These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 Joyful Christian Education 2015-2016 Parent Handbook Zion Lutheran Church Manning, Iowa 1
Joy in Jesus Jesus had gathered His disciples together in the Upper Room in Jerusalem just hours before His betrayal by Judas, the denial by Peter, the mockery of Caiaphas court, and the condemning sentence before Pilate. There was little joy to come, for Jesus, the human sufferer. Yet Jesus speaks of His joy. Jesus joy was not some party atmosphere that we might imagine. Jesus joy was completing the Father s plan of salvation for us. Jesus joy was paying the price for our sins so that we can be His eternally. Jesus joy was walking out of the tomb alive again so that there would be an eternal victory celebration. Jesus prayer for us is that your joy may be full. By God s grace there are many times of earthly joy. Jesus gifts us with His Spirit us to enjoy each day that we live with Him and for Him on earth. We will have full joy when we are enter eternal glory. Zion Lutheran Church is a joyful place because Jesus is our joy. The Christian education programs of Zion focus on the divinely inspired truths of Scripture which lead us to Jesus. Joy Together Family and Church You make him most blessed forever; You make him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm21:6 2
Church and family receive the joy of Jesus as they hear and learn God s Word. Our joy as Christians is not a fleeting emotion or an occasional experience. Our joy is objective. Church and family partner in Christian education. The Christian education programs of the church supplement the Christian instruction of the home. The church supports the faith nurture of the parents; it does not replace the witness of the parents. TOGETHER we build on the baptismal faith of the child. Nourished in the Word through the elementary and middle grades, the church celebrates the rite of confirmation. Christian education is a life-long journey as adults join the children in worship and Bible study. The FAMILY Joyful Gathering The heart of God is communicated primarily through the heart of the family. God sent His Son through a chosen family. Jesus was born into and nurtured in the home of Mary and Joseph. God instituted marriage between a man and woman to continue and protect the family unity. The marriage ceremony shares God s plan, God also established marriage for the procreation of children who are to be brought up in the fear and instruction of the Lord so they may offer Him their praise. (Lutheran Service Book Agenda, p. 65). God s Word shares God s plan: These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house... You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household, Luther s Small Catechism 3
The family s role in faith nurture includes: + Reading of God s Word in the home + Family prayer and devotional times + Worshipping together regularly + Attending Sunday school regularly + Being Christ-like examples to the children + Loving and generous service of one another and others The CHURCH Celebrating with Joy You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11 Jesus chooses to be present in His church in the waters of baptism, the bread and wine on His Table, and through the Word preached and taught. It is important that parents and children gather together in the church to receive the fullness of joy. Jesus describes Himself, I am the light of the world. Whoever follow me will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8:12) Following the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, the family receives the gift of a candle with the words, Receive this burning light to show that you have received Christ who is the Light of the world. Live always in the light of Christ. (Lutheran Service Book, p. 271) The Church has the privilege of being The Light to the family, community, and the world. The church s role in faith nurture includes: + Teaching the truth of God s Word and sharing God s grace in Christ + Providing Christian education programs to support the family s teaching + Providing a safe and loving learning environment + Praying for children and families + Gathering in welcoming, family-friendly settings + Be Christ s Light in times of family darkness 4
The Joy focused and Joy filled Partnership Kids need parents who will help them advance in their relationship with God. No one has more potential to influence a child s relationship with God than parents. Parents need churches that will help them know how to be spiritual leaders. (Think Orange, p. 84) At the baptismal font the parents pledge to continue to nurture the faith of the child who has been welcomed into God s family. The church family also pledges, We receive you in Jesus name as our brother/sister in Christ that together we may hear His Word, receive His gifts, and proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. (Lutheran Worship, Order of Holy Baptism, p. 271) Zion Lutheran Church celebrates the gift of children and equips families to nurture the Christian faith in the home. When families are not able to lead the faith nurture of children, the church plays a more intentional role in the process through Sunday school teachers and other faith mentors. As Christian education partners, the church and family: + Celebrate the unique gifts of each child of God + Affirm one another in their unique God-given roles + Gather together around God s means of grace + Communicate clearly the expectations or each partner + Seek God s vision for His family + Grow His family as mission eyes and hearts 5
Joy Time--Worship The most important hour on Sunday morning is the worship hour. It is important that families worship TOGETHER. To simply drop off your child for Sunday school and then pick them up again an hour later is to provide a limited learning opportunity. To ignore worship as a family is to model that church is only important for children and not adults. Research has shown that the presence of mom and dad in the pew is a powerful influence for lifelong connections with the church. Zion seeks to provide family friendly and child connecting worship which includes children s lessons, children s offerings, and children s music. Children are frequently reminded of the baptismal promises and their full participation in God s family, the church. Advent and Lenten seasons are designed to be family friendly as worship services are scheduled in the early evening, include a family meal, and a more informal family devotional atmosphere. Children will again lead a special Christmas service. It is important that all children and families make note of and participate in the special practice sessions. Children are included in special festival services (Palm Sunday, Easter, etc.) Worship in the home is supported and encouraged. Children s Bibles are provided by the Christian education committee. Pastors can provide helpful direction for family worship. 6
