Our youth…our
futureOur youth play a vital role in the life of our church family here at First Presbyterian Church. The goals of each of our groups is to bring young people together in ways that allow them to experience Christ and develop a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. Our youth also support many of our children’s ministries such as Nursery, Young Children and Worship, seasonal worship programs, Outreach mission projects, and Vacation Bible School
.
Our Senior High Youth Group (grades 9-12) and Juniors for Jesus (grades 6-8) meet separately throughout the school year for discussion, fellowship and fun. Several social/community events are planned, where friends of all faiths would be comfortable and welcome.
Some youth events that will be taking place throughout the year include:
• Service projects (throughout the year)
• Social events such as ice skating, laser tag, corn maze, and bowling (throughout the year)
• A variety of movie nights and a possible lock-in (spring)
• Snow camps (and a variety of fundraising events to cover some of the expense.)
• A member serves as a youth representative on the FPC Board of Deacons
Special events
Confirmation Class—Discovering, Choosing, Following Jesus Christ.
A Confirmation Class is offered to students grades 7 - 12 during the fall. It is a six-week program to introduce youth to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what it means to express one’s discipleship in the context of the covenant community of First Presbyterian Church – Newport. Following the conclusion of the Confirmation Class, students have the opportunity of deciding if they would like to become a member of FPC. Dr. Maxwell is the primary teacher for this class.The only requirement is a desire to learn and grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ and to learn what it means to be a member of a part of the Body of Christ known as FPC.
Welcoming Children to the Lord’s Table. This program is for all children (grades 2 through 5) and their families to come together and learn about Holy Communion. After the program, those who feel ready will be invited to join our congregation for Communion on Sunday, October 2, World Communion Sunday. Please contact the church office to register.
Vacation Bible School. Every summer our church offers a weeklong opportunity for young people (kindergarten through grade 6) and teen & adult volunteers to join together to learn about and experience Jesus Christ. This fast-paced, fun-filled week is a great opportunity for our youth to flex their leadership muscles (entering grades 7 – 12). Themes vary every year but the enthusiasm and fun are consistent. (Save the week of July 9-13, 2012.)
Children’s Music Programs. “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy.” (Psalm 33:3) There are many opportunities for our children to do all these things in worship of our Lord. They are given opportunities to sing songs, play instruments in our worship service, celebrate the seasons of our faith, and make a joyful noise to our Lord.
Looking back at recent
events
Snow
Camp...
Unforgettable
fun and inspiration at our annual snow camp. Join the fun!
Boston
Project Youth MIssion Team......
Every
summer, members of the Youth Mission Team leave our church
sanctuary and travel to Dorchester, MA. They spend five
days serving The Boston Project Ministries in a variety of
service projects, fulfilling the Great Commission by
spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and serving the
citizens of Boston. Thanks to all who offered prayerful
support and contributed to the Yard Sale held in May. Your
gifts make these mission trips possible.
Canonicus
Youth Retreat
Another
popular summer activity senior high students (upcoming
grades 9-12) is our annual youth retreat—a weekend of
hiking in the woods, swimming in the lake, discovering God,
and planning for the upcoming
year.
The Boston Project
Youth Summer Mission Team
Boston Project is a great example of how we can do little things right in our own backyard to make a difference. When most people think of mission trips, they think of trips to far off places to bring aid to people in need.
Sometimes as Christians we get it stuck in our heads that in order to do God's work and make a difference, we need to leave our own homes and go far away. I used to be one of these people before I first experienced The Boston Project. BP taught me that the same issues that plague Africa, Asia, and South America: the need for food, water, shelter, and clothing, are right here too, and every little effort to help another person in the name of the Lord makes a huge impact, no matter where you are. K. Schulz
Seder Meal
This Lenten season more than 30 Sunday school students, grades 4 through high school, experienced the Seder Service, which is what Jesus celebrated with his disciples during the Last Supper. Using a script and readings from the Old Testament, the students were reminded of God’s faithfulness to His people. The abbreviated service featured roasted bones, matzo crackers, salt water, parsley, radishes, grape juice and a mixture of ground nuts, apples, cinnamon and honey—all in some way symbolic of the suffering, exodus and God’s blessing of the Jewish people.
The service, an annual Sunday school event for over five years, was conducted in our newly renovated Christian Education Center. We give a special thanks to Jacquie Schulz for providing a very impressive table setting which contributed to the importance of the event.