Children in Worship
At Pleasant Hill, we welcome the presence of children in worship as a vital part of the body of Christ.
Nursery: is available for infants ages 0-2 in room A-114.
Children’s Sermons: A special time in worship where children of all ages are invited to come to the chancel steps to hear a story from one of the pastors.
Play and Praise: Following the Children’s Sermon, you may walk your children ages 3 (potty trained)-K to Play and Praise in the Fellowship Hall, where they will play and praise their way through the remainder of the service.
PHPC’s Sanctuary Prayground: A worship space within the sanctuary designed to help elementary school children and their families engage in worship. Age-appropriate activities are provided following the children’s sermon that connect this group of worshipers with the day’s scripture and sermon.
Worship Journals and Bags: Will be available to all children. Worship Journals can be picked up in the narthex before you enter the sanctuary, and Worship Bags will be distributed following the children’s sermon. These bags contain items which help kids engage with parts of the service.
Acolytes: 3rd-5th graders help begin worship by lighting the candles on the communion table. Each fall, they participate in a half-hour training session following the 11 am worship service.
Church School for Children
Church School, held at 11:15am during the school year, seeks to ground our children in a firm biblical foundation and build relationships between one another and God. All will meet inside after worship. Masks are required. Childcare for infants ages 0-2 is available in the nursery from 9:00am-12:15pm.
Preschool (ages 2-PreK. Room B107)
Our youngest children will learn about loving and serving God through the stories of scripture. Come and enjoy the fun of exploring through art activities, games and drama using the Spark Classroom curriculum.
Elementary School (K-2nd grade – Room B106. 3rd-5th grade – Room B209)
Join the K-2nd or 3rd-5th grade classes to explore a Bible story through art, Bible skills and games, cooking, creative drama, science, and digital media and technology using the Spark Rotation curriculum. We will begin each week with music on the labyrinth rug at the entrance to the education wing.
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade. Youth Room)
All youth meet to check-in about their lives and be led in a short lesson helping them to connect faith with everyday life.
Contact Pastor Jennie Sankey for more information about children’s ministry, or Grace Andrade, Youth Director, for more information about 6th-12th grade ministry.
Special Programs for Children
Children’s Choirs: Elementary age children learn music during the Church School hour and occasionally sing in worship. The children’s chimes choir meets after the 11 am worship service and plays during worship throughout the year. Visit our Music page for more information.
Mission Opportunities: Elementary children learn about God’s calling to be a good neighbor and practice this calling through various projects including coin collections, canned food drives, and special VBS and summer mission projects.
Vacation Bible School: Each summer, we invite children from the community to join us for a week of Bible stories, music, storytelling, arts and crafts, games and mission projects. Stay tuned for details about our next VBS!
Milestones Ministry
PHPC’s Family Milestone Ministry is a framework for faith development for our children and youth. We invite families to participate in our “milestone” events, marking significant ages and stages of a child’s spiritual journey.
Milestones Ministry flyer
Milestones Calendar
Child Protection Policy
We treasure the children in our church. We want visitors and members to know their children are safe when left in our protective care in the nursery, Sunday School class, and during Extended Care.
In order to protect our children, teachers, staff and church family, Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church (PHPC) has instituted a list of policies and procedures to be followed at all times. Download our Child Protection Policy to read more about how we protect your children during activities including:
- Extended Session (childcare during worship)
- Worship Bags during service (materials for children remaining in service)
- Children’s Church School
- Youth Groups (Middle School and High School)
- Preschool (ages 1-4)
