Children’s and Youth Ministries: Growing in Christ
“Through Christian education, guidance, and positive example,
we give our children and youth tools for a Christian foundation
to help them grow throughout their life-long faith journeys.”
The congregation and staff of the Presbyterian Church in Orland Park have a special dedication to our youth. From their earliest age, we seek to nourish their love of God, guide them in the study and understanding of their Christian heritage, and to help them grow in the fellowship of this devotion. We acknowledge that God has created each child with unique gifts and learning styles; our programs are designed to embrace and celebrate this diversity.
Parents can feel comfortable in the knowledge that all activities involving children and youth are guided by trained adult leaders, chaperones, and professional staff. They have specifically selected and have been background checked to ensure a safe and loving environment in which the children may learn the word of God and grow in their personal relationship with Christ.
Some of the activities available to children and youth include:
- Sunday School classes are held each Sunday. Children attend worship the first 15 minutes, participate in a special “Growing with God” time, and then attend classes until the end of the worship service. Classes are held for children ages three years through high school.
- Rally Day is held on a Sunday at the end of August as a kick-off event for Sunday School.
- Staffed Nursery Care is provided for children ages zero through three years during worship.
- Confirmation Program for 8th graders is offered on Sundays immediately following worship for 12 weeks in the spring and includes a Confirmation Dinner for youth and their families.
- Welcome on Wednesdays (W.O.W) Arts for Kids for children in grades one through eight meets on Wednesdays, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. for two nine-week sessions, September through November and January through March.
- Little W.O.W for four to five year olds meets at the same time for one hour. Each week includes pizza supper, art projects, games, puppets, and music.
- Junior Hand Bells for students grades four through eight.
- Cradle Roll newsletters are mailed monthly to families with children ages zero to three years old to provide support to young parents.
- Vacation Bible School is held for one week I June, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for children ages three through 11. In this free program, children enjoy music, crafts, science time, Bible time, games, and snacks while learning more about God’s love.
- Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group meets twice a month, September through May, o the second and fourth Tuesdays, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Childcare in the nursery is provided for infants and toddlers ages zero to two years and children ages three to five years participate in a preschool setting while moms enjoy refreshments, fellowship, discussions, and making a special craft to take home.
- Appalachia Service Project (ASP) during which high-school age young adults spend a week in rural Appalachia helping people in need making homes warmer, safer, and drier.
- Youth Activities are held throughout the year for Junior and Senior High youth, supervised by staff, volunteers, and parents, including pool party, horseback riding and bake sales.
- Youth Service Opportunities are available to our Junior and Senior High youth to volunteer at events and programs held at our facility throughout the year such as the Halloween Party, Christmas Program, and young adult college care packages.
“Let the little children come to Me, do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.”
(Matthew 19:14)
