Children

A central part of all our programming is to assure parents that their children are safe and well cared for by our staff and volunteers. Also, we desire and delight in the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with your children.

Our staff and volunteers have been thoroughly screened and trained so you can experience a meaningful and peaceful Sunday morning at FPC. We are blessed and thank you for entrusting us with the care of your children, while you attend worship or participate in one of our adult Sunday School classes.

The FPC Children’s Ministry program focuses on education, worship and outreach to the community. We make every effort to establish traditions by repeating, refining and expanding specific events and celebrations each year. We support parents in their role as the primary educators of their children and engage the entire congregation in nurturing children by keeping them informed and inviting them to participate in inter-generational activities. The ministry supports its teachers with age appropriate curriculum and supplies that help them teach and reach the children, as mentors serving as teachers, assistants and volunteers.
Our primary goal and mission is the children’s faith formation – an awakening that begins in early childhood and continues throughout their life.

Infants and Toddlers
When you bring your child to the infant and/or toddler room, please take a moment to complete an information sheet for your child, as this allows us to provide personalized care. You will be given a pager to keep with you. It is our policy to only care for “well” children, in order not to expose others to colds or illnesses.

Infants

Newborn to 18 Months
The nursery is well-equipped and staffed for infant care. All equipment and toys are sterilized after use and staff follows stringent guidelines recommended for the care of infants.

Toddlers

15 Months to 3 Years
Our primary goal is to provide a consistent, trustworthy environment for the toddlers as they gain their independence. The toddler play area is specifically designed to accommodate children from the time they begin to walk until they are 3 years old. This room includes a housekeeping area, book and toy area.

Children and Youth Sunday School Classes
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Mark 9:35

Sunday School classes are offered for all ages at First Presbyterian Church.

We offer NURSERY CARE during both services and during the Sunday School hour. Our nursery is staffed by trained workers who love and care for the infants through age 2 in their charge.

The curriculum for PRE-SCHOOL children is from the Grow, Proclaim, Serve series. This curriculum tells Bible stories in a variety of ways in order to help all children develop a common understanding of how we apply the Word of God in our daily lives; even as children.

The curriculum for all classes in K- 5th GRADE is Feasting on the Word. It follows the lectionary and is a Reformed curriculum that covers the Bible over a three year period. It is designed to help our children and youth learn more each year about our loving God. Grade level studies will help them grow stronger in their faith and equip them to share God’s love with others. In choosing this curriculum, it is our goal to be faithful to Scripture as we encourage our children and youth to grow as children of God.

Children’s Church
During Children’s Church, our children in Pre-school through 1st grade enjoy all the parts of the worship service in an age-appropriate setting. Simple songs and Bible verses open the worship time. Bible stories are told with wooden figures that are just right for children to hold as they retell the stories for themselves. Activities reinforce story concepts. Prayers and blessings share God’s love.

The program we use is a discovery model of learning that allows children to experience God on their level. The stories we use in our Children In Worship program revolve around the New Testament, Parables of Jesus, Old Testament, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Baptism.

Faith Builders
Calling all children in grades 2-5…Have you heard? There’s a children’s group at First Presbyterian Church and you’re invited to join us!

Faith Builders is a Children’s Ministry at First Presbyterian Church designed for children in grades 2-5. During this time of fellowship, children learn more about God and each other through a variety of venues, including scripture reading, music, dance, games and other fun activities. We hope you will join us! Please call Linda Campbell in the church office for more information and to reserve a space in the program!

We are committed to continuing the traditions that the children and congregation of First Presbyterian Church enjoy, with a continued focus of learning and sharing the love of Jesus. Our commitment is to enrich the activities to provide deepening spiritual experiences for the church within as well as the community. We are frequently adding and trying new and different things to accomplish this goal by increasing children’s participation in the opening of Sunday services, Praise Fellowship Services, our Wednesday Night Live program and outreach events.