First Presbyterian Church offers new children's ministry

Rock wall, Veggie Tales, music videos and a craft room at church- Yes, it is part of the new children's ministry program at First Presbyterian Church, Waynesboro. About a year ago, the church began an intentional redesign of the children's ministry to create an environment where children can play and enjoy fellowship with each other while at the same time helping them and their families grow together in their relationship with Jesus and knowledge of the Bible.

A typical Sunday morning begins at 9:30 a.m. The children choose to attend Sunday School or the craft contemporary worship service. From 10:30 to 11 a.m. is fellowship time, when the children do a craft, enjoy a snack and play in the recreation room. At 11 a.m., the children choose to attend Sunday School or the traditional worship service. The children's Sunday School at 9:30 and 11 a.m. are identical.

Don't get any preconceived ideas about what Sunday School is like. The children begin with worship time singing tunes with big screen music videos. Then, the weekly Bible lesson is presented in a way that gets the children actively involved. As the children are learning their lessons, the parents learn the same text in their Sunday School class.

On Wednesday, they gather together again at 5 p.m. to reinforce the lesson. To help children look beyond themselves, and even their church, they have been involved in mission projects. In October, they sent care packages to servicemen. In November, they made and sold soup mix jars. The proceeds were given to Disciples' Kitchen, sponsored by Second Presbyterian. At 5:45 p.m., the entire church family - children, parents, grandparents, and singles - gather together for a shared meal (cost $4 for adults, $3 for children). At 6:30, the children worship together, and then they meet in small groups to discuss how that week's lesson is real in their lives. The parents also have a study to prepare them for the Sunday School class and sermon they will hear on the upcoming Sunday.

The vision of the children's ministry at First Presbyterian Church is "To teach children about Jesus, to provide resources to their families, to help children grow in their faith and to encourage children and parents to invite others to come."