Youth & Children
We have a variety of opportunities for all of our youth and children on Sundays and other times.
Sunday School
Each Sunday morning we have several opportunities for people of all ages to meet with others and learn about Christ in their life. Check out our children and youth opportunities below.
Pre K - 5th Sunday School
This Sunday School Class is each Sunday at 9:30 am.
Pre-K to 5th-grade will feel a natural connection to the life of Jesus and Bible study as they walk down the education hall painted to resemble a Biblical village. Kids attend classes in either the marketplace or under the sea rooms. Experienced teachers and shepherds help children come to love the Jesus who said.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” – Matthew 19:14 (NRSV)
Youth: 6th-High Sunday School
Our teens meet in the downstairs meeting rooms. The youth meet together for a Bible lesson that is fun as well as educational. The large group divides into age appropriate discussion groups.
During Worship
Our worship service begins with everyone together in the Sanctuary. Shortly into the service all of the children are invited forward to a Children's lesson in the service. After this, they are welcome to come back and sit with you through the rest of the service, or go to one of the opportunities below.
Worship & Wonder
This is an opportunity for children to express the spirituality they already have, to experience Bible stories, and to be in the stories. It is worship time, not classroom time. Our children don’t just learn about God; rather, they learn to talk to God, listen to God, and grow in a relationship with God. They have fun worshiping among other children (i.e. within a community – as we are all meant to do!). It is a place where our children learn the language of by active participation and with creativity, love, acceptance, play, laughter, and surprise. We include children age 3 through first grade.
Following Jesus
“Following Jesus” is designed to extend and deepen the understanding of Jesus and his teachings. We use this series for worship time for our older elementary kids (2nd to 5th grade) to help them see Jesus’ life as a whole. We want them to see who Jesus is, what he is teaching about the kingdom of God, why Jesus is calling people to follow him, and what he is sending them into the world to say. We hope this leads our children to ask themselves if they want to follow Jesus and be baptized.
Other Opportunities
We work to ensure out youth and children have plenty of chances to be involved in leadership, alongside our adults, as well as get to know the rest of our congregation. We have a variety of things pop up throughout the year but below are some recurring programs.
Prayer Partners
All of our kids have the opportunity to establish prayerful relationship with an adult in our congregation. These are long term intergenerational Christian relationships continue throughout the growth of the child. Each year two to three pray partner r events are held to enable prayer partners to interact and build their Christian faith development.
Special Family Activities
First Christian Church loves to have special activities for families several times during the year. Your family can cheer on our local Hoptown Hoppers Team at our night at the Hoppers. The Church enjoys watching children have a traditional Easter Egg Hunt. AutumnFest and Truck or Treat is one of our largest family events and brings together the entire church for games and a cookout. The Living Nativity Scene has been a gift to the community for over 50 years. Church youth protray the holy family, sheperds, wisemen and angels and live animals complete the manager scene. There is usually time at the comclusion of the Nativitiy Scene to pet the animals.
Back to school Sunday is the kickoff to the new church and school year. It’s a tme to gather for a breakfast and Sunday School kick off and then Blessing of the Backpacks during workship hour.
During the winter holidays the entire church gathers for a Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas party potluck, which includes singing of carols and a visit from Santa Claus. Our elementary children enjoy Carols and Cookies, a favorite activity time to eat a few cookies and then visit some of our homebound members for caroling.
