Sunday School for all ages takes place on Sunday mornings at 9:15am. Students and teachers learn and grow in their faith together by exploring scripture, faith practices, and fellowship. Each week, we begin with an opening in our sanctuary where we share news of upcoming events, celebrate milestones in the lives of participants and our congregation, sing hymns, and pray. Then students go with their teachers to the following classes for small group instruction:
- Pre-K and Kindgergarten
- 1st-3rd Grade
- 4th-6th Grade
- Confirmation (see below for more information)
- High School
- Adult
First Communion classes take place on a Saturday each spring during the Lenten season. The class is open to children who would like to receive Communion during worship, and whose parents or guardians feel they are ready to participate in this sacrament of the church. Typically children are in 1st through 5th grade, but all ages are welcome in the class, young and old. A parent or guardian must attend the class with their child.
Confirmation is a program of study and discipleship that typically takes two years and can be started when youth are in seventh grade or above. This program is intended to help our youth explore and deepen the faith started in their baptism before they make a public affirmation of faith on Pentecost Sunday at the end of their studies.
Along with other participants in the program, students delve into the Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, and the intersections of faith with daily life. In addition to our Sunday School classes, St. James participates in a co-operative program with six other local Lutheran churches on the first and third Sunday evening of each month, giving students to meet youth from other churches, giving them a chance to build new relationships as they grow in faith.
Adult Bible Study meets on Wednesday afternoons to explore and discuss not only the scriptures, but other aspects of our faith lives. Past topics include Easter Around the World, The Kingdom of Heaven in the Book of Matthew, and Water Washed and Spirit Born: Baptism as a Way of Life.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) takes place each summer in either July or August and includes fun and activities for all ages. While exploring a different theme each year, we learn about the Bible through storytelling, games, music, crafts, and play. And of course there’s snack for everyone. Children from Pre-K to 6th grade are welcomed as students. Older youth can participate as volunteers and we will be coming up with new opportunities for adults to learn with us in 2018.