Sunday School Sunday school classes typically run from September through May from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Classes are available for all ages. Typically children enroll at age 3. The Growing In Christ curriculum from Concordia Publishing House will lead children (preschool through grade 4) through Old Testament stories which share the Good News of God s promise of a Savior and the fulfillment of that promise. Student in grades 5-6 will explore the Truth of God s Word with resources from Answers in Genesis. Junior high and youth groups use a variety of resources which apply the truths of Scripture to the realities of life. Adult classes typically explore books of the Bible. The Sunday school leadership includes: Shelly Gruhn, Christian Education Chairperson and Sunday School Superintendent The Christian Education Committee provides support and direction for education ministries. Additional committee members include: Margaret Backhaus, Dan Dawson, Joni Kienast, Kari Ranninger, Kathy Vollstedt, and Pastors Conner and Rigget Susie Ulrickson and Jill Arp, Music leaders Gifted volunteers lead the classes, sharing Jesus and loving His children. Additional volunteers are always welcomed to be part of the teaching team. The Sunday school office is located on the second floor of the education wing. 7
Families are asked to complete a family registration/information form sharing emergency contacts, health situations, and other helpful information. The health and safety of each student is important to the Sunday school staff. In addition to physical safety, Zion values the emotional safety of every child. Children are expected to live and learn as brothers and sisters in Christ. Midweek/Confirmation Midweek classes are held for students in grades 5-8. The classes will begin in September and continue through April. Classes are held each Wednesday beginning right after the school day. During the Lenten season classes are held after the worship service and fellowship meal. Students in grades 5 and 6 will journey through the Old Testament, learning of God s promises to His people and to us. Students in grades 7 and 8 study the basics of Lutheran beliefs as summarized in Luther s Small Catechism. Midweek classes typically provide the background for confirmation and communicant membership in the church Vacation Bible School Children (ages 4 through grade 6) of the congregation and community celebrate and experience the truths of the Bible and the love of Jesus in the week long summer education event. VBS includes a Bible story, crafts, music, and recreation. Zion is blessed with a strong team of volunteers making the morning program a blessing to families and the community. The June 2016 program is tentatively scheduled for June 6-10. 8
Zion Preschool For nearly 30 years Zion Preschool has been an integral part of the congregation and community. Diane Riggert serves as Director. Elissa Reisburg is Teacher/Director in training and is assisted by associate Janice Nemitz. Classes are offered for children ages 3-5 in half day sessions. The program is fully licensed by the Department of Human Services and has received high rankings in Quality Rating System and Quality Preschool Performance Standards. Families can contact the church office for more information. Let us PRAY Prayer Ministry The Generations campaign generated a prayer ministry that includes a prayer partner for each family with children enrolled in Zion s Christian education ministry. Prayer partners are committed to praying routinely for children and families. Families are informed of their partner and special prayer requests (celebrations and concerns) can be shared with the prayer partner. Additional prayer partners are welcomed and support and resources are provided. Adult Studies/Parent education Zion seeks to equip each member in their discipleship journey. In addition to the Sunday morning adult classes, Bible studies are offered during the week. The pastors seek to resource and encourage parents in their sometime challenging roles. Opportunities will be published in the church newsletter and Sunday bulletin. In addition a Home Builders group meets monthly to encourage and support healthy marriages and families. 9
Family Fellowship Healthy families pray and play together. During the year several family activities are planned. Families of all ages and stages are welcome. Family service and mission projects are also explored. Family Support The Zion pastors are actively involved in the Christian education ministries. Pastor Jonathan Conner seeks opportunities to connect with children and support families. Assistant to the Pastor, Pastor Bob Riggert teaches adult and children s classes. They are both available to celebrate with families (births, baptisms, anniversaries, etc.) and to support families in times of need. Pastor Jonathan Conner (revconner@mmctsu.com); office: 655-2352 Pastor Bob Riggert (bob.riggert@idwlcms.org); home: 655-2104 Zion is blessed to have access to the resources of Lutheran Family Service (LFS) which provides Christian counseling support for families. The administration office of LFS is in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Counselors provide services in Denison and other convenient settings. LFS can be reached at 515-573-3138 (www.lfsiow.org). Children and families are also encouraged to participate in the program at our church s camp, Camp Okoboji. Additional information is available at www.campokoboji.org. 10
Family communication Christian education updates are shared regularly in weekly Sunday bulletin announcements and the monthly Zion newsletter. The updated Zion Web site www.zmanning.com will include resources, announcements, registration forms, and other education information. Generations One generation shall commend your works to another and declare your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4 Generations have been blessed to worship and learn at Zion Lutheran Church. Celebrating the generations that have been a part of our faith heritage and committing to bring future generations to Christ, Zion initiated a Generations capital campaign in the summer of 2013. Many past and present members of Zion made prayer and financial commitments to the campaign. The first priority was sanctuary updates. The new sanctuary was dedicated early in 2015. Major improvements in the fellowship hall and education areas will be completed in late fall. Generations can joyfully and comfortably gather for worship, fellowship and Christian education. All families are encouraged to continue to support the Generations campaign with the prayers and financial support. While an appropriate learning space is important, the first priority is for church and family to share in nurturing the faith of our children so that we might spend an eternity together. We want our children and grandchildren to be in heaven with us! 11
Our Mission Empowered by Word and Sacrament, Zion Lutheran celebrates Christ s redeeming love in worship and fellowship and shares our saving faith in word and deed in our congregational fellowship, the immediate community, and into the world. Zion Christian education lives out the mission as a place of celebration. We are thrilled to share our message with the community and into the world. Children from the community are always welcomed into the education program. Children participate actively in the church s mission praying for and financially supporting missionaries. Welcome to a joyful year of Christian education at Zion! 12