Welcome to Heart Wood Forest: Planting the Seeds of Faith
Nurturing compassionate children, Fostering Christ-centered familes, Building lasting friendships & Sharing God's Love
Seedlings, Sprouts and Blossoms!
Professional nursery staff cares for children ages birth – two years old. Our seedlings (0-11 months) are cared for in the nursery, ages12 months - 23 months in the Sprouts class, and ages 24 months - 35 months in the Blossoms class. They are surrounded by love and faith while parents are enjoying worship. Nursery, one year old room, & two year old class are open at 9:00 am.
Heart Wood Forest: Planting the Seeds of Faith
First Pres offers Bible - based lessons for children ages 2 through 5th grade. Heart Wood Forest occurs during the 9:30 a.m. worship after Tilling Time. We use the Faithweavers curriculum and offer wonderful home connection ideas each week, enabling families to integrate their daily lives into their faith. Children learn a Bible story, create crafts and participate in fun activities to help them understand and experience Jesus and the Bible. Every Monday parents are emailed a Family Connect page that reinforces what children learn on Sunday.
Classes: Blossoms - 2 year olds, Sprigs - 3 & 4 year olds, Willows - 5/K, Elms - 1st grade, Palms - 2/3rd grades, Oaks - 4/5th grades
Security Labeling System
Children ages birth - 5th grade must have a security label completely filled out on their backs before attending the nursery, toddler rooms or Children's Church. Parents must also sign their child into their designated classroom. When retrieving your child, the parent or guardian must show the caretaker/teacher the corresponding label stub that matches your child's label.
This ensures your child's safety as well as the safety of the volunteer or caretaker. Your child's safety is our top priority at First Pres!
Volunteers
If you feel the “nudge” to work with children we will train you and prepare you for a great experience with children. We need your help! Lesson plans are mailed to volunteers the week before your scheduled Sunday to teach. It is easy and extremely rewarding! Contact Lee Valenti, 813-229-0679 or lvalenti@firstprestampa.org if you are interested in volunteering.
We also need volunteers for the nursery and toddler class. Please contact Lee Valenti if you are interested.
Kids with Purpose at First Pres!
"Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." (1 John 3:18)
Kids with Purpose is a family program with monthly service projects designed to help your family actively serve God in our community. This program gets families with children ages pre-K 4 through 5th grade to learn about and serve local organizations that help our community. Please go to our upcoming events page to learn about our current project and get involved!
To receive weekly biblical parenting tips, please click on this link and sign up!