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 Vicki Gorman and Anna Womack, offer their music at several services and activities throughout the year.

Sunday School is coordinated by Linda Miller and Laurie Leach

Younger Students

The 3–4 year old class meets at 9:15 for rhythm, song, stories, and simple crafts with Stephanie Luuloa in the classroom to the right of the front entrance and left of Isenberg Hall. Interested parents or other adult family members are welcome to join in this class with their children, especially those under 3 or those who are participating in a school experience for the first time. The class is intended mainly for 3 year olds and younger 4 year olds. If your 2 year old is participating, a familiar adult must remain to help the child complete the activities. Nursery care is provided for very young children during the learning ministry hour as well as during services.
The Pre-K–Kindergarten class, taught by Laurie Leach and Linda Miller, will meet from 9:10 to 9:50 for Bible stories and related crafts and activities in Isenberg Hall. It is for 4½ to 5 year old children attending pre-school or kindergarten. At 9:50 others join this class in Isenberg Hall for music. Dismissal is at 10:15.
The 1st–3rd grade class, taught by Jake and Emily McIlvaine, 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 move to Isenberg Hall for music. 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 4th–5th grade class, taught by Teresa McCreary and Wayne Gau, serves 9–11 year olds in 4th or 5th grade. It will meet in Isenberg Hall on the Punahou Street side.
The Middle School class, taught by Fritz Fritschel, is for 11–13 year olds in at least 6th grade but not yet in high school. 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.

Youth

The youth in grades nine through twelve gather in the Rainbow Room at 9:10 for devotions, group discussions, and/or planning of events. Youth also join in OYEA service projects and gatherings. Sean D’Evelyn (Sunday School) and Peggy Anderson (OYEA) lead our youth programs.

Special Events Spring 2010

Children remember the tears of slaves as part of the Seder Meal. February 20—Benefit Concert for Heifer International presented by the children of LCH.

March 28 (Palm Sunday)—Seder meal hosted by Sunday School classes for the congregation between morning worship services.

April 4 (Easter Sunday)—Easter egg hunt between morning worship services. The older children hide the eggs and the younger children hunt for them.

April 25—Earth Day activities between morning worship services. The children pick up trash around the neighborhood and create Earth Day banners.

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!

LCH children practice with 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, and 2010 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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