Once a month, our late worship service will be dedicated to fostering the worship of a very important segment of our congregation: children and youth.
Background
For the past few years, our Sunday School followed a workshop-rotation model. That meant that all of our students, from 3 years on up to 9th grade, rotate to different stations each week for four consecutive weeks. In those four weeks, they learn one story or concept in multiple ways: through theater and drama, the arts and crafts, even computer technology–as well as the more-traditional storytelling in a worshipful style called “temple.” Older students (7, 8 and 9) serve as shepherds for their younger classmates.
The Workshop-Rotation Model (or WoRM) has worked very well for First Lutheran Church. Under the creative leadership of more than one Parish Education Coordinator, rooms in our education wing became conducive to the learning styles of this generation’s students ,and both students and teachers appreciate the variety.
The only downside? Four weeks of one story meant that our topics could no longer coincide with the lectionary, or prescribed Bible readings used in worship. That meant that there was little, if any, connection between what was happening in worship with what was going on in the Education wing. After a year or two, leaders began to wonder: how could we once again integrate the sanctuary with the classroom?
Where Things Stand Today
In early January 2010 letter was mailed to our entire Sunday School roster, inviting all of our Sunday School students to join an informal choir on January 10th. They learned a song that went along with that month’s rotation (which happened to be from Daniel 3, the story of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego). Our choir then shared that song with the congregation at the 10:30 worship service.
In addition, the service that day was also revamped, with simpler songs (and a student accompanist!), simpler liturgy, and a sermon based on the Sunday School lesson. The tone was less formal, with an emphasis on bringing teaching and proclamation together. Though this service was designed with families in mind, we truly believe that this can and already has reached every age in our congregation. Family worship is for everyone!
Please join us for Family Worship on the THIRD SUNDAY of the month at 10:30 am.
2011-2012 Schedule
September 18, 2011
Lydia
Jan 10, 2010 SS Choir
October 16, 2011
Isaac & Rebekah
November 20, 2011
Advent & Christmas
December 18, 2011
NO FAMILY WORSHIP – NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
January 15, 2012
Joseph & His Brothers
February 19, 2012
Queen Esther
March 18, 2012
Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday
April 15, 2012
The Lord is My Shepherd
May 20, 2012
Jesus Feeds the 5,00 & Celebration of the Year!
We sincerely thank all volunteers who have helped this to happen, and who continue to support the educational ministries of First Lutheran Church.
pastorhh
pastorcl
