Christian Education and Bible Studies
Vacation Bible School: Deer Park's innovative themes and programs are said to be one of the best in the area. Children from pre-school to 12 years learn about special topics each year. Children go from one creative center to the next - Bible lesson, storytelling, music, arts and crafts, snacks, outside activities -- each activity follows the theme.
Children's Christian Education Classes on Sunday: Children from 2 years to High School age enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere. Children actively participate in learning about Christianity in a fun way -- computerized workstations help reinforce messages and the children love the computerized Bible games and songs. From 9:40AM to 10:40AM.
Youth Group: Scheduled every other Sunday evening -- Youth group activity seeks/performs many task including outreach programs, assisting in many duties at church functions, and having social off-sites.
Children's Plays/Skits: Regularly scheduled Children's events especially at Easter and Christmas where Children of all ages perform, recite, and sing the glory of God's Word. (Children's Christian Education Dept.)
Sanctuary Choir: Sing at traditional 11:00AM service - range from traditional to contemporary music, rehearsal on Wednesday evenings at 7:30PM. Ages range from teens to senior citizens. Sing from September to May and only on special occasions during the summer.
Early Bird Choir: Group made up of people of all ages who sing favorite hymns during the 8:30AM service all year. Singers come at 8:15AM to rehearse a song.
Special Music Performances: Several times per year, talented members of our church and other outside groups or individuals perform special music of praise and worship during our regular services. Next performance at our May 30 combined service, 9:30 AM.
Drama Group: Ages range from children to senior citizens who share their acting abilities in drama presentations - another way of sharing God's word. Productions are performed during church services, evenings and at our own Deer Park Dinner Theater throughout the entire year. Some productions are humorous while others serious.
Country Christmas Bazaar: Fall and Christmas crafts sold along with food. Craft vendors display their handiwork too. Lots of fun for the entire family -- including pictures with Santa and children's Christmas gift buying room. Free admission and church crafts are tax-free.
Rummage Sale: Held every year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The congregation gets a chance to clean out their closets and donate treasures to the church to sell. There's glass wear, holiday decorations, dishes, clothes, etc., etc., -- anything goes. Delicious homemade soups and sweets are sold for lunch.
United Methodist Women: A community of women of various ages, whose purpose is to establish and maintain mission work and global ministries for the United Methodist church and to extend themselves in Christian love to all individuals through support and fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ.
Nurturing and Caring: Like to nurture? Join one of our small groups -- Prayer Chain, Loaves of Compassion (meals brought into homes), Healing Ministry, and Visitation Ministry, Card Ministry.
Recycled Youth: Senior citizens social group who meets every month and plan bus trips and other activities, which are open to entire congregation.
Altar Flowers Coordinators: Small group of people who arrange flowers for the altar. Also, group organizes and orders Christmas Poinsettias and Easter Lilies for the holiday beautification project. At times, many arrange bouquets using flowers from their own gardens. Group also maintains the flower fund.
Worship Committee: Group assists the pastor in the preparation of special services especially at Christmastime and Easter. This year our committee continued a new tradition at Deer Park. At the Sunrise Service, families and individuals covered a cross by affixing flowers to it. It was then brought into the sanctuary so that the other services could enjoy the beautiful cross.
Sign Coordinators: Families and individuals who are matched in pairs take turns changing church signs to communicate announcements/messages to the public. Training provided.
Coffee N' Chat: Organizers have a sign up sheet for families and individuals to sign up for a designated Sunday to provide the snacks. Coffee and paper goods supplied by church. A very nice social time and a good way to get to know your church family - held in the narthex after both the 8:30 and 11:00 services.
Communion Stewards: A small group of people who change the vestment clothes on the altar according to seasonal guidelines.
Wedding Coordinators: This group assists the bridal party in any way possible, as well as the pastor in many various duties during rehearsal time and the actual wedding day. Wedding Coordinators each receive $50.00 for each wedding they help with. Training provided.
Service Coordinators: Ushers, Greeters, and Acolytes assist the congregation, pastor and new visitors in many ways. Acolytes proceed the pastor to light altar candles and to extinguish them after the service is over. If you'd like to join one of these groups, training is provided.