Directors for Senior High Youth Ministry Jay and Deb Fuller meet with high school youth each week, often at Woodstock’s Java Junction, offering a safe place for our young adults to explore their faith and support each other in the journey to adulthood.
Grace has more than seventy 7th- and 8th-graders enrolled in Wednesday Confirmation class, but on a weekly basis Grace offers a forum on Sunday mornings for this age group. The lively forum includes discussion on subjects that students can use in their daily lives, such as: friends, fighting temptation, finding your identity, choosing wisely, and God’s purpose for me.
Our 6th-grade class also works in a forum style, taking in-depth looks at biblical stories. For example, this class looked at the events of Holy Week during the weeks leading up to Easter, complete with discussion on what Jesus taught while in Jerusalem and re-enactment of Palm Sunday and the Last Supper. This class also devotes time to relational topics including conflict resolution.
Classes for 4-year-olds through 5th-graders follow the gospel and lessons read in worship each weekend, giving parents and children an opportunity to discuss the correlation between what was learned in Sunday School, what was experienced in worship, and how to use what was learned in daily life. These classes also make cards for our shut-in members and utilize the downstairs prayer tree.
The 3-year-old class and Wednesday night 2-year-old parent/tot class utilize Gospel Light, a curriculum geared toward introducing the very young child to God’s constant love.
First
Communion
In the spring of each year we provide the opportunity for children
entering first grade or older to partake of their First Communion.
The child and their parent or guardian are required to attend a short
class that focuses on the sacrament of communion.
Grace has more than thirty adults who volunteer their time to prepare and present lessons and discussion on a wide variety of topics, from Bible stories to peer pressure. Why do these people devote hours each week to this ministry? Because they know the tremendous difference the influence of Christian mentors and teachers can make in the life of a child.
Here’s the catch—our teachers can’t do this job alone. Children only benefit from Sunday School if parents commit to bring them each week. Making a priority of attending weekly worship and Sunday School will not only make a positive difference in your child’s life, but will make a positive difference in your family’s week as well.
