LENTEN FAMILY CLUB: LEARN, LOVE & GROW
March 12, 19, 26 and April 9 from 5pm – 7pm
Weekly open-house events featuring a family friendly dinner and faith-filled fun activities. Come and go as you please – Everyone is welcome!
Short on time? Bring your Tupperware for a grab-and-go meal!
Reservations to Jen@wscongo.org.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
CHILDREN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 5TH GRADERS
Email our Christian Education Director, Jen Enriquez at Jen@wscongo.org to find out more about Sunday School.
Every Sunday morning during the 8:45am & 10am services
Sunday School is offered year-round during our Sunday morning worship services for children ages 3 years through 8th grade. Regardless of age, our hope is to convey to all children that they are beloved children of God. As a church family, we respond to that love in the way we care for ourselves, each other, our neighbors locally and globally, and God’s world. In our classes, we practice together all those things that loving Christians do: pray, give thanks, comfort, defend, forgive and repent, in a safe and supportive atmosphere. And of course, we learn from (not just about) the Biblical stories of people who have experienced God’s power and love in their messy lives.
Sunday School for children is offered during our 8:45am and 10am worship services. Children, preschoolers through 5th graders, normally attend the opening part of the service with their parents and are dismissed for Sunday school following “First Steps,” the message delivered just for them on the front steps of the chancel.
For both services, Sunday school begins with all ages gathering in a “one-room schoolhouse” format before transitioning to individual classrooms for further learning. Eighth graders meet for Confirmation classes in the morning during the fall and in the afternoon during the winter and spring.
Sunday school for 6th and 7th graders is only offered at the 10am service and this group goes directly to their classrooms prior to the start of the service.
On the first Sunday of each month, all children return to the Sanctuary to participate in Communion.
During the summer, Sunday school is available for children up to 5th grade only.
Infant and childcare is available for children ages 3 years old and under during the 10AM worship service and during Holy Grounds at 9AM. Parents are asked to comply with the First Congo childcare policies. Please take a moment complete the Sunday school registration form so that the church understands the needs of your child.
4th GRADE BIBLE STUDY
FOR THOSE ENTERING 4TH GRADE
All 4th graders at First Congo are invited to participate in a special unit to learn about the Bible. During this 5-week unit, the children will learn about the books of the Bible, major stories in the Bible, how to use and find various scriptures in the Bible. At the conclusion of this unit, each 4th grader will be presented with their own personalized Bible.
CONFIRMATION
FOR THOSE ENTERING 8TH GRADE
Confirmation is an important and ancient rite of passage in the Christian life of faith. It is a time when our young teens begin to “own” their faith and make their commitment to Christ and the Church. Throughout the year, confirmands will study basic Christian themes, history, and practices. The word confirm means to “make firmer and stronger,” and that is what we hope will happen in our confirmands’ faith through this process, undertaken with their peers and supported by parents.
The class takes place on Sundays in the Youth Room. There will be discussions, activities, service projects, field trips, and reflection to guide their formation as Christians. If you have questions, or want to get involved, please contact Jen Enriquez at jen@wscongo.org.
JRNEYS YOUTH GROUP
6TH GRADERS THROUGH 8TH GRADERS
Reach out to hello@wscongo.org to get more details about this youth group.
Sundays at 6PM in the Youth Room
JRneys (pronounced “Journeys”) is our youth group for junior high students (6th-8th grade). Aiming to strike a balance between fun and faith, the meetings alternate between playing games and exploring how faith relates to the many issues facing teens today. JRneys is open to all who wish to attend and honor the code of conduct.
JRneys is led by our Director of Children’s Ministries, Jen Enriquez. Non-members are welcome, so please bring a friend along.
PLYMOUTH FELLOWSHIP HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS PF
9TH GRADERS THROUGH 12TH GRADERS
Reach out to hello@wscongo.org to get more details about this youth group.
