Children Ministry
Christian Education for the children is reaching out to them as they are, to teach them the Bible and God’s love, and to provide opportunities to develop, enrich and practice their faith. We achieve this through Sunday School, worship, and special activities.
Sunday school is in session from September to May, for Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. We use Bible stories from the Revised Common Lectionary, age-appropriate learning activities, and challenge our children to put their faith into action and grow in their self-understanding as Christians.
Each summer, children have the opportunity to attend Vacation Bible School. During four fun-filled evenings we walk through scripture, activities, crafts, songs, and games. Led by Director of Children, Youth and Families, Joel Morien, and members of our Christian Education Committee, Bible School is open to children aged 4 through those who have completed fifth grade. Older children and youth are welcome to participate as volunteers. For more, visit our Vacation Bible School page.
During the Christmas Eve 5:00 worship service, our children participate in our annual Christmas Pageant. Each year is a memorable performance of the story of the Nativity of Jesus. Children perform to a packed house of in-person and online worshipers.
And, in the Presbyterian tradition, we gather parents and students in second and third grade for communion preparation. We study scripture, bake bread from scratch make tablecloths for the communion table and enjoy some special activities. On the following Communion Sunday, the children participate in communion with their church family.
If your second or third grade student would like to participate in a communion workshop, please contact Pastor Katie at kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School 2024
Our theme this year was We are God’s People. We are God’s People went through different stories in the bible that included Solomon from Solomon’s Temple, Jesus and the Resurrection, the man who was lowered through the roof for Jesus to heal, and on the final night our focus was We are the Body when we reflected on how we all have different gifts but together we form the body of Christ.
This year we had four fun-filled evenings from August 5th through 8th. There were 15 children in attendance and 4 youth volunteers that included Nathan Behnke, Alaina Erickson, Jessica Gauthier and Kaylee Blade. Thank you to our adult volunteers that included Deb Gauthier, Loni McCormick, George and Brenda Hubbard, Kevin Kabacinski, Olivia Crooks, Grace Estes-Collins, Pastor Katie and Joel Morien. Special thanks to Mike Melton who wrote the curriculum!
Vacation Bible School 2023
Our Vacation Bible School theme for 2023 was Ready, Set, Move! Follow Jesus Here, There and Everywhere!
Ready, Set, Move Vacation Bible School inspired kids to: DO What He Says, BELIEVE Who He is, LOVE Who He loves, SHARE What he did, and GO where He leads.
We had four fun-filled evenings from August 7 through 10. There were 14 children who attended VBS this year with 12 volunteers helping out. And, there were 20 different obstacles in our obstacle course. Special thanks to all of our volunteers who made VBS such an amazing experience for everyone involved!
Vacation Bible School 2022
The Christian Education Committee is so pleased with our 2022 Vacation Bible School! We had four fun-filled evenings from July 11 through 14. Our theme was Heroes and our lessons included learning qualities that make heroes what they are and how we can be heroes to others in our own life. We explored the Armor of God, made our own hero, and learned to trust our hero. Each evening we walked through scripture, activities, crafts, songs, and games. Our goal was to cultivate children’s young faith and inspire the heroes in all of us.
We learned how to be Heroes from our Heroes at the Green Bay Fire Department
Youth Ministry
All youth in grades 6th to 12th are welcome to join in our weekly Youth Group gathering, and that includes friends, family and neighbors of that age. All are welcome!
Youth Group is led by Joel Morien, Director of Children, Youth and Families, along with members of the Christian Education Committee. Group meets each Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm in our upstairs Youth Group Room from September through May. Weekly opportunities are designed to challenge faith, strengthen friendships, and deepen our commitment to one another and to God. Through worship, fellowship, education, and service, we aim to engage youth in activities that allow them to experience Christ’s love in many ways.
Throughout the year, there are several opportunities for fellowship and ministry.
First Presbyterian Youth Participate In:
Each July, youth have the opportunity to attend Synod School. We were pleased to have so many youth in attendance for the 2024 Synod School that was themed More Than We Can Imagine.
