Sunday School

	Kindergarten and 1st Grade classes mix, prepare and bake the Communion Bread.

Participation in worship is one of the important ways children learn and grow in faith and is an integral part of the whole Sunday School program. In worship we learn to live with gratitude for the past goodness of God, in joy as we recognize God’s continuing presence, and in hope for a future which will bring God’s purposes to fulfillment. We learn by belonging and participating. Children need opportunities before they become adults to learn not only how we worship, but also to find out what it really means for them.

During the school year, children, kindergarten age and older, attend the first part of the Sunday worship service with their families. They are present for hymn singing and special music, prayers, scripture readings, our two sacraments—baptism and communion, and a brief children’s sermon. After the children’s message they are dismissed to their Sunday School classrooms.

Children participate in the entire service during Intergenerational Worship Sundays. These include the 5:00pm Christmas Eve Pageant, the Sunday after Christmas service, Easter Sunday, and Children’s Celebration Sunday at the end of the school year. Nursery care is provided for children under the age of four. On the last Sunday of some months, children in grades K-6 participate and take leadership in their own Children’s Worship Service in Fellowship Hall. On these mornings, children go directly to their classroom at 10:30am, instead of to worship, where they prepare for their leadership responsibility in the service before coming to Fellowship Hall at 10:45am with their teachers.

Sunday School Class, 1885

Sunday School for all our children is primarily relational – the curriculum is just one of the many “tools” teachers use to help their students develop a closer relationship with God as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ through their relationship with one another: parents, leaders and children. “Faith is caught, not taught.” During the fall, our Bible-based curriculum focuses on Old Testament stories, while winter and spring sessions are devoted to the New Testament. The Seasons of the Church Year are also emphasized and celebrated. So that children will be in the same grade in church school as in public/private school, we ask that parents use September 1st as the date for determining grade level, beginning with the Preschool class (ages 3-5).

One of our objectives in the Christian Education program is to encourage our children to know the blessing of service and giving by introducing stewardship as part of our response to God’s love. Children can experience this in a variety of ways. In Sunday School, a special time is set aside each week for prayer, thanking God for our many blessings, and remembering those in need. The children are encouraged to contribute an offering that they themselves have earned or collected. Offerings have enabled us to purchase numerous animals through Heifer Project International and a trained service dog for one of our members through the NEADS program. Other recipients include UNICEF, Neighbors in Need (NIN), local children’s programs and World Vision sponsorship of four children.

This year will be supporting the Tremendous Hearts program.

Arrival and Dismissal
Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten begin the 10:30am worship hour in their classroom. Kindergarten thru High School begin the hour in worship, going to their Sunday School class with their teacher at approximately 10:45am, right after the children’s message. Sunday School usually lasts until 11:45am. Only the children in Grades 4-12 are dismissed from their classrooms at 11:45am without their parents present. Young children in Nursery – Grade 3 should be picked up by a parent or authorized person, promptly at the close of worship.

Nut Free areas
The Rompers Nursery School located in the Discovery room (our pre-school/pre-K Sunday school class) and our Nursery have become a NUT-FREE zone. We shall continue their example on Sundays by consuming only nut-free snacks and taking an extra precaution to wipe our hands as we enter the room. Note the availability of hand-wipes at both door entries.

Acolytes
All children in the 5th and 6th grades are eligible to serve as church acolytes. The office of the acolytes was established early in Christian history, around 250 AD. Samuel is considered to have been the first acolyte. Acolytes in South Church bring Christ’s light in the sanctuary to remind us of God’s presence by lighting the altar candles for worship and extinguishing them to bring the light out in the world.

Middle School and High School students
Our 7th and 8th grade teachers are excited about sharing their faith and passion for teaching middle school students. They consult with the church staff to locate biblically based resources that match the maturity level and interests of their students. Inspiring curriculum is important, yet not as important as the relationships that are formed in the classroom. Teachers emphasize the Holy Spirit working through people and their lives, not the curriculum.

High school students are encouraged to attend worship and take leadership in the service in a variety of ways. Opportunities include greeting and ushering, liturgical readings, prayers, children’s conversations, drama, storytelling, and special musical offerings. They may also join the Handbell and Sanctuary Choir. High school youth attend Sunday School class, led by parents, for thought provoking discussion about their Christian faith and its relationship to their life. Various books, videos, news articles and field trips will be used to enhance conversation, spiritual growth and a sense of community.

Confirmation
8th and 9th grades are a major transitional time for most young people. It is the first real opportunity for adult introspection regarding a variety of life decisions. This is also a special time for young people to consider the foundations of their faith as they are invited to participate in South Church’s confirmation program. Over the course of two years, potential Confirmands are given an opportunity to explore and deepen their faith as they engage in meaningful discussion, exploration of their spirituality, and a variety of challenging and enjoyable activities. Former high school Confirmands are welcome to attend! At the end of the program, those who wish to confirm their Christian faith and their membership in South Church in Andover will be given a special opportunity to do so with the support of the congregation.

Summer Sunday School
Worship and Sunday School begin an hour earlier at 9:30am. Nursery care is provided for the youngest children. Elementary aged children attend the first part of worship, as usual, but instead of moving to separate classes, all meet together in Fellowship Hall or outdoors for a special new program each summer. This past summer the children enjoyed gardening, games and Gospel stories under the shady trees outdoors.

Vacation Bible School
Each summer South Church, in partnership with area churches, provides a week long ecumenical program as an outreach to the community and enrichment for our own children’s faith. This past summer we hosted an evening faith event for all ages that included supper, singing, stories and so much more!