2013 Vacation Bible School at the Meeting House

Each summer the Old Presbyterian Meeting House hosts Vacation Bible School.  Our goal with VBS is to share the stories of the Bible with children in our church family and the wider community.  We offer VBS groups for children age 3 (by January 31, 2013) through rising 5^th graders. 

VBS this summer will begin with a Family Picnic on Sunday evening, July 21.  VBS activities will run Monday through Friday, July 22-26, 9:00-11:30 am.  The morning’s activities will include music, storytelling, crafts, games and snacks.

Click here to register.

Childcare on Sunday Morning

The church nursery is staffed by paid caregivers from 8:15 am through the 11:00 am worship service every Sunday. Child care is available for infants through age 4 during both worship services; for infants and toddlers during the Sunday School hour. The child care rooms are located in the Education Building, located at 318 Royal Street.

At 8:30, Room 12 is for toddlers and preschoolers. During the Sunday School hour (at 9:40) toddlers and 2 year olds are in Room 12. We offer Sunday School classes for preschool age children beginning with 3 year olds. At 11:00 toddlers and 2’s are in Room 12, and 3 year olds and 4 year olds are in Room 11. Infant care is provided in Room 14 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Each room is staffed by a paid caregiver.

Our Child Care Ministry is our Baptismal Covenant in action. In baptism we promise to help raise children in the faith. We promise to include them in the church family. We pledge to support and encourage their parents. The nursery is our first point of contact with these children and their families. It is our first opportunity to keep our promises.

Sunday School

Sunday School classes are provided for children beginning at 3 years of age. At 9:30 am, children, 3 years old - First Grade, meet in Room 22 for Singing with Ms. Sally. Classes continue with the 3-year-olds meeting in Room 11 and the 4- and 5-year-olds in Room 20. Both classes focus on learning the stories of the Bible. Sunday school concludes at 10:40 am.  Please complete a Sunday School Information Form if your child is interested in participating.

Children in grades 2-5 gather in Heaven (Education Building, 3rd floor) to sing beginning at 9:30 am. The morning continues with The Journey, our workshop rotation program. Children study one topic or Bible story for a three- or four-week period using a variety of learning approaches. Each grade rotates through a series of workshops that may include Art, Drama, Video, Games, Hands-On Bible, and In the Kitchen. The schedule of workshops and grade assignments is posted in the main hall of the Education Building. Sunday School concludes at 10:40 am. For information on The Journey click here.

Club 3-4-5 Fellowship Group  Club 3-4-5 is our fellowship group for children in grades 3, 4 and 5. For more information, contact Cristy Gallagher. 

Children and Worship

Children are welcomed and encouraged to take part in the worship experience. After all, worship is for the entire family of God —including grown-ups. Children’s worship bags are available from the ushers upon entering the sanctuary. During the 11 am worship service a short children’s message is presented at the front of the sanctuary, and children are welcome to come forward to listen and participate. Bridges to Worship is offered for children age five years old through Grade 3. Bridges to Worship uses the Godly Play model, a multi-sensory program structured much like a worship service with songs, prayers, stories and ritual. Children leave the sanctuary following the Time with the Children to go to Bridges to Worship, which meets in the Education Building and should be picked up there by parents following the worship service. Parents are encouraged to accompany their child(ren) the first time they attend.

Confirmation

The purpose of the Confirmation program at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House is to prepare and equip youth to claim the promises made at their baptism by publicly professing their faith. Confirmation is open to 8th graders and above. Confirmation classes begin in January. Confirmands are asked to create a statement of faith. Those who choose to become church members will be received during a Sunday worship service in the spring.