Church activities to start soon

By Melinda L. Lucas

With the start of the school year, Albany churches and organizations are beginning to plan youth and children’s services for students, most of them with September start dates.

Many youth have remained active over the summer, especially those who have participated in camps and mission trips, but the organized study groups will begin in earnest in the next few weeks.

Feed Store

Tuesday lunches for juniors and seniors will start up again on Aug. 22 at the Feed Store.

Beginning after the first home football game on Sept. 1 are the traditional after-game fellowships, typically held at the Feed Store. Sponsored by local churches, fifth quarters begin immediately after home football games and usually end at 11:00 p.m.

Feed Store director Tisha Wilkins also said the student council for the youth facility will be selected soon.

There are plans in the works for See You at the Pole later in September and Running Man in October.

First Baptist

First Baptist is planning a Back to School Sunday on Aug. 20 for everyone to welcome the new school year,.

Regular youth nights will get underway on Aug. 23, with the time to be determined, according to youth pastor Eduardo San Lucas.

Children’s minister Ginger Bumguardner said Jesus and Me (JAM) beginning Wednesday, Sept. 6 will include a meal, recreation, music, and Bible study, with participants from kindergarten through sixth rotating through stations by age group.

The same ages are invited to children’s choir practice on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. starting Sept. 10.

Also, a new Christian class will start in September for children who made decisions over the summer.

There will be more information in the coming weeks.

Church of Christ

Albany Church of Christ will begin Wednesday night classes on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The Youth in Action group, which is junior high and high school age, will meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Classes for children ages up to sixth grade will be conducted from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m.

Adults also have fellowship at the church on Wednesday evenings.

Friendship Baptist

Friendship Baptist Church is having a back-to-school event on Wednesday, Sept. 6 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Church members are still working to finalize both the event and the regular Wednesday night schedule. More information will be available in the near future.

MMPC

Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church will host Wednesday study groups for fourth grade through high school on Wednesdays, although final plans have not been announced.

The Young Explorers, which encompasses fourth through sixth graders, will meet from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoons.

Youth director Becky Wills said that the youth will meet from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Bethel Assembly

Bethel Assembly members are planning the annual Pumpkin Patch on Sept. 30 at the Bank Park.

At the same time will be a barbecue meal for the Monte Lewis Memorial Scholarship fundraiser.

More information will be available later.