Children and Youth
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Mark 10:14
At First Presbyterian Church, children are greeted with open arms into all kinds of ministries. They are also considered ministers of the congregation and as they grow, they learn to serve, lead, and share their faith.
Infants
On Sunday, a nursery is provided from 9:15 AM until 11:45 when the Sunday School hour is over. A qualified, paid staff member oversees our nursery ministry.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
During Sunday’s Worship Hour, families with toddlers and younger ones often bring their children to worship and keep them there until the children’s sermon. From there, children may go to the nursery or to our wonderful Kaleidoscope program (for children ages 3-7).
Kindergarten – 5th Grade
All children are welcome in our worship service. After the children’s sermon, children ages 3 through 7 attend Kaleidoscope, an age-appropriate worship experience for our youngest ones that engages them in vibrant expressions of worship, prayer, and Christian community.
Older children are active in worship in a variety of ways. Acolytes (4th and 5th graders) light our candles at the beginning of each worship service. Liturgists read scripture, say a prayer, or lead the call to worship. Musicians play instruments and sing.
Worship Bags, with activities for children to enjoy during the service, are available outside the sanctuary doors.
After worship, our children attend Chapel (located in the chapel next to Ihrman Hall) and from there they attend Sunday School classes from 10:50 to 11:45.
Angelfish – 6th and 7th
Grade
Young people at First Presbyterian are discovering faith, challenging each other, and creating community. They are living their faith in fun, in worship, in mission, and in learning. Our Angelfish group meets each Sunday morning during the Sunday School hour. Together they…
- Explore Scripture—learning the stories of faith, developing new insights, and applying faith to everyday life
- Create Community—getting to know new friends, praying for each other and the church, having fun!
- Respond to God’s Love—seeking ways to respond to God’s call in our lives through mission and service
Confirmation – 8th Grade
Confirmation is a time for our 8th graders to explore the Christian faith more deeply—to ask and wrestle with questions, to listen for God’s voice in their lives, and to develop a more vivid sense of how God is moving in their lives. Our confirmation class meets upstairs during the Sunday school hour.
Senior High Youth
Our senior highs usually meet downstairs in the youth room on Sunday mornings, but sometimes they move their class to the local coffee shop. They engage in meaningful dialog about contemporary faith issues, develop relationships, and plan service projects in the community and beyond.
