Lasting Memories Made

One of our favorite things is the sound of children laughing and singing around the church. The week of Vacation Bible School (VBS) was a delight, hearing the children enjoy being with one another and being in church.

Our Children’s Ministry, led by Anna Butler, provides age-appropriate learning experiences for children to know God’s love.

The Merritt family – Andrea and Kyle and their children Nolan (8) and Peyton (6) – are involved in the life of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) and of the Children’s Ministry. They have been involved since Nolan was born, and Andrea was recently named the church’s Director of Finance and Administration.

“Our goal, prayer, and hope is to provide a space where children can discover God in a way that makes sense to them in a fun, welcoming environment,” Butler says. 

“It is a wonderful thing to hear your children talking about Jesus,” says Danny Rodriguez, FPC member. “We enjoy great discussions about what they have learned at church through the classes and activities they participate in. It is a joyous feeling knowing our children are being spiritually fed at church.”

Rodrigues and his wife, Laura, are longtime FPC members. Their children, Madelyn, 10, Penelope (6), and William (3) are active in the children’s programming.

Andrea Merritt says the family is involved in VBS, Night to Shine, the Parents Group, and the Father Daughter Dance each February. 

Nolan says he most enjoys children’s choir and singing on stage, while Peyton says she loves the crafts. Both agreed they love having friends at church. 

Programming

Children’s Ministry has a wide array of programs for children, ages kindergarten through fifth grade, including the following.

First Kids

Children in kindergarten through third grade meet at 10:30 on Sunday mornings. They enjoy Bible stories, videos, praying together, singing, and crafts.

“When we tell the kids we are getting ready for church, they always ask if it’s a donut day (Sunday) or a pizza day (Wednesday),” laughs Andrea Merritt.

First Kids Club

Children in kindergarten through fifth grades meet from 6-7:30 on Wednesday evenings to enjoy singing, games, mission projects, Bible study, prayer, and pizza. First Kids Club is on summer break until August 21. 

“They love Wednesday nights,” Kyle Merritt says. “Their happiness in the moments after we leave is clear. They are always excited to tell us what they learned.”

Creating an environment in which children feel safe and protected is vital to the Children’s Ministry program. Having them know the various programs by nicknames like ‘pizza day’ confirms that an environment of safety and enjoyment is being created at FPC.

First Kids 45

Our fourth and fifth grades meet on the second and fourth Sundays at 10:30 a.m. for a devotion, service project, games, and socialization.

“As our fourth and fifth graders prepare for youth group and all that comes with middle school, we want to create a place where they can further nurture friendship with one another and God,” Butler says. “That way, as they go through these changes, they are surrounded by a trustworthy group of friends and have a solid faith foundation.”

Loving Being at Church

“One time, Nolan brought home a copy of the Ten Commandments, and he put it up in his room,” Andrea shares.

“Nolan has said multiple times that he likes being at church because he feels good,” says Kyle. 

The Children’s Ministry also has special events during the summer, such as VBS, and throughout the year. 

The Merritts share that both Nolan and Peyton love the Bible buddies they receive during VBS and that the children still have them from the past two years. 

“I tell people all the time that the children’s program here is great,” Andrea says. “I share that with the Lakeland Moms group regularly.”

“It’s good people with good hearts,” Kyle says. “These are people who want to help and be involved. You can tell the volunteers want to be here.”

“Being connected to our church family. Has always been a priority for Danny and I, as a couple,” Laura Rodriguez says. “As our family grew, we prayed that our children would also feel that connection. After 10 years of various involvement with the children’s ministry, the love, teaching and sense of belonging they feel at FPC has moved them forward in their spiritual journey while also helping them feel like valuable members of our church family.”

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