About
Our desire is for your children to grow roots here at Altadena that will produce a genuine relationship with God. We aim to partner with families as they build a Biblical foundation in the lives of their children and strengthen their children’s relationships with friends, peers and adults, as well as the church community.
Our goal is to equip them to flourish as we teach the Bible and communicate the Gospel clearly, in a manner children are able to comprehend. It is our honor to serve and lead children as they begin their spiritual growth and a gift to partner with parents as they endeavor to encourage and lead well for God’s glory.
I’m New. What should I expect for my children?
Feeling awkward and out of place will not last long at AVPC! With smaller class sizes and dedicated teachers, our community ensures each child is given both individualized and relational attention during their time on campus. From babies to fifth graders, our team desires to provide your children and family an excellent and encouraging experience, which in turn equips your family to delight and live in Jesus Christ.
As you arrive, greeters and team members will happily welcome you and direct your children to the appropriate programs according to their ages. Follow the signs to the Welcome Center, where a team member will lead you to the children’s area. Our staff and volunteers have completed appropriate background checks, as well as extensive training, in order to provide the safest and best care of your child while they are with us. For added security, our children’s workers always serve in teams of two or more.
Nursery
We offer families with small children a safe, secure nursery in for infants and toddlers up to 2 years old.
We know babies have specific needs and schedules, so when you bring your child to the classroom, we have a simple form which allows you to inform our team of your child’s feeding, sleeping, and changing needs. We also take time to intentionally love and pray for your child each week.
Your child will experience personal care from our well-staffed team. We keep our nursery rooms ready for your little ones with age-appropriate toys that are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between services and events.
Weekly Activities
Altadena provides weekly activities which are fun, Bible-focused and Christ-centered gatherings in a welcoming and safe environment. Come check us out this week. You and your children will be glad you did!
Sunday Morning Worship Center
There are two Sunday morning worship gatherings specifically for children ages four, five and six. These times begin with children attending the adult worship service, and then being dismissed as a group to the children’s Worship Center area in the children’s building.
Our children’s Worship Center aims to model the format of a regular church service, yet on a child’s level. Children will have time to fellowship, sing, hear God’s word, and finally apply what they have learned through crafts and tangible manipulatives. They are repeatedly reminded during this time that Jesus loves them and invites them to share His light with others.
At the end of early service Worship Center, children will be taken by their teachers to their appropriate Sunday school classrooms. After late service, parents will need to collect their children from the Worship Center room.
Children’s Sunday School
Our children’s Sunday school hour correlates with the adult Sunday school. Between early and late services, children are broken into their small groups where they begin to learn what it means to be part of a Biblical community. With their peers, they have time for Godly play, sharing and prayer and Biblical discipleship on appropriate levels. Our teachers are committed volunteers who desire to help children grow in their understanding of scripture, God’s love for them, and the adventure He has invited us on as Christians. We are richly blessed at AVPC to have instructors who intentionally love, pray for, and invest in our children.
After Sunday school, parents will need to pick up their children from the appropriate classrooms.
Children’s Ministry Sunday Evenings
At AVPC, we desire for children to experience the earliest stages of Gospel-centered community, while building a foundational understanding of the Bible. Sunday evening children’s small groups aim to further these goals.
All groups meet from 5-6:30 on most evenings from September through early May.
Preteen D-Group: Grades Third through Fifth
It’s hard to be a preteen! However, children in this group have a chance to share their victories and celebrations throughout the week. Together, they then dive into a book of the Bible. We aim to rotate Old and New Testament Books. Students dig into an understanding of scripture, while finishing the evenings with fun and games.
SuperKids Club: Grades: Kindergarten through Second Grade
Any kid who is living the early elementary years is automatically a SuperKid! However, in the AVPC SuperKids Club, children learn what it means to be the light of Jesus in this world through missions, service and studying scripture. These children tangibly find ways to take the hope of Jesus into their community and world under the leadership and encouragement of volunteer teachers.
Lighthouse Bible Club: Preschool
Being a lighthouse is understanding that God has given you a LIGHT to shine! On Sunday evening, our preschool children learn and begin to grasp the basics of catechism and foundational scriptures in fun, unique ways. Children then have a chance to apply what they are learning and memorizing in creative ways that serve those around them.