The purpose of the Christian Education Program is to bring all people to an acquaintance with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to equip them for Christian living, ministry, and mission in the community, nation, and world through the proclamation and teaching of the Word of God.
Church School for All Ages
Sundays, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
September 13 through June 6
2009-2010
c h I l d r e n’ s c l a s s e s
Nursery
A class for infants and toddlers 6 – 18 months that includes developmentally appropriate stories and activities to introduce young children to the church school program.
Teachers: Jennifer Fuller Room 200
Toddler Class 18 months – 3 years Room 201
Class time includes teacher selected activities to introduce famililar Bible stories, music, a snack, and time to play together
Teachers: Kim Timberlake and Amy Gorsira
Pre-School
Teachers: Heather Rice and Kim Gray (Room 400)
Curriculum, Rock Solid, Building a Heart of Faith, Cokesbury Publishers
Kindergarten and 1st Grade
Teachers: Evelyn Rice and Elizabeth Smedley (Room 401)
Curriculum, Rock Solid, Building a Heart of Faith, Cokesbury Publishers
2nd and 3rd Grades
Teachers: Al and Laura Cline and Ron and Isobel Linton (Room 405)
Curriculum, We Believe - PCUSA
4th and 5th Grades
Teachers: Bill Gouldthorpe, Sally Marks and Shannon Chierichella (Room 404)
Curriculum, Rock Solid, Building a Heart of Faith, Cokesbury Publishers
Opening Exercises for students in the toddler class through 5th graders are held in the Chapel from 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. led by Jeanette Walker
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y o u t h c l a s s e s
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
A strong emphasis on mission work in the community and in the world is part of the middle school class time. Throughout the year students will have the opportunity to participate in several projects, collecting and participating in the CROP walk, Church World Service alternate giving at Christmas time, the Heifer Project during Lent, and Relay for Life.
The curriculum used is Bible in Life by David C. Cook publishers.
Teachers: Joan Broughton and Beverly Broadfield (Room 402)
Senior High (Grades 10-12)
Based on a discussion format, this class includes Bible study and issue-related topics. Teachers and student volunteers lead the discussions based on the curriculum from The Thoughtful Chrisian. Teachers: Quentin and Nicolle Jones and Tony Lukeman (Youth Lounge)
Confirmation Class (Grade 9)
Young people desiring to confirm their baptismal vows and become members of the church study together using the Journey’s of Faith curriculum by Presbyterian and Reformed Educational Ministry.
Teachers: Don Schupp and Lucy Lindsay (Women's Lounge)
a d u l t c l a s s e s
Sunday Classes (10:00 a.m.)
Pastor Schmahl's Class (Fellowship Hall) "The Gospel According to Daniel"
What We Believe (Historic Chapel) "Who We Are as Presbyterians in Today's World"
Short Studies (Library)
Evening Classes
Disciple Jesus in the Gospels – Sunday evenings, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Susanne Taylor (Room 404)
Pastor Evan's Book discussion group – monthly on Wednesday evening 7:00 – 8:00 PM (as announced)
Pastor Schmahl’s Monday evening book discussion 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall
"Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing" adn "Humility: True Greatness" by C.J. Mahoney
Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study
Beth Moore study, "esther, It's Tough Being a Woman" 10:30 AM in the Women's Lounge with Pastor Carrie Evans. Begins on October 7.
Children’s Worship (Age 4-2nd Grade)
Each week during both worship services, children attend their own age-appropriate worship service after their special time with the Pastor. Children participating have an opportunity to learn about the sacraments, the vocabulary of worship, to memorize the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed and the Doxology and to hear about and experience the Bible stories. Volunteer adult and youth members lead the lessons and activities. Leaders at the 8:45 AM service are Jeanette Walker and Lucy Lindsay. For the 11:00 AM service, the leadership team is: Marianne Sutton, Amy Granger, Jenny Hunter, Suzan Hamill, and Kelly Baumgartner. Children worship together in the chapel.
Kid’s Club (Grades 2-5)
A monthly fun activity is planned (pizza and movie night, board game night, swimming, bowling, attending a play and other events) for this group of friends to be together. Parent volunteers plan these fun events.
Y o u t h g r o u p a c t I v I t I e s
Youth Group (Grades 6-12)
Middle school and high school groups meet regularly from September to May on Sunday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 PM for a meal, fellowship and a program. Other events are planned to include fellowship and fun, mission work, worship participation (Youth Sunday) and service to the congregation. Separate ski retreats are planned as well as fundraisers, and summer camp and conference opportunities such as the Massanetta Middle School Conference, FredCamp and the Montreat Youth Conference.
Youth choir and instrumental ensemble rehearse before regular youth meetings on Sunday evenings at 5:00 and 5:30 PM in the choir room. (Meredith Schmahl, director)
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S P E C I A L A C T I V I T I E S
Advent and Christmas
Hanging of the Greens, November 22, 2009
This traditional worship service is sponsored by the Christian Education Committee and is a time for families to gather together to dedicate and join in decorating the church for Advent. Activities include the making of family Advent wreaths, trimming the church Christmas trees and hanging wreaths and lights around the church grounds. The evening is drawn together with a worship service in celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas Pageant
"The Next Leon" Sunday, December 6 at 7:00 PM - All children and youth are invited to participate in the annual Christmas Pageant directed by Evelyn Rice. A ham dinner served by the Crafty Ladies is part of the evening event (reservations required).
Lent and Easter
Workshop during Lent, Friday, March 19
Each year children are invited to participate in a workshop during Lent to emphasize an aspect of the story. In 2007 we painted Seder plates that are displayed in the church fellowship hall.
Last year, children made Lenten journey bracelets or bookmarks (for boys). The bracelets help the children to tell the story of Jesus from his calling of the Disciples at the Sea of Galilee through his death and resurrection. Charms and colored beads are used to tell the biblical story.
For 2010 we will learn the legend of the pretzel and make our own pretzels.
Seder Meal, Thursday, April 1, 2010.
Each year the church gathers together to remember the last meal our Lord Jesus Christ shared with His Disciples. We gather around tables in fellowship and remembrance as we eat the Passover meal and prepare our hearts and minds for the sacrifice Jesus gave for us that very evening so many years ago.
Church Library is located on the ground floor, the church library is well stocked with resources for study and inspirational reading. The children’s section has many wonderful picture and story books. Laura Cline is the church librarian.