CHILDREN, YOUTH and YOUNG ADULTS
“Children are a gift from the Lord…” Psalm 127:3
A central joy and focus at Hillcrest Church are the programs and events for children and youth.
Parents and teachers join together to develop and provide these activities and classes through the Christian Education program. The program is based on Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments. Together with discussion and activities, we connect the stories and their messages to the children’s daily lives.
The children and youth ministry staff meet monthly with the chairperson of Christian Education, a team of volunteers, and children and parents to determine the direction of the ministry. There is a preschool, nursery, kindergarten class; a grade 1-5 elementary class and a youth/young adult class. It’s dynamic!
Children are greeted and welcomed every Sunday at worship service. Frequently, children are a key component of the worship service including processions, liturgical readings, dramatizations, singing, dancing, discussing and displaying art work. To prepare for this participation, children meet first for an hour in the Sunday School classes to learn the biblical background, rehearse their roles (if they choose – being an observer is acceptable also), sing, respond with art projects, etc. Healthy snacks are provided!
After the children’s participation in worship (generally 20-30 minutes), they return to the classrooms where there is free time in the game room or outdoors on the playground as well as follow-up discussions, lessons, art projects etc. Often the children and youth share a personal experience, a school situation, or a big question for the group. This provides a forum for helping our kids with the situations they face in school and in life every day.
Participation in Worship
Family Fun
Family fun is central at Hillcrest and includes many opportunities for families to participate: Family Movie Nights, Potlucks, the Fall Family Fiesta, the Sugar Plum Workshop, the Christmas Pageant, Ice Skating, Bowling, Easter egg hunting, events in the community i.e. the Butterfly Project, Pleasant Hill Festival, 4th of July Parade, Community Clean-Up etc.
This year we had an awesome OUTREACH CAMP with our Youth and Young Adults participating in reaching out to our community by participating in serving at a community meal and working in food and clothing rooms to serve those in need.
