Grow with us...
A "Pan-Generational" Approach
to Religious Education
At Zion "Goshert's" we believe that, as a small, family-centered country church, it is essential for us to be a primary meeting place of generations in our community. A priority of our programs for children and youth is that their programs are just as much "for" the discipleship of adults as they are "for" children and youth.
These are some of the opportunities we offer:
Children's Messages and Children's Bulletins
Our pastor typically has a special short message for children during the Sunday worship service. Typically children bless our worship service by placing their hands into our baptismal font, which the children love. Usually Children are active participants in baptisms, confirmations, and other rituals, and learn to take ownership of the ritual life of the congregation in meaningful and gentle ways.
On most Sundays we prepare a special activity bulletin for children; if you are not given one when you visit, please ask for one.
Pastor Chris teaches children about Jesus;
the children constructed the crowns at the foot of the cross.
Sunday School
Typically, our children are dismissed for Sunday school from the Children's Message. We are blesesed with a brand-new (2008) education facility for children and our teachers are experienced. We seek to provide a welcoming, nurturing, and affirming experience for our children.
Children frequently bless and anoint
our adults as part of our Sunday worship.
Nursery Care and Information about Nursing
During our regular 10 AM worship service, we offer nursery care for children 2 and under. Children and babies are always welcome in our sanctuary; we provide this ministry for parents who wish to use it. If you arrive late and need help locating the nursery or the nursery caregiver, please alert a church member or ask during the passing of the peace.
Mothers who are nursing are welcome to nurse wherever they are comfortable in the building.
Children's and Junior Choir
We now offer a Children's/Junior Choir for our youngest children to our teenagers on a periodic basis. They usually rehearse after the Sunday worship service on selected dates.
Jr. High Youth at a community event.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth Groups
Our youth groups are very active and participate in a variety of service, spiritual, social, and educational programs.
The youth meet at a variety of different times.
Usually our youth gather for a breakfast once per month on the last Sunday of the month in addition to the other activities.
Pastor Chris leads our children, gathered around the font,
in the Water Communion Ritual.
Vacation Bible School
We annually hold a Vacation Bible School open to the community for kids age 4 and up; we have service programs for teens during the week. Most of our VBS activies are held in our grove and we host as many as 50 children during the week.
Adult Education
Adult Education classes are held throughout the year on a short-term basis, usually led by the pastor or a lay leader.
We are pleased to boast one of the most diverse and provocatively different opportunities for adults of any small church in central Pennsylvania. Come discover for yourself! Non-members may enroll in our Bible courses with no charge for the book.
Recent Adult Education offerings included:
Fall, 2008: The Practicing Congregation by Diana
Butler Bass
Epiphany, 2009: The Bible and the United Church of
Christ
Lent, 2009: Bible Study on 1 Corinthians
Summer, 2009: Bible Study on the Psalms
Fall, 2009: Bible Study on the Lord's Prayer
Lent, 2010: Unbinding Your Heart by Martha Grace Reese
Summer, 2010: Bible Prophesy & Revelation Study
Fall, 2010: Adult Confirmation Class
Winter, 2010-2011: "Islam for Advent"
Epiphany, 2011: Building Cultures of Trust by
Martin Marty
Lent, 2010: Unbinding Your Heart by M. G. Reese
Celebrating our Confirmands
Confirmation Classes for Teens and Adults
Our Pastor holds an annual confirmation class for Jr. High age youth. Confirmation is an affirming process of becoming a full church member. Parents of teens are invited to participate in the classes, as well.
We have in the past offered a Confirmation Class for adults, for more information on this please contact Pastor Chris.
One of our teen members participates
in our reconciliation ritual.
Summer Camp at the Hartman Center
Our congregation supports our youth to attend Summer Camp at the Hartman Center, the United Church of Christ camping facility in central Pennsylvania. It is our firm belief that Summer Camp and the encounter with nature in a religious context is an essential and formative aspect of the religious and moral development of young people.
Our congregation annually designates certain Sundays' offerings to go directly toward our children and youth attending Summer Camp.
Sacraments for Children
Children are invited to return to the sanctuary when we celebrate the sacrament of Communion to participate in taking the bread during our ritual.
We allow baptism at any age at the request of the individual or a child's family. Parents of small children may request the pastor to baptize their child or to have a child dedication or blessing during our Sunday morning worship service.
Our outdoor Advent and Christmas nativity.
Occasional Children's and Family Opportunities
We sponsor occasional family outings and special children's events throughout the year, in addition to church social functions. These include a Holy Saturday egg hunt, bowling outings, swim parties, family game nights, etc.
Zion "Goshert's" United Church of Christ
1588 Mt. Zion Road
Lebanon, PA 17046
(717) 865-3286