Our youth group was part of more than 500 people in attendance for the 70th anniversary in 2024. As we look to the future of the Church, we explored what will it look like? What innovations are already happening? What is yet to come? As we think about the lives of the young people in our lives, what will their futures be? What innovations will renew their lives and ministries? God is already doing things we cannot even imagine. What a difference can that make in our lives and ministries? We explored all these questions and pondered the answers throughout the week. Everyone came home with an eagerness to attend again in 2025.
View What We Learned From Synod School 2022 About “The Meaning of Belonging“
Join us and discover God’s giftedness in each of us.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining Youth group, please contact Joel Morien at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org or call the office at 920-437-8121. And, if it’s your first time joining us, please complete the Family Registration Form and bring it along to the meeting.
Music Ministry
Do you like to sing?
If so, consider joining the Chancel Choir. The Chancel Choir provides special music for some Sundays and special worship services from September through May each program year. Prior to beginning each September we have Choir Camp on a Saturday from 10am till 2pm that is a time to preview music for the upcoming year and to socialize a bit, welcoming back current choir members and welcoming new singers interested in joining our music ministry. Our regular rehearsals take place on Sundays prior to worship service at 9am, and other times as needed.
Choir membership is open to anyone high school age and older. Reading music is helpful but not a requirement.
“Music Ministry is a great way of sharing your faith with our members, not to mention that by joining the choir you’re using your God given talents to give back,” says Michael Raught, Music Director.
If you would like to join the Chancel Choir or have questions please contact Music Director, Michael Raught, at mraught@firstpresgreenbay.org or leave a message at the church office by calling 920-437-8121.
Synod School
What is Synod School?
Synod School is a learning and personal enrichment experience for people of all ages. School seeks to create an environment of hospitality, healing, and hope. The week is designed for laity and clergy as well as individuals and families with classes and activities for adults, youth, and children. 2024 is the 70th year of Synod School in Iowa. People will come from all over the country with their friends and families to share in this week of worship, study, play, and life together. It is an opportunity to learn something new, to continue conversations begun by keynote speakers with others over meals or a board game, to share talents of creativity and music, to worship without being in charge, to be energized for service, and to enjoy not having to cook for a week.
Why should I attend?
Come…
— To participate in a unique experience of Christian community as we worship, study, play, and live together;
— To grow in faith through action, relationships, and a centering of the spirit;
— For continuing education, for a special family experience, or for individual growth;
— To take it all in, then return home to share and serve.
2024 Synod School Theme: More Than We Can Imagine
“Now to God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”
Eph. 3-20-21
The group that gathered to plan for the first Synod School event seventy years ago could not have imagined what brings us to Synod School in 2024. It has become more than they could have imagined! There were 544 people in attendance which included 11 people from our congregation. Multi-generation families, tie dye, more classes proposed than we had room for, “the best week of the entire year”….
As we look to the future of the Church, we explored what will it look like? What innovations are already happening? What is yet to come? As we think about the lives of the young people in our lives, what will their futures be? What innovations will renew their lives and ministries? God is already doing things we cannot even imagine. What a difference can that make in our lives and ministries? We explored all these questions and pondered the answers throughout the week.
For more information about Synod School please contact Pastor Katie Estes at kestes@firstpresgreenbay.org or our Director of Children, Youth and Families, Joel Morien, at ce@firstpresgreenbay.org or call (920) 437-8121.
2023 Synod School Theme: Our Family Story
…All Jesus did that day was tell stories—a long storytelling afternoon. His storytelling fulfilled the prophecy: I will open my mouth and tell stories; I will bring out into the open things hidden since the world’s first day.”
Matthew 13:34-35-34-35 MSG
The theme for Synod School 2023 was “Our Family Story.” As living and breathing entities of Christ, we are each natural storytellers—whether we believe so or not. Each experience we carry is sewn into the tapestry that our ancestors created, and these experiences carry us forward toward relationships and connection with others. Stories from the Bible connect us as children of God. We shared time together learning about the differences between historical, literary, and theological “chairs” and why, to fully understand stories from the Bible, we must take time in all three chairs to better know the rich characters and lessons that we have been given. In a time when biblical stories are picked apart to suit a particular message, we gathered and studied familiar stories in new ways in hopes of gaining a new closeness with God, and each other.
2022 Synod School was themed “Experiencing Belonging“
…so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually, we are members one of another.”
Romans 12:5