Guided by God’s command in Deuteronomy 6 to teach our children His Word diligently in every realm of life, Children’s Ministry offers many opportunities for our children to grow in their faith. Beginning with God’s Word, the foundation for the life of a Christian, we learn how to know God and live in right relationship with Him.
Programs
Sundays offer many opportunities for our children to grow in their faith. In Sunday School our children learn the Bible, in Children’s Church Time they learn to worship, and on Sunday evenings they memorize Scripture and learn the Catechism – a summary of what the Bible teaches. The benefit of participating in all of these offerings is incalculable in the life of a child (and his or her family). It builds a solid foundation for faith and life.
Staffed by members of the congregation of First Presbyterian Church, the Sunday school hour is by design an instrument to assist parents in the Christian nurture of their children, the covenant children of the church. The Sunday school hour is from 9:45-10:40 a.m.
Memory work (Scripture and Catechism) is encouraged in each class beginning in the three-year-old department. Children ages 3 through the third grade learn the Children’s Catechism (First Catechism: Teaching Children Bible Truths). Children in grades 4-6 study and learn The Westminster Shorter Catechism.
There are Sunday school classes for each grade, beginning with pre-school through sixth grade. There is also the Special Friends Class for those with Special Needs.
For those new to Sunday School at FPC, please complete the enrollment form to be added to one of our children’s Sunday School classes.
(Meets during the school year, starting the first Sunday in September, concluding after the last Sunday in May.)
Ages: Three (by September 1) through four years
Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | During the 11 a.m. Worship Service
Activities: A worship service is held with hymns, prayer time, and a short devotional, followed by snack time.
Location: Room 135 Main Building
God’s Word is the foundation for the life of a Christian. In it we learn how to know God and live in right relationship with Him. Our 4’s and 5’s begin memorizing Scripture in this class which meets during the evening worship service.
Time: Starts when children are dismissed from evening services, and ends when children are picked up at the conclusion of the service.
Curriculum: ABC Bible Verses for Children by Susan Hunt
Rooms and Teachers: Room 135 Main Building, led by a staff member and parent volunteers
The word “catechize” means “instruction.” We have been commanded to teach Bible content and Christian doctrine to our children (Deuteronomy 6, Matthew 28). The question and answer format has proven over time to be a very effective means for teaching Bible content.
The Bible is one book, and the Children’s Catechism helps a child to see and better understand the “big picture.” When we know and are able to recite this catechism, we have a valuable tool that will help us throughout our lives, particularly when we face trials and temptations, as well as in our witness to others.
A children’s devotional based on a catechism question(s) is part of evening worship at First Presbyterian Church. This lesson expands on the catechism questions from the devotional. In addition, this class learns the books of the Bible and practices with a Bible drill. Children also participate in several service projects throughout the year.
Time: Starts when children are dismissed from evening services, and end when children are picked up at the conclusion of the service.
Curriculum: Children’s First Catechism.
Rooms and Teachers: 133 Main Building, led by a First Presbyterian Church staff member
The Wednesday Night children’s program runs throughout the entire calendar year. During the school year (from mid-August through the month of April), we offer a time of supervised play from 5:30 – 6 either in the gym or on the playground after the Family Night Supper. Children’s choirs (ages four-years old through fifth grade) practice from 6 – 7 p.m. A sixth grade Bible study is offered on Wednesday night during the time children’s choirs are meeting and is staffed by volunteers. The sixth graders join the junior high in May.
From May through mid-August we offer the summer children’s program. The classes are divided by age groups and meet on the first floor of the Study Center in rooms M120, M122, and M123. These classes include a lesson, question and answer period, crafts, and treats.
The nursery is available for children 3 and under.
Some Ideals of our Children’s Choirs Ministry
- Music is very important in God’s design of worship, therefore we hope that in our teaching we will help children to like to sing and be able to sing comfortably and intelligently in worship all of their lives.
- Since to sing well children need to know and use a healthy approach to breathing, we strive to teach them how to breath well for singing and what posture helps in the process.
- To sing well children need to know how to make a pleasing sound and to sing in a way that does not injure their developing voices. We teach the children how to sing on pitch and how to produce a pleasing tone.
- To sing well children are greatly aided by being able to read music. Throughout their years in choirs we hope to teach children the basics of music reading.
- Believing that what the children sing is important, we lay emphasis upon learning. The great historic hymns of the Church as these have texts and tunes that will stay with them the rest of their lives and will become their heart songs.
Details
These choirs meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM in various rooms in the church. There is an emphasis placed on learning the great hymns of the Church. All choirs sing at least once a semester in the worship services in addition to the annual Christmas program they present.
Parents can register their children for a choir at the beginning of the fall seasons, or inquire about the choir meeting places should they come later in the semester. Information about choir meeting places can be obtained through the church office at 601-353-8316.
There are currently five choirs for children:
- The Four Year Old’s Choir
- The Five Year Old’s
- The First and Second Grade Choir
- The Girls Choir (3rd-5th Grades)
- The Boys Choir (3rd-5th Grades)
Catechism memory work is introduced and learned in Children’s Sunday School as well as in the Catechism Class on Sunday Evenings; it will also likely require time spent at home.
Three Year Olds – Third Grade
Children ages three through the third grade learn the Children’s Catechism (First Catechism: Teaching Children Bible Truths). They are each given one copy, and additional copies may be purchased in the church bookstore. Children who recite the entire Children’s Catechism in one sitting receive a Bible and are recognized in the Evening Service.
Children’s Catechism:
- Age 3: Questions 1-14
- Age 4: Questions 15-27
- Age 5: Questions 28-43
- First grade: 44-77
- Second grade: 78-111
- Third grade: 112-150
Fourth – Sixth Grades
Children in the fourth through sixth grades learn the Westminster Shorter Catechism. They are each given one copy, and those who recite the entire catechism in one sitting receive a Bible of their choice and are recognized in the Evening Service; they also have their names installed on the Catechism Recitation Board at FPC.
Westminster Shorter Catechism:
- Fourth grade: 1-40
- Fifth grade: 41-81
- Sixth grade: 82-107
Communicant Class Overview
The Communicant process is for students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades who are interested in learning more about church membership.
January Communicant Classes are held the last four Sundays of January in Miller Hall from 4:45 – 5:30 p.m. with a fellowship meal following. The classes are taught by our Senior Pastor and study the five questions of church membership. All 6th – 8th graders are encouraged to attend the classes whether or not they intend to become a member. Only one absence is allowed, and the missed class must be made up by listening to the class online together with their elder. Please bring a Bible and a pencil.
Nursery/childcare is available upon request for siblings under sixth grade.
For questions about the Communicant Process or to contact the Children’s Director please call 601-353-8316.
Fall Meet and Greet
All interested students and their parents are invited to attend a Fall Meet and Greet which gives an overview of the January Communicant Classes. Each student is paired with an Elder-Sponsor who shepherds them throughout the Communicant process whether or not they choose to join the church.
Note: Sixth grade students study the book Understanding the Faith by Stephen Smallman during the fall semester of Sunday School. This study prepares the students for making a public confession of faith.
5 Questions of Membership
- Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?
- Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
- Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?
- Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
- Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?
Prospective New Members
The decision to go through the joining process is always left to the individual parents and children.
In order to attend January’s Communicant classes, families should complete the Communicant Class Prospective New Member Form:
