Children and Pre-Teen/Teen Faith Formation

Sunday morning church school

(CHildren ages 4-12 years)

Our church school uses the Godly Play curriculum which utilizes a Montessori-like method of teaching. The program begins each lesson noting the significance of that Sunday on the church calendar, offers a specific Bible story/lesson, allows the children to creatively respond to the lesson, provides for a snack, and finishes with a closing prayer and/or song. Although there is a theme to each volume of the curriculum, the lessons are stand-alone. Children can easily integrate into the group whether they are there every week or occasionally. For more information, please contact Chris Calandra, Director of Children’s Ministry.

Voices of GCC Children’s Choir

This choir is for singers in grades 3–8 with weekly rehearsals 11:15am–12:30pm on Sundays. We rehearse September through May in Room 201. Voices of GCC sings for Sunday worship about once a month as well as for the Christmas Pageant and the 4:30 service on Christmas Eve. Each year we prepare a musical worship service in the spring. For more information, please contact the children’s choir director, Katelyn Ornduff.

Child Care

Each Sunday morning from 9:45 -11:15 a.m., there is childcare available for infants to three-year-olds in the Nursery playroom. The room is equipped with a computer monitor that allows parents to view the worship service while staying with their children if they desire.

For more information, please contact Chris Calandra

Confirmation

Confirmation instruction focuses on confirming our baptismal promises by growing in our knowledge and love of God, making a commitment to Jesus Christ, and developing loving relationships in the church community. Confirmation is a structured, two-year journey of faith for 7^th and 8^th graders that culminates with each confirmand’s affirmation of their Christian faith and full membership in GCC.

Confirmands meet each Sunday for study, exploration, and articulation of various aspects of their beliefs. In addition, students attend worship services at GCC and write reflection sheets on their worship experience. Confirmands also participate in service projects, attend retreats, and learn in fellowship with their peers.

For more information, please contact Rev. Abigail Lutz.

middle and high school youth group

Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. during the program year, middle school and high school teens enjoy a weekly pause from their regular routine to eat dinner together and be in community. All are welcomed to join us!

For more information, please contact Julie Evans.

high school youth group Mission Trip 2024

Our High School Students will be going on a Mission Trip through Youthworks to Benton Harbor, MI, June 9th-14th, 2024. Mission trips are great opportunities to grow faith, learn about the world, and build community! We are excited for all who will get to have this experience this summer.

If you want to learn more about this trip, contact Rev. Abigail Lutz.

Puppet ministry

Our Puppet Ministry meets on Sundays at 10:00 a.m., during the program year. Interested young people work on presenting a puppet show for the church school.