The purpose of the Christian Education Program is to bring all people to an acquaintance with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to equip them for Christian living, ministry, and mission in the community, nation, and world through the proclamation and teaching of the Word of God.
Church School for All Ages
Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
September 18 through June 3
2011 - 2012
c h I l d r e n’ s c l a s s e s
Sunday Classes (10:00 AM)
Nursery (6-18 months)
Teacher: Jennifer Fuller – This class includes developmentally appropriate stories and activities to introduce young children to the church school program (Room 200)
Toddler Class (18 months – 3 years)
Teacher: Kim Timberlake: curriculum, Bible in Life, published by David c. cook publishing (Room 201)
Pre-School
Teachers: Kim Gray and Jeanette Walker
Curriculum, Hands On, Group Publishing, (Room 400)
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Teachers: Evelyn Rice and Elizabeth Smedley; Curriculum, Rock Solid, published by cokesbury (Room 401)
2nd and 3rd Grades
Teachers: Al and Laura Cline, Tom and Suzan Hamill; Curriculum, We Believe, Congregational Ministries Publishing PCUSA (Room 405)
4th and 5th Grades
Teachers: Bill Gouldthorpe, Sally Marks and Tammi Chunik; Curriculum, we believe, published by congregational ministries publishing, pcusa(Room 404)
Opening Exercises for students in the toddler class through 3rd graders are held in the Chapel from 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. led by Jeanette Walker and Suzan Hamill
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y o u t h c l a s s e s
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
A strong emphasis on mission work in the community and in the world is part of the middle school class time. Throughout the year students have the opportunity to participate in several projects, collecting and participating in the CROP walk, Church World Service alternate giving at Christmas time, the Heifer Project during Lent, and Relay for Life.
The curriculum used is Bible in Life by David C. Cook publishers.
Teachers: Joan Broughton and Beverly Broadfield (Room 402)
Senior High (Grades 10-12)
Based on a discussion format, this class includes Bible study and issue-related topics. Teachers and student volunteers lead the discussions based on the curriculum Blueprints from David C. Cook Publishing. Teachers: Quentin and Nicolle Jones and Tony Lukeman (Youth Lounge)
Confirmation Class (Grade 9)
Young people desiring to confirm their baptismal vows and become members of the church study together using the Journey’s of Faith curriculum by Presbyterian and Reformed Educational Ministry.
Teachers: Don Schupp and Lucy Lindsay (Library)
Children’s Worship (Kindergarten - Grade3)
Each week during both worship services, children attend their own age-appropriate worship service after their special time with the Pastor. Children participating have an opportunity to learn about the sacraments, the vocabulary of worship, to memorize the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed and the Doxology and to hear about and experience the Bible stories. Volunteer adult and youth members lead the lessons and activities. Leaders at the 8:45 AM service are Jeanette Walker, Laura Torpy, Linda Shirocky and Jori Sienkiewicz. For the 11:00 AM service, the leadership team is: Amy Granger, Jenny Hunter, Suzan Hamill, and Kelly Baumgartner.
Children worship together in the chapel.
Nursery II is a new program for children ages 3 - 5 held during the 11:00 AM service in room 401. It is a story based program led by staff members Tracy Mazurkiwicz and Jenn Fuller.
Kid’s Club (Grades 2-5)
A monthly fun activity is planned (pizza and movie night, board game night, swimming, bowling, attending a play and other events) for this group of friends to be together. Parent volunteers plan these fun events.
Y o u t h g r o u p a c t I v I t I e s
Youth Group (Grades 6-12)
Middle school and high school groups meet regularly from September to May on Sunday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM for a meal, fellowship and a program. Other events are planned to include fellowship and fun, mission work, worship participation (Youth Sunday) and service to the congregation. Separate ski retreats are planned as well as fundraisers, and summer camp and conference opportunities such as the Massanetta Middle School Conference, FredCamp and the Montreat Youth Conference.
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S P E C I A L A C T I V I T I E S
Advent and Christmas
Hanging of the Greens, November 20, 2011
This traditional worship service is sponsored by the Christian Education Committee and is a time for families to gather together to dedicate and join in decorating the church for Advent. Activities include the making of family Advent wreaths, trimming the church Christmas trees and hanging wreaths and lights around the church grounds. The evening is drawn together with a worship service in celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 4 at 7:00 PM, directed by Evelyn Rice. - All children and youth are invited to participate in the annual Christmas Pageant through the choirs or as part of the Nativity scene. A ham dinner served by the Crafty Ladies is part of the evening event (reservations required).
Lent and Easter
Workshop during Lent
Each year children are invited to participate in a workshop during Lent to emphasize an aspect of the story. In 2007 we painted Seder plates that are displayed in the church fellowship hall. And children made Lenten journey bracelets or bookmarks (for boys). The bracelets help the children to tell the story of Jesus from his calling of the Disciples at the Sea of Galilee through his death and resurrection. Charms and colored beads are used to tell the biblical story.
Seder Meal, Thursday, April 5, 2012.
Each year the church gathers together to remember the last meal our Lord Jesus Christ shared with His Disciples. We gather around tables in fellowship and remembrance as we eat the Passover meal and prepare our hearts and minds for the sacrifice Jesus gave for us that very evening so many years ago.
Church Library is located on the ground floor, the church library is well stocked with resources for study and inspirational reading. The children’s section has many wonderful picture and story books. Laura Cline is the church librarian.