Youth Programs
Sunday School
Children attend the first portion of the Sunday service in the sanctuary with their families. After the offertory, children age 4-12 head to the Sunday school classroom for a lesson designed just for them. The curriculum changes from year to year. For the 2024/2025 school year and summer, our curriculum is based on the book, Dear God, I Have a Question by Kathryn Slattery, coupled by scripture readings from the Adventure Bible. Questions that are pondered include: Who is the Trinity? What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Is it true that Jesus knows my name?
The children are released as the final hymn is being sung to rejoin their families in the sanctuary for the final benediction, followed by fellowship in Fellowship Hall.
Our Sunday school teachers have diverse backgrounds but all have experience working with children and share a love for helping them along their faith journey:
Janet Whitehouse taught third and fourth grade in Greenland, NH and coached various co-ed sports, before getting an MBA at UNH and working in the Insurance Industry. She has four children and seven grandchildren. In addition to teaching Sunday School, Janet helps with Youth Group and Confirmation Class. She has written and directed the Christmas pageant for the last six years, including producing videos during the Covid years.
Jen Conant has been teaching children for 20 years! Her degree is in music education and she has taught in public and private schools, as well as running her own voice and piano lessons. She loves helping children understand all sorts of things, but especially God’s love for them. She runs the nursery program as her youngest of four children is the most active participant! Jen recently took over directing our bell choir and helps with special music programs.
Nancy Russo started teaching piano lessons when she was a college student. Upon graduating, she taught music to physically disabled children at Crocheted Mountain. She taught preschool, kindergarten, and elementary students music in private schools for twenty five years. She has three children and 9 grandchildren. She plays keyboard, harp, accordion, and woodwind instruments.
Liyuen Buesing has been a long time Sunday school teacher at RCC. Raised in Taiwan, she is well known in the seacoast area for being a chef, foodie and entrepreneur. She ran her own Chinese restaurant and cooking school for thirty five years before retiring to spend more time with her children and grandchildren. She teaches the RCC kids how to make her award winning spring rolls which they then serve to the congregation as a special fellowship treat!
Nursery/Crying Room
Children, infant through age 3, may attend our nursery for the entirety of the church service. Radio transmitters are available to help us get in touch with parents, if necessary.
Children are also welcome to stay in the sanctuary with their parents for the entire service. A special room on the second floor overlooks the sanctuary. Parents are able to retreat to this space, if needed, and still be able to see and hear the service.
Opportunities to Participate in Worship Services
Children are encouraged to participate in worship services. They may volunteer to be an acolyte, lighting the candles on the altar as the service begins. They may also serve as greeters, readers, or participate in special music for the service. We have many talented children who sing and play instruments and we love to have them share their gifts with the congregation. They perform solos and duets or sing in the children’s choir. They also love performing as part of a multigenerational group – singing or playing bells along side our adults.
Once a month the children gather on the steps of the chancel to participate in a special Children’s Moment. Pastor Jon talks to them in terms they can relate to, relaying the key message from his sermon for that day. This is an interactive time when the children are encouraged to answer questions and share their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes we even have a furry friend participate in the message.
Christmas Pageant and Children’s Service
Twice a year, the children take over the worship service. In December the chancel is transformed to sets that form the backdrop for our Christmas Pageant. The children take on the roles of Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, stars, magi, narrators and sometimes even animals that were present at the stable in Bethlehem. Using words from the scriptures and music, they remind us why we celebrate Christmas, by telling of the miraculous birth of Jesus and his gift of love and sacrifice for us all.
In June, our youth lead all aspects of the service including giving their own personal testimonies about their beliefs. Last year’s Children’s Service included a skit about David and Goliath and an illustrated story of Joseph, two of the children’s favorite stories. The children also sang solos, performed a benediction with sign language, read poems, prayers and scripture and played the piano. Every year the service is different and is based on some of the things they have been learning in Sunday school and Confirmation Class.
Youth Group
Youth from 5th grade through high school meet monthly for fun, fellowship and mission oriented activities. They held a bake sale to raise money to send farm animals to villages in Africa through World Vision. They prepared a beef stew dinner to be served at Vincent St. De Paul in Hampton. Fun events included bowling, ice skating, scavenger hunts, pool parties and even a trip to Portland, ME to attend a Christian Concert featuring Mercy Me, Toby Mac and Zach Williams.
Our teenagers have been attending Young Life’s Tuesday night Youth Group and Thursday nights, Bible Study dinners. This is an opportunity for them to connect with Christian teens from other churches in surrounding towns. Likewise, our Junior High Youth are encouraged to attend the local Wyld Life meetings held once a month at St. Patrick’s Academy.
Confirmation Class
Youth who are at least twelve years of age and feel spiritually ready are invited to attend our Confirmation Class on Sunday afternoons for a series of education and discussion sessions. The program culminates with them professing their faith before the congregation and becoming communing members of the church.
Vacation Bible School
This summer we will invite children from the area to participate in a week long vacation Bible School program called Hometown Nazareth. Geared for ages 5 to 11, they will be transported back in time to experience the sights, scents, sounds, and tastes of Jesus’ hometown. They will explore Marketplace shops, visit Jesus’ mother, Mary, play games and dance to lively Bible songs. These varied experiences will make God’s Word, come alive with new meaning for all who participate.
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
High school students are invited to help with Sunday School, Nursery, and Vacation Bible School. They also may join the adult choir and/or bell choir.
