Child & Family

Children Ages Birth - 5th Grade
At First Presbyterian Church, we realize that children are a special blessing
from God, and we are committed to helping each child know God’s love
through Jesus Christ. Children are welcome to participate fully in worship
and the sacraments.

Our Church offers a variety of additional programs created to involve
children in their faith community and to help them make faith their own.

Sundays

• Worship Services
Children of all ages are always welcome to participate in worship
and the sacraments. See worship schedule, left.

• Professional Nursery Care
Infants to age 4 are welcome Sunday Mornings in our Child Care
Room. The nursery is open every Sunday morning (7:45 a.m. till
15 minutes after the conclusion of late service). We also offer
free child care for many other church events by reservation.
Children of all ages are welcome. Our professional caregivers are
trained in first aid/CPR, and provide a loving atmosphere in
which to leave young children while you attend church activities.

• Christian Education Hour
9:45 to 10:40 a.m.
Sunday School classes are available for all children beginning
at age 2. Children are placed in the appropriate class determined
by their age or grade. The current class listings are located below.
The Church Library/Media Center is open all Sunday morning, and
families are welcome to “check out” the children’s collection of books and
videos for use at home. Access to the library also is available anytime during church
office hours.

SUNDAYS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH

March 2008

NURSERY

7:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Infants – 24 months Child Care Center
Professional child care is available all morning.

Ages 2 – Young 3’s Child Care Center
The program offers child care, Bible story with related activities, snack and recreation.

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:45 –10:40 a.m.

                                                                        Older 3-year-olds – 4 yrs:   Room S-103
                                                                        Kindergarten:   Room S-102
                                                                        Grades 1–2 :   Room S-101
                                                                        Grades 3–5:   Room S-203A

Workshop rotation curriculum for Children’s Ministry Sunday School classes allows children to explore Bible stories through a variety of workshops, including computers, recreation, arts and crafts, science and discovery, cooking, service, and music and movement.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Following the Time with the Children during the 11:00 a.m. worship service, children ages ready-4-year-olds through 2nd Grade may leave the sanctuary with the children’s worship leader to participate in a children’s worship service which utilizes the "Godly Play" curriculum. Parents then pick up their children following the 11:00 a.m. service at Room S-203.

CHILDREN’S MUSIC
4:00 – 4:45 p.m.

                                                                      Joyful Noise (Pre-K – K):   Choir Room
                                                                      Spirit Song (Grades 1 – 5):   Choir Room
                                                                      Parents’ Café:   Youth Center

Parents meet for fellowship during children’s music workshop.

PLEASE NOTE: To maintain a safe environment for our children and meet the standards established in our church’s policies for protection, all parents or guardians will be required to sign in and sign out their children for each of the above-listed activities.

YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL GRADES 6-12

This month, the Youth plan to take part in the classes being offered by Eckerd College faculty, which will be held in the Youth Center. See the Adult Sunday School listing on the other side of this insert for information.

YOUTH MUSIC–DRAMA
Sundays, 5-6 p.m., Choir Room

Celebration Project! (Grades 6-12) Choir Room
All youth are invited to join us for handbells, singing, drama, movement, choral reading and drums.

Where: The Child Care Center, Youth Center and the Playground.

What: Get your last minute Christmas shopping done! Let the kids enjoy the morning with us on the playground and inside for more fun.

*Reservations for church members open 2 days prior to dates listed.

CHILD CARE MINISTRY

For information on child care, please contact Joanna Johns, Director of Child Care Ministry (cell: 644-5159 or joanna.johns@verizon.net).

Parents’
Morning Out
Weekday Mornings
Monday – Friday

9 a.m. – 12 noon

Child Care Center
Ages crawling to 3 years
$7/hour or $15/day;
Additional siblings:
$5/hour or $10/day

No reservations required
Scholarships available

Please feel free to drop by to see our beautiful, kid-friendly rooms filled with lots of clean, age-appropriate toys.

Kids’ Fun Day
Held on Day School holidays
9 a.m.–12 p.m.

$15/$10 for addl. siblings
See listing in the current First News for upcoming dates.

For children ages 1–10
Reservations are required.*

Activities take place in the Child Care Center, Youth Center and the Playground.
The Day School will be closed, so let the kids come out to play. They can enjoy the morning with activities inside and on the playground.
*Reservations for church members open 2 days prior to dates listed.

Kids’ Night Out

See listing in the current First News for upcoming dates.

Usually one Friday per month
6 to 9 p.m.

Usually two Saturdays per month
5 to 9 p.m.

For Children ages 1 – 10
Children must be walking
Reservations are required

Activities take place in the Child Care Center, Youth Center and on the Playground.

Kids enjoy an evening of fun, age-appropriate games, toys and activities along with a pizza dinner and a movie.

*Reservations for church members open 2 days prior to dates listed.

Professional Child Care Available During Church Events
The Child Care Ministry Team offers professional child care at no cost to
attendees for most church events. For example, from September through
May, Tuesday morning Beth Moore Bible Study offers free child care
through Parents’ Morning Out for infants and young children.
Reservations are required. Contact Joanna Johns (822-2031, ext. 26, or
cell 644-5159) to check on availability or to make reservations.

All Church Retreat at Cedarkirk
A weekend retreat, held the last weekend of April at our Presbytery camp in
Lithia, offers church members an opportunity to strengthen their faith while
enjoying fellowship with other members of the congregation. The weekend
includes special guest speakers, informal worship, games, outdoor
activities, including swimming and tubing, and much more. Sponsored by
the Fellowship Committee.

Advent Workshop
This annual event kicks off the Advent season with child-friendly Christmas
crafts and dinner. Sponsored by the Christian Education Committee.

Palm Sunday Celebration
Held annually on Palm Sunday to celebrate Holy Week, this fun event
includes a family Brunch. Sponsored by the Christian Education
Committee.

Vacation Bible School
Each year, this fun-filled week of Bible study, music and crafts focuses on a
special them. Volunteer opportunities are available for completed 5th
graders, middle, high school students and adults. Sponsored by the
Christian Education Committee.

First Presbyterian Day School
2007-2008 Schedule to be announced
Our popular day school offers morning classes for children ages two years
up through Pre-K. The goal is to promote the well being of children and to
aid them in attaining the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve each
child’s maximum potential.

The Sacrament of Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism involves the commitment of the whole church to
the Christian maturation of the child, so that each child may come to know
Christ as Lord and Savior. Any of the ordained ministers on the staff may
perform baptisms. Prior to the child’s baptism, the baptizing minister holds
pre-baptism conferences with the parents. Contact Sandy Williams (822-
2031, ext. 16) to schedule.