Children's Ministry

The Children's Christmas program and Family Christmas Extravaganza, led by DCE Tim Buss and volunteers, opened with a Sunday school Christmas program followed by family rotations of crafts, games, and refreshments. Held December 20 (2-4:30 pm) and enjoyed by all who attended.

Open Arms Preschool reported strong enrollment heading into the school year: 65 students with a wait list for all classes (fall 2023), and a lively group of 49 children under a 'Back to School' theme opening September 2, 2025, featuring monthly Concordia 'Grandparent' readers.

The annual Family EGGtravaganza features a Sunday School Easter play and craft/activity stations, followed by a congregation-wide Easter Egg Hunt (preschool and elementary areas, golden eggs) held between services. Organized by Mr. Tim, the youth group, and volunteers including Becky Brown and Jesse and Cari Lowery.

Open Arms' decorated pumpkin contest brought in $166 for the school.

Open Arms Preschool started a new program in which signed-up grandparents 'adopt' individual classrooms and come in to read to the children.

Member John Ziegler joined the CCDC Board as the church representative for Open Arms Preschool.

Open Arms Preschool annually closes its school year with a Field Day, a graduation ceremony for students moving on to kindergarten (caps and gowns, standing-room-only sanctuary of family members), and an end-of-year picnic at Marty Snook Park.

Open Arms' annual Touch-a-Truck event draws hundreds of attendees with dozens of vehicles and a silent auction, raising funds for the preschool: nearly $8,000 (2023, 800+ visitors), over $7,730 (2024, ~500 attendees despite rain), and a record nearly $9,000 (2026, with the youth group raising $550 for a national youth gathering).