Berea
Presbyterian Church
Children’s Ministries
Our nursery typically cares for 5-10 babies up to age two during the morning worship service. We have almost 30 women and men, including several whole families, and six teens taking their turn serving and providing loving care for these little ones.
JUNIOR CHURCH, 2 AND 3 YEAR
OLDS
Junior church is held for children of ages 2 and 3 during the regular morning worship service. Volunteers rotate the teaching of this class, which focuses on short scripture passage memorization and fundamental Bible lessons. Prayer, song, and a craft are incorporated each Sunday to further reinforce the day’s lesson. Teachers also take advantage of the opportunities to include special activities for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
.
JUNIOR CHURCH, 4 AND 5 YEAR
OLDS
Each year, from September through May we use Series A and B of the Children’s Ministry International curriculum. Each lesson, taught over a two week period, includes a catechism question and answer, a corresponding Bible verse, a Bible story, and a lesson for practical application. There is a Sunday of review after several lessons. We have special lessons for the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the four Sundays of Advent, Palm Sunday, and Easter. From June through August we use other materials.
This national and multi-denominational tradition is a
favorite at Berea. For about three hours in the morning during a week in the
Summer (normally July), members’ and neighborhood children – ages 3 to 6th
grade – are invited to attend this exciting event at our church. Each year the
activities are built around a special biblical theme and the event is led by as
many as 40-50 volunteers (including staff, parents, and older youth from our
church). The Bible stories, scripture verses, songs, prayers, arts and crafts,
skits, games, and snacks are all geared toward sharing God’s love and our Savior
Jesus Christ with the children. The festivities normally end on the last day in
the evening with a special worship service involving the kids and a dinner for
the children, their parents, and the volunteers. The event is a great way for
kids to meet and play with new friends and learn about the Bible and God.
The Pioneer Girls program is a club for girls in the first through sixth grades that meets at the church every Friday night from 6:50 – 8:30. Its purpose is to help develop strong Christian women who know and understand their calling to love and serve Christ in every phase of life. The program, now in its fifth year at Berea, has about 20 girls with six leaders and helpers.
A typical night at Pioneer Girls consists of a time of music, a lesson, a craft or game, and prayer time. We work weekly on badges that are earned by completing Bible Studies, crats and service projects. Some past activities include caroling at Christmas and singing on Palm Sunday at local nursing homes, making Christmas cards for missionaries, and ornaments for the fruit baskets given to the shut-ins, bowling, roller skating, and a sleep-over.
Each Pioneer Girl (Gal) is paired with a Christian
woman from our congregation (Pal). The Pal is committed to praying for her Gal,
serving as a role model of the Christian faith, and attending activities
together. Some of the past year’s activities include a craft night, working on
service projects, a game night, and our closing ceremonies.
The mission for Christian Service Brigade is, “Building men to serve Christ.” The objective of the Stockade program (grades 3-6) is to “guide boys to Christ for salvation, God’s Word for growth, and to spiritual maturity for service.” This is done in three areas: (1) the weekly meeting, (2) the boy at home, and (3) outside activities. We meet Friday nights during the school year and have about a dozen boys on roll. The program has just under ten adult leaders.
At our meetings we have games and activities, projects to complete, Bible study, prayer, and stories. In addition we have an annual Shape-N-Race event in February, and overnight campout at Lum’s Pond in June, a Nintendo Night overnight at the church in October, and a campout at Haycock Mountain (the Stockade Camp in Pennsylvania) also in October. Our service project included a “Rake-N-Run” Saturday of leaf raking at the home of one of our elderly members.
Our Tadpoles program is for boys and girls, ages 4-5 and their dads. We have about 8 boys and girls enrolled in Tadpoles. Dads and kids explore what it mans to be more patient, helpful, and generous. Each meeting offers activity centers, fun games, a Bible story, and verse.
This camp is held in August at Camp
Sandy Hill in Northeast, MD and attracts as many as 150 campers, who are
heading into 4th, 5th, or 6th grade. The core
of the attendees come from three churches in our presbytery but other children
are welcome. Participants hear solid teaching from the Scriptures and
participate in a range of outdoor activities.
JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUPS
The Junior High Fellowship meets every other Sunday night at the church during the school year. The evenings start off with fun and games, include a snack, and end with a scripture lesson. During the year the youth groups typically go on retreats to locations such as Lake Champion, Dewey Beach, and the Poconos. These retreats are often rewarding and challenging for the parents and children.
The ministry to the Senior High
meets every Sunday night at the church during the school year. The focus of the
meetings is discipleship and prayer, while food and games also allow for fun
and fellowship. Past years have included retreats to places like Lake
Champion, Camp
Friendship, and other locations. Also, opportunities have been presented to
proclaim the gospel of Christ through word and deed in week-long missions trips
to places like Toronto and the Bahamas. CLICK HERE for
more details on the current Senior High Youth Group!
© Copyright 2002 Berea
Presbyterian Church, PCA
All rights reserved.