The Bible School at First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey, under the guidance of the Christian Education Committee, meets at 10 a.m. each week, mid-September through mid-June. We staff our classes, Nursery Class (3 year olds) to 8th grade with dedicated teachers and teen assistants on a three-term basis, Fall, Winter and Spring.
Our curriculum for the 3 year olds through the 6th grade is published for the Presbyterian Church(USA) by Congregational Ministries Publishing. We Believe focuses on our Reformed heritage. In different ways, each age level includes content from Reformed creeds, confessions, catechisms, and statements of faith. We Believe tells the stories of our faith in a variety of ways to allow for different learning styles as well as for age appropriateness. For those who come to the Church from other faith traditions, the curriculum serves as a basis for understanding who we are and what Presbyterians believe.
The 7th and 8th graders are using Standard Publishing’s Young Teen Encounter: Meeting God Face to Face. Lessons look at real life situations and the wisdom that is gained from studying scripture in the Old and New Testaments.
During the year, we hold Chapel Worship on the first Sunday of the month for Nursery Class through 4th graders, with the older children participating in the December Chapel. On the other weeks, the children (except for the Nursery Class) attend the opening of worship at 10 o’clock in the Sanctuary up through and including a Children’s Time with the Pastor and then proceed to their individual classes, where they continue their worship with lessons, prayer and fellowship.
We are involved in a Bible School Mission program that raises awareness of people in need and care, and collect a special Mission offering on the first Sunday of each month. Our missions can include food support for the Center for Food Action in Mahwah, Angel Tree gifts at Christmas, greeting cards for the Best Medicine Cart at Valley Hospital, Bible distribution through the American Bible Society, School and Health Kits for Church World Service and the CFA….or wherever the need. We also support the One Great Hour of Sharing project during Lent and the Peacemaking Offering on World Day of Prayer.
In the summer months, we continue our program for children up to 5th grade with a summer Sunday school during the worship hour, with a staff of teachers and teen helpers. All are welcome to attend whenever they are able during the summer months.
The 7th and 8th graders are using Standard Publishing’s Young Teen Encounter: Meeting God Face to Face. Lessons, look at real life situations and the wisdom that is gained from studying scripture in the Old and New Testaments.Chapel Worship Nov. 6 will be at 10 o'clock for children in the Nursery Class through the 4th grade. Fifth thru 8th graders will go directly to class at 10 o'clock on November 6th.
The 7th and 8th graders will present "Christmas Letters" for the children on December 4th in Chapel.
Please remember that the Mitten Tree will be in place for our offerings, and we will once again send them to Ramsey Responds.
Thanksgiving Worship on November 20th There will be no Bible School classes, except for the Nursery Class, in order for children to participate with their families. Of course, there will be an activity time for any children in Pre-K through the 2nd grade in the Metzger Room following the Children's Sermon. Following Fellowship Time, we will be 'Hanging the Greens' throughout the church. Please plan
to help with the decorating for Advent and Christmas.
If anyone has a tabletop tree that they no longer plan to use, please call Florence. With our smaller classrooms, the large trees are no longer needed. Many thanks!
Bible School Mission Projects
The 1st and 2nd graders held a Fall Food Drive in October for the Center for Food Action, and they thank everyone who donated breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack foods to fill the shelves at the Mahwah center.
The Fall semester ends on November 28th. We are very grateful for the teachers and assistants who have given their time and creativity for the opening months of Bible School.
December 4th is the beginning of the Winter term and we look forward to
welcoming a new staff of teachers and all the children (Nursery Class through 8th grade) to Chapel that day at 10 o'clock.
Important Update: Two teachers are needed for the 7th and 8th graders for the Winter term.