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Christian Education
Suggestions? Have an idea or topic for an adult class? Would you like to lead an adult class? Call the church office at (609-587-3683) or email Pastor Doug with your suggestions.
Who? All Children ages 3 - High School For more information please contact the Church Office. (609-587-3683)
Sunday School Registration 2009-2010 Greetings!
Well it’s hard to believe, but it’s time to start thinking about School again! Sunday School, I mean. This edition of the Flock contains a registration form (it’s also at www.fpchsnj.org). Please complete this form whether your child is an infant or a 12th grader. Our Rolls need to be updated and this information is vital for planning. We particularly need information about children who have not previously attended our Sunday School classes, as soon as possible. Our first day of Sunday School will be September 13, 2009. This will be “Kick-Off Sunday” with fun activities, food and songs planned for the children and youth during their regular attendance times of 9:30 am and 11:00 am. If you haven’t turned in a registration form by that day we will have forms for you to fill out in the classrooms. Click here for printable Registration form NOTE: this is a revised form, If you printed or filled one out already you will have to submit another. We apologize for any inconvenience. Why the change? click here for FAQ's Help Needed Teachers and assistant are still needed for Sunday School 2009-2010, particularly for grades Pre-K through 3rd. If this is something you’ve done in the past and would like to do again, give us a call. If this is something you’ve never done but feel a calling to try, give us a call and we’ll team you up with an experienced teacher. If you just have questions about what is involved and how things work in our program …. GIVE US A CALL! Pat Loreti or Doug Cornelius Yours in Christ, The Christian Education Committee
Adult Christian Education Opportunities
This Month in Adult Christian Ed!
Evening Class Available Would you like to "Spread the Love of God”? Pastor Jan and seminary intern Lisa Lopez-Marcial will offer a workshop once a month to help us learn how to reach out with the gospel in word and deed, in a way that is sensitive and comfortable. Our first workshop will be on Wednesday, January 20th at 7:30 PM in the church parlor. Come join us to share and pray together.
Silly Things Smart Christians Believe – Join Pastor Jan and intern Ben George as they walk through a six-week course on different ideas and beliefs that smart, dedicated Christians have adopted or accepted, but that are not biblically, theologically, or traditionally sound! You’ll be amazed, and might have a major belief or idea reframed in the process!! Room 251 January 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, February 7th and 14th.
The Parables of Jesus – Linda Woodman will lead this six-week study on the difficult, rich, and beautiful stories Jesus told as moral & spiritual teaching devices. Old favorites, as well as lesser-known parables, will be discussed. For beginners or veterans to Bible study. Room 4 January 10th, 17th, 24th, 31s, February 7th and14th.
Also, be on the lookout for a family-oriented offering later in the month as we hope to continue to minister to our young parents! February and Lent!!! Unbinding Your Heart – Room 251This class will be offered throughout Lent by Pastor Jan and intern Lisa Lopez-Marcial. This class will focus on the work of evangelism, and its close connection with prayer. Daily journaling is encouraged but not mandatory, and the class will connect our prayer life through Lent to the sharing of the Good News of the Gospel. Feb. 21, 28, Mar.7, 14, 21 28. The Theology of the Lord of the Rings – Parlor Pastor Doug will lead us (with some significant help from Tolkien) on a journey through Lent to Mordor. The theological themes of these modern literary classics will be explored, the movies will be used (not in their entirety), and discussion provoked. For Tolkien geeks and complete newbie’s, this class will encourage reading of the books, but it is not required if one is familiar with the stories. Feb. 21, 28, Mar.7, 14, 28. A Lenten Journey through the First Holy Week – Room 4 Linda Woodman will lead this bible study on a journey through Luke’s account of the last week of Christ’s life. Many long-time Christians do not realize how rich this account is, and the discussion will focus on the events we celebrate (and often forget) in Christ’s last week. Feb.21, 28, Mar.7, 14, 28.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Sunday Schedule
We are asking everyone to change what time they worship, rather than singling out one group. This new schedule invites us all to think about how and when to come together in church. You may discover you like worshipping earlier or later than you did before, or you might find a new worship experience at a completely different service.
Both the Bible and our Presbyterian Book of Order tell us that adults and children should worship together, and our denomination makes it clear that Sunday School is not a substitute for worship. When we started offering Sunday School during worship in 1996 to relieve overcrowded classrooms, we knew some parents might attend worship while their children were in Sunday School. Although this is better than not attending at all, it deprives children of a worship experience and their parents of an opportunity to participate in the Christian education program.
Yes. Worship is the most important time we spend together as Christians.
That could be your first education class! The Christian Education Committee plans to offer a Parenting in the Pew course. We have already added a children’s message to the 2nd and 3rd worship services. We plan to make worship interesting for children by inviting them to be involved in it.
Be part of the worship service; don’t just sit and watch. Stand up and sing, read the Bible passages with the pastor, think of one or two things to tell God during the silent prayers, shake hands with someone during the greeting. If you think the sermon will be too hard to understand, try to remember one point from it. And if you really don’t want to sit with your parents, ask if you can sit with a friend’s parents, or with a group of other youth.
Chapel Choir (grades 4 – 8) will rehearse from 11:15 – 11:45 on Sunday morning. Cherub Choir (kindergarten – grade 3) needs a new director, but we hope it will rehearse during part of the 9:00 worship service. This will help ease children into the worship experience without asking them to remain attentive throughout an hour-long, traditional service.
Arrive when you can. It is better to slip into a service late than not come at all. Try the contemporary service at 11:30. Some traditional-style members have been pleasantly surprised to find they enjoy it.
In recent years we have found that many early-morning worshippers want a quiet service, or are going to or coming from work or other commitments. We feel it is important to offer early worship because it is the best option for some members.
Sweazey Hall will be available with coffee from 10:15 – 11:30, so that would be a great place to spend the education hour if you’re not in a class. You can have a conversation with a friend, meet new people, or start a discussion group. You can read in the church library or greet people as they pass the lounge area. You can help with the coffee setup or cleanup. You can help set up for the 11:30 contemporary service. And you can even try a class, maybe just for a few weeks.
Your friends will be in your class, join you for refreshments in Sweazey Hall, hang out in the youth room, library, or lounge area, and worship with you.
No. There was also a problem transitioning from the traditional worship setup to the contemporary worship setup. With barely 30 minutes to move people and equipment in and out of the chancel, the musicians at the 9:30 and 11:00 services felt they were in one another’s way. Our musicians are a big part of our worship experience, and we want them to be ready to lead, not frustrated.
Regardless of the Sunday morning schedule, we will have a parking problem. The parking lot holds about 80 cars, and that simply is not enough. We hope the new schedule will stagger the times people come and go so there won’t be a crush of cars at 8:45, 10:00, or 11:15.
The new Sunday morning schedule is designed to engage more people in the life of the church. Generally, when people are more involved in their church, they offer more of their time and money.
The planning committee would be surprised! Members of the music groups, Christian Education Committee, Worship Committee, and staff all felt the need for a change in the Sunday morning schedule. The planning committee considered a number of options – including no changes at all – and decided this is the best course of action at this time. We also realized that this church has changed its worship schedule every 10 -15 years in response to its members’ needs, and believe the congregation will embrace it as it has embraced previous changes. We are excited about this new schedule and the opportunities it presents to grow in faith and nurture, and we hope you share our enthusiasm.
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First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton Square, NJ
