Childcare & Children’s Worship
Each Sunday…
9:30am-12:30pm - Nursery care available in the Nursery (3rd floor)
10:00am-10:40am - Sunday School
Grades PK-2 - Classroom 1, 3rd floor
Grades 3-5 - The Den, 3rd floor
10:40am-11:00am - Singing with Ms. Regina (Chapel)
11:15am-12:00pm - Children’s Worship (children depart the sanctuary following the Time with Children and may be picked up following the worship service)
Grades PK-2 - Young Children and Worship (Classrooms 1 & 3)
Grades 3-5 - Children’s Church (Chapel)
Children are a vital part of everything we do at GPC, and you will see children of all ages across the church on a typical Sunday morning. Keeping our kids and families safe and healthy is of the utmost importance. Children can join these programs at any point in the year; please find the program options that work best for your family’s needs.
Nursery Care
AGES 0 - 3 | THIRD FLOOR NURSERY
9:45 AM - 12:15 PM SEPT - MAY | 9:45 - 11:15 AM JUNE-AUGUST
The littlest amongst us can look forward to spending time in our nursery located on the church’s third floor. Parents may check in their children and rest assured that they are cared for while parents have space to fully participate in any of our education or worship hour programming. You may bring diapers, favorite toys, and any bottles your children may require. Gamage and Swarna are our nursery caregivers, and will be able to reach you via text during the service if the need arises.
Sunday School Hour
3 YEARS OLD - 5TH GRADE | THIRD FLOOR CLASSROOMS
10:00-10:40 AM SEPTEMBER - MAY
PreK - 2nd GRADE:
Our PreK-2nd grade Sunday School class, led by Ms. Casey and Ms. Megan, is a safe, calm, and predictable space for children to gather on Sundays at 10:00 am. Children arrive and choose a center to begin their class time (building, art, reading, etc.), then greet each other in song, and spend their time learning about a particular aspect of our faith or life at GPC. Some favorite past sessions include preparing communion, helping arrange flowers, serving punch bunch, and more. Children are led down to the chapel for singing with Ms. Regina at 10:40 am.
DEN (3rd - 5th GRADE):
Third through fifth grade Sunday School takes place in the Den, a space designed to suit the needs of our older children. Much like the younger Sunday School class, the Den offers children opportunities to be involved in the life of the church, whether that be through mission projects, like an after-church lemonade stand and making sandwiches for Georgetown Ministry Center, or serving as Youth Ushers with some of our usher teams.
Holy Troublemakers: During several weeks in the winter, the Den class will spend their time learning about several Holy Trouble Makers. They will talk about unconventional saints who have played important roles in joining with God’s work in our world, and what it can look like to love your neighbor.
Worship Hour
Worship Bags: Young worshippers are a vital part of our faith community. To enhance their worship experience, stop by stone benches in the Narthex to grab a GPC worship bag. These are filled with age appropriate materials for young children to engage with during the service. Please return your bag when you are finished with it after church.
Time with Children (all ages): During the 11:00 worship service, children of all ages are invited forward as we join together for the Time with Children, led by one of our pastors. During the Time with Children, our young worshippers have space to ask questions, make observations together, and pray.
Young Children and Worship (3 years – Second Grade): Following the Time with Children, children 3 years old – second grade are invited to leave “big church,” and continue to worship by making meaning through story, wonder, and play in the YCW classrooms. Parents may walk their children out of the service, and lead them to the classroom doors, or your child may feel comfortable leaving the service with our YCW greeters, who help take the children upstairs.
Children’s Church: Our third - fifth grade children can remain in worship for the entirety of the service, or leave with one of the pastors for Children’s Church. Children’s Church meets in the chapel, and is led by Ms. Regina and Pastors Camille, Jessica, and Meghan. The Children’s Church service follows an order of worship similar to that of “big church,” but allows more space for discussion and questions along the way. Children are welcome to join the group at any point in the year, and can continue to attend Children’s Church until they feel comfortable in the main worship service.
GPC Children’s Milestones and Traditions
Pancake Breakfast (typically mid-September): This is the kickoff to our Sunday School year. We come together to reconnect after the summer, and enjoy pancakes and bacon, prepared for us by the Youth Group families.
Sandwich Making (monthly): Once a month, families of all ages gather in the Georgetown Room to prepare sandwiches to be distributed to guests at Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC). To deepen our understanding of GMC as a mission partner, the Sunday School classes read about homelessness and serving food to others at various times during the school year.
Fish Banks (Lent): During Lent, the children and youth raise money for One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), a Presbyterian organization that shares God’s love with neighbors in need. Children are encouraged to follow the daily calendar during Lent, to pray, read scripture verses, and donate coins, which they present during worship on Palm Sunday.
Palm Processional (Palm Sunday): On Palm Sunday, our children lead the worship service off with a palm processional, waving palm fronds and shouting, “Hosanna!”
Advent Readings and Candle Lighting (Sundays during Advent): Children are an integral part of worship on Sundays in Advent, and lead the weekly candle lighting with scripture readings and prayers.
Christmas Pageant (Christmas Eve, December 24): Our annual Christmas pageant is a beloved GPC tradition featuring children of all ages. The pageant takes place during a regular worship service.
Bible Sunday (typically held in May): Bible Sunday marks an important moment in our children’s faith journeys. GPC children in grades PreK-4, 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 12th receive an age-appropriate Bible they can use at home and in church.
