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at Bethpage Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis
Sunday School |
Nursery |
Children's Worship
| Kids' Club |
Music Programs |
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Infants - 18 months (Room 205 in
educational building) Ages 18 months - 2 years (Room 114
in the sanctuary basement) Ages 3 - 4 (Room 303 in
educational building) Grades K-2 (Room 307 in the educational building)
Nursery care is available for all worship services, except for the 8:30 AM Sunday Morning Service. On Wednesdays during Prayer Meeting, 6:30 - 7:45 PM, a nursery if staffed for infants and preschoolers in room 114. We take seriously our ministry to the youngest ones of our church and community, and we strive for a clean, safe, nurturing environment where children can begin to learn God's love through tender touch and care. <top>
We believe it is important for the body of Christ to worship together, especially on Communion Sundays and Festival celebrations, such as Easter Sunday or special musical presentations. Therefore, Children's Worship is not offered on Sundays when these occur. To aid children in worshipping God, special children's bulletins are offered every Sunday. These bulletins provide visual reminders of parts of the worship service, as well as an activity appropriate to the day's worship. Children are active participants in worship services on a regular basis through Children's Choir, Junior Choir, Genesis Ringers, service as acolytes, reception of 5 cents-a-meal offering, and other special events. Special classes about worship are offered each year for children. These classes include introduction to Children's Worship, learning about regular worship, and education about Sacraments. When pastors and parents feel a child is ready to participate in the Celebration of the Lord's Supper, children are invited for First Communion. This special rite of passage is recognized in a special and meaningful way at Bethpage. <top>
On Wednesday nights, September through April, elementary-aged children are invited to participate in Kids' Club, using the "BibleZone Live!" curriculum. Kids' Club I for Grades K-2 is held from 7:00 until 7:45 PM. Kids' Club II for Grades 3 - 5 is held from 6:30 until 7:00 PM. Led by volunteers from this church, this program provides broadly graded activities centered around a Christian message. <top>
MUSIC PROGRAMS INVOLVING CHILDREN
Junior Choir, for grades 3-5, meets Wednesdays, 7:00 - 7:45 PM for music education. Director Sharon Vanpelt teaches them beginning rhythm and music reading skills to help them prepare anthems for monthly presentations in the 11:00 worship service. Occasionally, these choirs combine with other choirs for special services and intergenerational anthems for the glory of God. Genesis Ringers is our beginning handbell group for grades 4 - 8. They meet Wednesdays, 5:30 - 6:00 PM with director Sharon Vanpelt. They focus on learning beginning music and handbell skills to develop anthems for worship and concert presentations. Older children from these
groups often use their musical abilities in other presentations throughout the
year, including instrument accompaniments for programs and presenting solo or
ensemble performances. At Bethpage, we encourage use of all levels of
musical ability in praise of God. <top>
Vacation Bible School - is a special week during the summer where people of all ages from the community gather to learn from God's Word in exciting ways. Crafts, music, and drama are used to present Bible stories in a new light. This year's Vacation Bible School was held July 9th-13th. The theme was Adventures of the Treasure Seekers: Exploring God's Promises. There were classes and activities for all ages and a fun time was had by all! Toddlers - Grade 5 explored the world of archaeology and embarked on daily explorations to find some of God's most precious promises. Middle School and High School youth explored Narnia. Adults had an interesting study with Dr. Steve Mowery, Seeking An Inner Treasure, an introduction to our basic Celtic and Reformed Spirituality. Check back here next spring for dates and information on our 2007 Vacation Bible School! <top> Egg Hunt - We celebrate the joy of Easter with an annual Egg Hunt for young children. Activities have included dying eggs, finding eggs on the church lawn, craft activities, and hearing the story of Jesus' resurrection told in active ways. <top>
Advent-ures Classes
- Children are invited to learn about the season of Advent, a time of
preparation in the church for Christ's birth, through Advent-ures classes while
older youth and adults are decorating church facilities for the season.
They learn about the liturgical seasons of the church year, the significance of
church Advent decorations, and create decorations for church Christmas trees.
<top>
Summer Camp -
Bethpage helps sponsor children's attendance to summer camp experiences at our
local Presbyterian camp, Camp Grier in Old Fort, NC. Children enjoy the
rustic mountains of North Carolina while exploring the message of God's Word for
their lives. <top>
For more information about our Children's Ministry at Bethpage Presbyterian Church, you may e-mail Sharon Vanpelt or call her at 704-933-2209.
This page was last edited: Monday September 25, 2006 |
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Bethpage
offers Sunday school classes for all ages. Children and youth are
grouped according to age and/or school grade level.
Bethpage
provides a full nursery facility. Our nurseries are excellently staffed
with loving volunteers from our congregation. We provide nursery care for
infants during Sunday School in room 205. Toddlers (18 months - 2 years) are invited to attend Sunday
School. During the Second Worship Service, a nursery if provided for
infants and toddlers in rooms 205-207.
Children
are always welcome in all or worship services. During the 11:00 AM Sunday
Worship Service, children are invited forward for the "Time with Younger
Christians," after which children age 4 years through first grade are invited to
attend Children's Worship in the Children's Chapel in the basement of the
sanctuary building. Here, trained leaders engage children in
age-appropriate worship using the Godly Play model. Children sing, hear,
and see the Bible presented before them each week using wooden figures, and
respond to God's Word for them through discussion and artwork.
Children's
Choir, for grades K - 2, meets Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:00 PM for a joyful time of
active music. Led by director, Sharon Vanpelt, they learn to make good
musical sounds and prepare anthems to present monthly in the 11:00 worship
service.