Sunday School for Children
This year we are using a New Curriculum from Spark House Publications. The materials capture the imagination of our children and youth with illustrated retellings of Bible stories, videos that blend humor with life application, engaging hands-on activities, and challenging, thought-provoking discussions.
Children’s classes are located on the 2nd floor except for the nursery which is conveniently on the 1st floor.
Ages 2: room 211 Teachers Judy Miskimmin and Susan Bowman will introduce our “Terrific twos” to Bible stories through play and teaching activities. Children learn how they are never too small to help others and make a big difference. Bringing in food & placing items in donation baskets is one way they learn to put their faith in action.
Ages 3-4: room 212 Teachers: Whitney Lee, Chandler and Diana Fulton, John and Alex Bain, and Lindsey Braidwood will team up to engage our 3 and 4-year-old children in Bible stories through thoughtful play and hands-on activities.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade: room 214 Teachers are Cathy Redwood, Kim Schultz, Kim and Scott Hartin, and Tara Berger. Children will delight in the colorful Spark Story Bible, along with purposeful and fun activities that help them explore our faith.
Second and Third Grade: room 228 Teachers Dawn Finguerra, Kendall Mager, Jeff Nelson, and Hunter Frischkorn will help our children explore their new Bibles which were presented to them by their parents and church family. Their new study is part of Spark’s “Holy Moly” curriculum. The videos are fun and challenging and questions are always encouraged as they explore the sacred stories and discover the “Aha” life lessons for themselves today.
Fourth and Fifth Grade: room 215 Teachers Liz and Sel Harris will invite the parents of their students to join in the teaching this year, and together will work to grow our late elementary-aged kids’ interest in their faith. Using “Connect studies,” they will be engaged in God’s story through quirky videos and hands-on activities. Using the Connect Bibles, kids will read, highlight, and sketch as they search for passages that relate to the lesson theme. They will be challenged to create, collaborate and connect biblical themes with their own lives
Summer Wonders of Worship
Wonders of Worship for children ages 4 yrs. – 2nd grade is offered during the 8:30 and 11:00am services. Children are invited to attend the worship service and stay through the Spirit box, a children’s time with Pastor DeeDee. Afterwards, children are escorted to the Fellowship Hall for Biblical storytelling, fun learning activities and times of wondering and worship. Children are returned to their parents in the Sanctuary near the end of the worship service.
*Nursery is provided for the youngest of children and infants. Please sign up your children when your family registers for worship so we can keep our numbers to 10 or less with three professional caregivers.
Children’s Ministry
Children’s Music
Sunday School
Events and Forms
Parents and Guardians
Beach Day School
W.O.W. & Sunday School
Deep Blue Curriculum
Deep Blue curriculum incorporates age appropriate Bible stories, activities, crafts and games into a full faith experience for children preschool, K-1st, 2nd-3rd and 4th-5th grades. Classes are currently studying the “Loving God, Loving Neighbor” unit of Deep Blue Curriculum. A variety of activities are offered to meet the variety of children’s learning styles. Jesus Leads the Community (N.T.) and Leaders of the Community (O.T.) are the current units of study.
Fall 2020: We look forward to Sunday School returning. Beginning on October 4th kids, 4 years old – 5th graders, may sign up for W.O.W. (Wonders of Worship) on the same link parents sign up for worship services. Read more on the W.O.W. tab.
Sunday School – We incorporate food, Legos, crafts, art, science experiments, drama, storytelling, music, mission projects, videos, games and discussion to enrich the Bible story lessons each week. Follow up activity sheets and on-line options as well as direct email Sunday School recaps from teachers to parents help busy families stay current with the weekly Bible lessons and encourages them to explore them together at home.
Age two: Room 144, Ages three and four: Room 145, Kindergarten – 3rd Grade: Rooms 219, 228 and 4th – 5th Grades: Room 213
Wonders of Worship for children ages 4 yrs. – 2nd grade is offered during the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. Children are invited to attend the worship service and stay through the Spirit box, a children’s time with Pastor DeeDee. Afterwards, children are escorted to Room 231 and sometimes outside for activities. Jacqui Horton and volunteers engage children in Biblical storytelling, fun learning activities and times of wondering and worship. Children and adults will wear masks. Children will be escorted back to the Sanctuary at the conclusion of the service to reconnect with their families.
For more information please contact Jacqui Horton at Jacqui@firstpresvb.org.
Fall 2020: Rehearsals are temporarily virtual. Cherub Choir starts Wednesday, Sept 23, 4:45-5:15 PM. Carol Choir starts Wednesday, Sept. 16th, 6:30-7:15 PM. Contact Belinda Valet for Zoom link and rehearsal packet.
The children’s choirs primary goal is to learn to be worship participants. Therefore, in weekly worship services, our choirs take their turn presenting carefully selected and rehearsed anthems. They also present a Christmas musical and a program in the spring. Just as sports develop children in teamwork, the musical art form develops discipline, teaches responsibility, professionalism commitment and working together toward a common goal of enhancing the worship service while growing in their faith. What is taught? Music reading, rhythm, ear training, vocal development, pitch, Christian faith through understanding of the text they are singing, hymn history, composers and parts of the worship service. All this is taught through fun techniques and games, making the process interesting, not dull. The choral and bell choirs enhance the private lessons some children are in. The choirs also offer the opportunity for children not in private lessons to learn music and participate in a musical group. All are welcome to find their place in the music program. Contact Belinda Valet, Director of Handbell & Children’s Choirs, for more information.
Early Childcare Ministries
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Nursery Times & information
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Infant Nursery – Room 131 – for babies up to 24 months. Open 8:30 a.m. – noon.Toddler Nursery – Room 211
For children ages two and three available during the 8:30a.m. and 11:00a.m.Worship services. Both are served by professional staff. We offer a warm and safe atmosphere in our nursery for children to learn, live and grow in our Christian faith from the moment of birth. Parents may watch their child’s interaction through a one-way window in the hall outside room 131.
- Nursery Times & information
Parents & Family
Church is a welcoming place for families to learn and grow together through faith enrichment ministries. Whether families worship on Sunday mornings or fellowship and learn through events like Advent Workshop or a talent show, a variety of ages coming together create that warm feeling called Church family.
Sunday School classes offer individuals Christian educational opportunities that appeal to children and youth in age-appropriate classes. Adults can choose traditional or discussion-oriented Bible studies or topical classes like Sacred Parenting for adults.
More than ever we also need your help. If you are interested in volunteering to help us with Sunday school for our children, please contact Jacqui Horton at Jacqui@firstpresvb.org.