Sundays at 7PM in the Youth Room
Plymouth Fellowship (PF) Youth Group is our youth group for high students (9th-12th grade). It is a place where kids can grow in their faith, build meaningful friendships, and serve their community in a fun and welcoming environment. Through discussions, service projects, and social events, we encourage students to ask big questions, and discover how God is at work in their lives. Whether we’re gathering for worship, engaging in small group conversations, or going on mission trips, our goal is to create a space where every student feels valued, supported, and challenged to live out their faith. All are welcome—come as you are and be part of something bigger!
Non-members are welcome, so please bring a friend along.
WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS
ALL AGES
Help to light the Christ Candle before Worship starts.
Help to read a simple prayer provided by the minister during worship.
Practice on Sunday mornings and perform in a few simple concerts during worship with the Children’s Choir – ages 1st grade through 5th grade.
Contact Lauren@wscongo.org
Practice on Monday afternoons and perform in a few simple concerts during worship with the Lord of the Ringers – ages 1st grade through 5th grade.
Contact KCCongdon@wscongo.org
CONGO BOYS AND GIRLS HOOPS
Reach out to hello@wscongo.org to get involved.
First Congo’s Boys and Girls Hoops is an Intramural Basketball Team which is fun and a perfect way for boys to develop their basketball skills, build teamwork, and grow in character through the game. Open to all skill levels, our league emphasizes sportsmanship, teamwork, and faith while providing a supportive environment where players can learn and compete in a positive setting. Through practices and games, we encourage young athletes to play with integrity and support one another. Come join the team, make new friends, and enjoy the game in a way that strengthens both body and spirit!
CURIOUS KIDS, FAITHFUL ANSWERS PODCAST
Curious Kids Faithful Answers is a podcast where our faith leaders answer questions from our youth. From “does God like pancakes or waffles” to “why does the Bible have so many rules” each question is deserving of an answer and maybe will make you wonder more about God.
This podcast is updated often so remember to follow along for updated episodes.
YOUTH STEWARDSHIP
As part of your commitment to deepen your faith in the coming year, we’d love for you to complete the “Grow.Serve.” pledge form designed specifically for our youth to discern how they will pledge their time and talents in the coming year. Please complete the form below or download the form and mail to the church.
Stewardship for Youth: How will you GROW.SERVE. this year?
FIRST CONGO PARENTS
PARENTS OF TEENS
Meets throughout the year
Parenting can be one of life’s greatest gifts, and it also comes with challenges. If you are currently a parent of a teen, you may wish to receive periodic articles, resources, and prayers from our Pastoral Care team. To sign up, simply email Meredith Onion.
A Prayer for Parents
Gracious God, we need your help. We admit we can’t do this parenting thing on our own. We need You. They need You. Help me be selfless, patient, and kind. Help me to treat my children the way I like to be treated. Help me to be fair, yet tenderhearted. Help me to be consistent, yet full of peace and joy. Give me insight into the heart of each of my children. Help me to navigate their hearts as an explorer, not a judge. Give me Your love to convey to them. Help me say my love and live my love and demonstrate my love in a way that my kids actually hear it. Amen.
KEMPER LIBRARY RESOURCES
The Kemper Library is a collection of resources for adults, young adults, and children that fosters relational reconciliation, encourages faith formation, invites personal healing, and nurtures a vision of God’s peace and wholeness. The library is carefully cataloged and maintained by the members of the Kemper Library Committee.
The space was formerly the late Rev. Dr. Robert Kemper’s pastoral study and is presently the meeting location for many church meetings and small group gatherings. A beautiful stencil of Bob’s beloved benediction is painted along the walls:
God go with you
May he walk where you walk
Guide where you must make choices
Comfort where you hurt
And surprise you by his continued love for you
And what you are
And what you do.
Amen.
Please stop by, peruse the shelves, and check out a book or two for your spiritual journey.
For the complete inventory of books, click the button below: