Christian Education
Christian Education at St. Andrew
Christian Education means many things to people. For some it is Sunday School for children. For others it may include Bible School or Bible Study. Christian Education has at its center our growth in the knowledge of and encounter with the Lord. It is a lifelong journey beginning in our Baptism and continuing all our days. It involves engaging in the study of scripture. It includes interaction with other people of faith.
St. Andrew provides a variety of opportunities to enrich the growth and life of the faithful in their Christian Education. They include: Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Confirmation, Youth Ministry, and Adult Bible Study.
Sunday School
The Sunday School program is available for everyone aged 2 through 100 years old. Sunday School is held 10:45 to 11:45 am the Sunday after Labor Day through the Sunday before Memorial Day. Classes are age appropriate and focused on God’s Word.
Vacation Bible School
Each Summer St. Andrew invites children age 3 through fifth grade to gather from Sunday through Thursday evenings for learning, crafts, food, fun, and friendship as we learn about God’s love for us and sharing his love with others.
Confirmation
Catechesis begins for the children of St. Andrew in second grade as they receive Communion instruction. All second grade children, whether they receive the sacrament or not, are invited to attend a class to learn about the Lord’s Supper. The pastor teaches the children the Biblical background of the sacrament and its historical roots. The children are instructed in receiving the sacrament and its meaning in their lives.
Confirmation proper begins when youth enter the seventh grade. Confirmation involves two years of instruction that includes Sunday School, periodic mid-week classes with the pastor, and service in the congregation and the community. At the end of the two years of preparation the youth meet with the pastor for a final examination and discussion of the faith. The Rite of Confirmation is administered during worship on All Saints’ Sunday in November.
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry covers a range of activities and meanings. At St. Andrew we have traditionally focused our Youth Ministry program on Junior/Senior High Youth. The youth have been invited to participated in a variety of social activities both at the church and in the community. They have also been involved in large group gatherings on a regional and national level (The National Youth Gathering and The Youth Quake). Youth have also been engaged in a variety of social service activities over the years.
Currently, the Youth Ministry of St. Andrew is undergoing a time of redefinition and reshaping. First, the youth program will focus on two age groupings: older youth (junior/senior highs) and younger youth (late elementary children). Second the Youth Ministry of St. Andrew will strive to more fully integrate the social, spiritual, and service aspects of its activity to form a cohesive balance as the children and youth of St. Andrew are provided with a solid foundation as followers of Christ living in the world.
Activities will include (but not be limited to) retreats, service to those in need with in the community, game nights, movie nights, youth worship, and holiday themed activities. Each activity will strive to provide social, spiritual, and service components to enable participants to grow together as a group, and to mature as disciples of Christ and children of God.
Adult Bible Study
Currently three opportunities for adult learning are offered during the week. Tuesday evenings a study is offered either focused on a book of the Bible, a scriptural topic, or a thematic topic of theological or faith interest. A Bible Study is offered Wednesday mornings based on a systematic reading of a book of the Bible. Friday mornings women are invited to gather for a Women’s Bible Study based on biblical themes important to women of faith today.
The schedule for Adult Bible Study at St. Andrew is as follows:
Tuesdays @ 7:00 pm
Wednesdays @ 10:00 am
Fridays @ 10:00 am
All studies are held Labor Day through Memorial Day.
VBS 2017
Barnyard Round up
