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Church School Ministry |
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(Overview) Our Sunday School season begins with Rally Day, the Sunday after Labor Day, and concludes at the end of the school year with an Ice Cream Social in June. We have classes for nursery children through senior highs and two classes for adults on Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:30 AM. We also have long-term study classes for adults in the evening, and seasonal short-term evening studies for adults. (Specific programs) Nursery: Nursery care is available for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to age 4. A loving staff provides activities, crafts, and Bible stories in a caring environment. It is a place where our youngest participants learn of God’s love through the love which is given to them in God’s house. Preschool, Kindergarten, Grades 1-3: Divided into classes by grade, these children use a dated weekly Sunday School curriculum with crafts, Bible stories, Scripture memorization, songs, and leaflets to take home. The fall quarter usually focuses on Old Testament figures; winter explores the life of Christ; and spring sessions look at the early church. Our creative teaching staff provides plenty of nurture, fun, and projects. These children participate in a UNICEF collection at Halloween and the creation of a "Resurrection Tree" during Lent. There is also an Easter egg hunt. In the summer, these children participate in a week-long Vacation Bible School. Grades 4-6: Older elementary students meet together for on-going topical studies and to support one another as they grow in faith and begin to claim Christian beliefs as their own. Bible stories and biblical truths are introduced and reinforced through games, skits, and projects. Sample topics include Jesus’ parables, the disciples, prayer, and using Scripture as faith-foundation. In the summer, these children participate in a week-long Vacation Bible School. Junior High: Junior High Youth follow a provocative curriculum, viewing current and classic films both secular and religious, and then discussing them from a Christian perspective. As young people begin to make independent decisions about their lives, they are guided to learn Christian tenets and critical thinking skills which will help them live out their beliefs. A Junior High youth group meets on the first and third Sunday, late afternoons of each month, for social and service activities. Senior High: Our high school group is casual and relaxed, apt to be discussing current events, part-time job woes, or upcoming social events within a Christian context. They challenge each other (and their teachers!) to hear the gospel "good news" in a new and relevant way, making its timeless message timely. They participate in periodic "lock-ins" and several service activities each year, including annual Rock-a-Thons and Pasta Suppers to raise money for missions. A Senior High youth group meets on the second and fourth Sunday evenings each month. Adult Classes: Each week, our two adult classes tackle thought-provoking, educational, and inspirational topics. The topics usually run from four to eight weeks, and every week is self-contained so that people may attend as often as they are able, or just for the sessions of particular interest. The classes alternate between topics of historical significance, contemporary concern, Church history and creeds, and/or Bible study, according to the interest of the leaders and participants. Recent topics include: the life and times of Martin Luther, parallels and
discrepancies among the Gospels, globalization and American Christians, birth
and growth of the Church, Christianity and the Arts, Iraq and our Faith
Responses, and Christian Mystics. EXPLORERS ADULT GROUP
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