At Leesburg Church, we value our youth by respecting their opinions, recognizing their unique needs, as well as appreciating the contributions that they make to our church and community. In all aspects of our ministries at Leesburg, we try to make sure that youth have a place and feel welcome.
Youth Worship
It is not uncommon to hear a baby’s cry or a toddler’s loud “whisper” during worship services at Leesburg. While the parents may feel a little embarrassed, most people in our congregation simply smile and remember the days when they too were in the same position. Families with members of all ages are welcome in worship. However, we do offer a Nursery for ages birth through 5 years. Our volunteers are both experienced and loving, and worshippers can rest easy knowing that their child is being nurtured in a safe loving environment.
For those children who are above age 5, we offer two different ways to involve them in the worship service. First we have a small Children’s Sermon during the worship service where all the children are encouraged to go up front and hear Pastor Tom give them a small lesson that is tailored to meet them on their level. At this point in the service, the children from the Nursery are also brought out for the Children’s Sermon. The sermons are often filled with various props, and both the adults and children alike look forward to seeing what creative message the Pastor might have for them, as well as the often hilarious remarks and responses made by the children! Secondly, we offer a Children’s Church one Sunday a month for children in grades 1st-6th. During this time they will experience an entertaining Bible lesson, games, crafts, and music.
Youth Education
We offer Sunday School classes for all children ages 2-18 at the youth level. Our Nursery class is for the 2 & 3 year olds. This class is always taught by a very experienced church member who has a gift with this age group. The children often become very attached to their teachers, and it is amazing to see the projects that they do in class, as well as to hear the basic Bible lessons that are being taught, such as Creation, Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Whale, The Birth of Christ, as well as many others. The next class we offer is for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners. This is a class that reinforces the Bible lessons they have already heard, with the addition of more details, as well as more discussion on how they can apply this to their lives. We then offer a 1st & 2nd grade class, 3rd & 4th grade class, as well as a 5th & 6th grade class. These classes teach the basics of salvation, the doctrines of our faith, as well as focusing on memorizing scripture and dealing with subject matters that relate to their specific age groups. Finally we offer a Junior High class for grades 7th-9th, and a Senior High Sunday Class for grades 10th-12th. These classes focus on studying individual books of the Bible, as well as dealing with topics such as How to share your Faith, Establishing a Prayer or Bible reading routine, Dealing with Temptation, and many others. Both of these classes have teachers who try to organize class activities, outside of Sunday School, where class members can get to know and become a support to each other.
In addition to the traditional Sunday School classes, Leesburg offers Children’s Church once a month as discussed above. We also periodically offer a Communicants Class for all youth interested in joining the church membership, usually in grades 7th and up. This classes covers the basics of Christianity, salvation, the history of the Presbyterian church, Presbyterian doctrines, as well as helping them to memorize key passages of scripture and giving them guidance as they practice how to give their personal testimony. This is an intensive class that gives youth an excellent understanding and foundation on what it means to be a member of Leesburg Church.
Every summer at Leesburg, several youth crowd the pews, hallways, and playground as they participate in our annual week of Vacation Bible School (V.B.S.). Children ages 2 through grade 6 come to enjoy a dynamic week of themed Bible lessons, spectacular music, and fun crafts and games. The decorations are awesome and kids feel like they are really in Egypt, or wherever that year’s current theme is located! We haven’t even mentioned the yummy snacks, the wonderful leaders, and the chance for kids to learn the meaning of giving to a mission project, either local or global. The week ends with a program and ice cream social so that the kids can show off their new knowledge and love for Jesus to their parents and loved ones. It is an awesome week and all the children are encouraged to invite other kids from outside the church to visit us for this fun week.
Youth Activities
Junior CE & Senior CE
As each season changes, youth at Leesburg can look forward to new activities where families and youth are encouraged to attend. An annual Easter Egg Hunt is held in the spring, where children learn the real reason for the holiday, as well as getting a chance to find some eggs and the treats inside the
m! In the summer the church hosts a family camping weekend, which is full of children’s activities. Fall brings the church hayride and hotdog roast where all ages of kids are encouraged to come and have fun. In November we have Deck the Halls, a day where members of the church help decorate the church for the holiday season. Children’s activities in the past during Deck the Halls have included stringing popcorn, making their own ornaments, baking cookies, hearing the Christmas story read from the Bible, and joining their Sunday School class for the seasonal “talent” show. In January a Family Retreat is held at Camp Crestfield, where children’s activities are planned the entire weekend, including rock wall climbing, sledding, and several pickup soccer games! In addition to these activities many of our youth have had the opportunity and privilege to participate in our fall and spring Dinner Theatres. As actors they learn responsibility, confidence, and the importance of a supportive group effort. As servers for the dinner they learn that service, hard work, and good manners are just as important as the “flashy” jobs in the production, and are reminded that Christ himself was humble and served others with joy.