Educational Opportunities at St. Paul's
Children's Education
On Sunday mornings we offer a variety of educational opportunities for our congregation’s children and their friends and neighbors. Sunday School begins with age three and offers weekly educational opportunities for children through grade six. Sunday School begins promptly at 9:15am and ends at 10:00am. We ask that parents of children from Kindergarten through fourth grade pick up their children in Fellowship Hall at the end of Sunday School.
Threes and Fours Class (Pre-Kindergarten)
Children ages three and four are welcomed into the educational setting with age-appropriate activities and learning opportunities using Augsburg Fortress’s Spark curriculum. Children in this group will engage with the Bible through storytelling, art, snack, music, and game stations. Parents are welcome to stay with their children in this class and engage with them in these early learning activities. This class is active September through May.Kindergarten through Sixth Grade
Children in this age range enjoy an exciting, rotation-based Sunday School experience. Our children open their Bibles each week and engage with Scripture using Augsburg Fortress’s Spark curriculum. In the rotation model, children form two groups (lower elementary and upper elementary) and spend about four weeks on a particular Bible story, engaging in a different workshop each week to help them learn more about the story. Workshops include: Art, Bible Skills and Games, Computer Lab, Cooking, Creative Drama, Music, Science, and Video. This class is active September through May.Sunday School Family Parties
On special days throughout the church year, all Sunday School children and their families come together to celebrate as a large group. We learn about special holy days in the church and other commemorations that are important to our history through games, storytelling, crafts, singing, and themed snacks. In the past year, we have gathered as an intergenerational group to celebrate:
- Reformation Day
- Preparing for Advent
- Epiphany
- Palm Sunday
- Easter
- PentecostFirst Communion Class
Children whose parents feel they are ready to receive instruction about Holy Communion and then participate in the sacrament in worship are invited to join this class, which meets weekly for a few weeks leading up to Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter). There is no specific age or grade at which children enter this class. For more information, contact the pastor.
Youth Education
Confirmation Class (seventh & eighth grade)
Youth in grades seven and eight are encouraged to join in a two-year catechetical journey which traditionally ends with the Rite of Affirmation of Baptism, more commonly known as Confirmation. Participants in this class will engage on a deeper level with Biblical texts and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, a basic educational text about Lutheran theology and doctrine. This is a time for them to ask questions or to at least know that it’s ok to question their faith. Questioning is in fact a healthy part of living life as a Christian. Most of the class is held in the church using an interactive curriculum which makes use of popular media and interesting hands-on activities that all draw on the story or topic of the day. The class also engages in a variety of service projects throughout the school year which emphasize the importance of service as part of Christian life. For more information, contact the pastor. This class is active September through May.High School Education
We are currently exploring ways in which we can better engage our ninth through twelfth grade youth. When there are no High School age-specific classes offered, they are welcome to join in adult education opportunities.
Adult Education
Throughout the church year, we offer a variety of educational opportunities for adults. Courses topics may include Bible study, book study, current events discussion, Lutheran theology, and more! Those interested in leading a class or who have ideas about what classes might be useful to the congregation are encouraged to contact the Director of Youth and Family Ministries.
Lectionary Bible Study
Every Tuesday morning at 9:00 all are welcome to join in a study of the upcoming Sunday’s texts which meets in Room 200. For more information, contact the Director of Youth and Family Ministries. This study is active throughout the year.