Children's Ministries
How Can Kids Engage at Church and in Church?
This Week

February 17: Ash Wednesday-See more info below
Sunday 21: 9:15am Sunday Morning Zoom - Lent Week 1
ID: 964 1233 2749 Passcode: 956611
Sunday 21: 11:15am Casual Outdoor Worship and corresponding Children's Activity REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Wednesday 24: 4:00pm Lenten Journey Prayer Walk
February 7-28: Soup Collection On-going Chruch Entry

February 27 Food Packing Ministry has been postponed until September

Ash Wednesday February 17, 2021
This Ash Wednesday, we are asking each family to bring a cup of dirt (a sign of our own finitude) from your gardens, potted plants, or yards to the church. The dirt will be put into a wheelbarrow, mixed, and then used to grow seeds. From a symbol of our death will come resurrection in the form of Easter flowers as we are brought from death to life in Christ. 

To begin our Lenten journey, we invite you to bring a cup of dirt to the church this Wednesday, February 17 between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. One of our pastors will be available to greet you and offer prayer with you, and symbolic stickers and children’s bags will be available for pickup.

Join us online for Ash Wednesday Worship at 7:30 PM. Please prepare a small dish of dirt, or use your sticker.

All are encouraged to create Lenten prayer stations that will become table centerpieces in your homes. These focal points will not only center your hearts, but serve as tools to enhance your worship experiences while connecting us to one another as we prepare for Easter. Be creative while using the following items: 

  • Empty vase to remind us of the beauty that will come
  • Candle to represent the Light of Christ
  • Cross to serve as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice
  • Bible to use for daily readings
  • Rock as a symbol of the tomb
  • Something that reminds you of Ash Wednesday and our Lenten journey

We invite you to email us a picture of your centerpiece so that we may share with one another.
As Wednesday Centerpiece.
During the Ash Wednesday on-line Service your family will be invited to create a centerpiece for Lent. You can use items you have in your house for this symbolic display. For an interactive way to participate, invite your children to draw a picture to include all the items as they are presented in the centerpiece during the service.
Lent/Easter Lesson Schedule 
Three Weekly Opportunities to be in Worship and Ministry during Lent.

  1. Each Sunday at 9:15 am children are invited to a weekly Zoom Lesson. ID: 964 1233 2749 PW: 956611 During this lesson time children can use Weekly Packets from the Lent/Easter Bags that will be distributed on Ash Wednesday from 4-7 pm or bags can be picked up in the church entryway any time after Wednesday February 17. Children who don't have packets can still participate in Zoom lessons and children can take Lent/Easter Bags to use on their own without attending Zoom lessons.
  2. Each Sunday during Lent at 11:15 am there will be a Casual Outdoor Worship Service for families. The Pastors will lead a circle time for families with an abbreviated Message. A coordinating simple activity will be shared with the children. For example, on February 28 children will be invited to bring their decorated flower pot from their Lent/Easter Bag to church and we'll use the dirt collected on Ash Wednesday and plant seeds in their pot. See additional In-person Worship opportunities. REGISTRATION REQUIRED for all in-person and Outdoor Worship.
  3. Every Wednesday at 4:00 pm we'll meet at Pie Traynor Field to take a walk. We'll start with a quick prayer then go from there. We can stop at the playground, walk a trail, or follow the loop. Children, Youth, and Adults are welcome to join us. Friendly pets and strollers are welcome too! Please let me know with a quick text if you're planning to meet. Erin Soza 412-841-7485

Lent Calendar

Lent Week 1
Sunday February 21: 9:15 am The Miracles of Jesus
Sunday February 21: 11:15 am Casual Outdoor Worship
Wednesday February 24: 4:00 pm Prayer Walk 
Lent Week 2
Sunday February 28: 9:15 am In the Garden
Sunday February 28: 11:15 am Casual Outdoor Worship
Wednesday March 3: 4:00 pm Prayer Walk
Lent Week 3
Sunday March 7: 9:15 am The Last Supper & The Lord's Prayer
Sunday March 7: 11:15 am Casual Outdoor Worship
Wednesday March 10: 4:00 pm Prayer Walk
Lent Week 4
Sunday March: 14 9:15 am : Washing Clean
Sunday March 14: 11:15 am Casual Outdoor Worship
Wednesday March 17: 4:00 pm Prayer Walk
Lent Week 5
Sunday March 21: 9:15 am Map the Journey
Sunday March 21: 11:15 am Casual Outdoor Worship
Wednesday February 24: 4:00 pm Prayer Walk

Palm Sunday
Sunday March 28 9:15 am Palm Sunday
Sunday March 28 11:15 am Casual Outdoor Worship
Wednesday February 24: 4:00 pm Prayer Walk

Easter Sunday
Sunday April 4: 9:15 am Easter Sunday
Sunday April 4: 10:30 am Outdoor Worship Parking Lot Service

Nydire Lenten Calendar


Each Lent, St. Paul’s has asked that rather than giving something up, you instead prayerfully consider how we can help our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. In this way, many of our younger members have grown up over the past 15 years learning about the deep relationships between Pittsburghers and Zimbaweans through The Nyadire Connection (TNC). Some of our members were even inspired to travel to Zimbabwe to witness God’s work in improving lives in this African country 8,400 miles away! This Lenten season, we are offering an overview of TNC’s programs and ways to support our friends in Zimbabwe.
St. Paul's Going to the Soup-er BowlChallenge is still happening. Keep collecting those soup cans!
Click on the image to the right to hear more about the NHCO Food Pantry and the Soup-er Bowl Challenge.
Share Resources and/or ideas
At our last Adult Children's Ministry Meeting we talked about sharing resources. The Library Committee, led by Sherry Shu, is also working on ways to help share resources. Sherry and the Library Committee are reorganizing the library to be more current and to reflect St. Paul's Purpose, Mission, and Vision. I'm going to try to include a space in the weekly e-mails to share resources. Hopefully, in time, those resources will be available in the new library design or accessible through some St. Paul's communication tool. If you have an idea, book, topic, blog, or support idea to share with the Children's Ministries, please send me an e-mail. Likewise, contact Sherry Shu if you have an idea for the St. Paul's library.
[412-841-7485]
 [esoza@stpaulsumc.com]
[www.stpaulsumc.com]
1965 Ferguson Rd.
Allison Park,PA 15101