First Presbyterian is committed to providing a strong church school program in which children can learn the fundamentals of Reformed faith and begin a lifelong spiritual journey based on biblical literacy.
Looking for info for 6th - 12th graders? Visit our Youth: Middle School and High School page for more information on opportunities for Youth.
Children's Faith Formation 2022 - 2023
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. -Hebrews 1:1-2a
Welcoming Children in Worship
"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Mark 9:37
Because Jesus welcomed children and encouraged us to welcome them in his name, we take seriously our baptismal promise to nurture all children committed to our care. We believe that the body of Christ in worship is incomplete without them. Their presence is essential for both the full congregation and for the children themselves, because worship is one of the basic ways in which people of any age learn what it means to be Christian. There are many ways in which children grow in Christ through worship:
- They learn that they belong to Christ and are welcome in his church, where we are all children of God.
- They become familiar with the Lord's Prayer and other spoken and sung responses.
- They build a store of the accumulated shared experiences of Christian community from which they may draw when they are older.
- They are enriched by the beauty of music and art as expressions of praise and as human responses to God.
- They hear stories from the Bible read and interpreted, and begin to see Christian worship as one place where God may speak to them.
- They discover that they are valued as persons by God and by the people of God.
Family Celebrations
We also offer families regular opportunities to celebrate children and strengthen ties within our faith community. Many of these occasions are annual traditions, such as:
- All-church picnic and family potlucks
- Craft-making festivals during the Advent and Lenten seasons
- Family fun activities
- A Christmas pageant
- Vacation Bible School
Looking for info for 6th - 12th graders? Visit our Youth: Middle School and High School page for more information on opportunities for Youth.
Contact
For more information on our Children's Education program, contact Rebeca Torres-Davenport at btorres-davenport@firstpresbyterian.org.