Children & Youth Learning

Worship for Families with Babies and Toddlers is a special time for babies, toddlers, and families to connect with one another in a service made specifically for them. We will learn about each other, engage with stories from the Bible, and enjoy fun music and activities. Join us as our youngest friends learn about what it means to be in community together. Older siblings and friends are welcome! For more information about meeting times and how you can get involved, contact Jenny at [email protected].

Monthly worship for families with young children
Time: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
Location: The Parlor

Club 34 is a program for third and fourth graders to connect with one another while growing in their faith and fellowship. With a special emphasis on biblical inquiry and fun, we want all participants to feel supported and loved in this special time of childhood. In the Fall and Winter of 2023, we will engage in a series titled “Why are we doing this?”, inspired by the book Blessing New Voices by Maren C. Tirabassi, where we will explore the traditions, holidays, and sacraments of the Presbyterian church.

Monthly fellowship and devotion for 3rd and 4th graders
Time: 10:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Location: The Mezzanine

The mission of Children’s Church School is to educate a generation of young people about the love of God expressed in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Using the PC(USA) curriculum Growing in Grace & Gratitude, children experience the importance of caring for one another just as God cares about us. Children develop their own spirituality and learn about worship through writing their own prayers, lighting our worship candles, and exploring the elements of worship, including the sacraments. Children learn the stories and teachings of the Bible in a nurturing and creative environment that promotes the core values of the church.
Children attend Church School in person from 11:00 a.m. until noon throughout the year. During the children’s prayer, children gather in the sanctuary to be led to the Parlor by Church School teachers. Children are picked up directly after worship by their families or other approved adults.
Please register your child(ren) below to participate! For more information about how to get involved contact contact Jenny at [email protected].

Music, worship, and fellowship for ages 3 – 6th grade
Time: Sunday mornings during the 11:00 a.m. worship service

Children’s Church School includes a strong musical component. The beginning of Church School is always dedicated to engaging our children and youth in making a joyful noise to God. Children of all ages are encouraged to explore and befriend their voices as they gain the skills to be worship leaders in the congregation, singing at special events and services throughout the year. Singers learn theologically rich pieces from around the world and familiarize themselves with the great hymns of the church. Children in 1st – 6th grade can continue exploring worship through music at Student Choristers, which meets in the Parlor regularly after Church School on Sundays. You can register your child(ren) for Student Choristers online or in person. For more information about how to get involved contact contact Jenny at [email protected].



Children’s Music and Student Choristers

Time: Church School (11:00 – 12:00 p.m.) and Student Choristers (1st – 6th graders), 12:15 – 12:40 p.m.
Location: The Parlor

Our youth group, Bibles & Bagels, strives to prepare our young people for a life with love, justice, and acceptance. Our time together is full of fellowship, devotion, and service with … you guessed it … bagels! We meet in the Mezzanine biweekly, in 5th – 8th grade and 9th – 12th grade groupings. In the Fall and Winter of 2023, we will engage in a series titled “Why are we doing this?”, inspired by the book Blessing New Voices by Maren C. Tirabassi, where we will explore the traditions, holidays, and sacraments of the Presbyterian church.

Subscribe to our biweekly Youth & Families Newsletter and check out our Summer Calendar for youth & family programming linked here. For more information about the Youth Group, contact Jenny at [email protected].

Biweekly youth group for 5th – 8th graders and 9th – 12th graders
Time: 12:15 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: The Mezzanine

In our Reformed tradition, Confirmation is the journey we take to learn more about our faith and connect to the Baptismal vows our parents and caregivers made on our behalf. First Church holds an exciting 12-week course where youth have a safe place to ask questions, explore, and grow in their understanding of faith and spirituality. If you have a youth in grades 7, 8, or 9 that is interested in joining the confirmation journey, please email Jenny Bennett, Director of Youth and Family Ministries, at [email protected].

Confirmation Classes
Time: Sundays, 12:45 – 1:30 p.m., Mezzanine

The Village
Monthly family fellowship and devotion
Time: Every third Thursday of the month from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: South Wing, First Church
Raising children is hard, and while we don’t claim to have all the answers, we strive to be a supportive community where you can share your questions, concerns, joys, and outcomes. The whole family is welcome to The Village, a monthly program with dinner, fellowship, and devotion for parents and families of all ages. After enjoying a shared meal, children will engage in a separate activity while parents join together for a special program. Please RSVP at least a week before each meeting: Jenny Bennett, Director of Youth and Family Ministries, [email protected].

Youth: Fellowship and Service Events
In addition to our regular Bibles & Bagels Sunday meetings, youth also participate in special service and fellowship opportunities. These events are designed to nurture authentic relationships and promote youth leadership in the congregation and wider community. Please refer to the Youth and Family Ministries Calendar for more information.

Family Events
Throughout the year, the whole family is invited to gather for joyful events to celebrate the special holidays and milestones in church life. Some of our family events include movie nights, a Christmas celebration, and Graduation Sunday. Please refer to the Youth and Family Ministries Calendar for more information.