Cypress Kids

UPSTREET
ages kindergarten through 5th grade
This program is designed to grow kids up in the right way. Before our elementary kids move on to Student Ministries, we want them to know:

"I need to make the wise choice"

"I can trust God no matter what"

"I will treat others the way I want to be treated"

These principles are taught through a large group setting with music, drama, and video.  Following their 30 minutes of large group, they break into small groups.  Small group time reinforces the lesson learned in large group through activities, games, and discussion time.

UpStreet takes place during all worship services. The kids are in small groups by grade; Kindergarteners, 1st/2nd graders, 3rd/4th graders, and 5th graders. 5th graders meet in Room 204.

Who's Who?
Click here to see the roles of the staff and volunteers in the children's ministry area.

New to Cypress?
If you are new to Cypress, welcome! We try to make your child's experience fun while showing them Christ's love. When a family decides that they want to call Cypress home, we encourage them to attend an orientation and get a photo name badge. At the orientation, we will discuss what activities we have to offer your family, our policies and procedures, and how we use the photo name badge to keep your child safe. If you would like to attend an orientation, below is a list of dates. All orientations are in the Conference Room.

Saturday, 8/15, 5:45 or Sunday, 8/16, 11:00
Saturday, 9/19, 5:45 or Sunday, 9/20, 11:00
Saturday, 10/17, 5:45 or Sunday, 10/18, 11:00
Saturday, 11/14, 5:45 or Sunday, 11/15, 11:00

What We Teach In UpStreet (Kindergarten through 4th grade)
Each month, the kids are introduced to a new virtue (such as kindness, fairness, or resourcefulness) and Bible verse. The kids receive a God Time book with daily devotionals that reinforce what they learn in weekend worship. They also receive a "refrigerator door" to take home and, as you guessed it, place on your refrigerator. This has our monthly Bible verse and virtue to remind the kids each time they open the refrigerator. We hope these resources will help you share Jesus with your child!

Monthly Virtue and Memory Verse
Each month the kids are introduced to a new virtue and Bible verse.

Star"Bucks"
Star"Bucks" are incentives that the kids earn for making an extra effort. They earn them by attending UpStreet, bringing a Bible, knowing the Bible verse for the month, knowing the virtue for the month, bringing a friend, or bringing their completed God Time book. Every quarter, we have a "shopping weekend" where the kids get to cash in their Star"Bucks" or save them for something big!

5th Grade Students
Our 5th graders meet in their own classroom where they "grapple" with issues unique to their age group. The students have personal access to www.mygrapple.com where they can go online with their parents and explore this month's discussion topic, weekly devotions, and even play games!

5th Grade Catechism Class

Our catechism classes are offered twice a year on Sunday nights. 
 

What are we teaching in Catechism? 
In this class, we will be teaching our 5th graders the basics of our Christian faith, but in a fun, energetic, and creative way. Our kids need to know that Christianity is NOT boring! Our desire is to engage their hands, hearts, and minds as they learn fundamental truths of Christianity and develop a sure faith in God the Creator, Jesus Christ, our Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.

 

Why are we doing this?
5th grade is a unique stage for children.  They are getting to the point of outgrowing the Children’s Ministries, yet are still not quite mature enough to join the youth group.  They are starting to be able to deal with tougher issues and can think more critically, yet often are not challenged in those areas.  We see the catechism class as being a “Rites of Passage,” into the larger church family and into a different stage of their Christian walk.

 
Upon completion of the program…
your child will have the opportunity to be baptized.  At Cypress we perform what is called a “Believer’s Baptism,” at which time a person must profess knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of his or her life.  If your child has accepted Christ as his or her Savior and has completed the catechism program, we would be thrilled for your child to reinforce his or her faith through the act of baptism.

Promotions
Promotions in the elementary grades take place once per year.


Other activities/programs for elementary aged children include:

• MOVE - Sunday night programming for children while parent(s) are attending Life University, Women's Bible Study, or Support Group class.
• Upward Sports Programs - Basketball and soccer teams that focus on God.
• 5th Grade Catechism
• Vacation Bible School 

Click Here for the Children's Ministry Calendar of Events
Click Here to Volunteer in Children's Ministries