Children at LCH

Christian Education: Creating disciples through learning, service, and hospitality

At the Lutheran Church of Honolulu, we take seriously the teaching ministry of Jesus for all ages but especially for the children and youth of our congregation. We know that the values and the life-style of faith, taught and modeled at a young age, will serve as a foundation for their entire lives. We invite your children to participate in Christian Education each Sunday during the school year.

LCH Learning Ministries encourages children’s spiritual growth and awareness through Bible study, music, crafts and play activities, and interaction with the entire congregation. Heifer Project International is the children’s major service project.

With the younger children we use the “Witness Sunday School Curriculum: Learning for the Bible to Live the Good News” from Augsburg Fortress Press, which features age appropriate Bible stories and activities that teach children about being God’s people in today’s world.

A part of each Sunday School hour (usually beginning at 9:50) is devoted to the F.R.O.G.S. choir. Its name is an acronym for Families Revering Our God in Song. It consists of Sunday School children, their teachers, and parents and grandparents who enjoy singing with the children. The F.R.O.G.S., under the leadership of Teresa McCreary, offer their music at several services and activities throughout the year.

Sunday School is coordinated by Linda Miller and Laurie Leach.

Younger Students

The combined 3 year old and Pre-K–Kindergarten classes meet at 9:15 for rhythm, song, stories, and simple crafts with Laurie Leach in the classroom to the right of the front entrance and left of Isenberg Hall. A familiar adult may remain to help younger children complete the activities or adjust to attending Sunday School. Nursery care is provided for children under three during the learning ministry hour as well as during services. At 9:50 the kindergartners will move to Isenberg Hall or the back lanai for music and the younger children will be taken to the nursery. A small snack will be served in Isenberg at 10:10 and dismissal is at 10:15.
The 1st–2nd grade class, with Crystal and Adam Landherr, will meet at 9:15 on the lanai behind the nursery for Bible stories and related crafts and activities. At 9:50 this class will have music either in Isenberg Hall or on the lanai. A small snack will be served in Isenberg at 10:10, and dismissal is at 10:15.

Older Elementary and Middle School Students

We will meet first in groups for Bible story presentations exploring how God knows us, supports our growth, and meets our needs by nurturing our bodies with food and our souls with blessings. The younger of these classes supplements the Witness curriculum with readings from the Bible. The middle school group does not use a packaged curriculum.

The 3rd–4th grade class, taught by Linda Miller and Marjan Lynch, will meet in Isenberg Hall near the kitchen. At 9:50 the children will have music either in Isenberg Hall or on the lanai. A small snack will be served in Isenberg at 10:10.
The Middle School class, taught by Fritz Fritschel and Wayne Gau, is for students in 5th through 7th grade. It will meet in the Pastor’s Office. Middle school youth in grade 6 and above may also participate in the confirmation program described on the Youth page. This class will participate in music class sometimes by themselves and sometimes with the younger children.

Youth

The youth in grades eight through twelve gather in the Rainbow Room at 9:15 for devotions, group discussions, and/or planning of events. Youth also join in OYEA service projects and gatherings. Paul Benco leads the Sunday School youth program.

Special Events Spring 2012

Children remember the tears of slaves as part of the Seder Meal. March 3—Benefit Concert for Heifer International. The children share their talents at a Saturday afternoon noon concert to raise money for Heifer International.

April 1 (Palm Sunday)—Simplified Seder meal hosted by Sunday School classes for the congregation between morning worship services.

April 8 (Easter Sunday)—Easter egg hunt between morning worship services. The older children hide the eggs and the younger children hunt for them.

April 22—Earth Day activities between morning worship services. The children pick up trash around the neighborhood and create Earth Day banners.

May 27—Family Fun Day. Between services we celebrate the end of the semester with games, crafts, hot dogs, and treats.

We look forward to a fun and exciting year, exploring new ways to learn, serve, and share our hospitality. We hope you can be a part of it all!

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Making Music to the Lord!

Teresa McCreary works with children learning to play the Orff instruments. F.R.O.G.S. Ensemble—Music helps children learn the basics of Christian faith and encourages them to participate in group activities. Each Sunday, the children learn songs accompanied by Orff instruments. Xylophones of different sizes and percussion instruments enable children to quickly become part of ensemble music making. The music ensemble for elementary school children and their parents is called F.R.O.G.S. (Families Revering Our God in Song). The F.R.O.G.S. ensemble presents their musical offerings in worship services several times a year.

Benefit Concerts—Sunday School children had been designating their offerings for the Heifer Project for several years when during Lent 2005, they challenged the adults of the congregation to raise $4,000 to go with the children’s $1,000 to buy an Ark of Animals. Having been successful with this effort, in 2006 they decided to go one step farther and hold their own benefit concert to help raise the money. The concert on Saturday, March 4, 2006, was such a success—with almost $2,000 pledged or contributed on that day—that it has become an annual tradition. Follow these links for details about the 2006 Benefit Concert, 2007 Benefit Concert, 2008 Benefit Concert, 2009 Benefit Concert, 2010 Benefit Concert, and 2011 Benefit Concert.

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Children at Worship Services

Pastor Lilley talks with our children during the 'Children's Conversation.' LCH is a family friendly congregation. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to Sunday services. A special Children’s Conversation or “sermon” is given at both the 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM services. Children come forward to gather around the Pastor for a retelling of the Gospel with age-specific language and emphasis. Some parents accompany their children to the Children’s Conversation, but many come on their own. Visiting families will find their children warmly welcomed in the circle of young active participants.

Follow this link to listen to Pastor Jeff’s children’s conversations.

A nursery attendant is available each Sunday in the Nursery/Child Care area. Parents may safely leave their children with the nursery attendant or take them to the nursery at any time during the service. A small snack is served during the Christian education hour.

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