Children
Children in Worship
At baptism, we welcome each child into the Lord’s family as fellow members of the body of Christ and workers with us.
July 20-24 Baskets of Grace Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is over for another year! St. Paul’s. Baskets of Grace weaved together 5 Bible stories involving baskets and how they were used to make a way forward to save and rescue God’s people. One of the crafts during the week was to involve weaving your own basket. For those who desired, a simple supper was ready for hungry participants at 5:30 PM. The story, activity and craft portion was held from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. VBS was designed for children age 3 through grade 6. Thank you for your support, prayers and encouragement to make Baskets of Grace a success..
Children’s Weekly Bulletins are provided for our children and their family at the same place adults pick up the adult bulletin and with the weekly bulletins on the webpage. These bulletins are designed to help children understand the Bible readings that are heard during church each week. They are useful as talking points during the week and as part of your family prayer time at bed time or meal time. Parents are a child’s chief Christian Education leader and should enjoy the walk together in faith with their children.
Spark family magazine provides ways for you to talk about God and Jesus with your children. St. Paul’s subscribes to this magazine for our families with young children sending it directly to your home. Take time to read the stories with your children and try out some of the activities. Enjoy growing in faith together. (If you are not receiving this magazine, simply call the church office and asked to be added to the subscription list.)
Sunday School for Children
The Christian Education Committee has planned the fall curriculum for children. They have prepared for:
Nursery Class, Preschool Class, Kindergarten & First Grade Class, Second & Third Grade Class, Fourth, Fifth
& Sixth Grade Class. The children’s classes all meet on the Upper Level. A chart identifying dates and Bible
stories is included with this issue to assist families as they prepare for Sunday mornings and to engage in con-
versation with their children following their class time. We can always use additional teachers or helpers.
Simply notify Johanna Patterson, Christian Education chairperson, or Pastor Reep. We thank our faithful
teachers and helpers for their tremendous commitment to the children and youth of our congregation.
Years ago, the Christian Education Committee compiled a list of Bible stories that were important because of how they related to Luther’s Small Catechism. The stories would support learners as they embarked on their catechetical journey. Children who attended Sunday school were adequately prepared for their confirmation instruction. Children who were unable to attend did not have a strong working knowledge of the biblical narrative. This year’s stories, those selected for the fall of the year up through Christmas, are provided in this issue of Our Church for several reasons.
First, we are always in need of teachers and assistants in the primary department. If you can help by teaching or serving as an assistant, you will know well in advance what you will be teaching and when. Second, for families who can’t bring their children to Sunday school with regularity the stories and their biblical references are provided. Make time to read the story assigned for each week with your child. You will never
know how influential and meaningful this time may be. Third, we will be using the same stories for adult education. We are seeking volunteers to present a lesson on the assigned story. As adults we will have the opportunity to look more deeply at the story, how it fits into salvation history, what theological ramifications are manifest, and how, if at all, the story brings to light something in our present context. Parents who bring their children to Sunday school will be engaging with the same biblical material. This has the capacity to shape conversations about the scriptures and life. If you are willing to teach either an adult class or in the primary department, simply notify the church office with your preference of date and Bible story.
DATE – STORY – BIBLE REFERENCE
September 7 – Assemble Personal Care Kits for LWR
September 14 – Abram’s Call – Genesis 12:1–9
September 21 – Abraham & Sarah’s Visitors – Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16; 18:1–15; 21:1–7
September 28 – Isaac’s Blessing – Genesis 25:19–34; 27:1–40
October 5 – Free from Slavery – Exodus 5:1–6:13
October 12 – The Red Sea – Exodus 14:1–30
October 19 – The Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:1–17
October 26 –The Battle of Jericho – Joshua 6:1–20
November 2 – Naomi and Ruth – Ruth 1:1–22
November 9 – David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 17:4–11, 32–50
November 16 – Elijah and the Widow – 1 Kings 17:8–16
November 23 – Jonah and the Big Fish – Jonah 1–4
November 30 – Making Advent Wreaths
December 7 – A Child Called Immanuel – Isaiah 7:10–17
December 14 – Angels Visit – Matthew 1:18–25
December 21 – Jesus is Born – Luke 2:1–20
December 28 – No class this week
Would You be a Sunday School Teacher?
September is just around the corner, and the Christian Education committee is preparing for the educational year. If you are willing to help teach Sunday School this year please contact Johanna Patterson (jorauch89@gmail.com) or Kelly (klmoorespencer@aol.com).
If you are interested but would like a bit more information about the commitment for teaching Sunday
school, simply contact Johanna, Kelly or Pastor Reep.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this important part of the congregation’s life and witness.
Presentation of Age Appropriate Bibles
Presentation of Bibles – The Christian Education Committee present children and youth with Bibles on an annual basis. During the rite of Holy Baptism we promise that as the children grow we will place in their hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith. Bibles will be presented on September 28 at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to children in kindergarten, grade 4, and grade 7. The Kindergarten and First grade students received a newly published story Bible designed for their age featuring beautiful illustrations with an expanded content. Those entering grade 4 received the Adventure Bible designed for young readers providing helps, illustrations and interesting facts. Students in grade 7 are beginning their catechetical program received a high quality study Bible. This edition has become popular among the participants of the Wednesday morning Bible study. It is an edition that will aid our young people in their study during the next two years of confirmation class as well as an ongoing resource for their adult participation in Christian life and living.
Music and Create
Music/Create begins September 16 – Age 3 through Grade 6
Tuesday evenings – 6:00 PM—7:15 PM
Welcome back to Music and Create! We are looking forward to this opportunity for our families with young children to engage in music and art while also having the opportunity to connect with other families. The program is designed for children ages 3 through grade 6. We split the children into two age groups, age 3 through grade 1 and grade 2 through grade 6.
On Tuesday 6:00-7:15 p.m.
During Music, the children will sing, move, and play instruments. They will be learning songs to share during
the church service as well as music that will help build musical concepts and confidence.
Musical Opportunities for Children are:
Cantabile Bell Choir – (See more)
Cherub Choir – (See more)
The Lutheran Camping Corporation carries out its mission as a gracious expression of God’s. The heart of that mission is to: The Church, in a place and time apart…Where God’s presence is experienced, Faith is renewed, Christ’s love is felt, and the Church is strengthened for the service and proclamation of the Gospel! Our goal is for each child to experience the love of Christ!
We are encouraging all of our children and youth to attend a week of church camp.
Testimonial from one of our families that did the Family Camp at Kirchenwald: “In August 2019, our family had the opportunity to attend Family Camp for a half week at Camp Kirchenwald. It is our second year attending this annual camp. We find this camp to be a great place to spend time together as a family, to engage with other families in faith, and to unplug from electronic devices and connect with nature. Our 5-year-old son loves camp too. He enjoyed the many outdoor activities, especially the big capture the flag game.”
” …we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that He has done.” Psalm 78:4