Children Programs

Greenwood Church, Presbyterian has a long history of teaching children about Jesus and the tenets of our faith. Joy abounds as children sing praises to God, study God’s word, learn how to pray and make new friends.

Sunday School

Children in grades PreK through 5 are welcome to join our Sunday School class on Sunday mornings. First, students gather in the front of the sanctuary for a Time with the Children message. This message and the Sunday School lesson will have a common thread with the scripture focus of the sermon. Families can then discuss the passage with children during the week. The Sunday School teachers and students are excused from the sanctuary before the sermon to continue their lesson in the church parlor. They participate in praise and worship songs, a video lesson focusing on the Bible passage, a snack and craft project. There will be time for socialization and play following the lesson. Parents reunite with their student(s) in the church parlor and can join others in Fellowship Hall for Coffee Hour. Our Sunday School students participate in Mission Projects throughout the year to benefit those who are less fortunate. We welcome donations of hats, scarves and mittens during the months of December and January. These items are displayed on a Christmas tree in Fellowship Hall until they are delivered to a group in Providence. During Lent, we collect coins for the Heifer Project. The children bring in coins and collect coins from members of the congregation. It is always a happy moment when the students hear the total collected and choose the animals to donate. Our Vacation Bible School students donate to Serving Orphans Worldwide.

Youth Fellowship Programs

Stop by the church on a Sunday evening and you'll see a tremendous amount of youthful enthusiasm. Youth Leader Cynthia Pisano and Director of Family Ministries, Virginia Jacobs lead groups for younger and older children, King’s Kids and 29Eleven. Both groups participate in intergenerational church events.

King’s Kids

King’s Kids meets on Sundays from 4:30-6:00 p.m. All children from Kindergarten through Grade 6 are welcome. Sometimes, when it is still nice and sunny at 4:00 p.m., they start outside with a game. Central to their weekly program is a time of prayer. They each list what they are thankful for and who they want God to bless and end with the Lord’s Prayer. The children also cook, eat, crafts, play, sing, and have a great time! They learn to make foods like applesauce, mac and cheese from scratch, and grilled cheese sandwiches! Cooking and cleaning up are always a group activity. Everyone gets something to do, which is an important part of the unspoken teaching that takes place with this group. The group has mission projects throughout the year with the major project being “Operation Christmas Child,” a mission that distributes Christmas gifts and the Good News to children all around the world. We want to teach the kids to think of others and serve as Jesus taught us.

29Eleven Youth Ministries

29Eleven (or just 29:11) is Greenwood’s ministry for youth in middle and high school, grades 6-12 (grade 6 is sometimes considered elementary, sometimes middle school depending on the district, so we can be flexible). This group gets its name from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” one of the lessons we hope they will take to heart. They meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00 p.m. When they arrive, they settle into the 29Eleven room in the west wing. Recognizing the busy schedules of this age group, their program incorporates Sunday School and fellowship into a single weekly meeting. Their program includes an opening prayer, snacks, some kind of activity, a game, and a Bible-based lesson. For example, in 2024-25 they started the year by talking about the Fruits of the Spirit and how these attributes can help us in our daily life! They had some interesting discussions about these “Fruits” and ways to apply them in their daily lives. Their weekly activity also tied in with the week’s Fruit of the Spirit. For example, for patience the activity leading into their discussion was building houses out of cards-with varying degrees of success (and patience). Later in the year they did a study on the importance of prayer in their lives, talking about why we pray, what we may pray for and how we pray. Each student was given a prayer journal so they could write down their thoughts and prayers each week, continuing to write in their journals and draw closer to God even when that unit was complete. Their final unit had them diving into scripture and talking about how the Word applies to their lives today. It led to some great conversations. Community outreach is another important part of the 29Eleven program. For example, they assembled blessing bags that they filled with water, granola bars and other items to be given to some of the homeless people in our community! They were a big help with the King’s Kids Valentine’s Dance and the PW May Breakfast and worked with Multitude Ministries to serve food to homeless people in Providence. Of course, the group also knows how to have fun, whether it is just chatting with each other, playing active games and board games, or having a lock-in during February vacation. Through all of these activities the church is equipping these young people to build their faith and carry it with them in their daily lives at school, on the sports field, at home, at work, and in their community. The lessons they learn now have the ability to influence them throughout their whole lives.

Vacation Bible School

For one week each summer, Greenwood Community Church becomes an exciting place of adventure and Bible exploration as enthusiastic children and adult volunteers gather for Vacation Bible School. This past summer was no exception. During the week of July 6th, the church was transformed into a tropical island as the children and youth and adult volunteers had a wonderful week exploring the tropics, learning about Moses, Naomi and Ruth, Zaccheus, Jesus, and Paul, enjoying music, crafts, games, and special snacks, and discovering that when you have troubles, feel lonely or need help, hope or forgiveness, JESUS COMES TO SEEK AND SAVE! On Sunday they shared summaries of the week’s activities and some of their songs during the worship service.

Childcare

Families are welcome to bring even the youngest members of their family with them to worship. If parents choose, there is a sound-proofed cry room at the rear of the sanctuary for parents with infants and toddlers. A large window and amplified sound enable participation in worship. If any families would like to leave their infants or toddlers in Childcare during the whole service, please tell one of the greeters or ushers so we can offer that option in future weeks.

Parents Night Out

Parents, this is your opportunity to bring your children to spend a fun Friday night with us enjoying pizza, ice cream, popcorn and a movie, usually on the first Friday of the month from 6:00–9:00 p.m. The program is directed by Director of Family Ministries Virginia Jacobs, assisted by another trained adult and some of our teens. Drop the kids off and head to a movie, dinner, or just a little quiet time knowing your children are in good hands and having a great time!