lead worship on Sunday, December 18 during the 9:30 worship time. The kids will be leading a lessons and carols style of worship service, meaning they will be telling the story of Christmas between different carols, anthems and a liturgical dance.


Please note: This worship service is live-streamed. All students participating need to have a release form on file. This can be completed online HERE.


There are many ways to get involved! We do ask that students participate in as many rehearsals as possible, but understand that illness, conflicts and family events pop up. All students do need to attend one of the walk through rehearsals in December so that they know where to go. 


Contact Becky Ericson with any questions or if you child would like to help with Scripture reading or prayer! becky@countrysideumc.org or text (785) 250-9729.

Opportunities for Kids 3 - 5 Years

Bitty Bells

Bitty Bells is our bell choir for students 3 years through kindergarten. Rehearsals for Christmas will be December 4 & 11 in Room 209 from 10:30-10:50. Students will meet in Room 209 (likely around 9am - time TBA) on December 18.  Bitty Bells will ring first in worship and ringers do not need to attend a walk through. 


A November session of Bitty Bells rehearses November 6 & 13 from 10:30-10:50 in Room 207 and rings in 9:30 worship on November 20. 

Liturgical Dance

Liturgical dance is dancing for God. Students will learn a dance that will be shared toward the end of our Lessons & Carols. Rehearsals for students 3-5 years will be November 13 and December 4 from 9:10-9:30am and November 20 from 10:30-10:50 in Room 206.We do ask that students in this group attend one of our walk throughs so they can practice on the stage with some of the other age groups.

Carols

We will work on singing Away in a Manger in Sunday Small Groups with this group. This is an "all sing" hymn, where everyone in the sanctuary will sing along and the kids will not be up front to lead.

Music & Dance Opportunities for 1st-5th Grade

Bells

Students will be working on a bell piece during our Wednesdays for Kids bell rotations. Wednesdays for Kids meets from 6-7:30pm every Wednesday except Thanksgiving week. (November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7 & 14)

Choir/Singing

Students in our Wednesdays for Kids program will learn a special song/anthem to share as part of our Lessons & Carols. Wednesdays for Kids meets from 6-7:30pm every Wednesday except Thanksgiving week. (November 2, 9, 16, 30; December 7 & 14)

Liturgical Dance

Liturgical dance is dancing for God. Kids will be divided into age-based groups to learn a section of a dance to share at our Lessons & Carols worship. Students in this age group can choose between attending rehearsals on Sundays or Wednesdays. Students in this group will have a specific costume to wear - more details to come.


Sundays: November 13, 20, and December 4 from 10:30-10:50 in Room 206.


Wednesdays: November 9, 16, 30 during Wednesdays for Kids (6-7:30pm)

All Sing/Hymns

During Sunday Small Groups (9:30-10:30 and 11:15-noon on Sundays) and Wednesdays for Kids, we will be learning and talking about some of the hymns/carols that will be "all sings" during worship on the 18th. 

Speaking roles for Elementary students

Scripture/Bible Story Readers

Individual students will be reading part of the Christmas story.  Students need to either be fluent readers or able to memorize longer sections, so this role is generally recommended for 4th grade and up. Memorization is not required. Students do need to attend a walk through rehearsal so they know when and where to go.

Prayer/Lord's Prayer

We are looking for one student to say a short prayer, then lead everyone to say the Lord's Prayer. We can help with providing a script if desired, but would love to have the student write his/her own prayer!

Bible Story Helpers

This section is tentative. We are hoping to tell the full Christmas story in a fun and interactive way that would require a few students to assist with some props. No reading or memorization required.

Walk Through Rehearsals & other Details

There is no formal dress requirement for leading worship, with the exception of liturgical dancers. We will have costumes and additional information for this group at a later date. (You will not be asked to purchase anything.)


We ask that all elementary students participating (speakers, singers, bells, etc.) and all liturgical dancers attend at least one walk through rehearsal so they know where to go, where to sit. 


Walk through rehearsal options include:

  • Sunday, December 11 from 10-10:30/10:45 in the Celebration Center (followed by a quick walk through in the sanctuary when worship is over)
  • Wednesday, December 14 from 6-6:45pm. Students in Wednesdays for Kids will stay until 7:30.