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Children's Page
Prayer
We thank you for these young people gathered before us.
Help us to continue to cherish and nurture them in the study of your word,
to lead them by example in the mission field,
and to support them with joy as they grow in their faithful discipleship.
Through Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen
Gateways
to God's Galaxy
Sundays 10:30 a.m. -- 11:30 a.m.
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Gateways to God's Galaxy, the Christian Education program for children at First Presbyterian Church, has a new focus every month.
This school year theme for 2005-2006 is “Families in Faith”.
Please see the newsletter for current and upcoming rotation topics.
We use all our senses and multi-intelligences to learn about God and the Bible during the Church School hour, 10:30-11:30am, each Sunday during the academic year.
Following the Workshop Rotation Model™, students from preschool through fifth grade move through a number of workshops during a theme rotation (one workshop each Sunday). Workshops include drama, video, art, music, computer, kitchen, and games, although any space in the church may be used!
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In our theater-style Video Room, Children watch a Bible story, with fresh pop corn, from DVD or video cassette.
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In our Art Room, children work on a variety of projects. |
Parents, Thank you for sending your students to Gateways to God's Galaxy!
Rotation Topics have included
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Gateways Thank You
Thank you to all who have shared their time, talents, and faith in leading workshops during the Gateways rotations. (See newsletter for most recent thanks.)
When leading a Gateways workshop, teachers teach the same lesson to a different class each Sunday, for a total of 4 Sundays. Please be in prayer for our ministry with children, or sign up to be a leader today!
Gateways meets on Sunday mornings after the service from 10:30-11:30. The rotation format makes it easy and rewarding to teach our children. Each rotation, all of the children in Gateways study the same Bible story. Each Sunday, the children participate in a different workshop to explore the same story through a new medium. Teachers present the same workshop to a different group of students each week for one month, with some adjustments to make the activities age appropriate. Therefore, if you volunteer to teach, you are only making a one-month commitment, you only have to teach one provided lesson plan, with minor weekly adjustments, and you will receive teacher orientation. Teaching is also a wonderful way to get to know the children in the church and meet our Baptismal vow to support their faith development. Prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to teach our children. If you are interested in teaching or would like more information, please contact the church office or a member of the Christian Education Ministry.
Kids in Christ
Kids in Christ is a children’s group that meets monthly
for fellowship and service.
Kids in Christ activities have included:
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Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome.
Children's Activities
During Worship
Children are always welcome in worship.
We encourage children in grades one and up to begin the process of worshiping with us as a church family. Children may want to pick up an activity bag for use during worship. Worship bags are available during the 9:15 A.M. worship service on Sunday mornings and are decorated with Presbyterian seal. Those bags with a red dove contain activities appropriate for students first grade and younger. Those bags decorated with a blue dove contain materials for students age 7-12. Bags are to be left in the pews after the service. (The Worship Bags are part of the Christian Education Ministry and are pre-stocked by the Christian Education Committee members).
Additionally, the service is broadcast in the parlor, if you would like to engage in quiet play with your child and still hear the service.
Baby and child care. We also offer baby and child care for children through kindergarten during worship and the education hour. We invite parents to visit our rooms and leave your children when your are comfortable doing so.
- Babies 6 weeks through toddlers 3 years -- Room 128 (upstairs).
- Preschool through kindergarten -- Room 146 (ground floor).
Preschoolers need snacks
To help replenish our supplies the Christian Education Ministry is asking parents to bring a non-perishable item (such as unfrosted, dry cereal, Pretzels, Crackers) so that we can continue to offer this service! Thanks for your help!Marketplace 2007
Jesus and His Disciples along the Sea of Galilee
Marketplace is the weeklong summer vacation bible school program at First Presbyterian Church.
See the Newsletter for current information.
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The theme for Marketplace 2006 was:
JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES ALONG THE SEA OF GALILEE
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The theme for Marketplace 2005 was:
LET MY PEOPLE GO:
MOSES URGES PHAROAH TO LET HIS PEOPLE LEAVE EGYPT
The setting is Egypt, when the enslaved people are forced to make bricks and live in a foreign county while they keep their own culture and customs. The children learned about both cultures of that time, making bricks, cooking and eating the foods of that time and place, making craft and wood projects, playing the games of the people, and living as they might have in those days.* * *
The theme for Marketplace 2004 was:
A SHIPWRECK:
PAUL IN ANCIENT GREECE
We visited a seaside/harbor marketplace in ancient Greece as Paul embarks on his sea journey and, ultimately, his shipwreck. Forty four children experienced the sea ports along Paul's journey to Rome. Each 'family' had an island to decorate during the week with some very creative results! A free will offering was collected each day and over $200 was sent by the students to the Heifer Project at the end of the week.Marketplace needs plenty of volunteers.
Prayerfully consider if this is a ministry that God may be calling you to. If anyone would like to donate their time as shopkeepers, set-up / take-down, planning, shopping, washing, serving, being mothers / helpers, or any other job that needs doing, please contact the church office.
Camp Carew
2005 Camp Carew Brochure from First Presbyterian, C'dale
Camp Carew is the Presbyterian summer camp, located alongside Little Grassy Lake near Carbondale, Illinois.
The Camp Carew website is <http://www.psei.net/CampCarew/index.cfm> .
Students, Stewardship & Mission
Second & third grade students are assisting counting money from the Gateways offering that supports Debakumar in India during Lent. Each week students from Gateways have a chance to participate in preparing the offering for deposit into Debakumar’s account. Each month a check for $23.50 is sent to Christian Children’s Fund for Debakumar.Students, Stewardship and Mission
Fourth and Fifth grade students have been among the first in counting the money brought by students of Gateways to support Debakumar Singh in India. Each week, students from Gateways have a chance to participate in preparing the offering for deposit into Debakumar's account. Each month, a check is sent to Christian Children’s Fund for Debakumar's school, food, and personal needs.Debakumar
Debakumar Singh is an eleven year-old boy who lives in India and is sponsored by the Gateways students through the Christian Children’s Fund. Through our student’s (and congregation’s) support, we have received recognition as a Stewardship Patron in the Christian Children’s Fund’s Friends of Children Society.
Mail Call!
Pick up a "mail-o-gram" in the office today to send to Debakumar in India!This offering is taken during the opening exercises of Church School classes, not during worship! If every child would bring 2 quarters each Sunday we will be able to continue to meet Debakumar's needs each month.
Last Update 12.29.2006