Christian Education

The CE Committee meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm, typically in the Mural Room.  All who are interested in attending are welcome.  If you are not on the CE committee, we would love to see you, but encourage you to please call Eileen Miller prior to the meeting to confirm location and time.

• Sunday School

• Vacation Bible School

• Teacher's Page (password required)

Our many Christian education programs encourage the growth of our faith for all ages of our congregation.  Most of our programs are conducted in conjunction with our Sunday morning worship. Youth attend a portion of our worship service and then participate in our preschool class, Adventures in Faith program for kindergarten through junior high or senior high classes during the school year. Adult study is conducted following the worship service.

Children and adults are welcome to join our programs at any point during the year.  

Nursery:  Infants to 3-year olds
St. Luke offers quality child care for younger children whose parents are attending worship. The nursery is available for children under three years during the 10 a.m. service. The Nursery is located on the upper level of the church.

Preschool:  3 & 4-Year-Olds
Our preschool is taught by dedicated member volunteers.  The curriculum helps children encounter the overall story of the Bible so they may interpret the story, connect it with their own experiences, and learn to live as disciples of Jesus. Each week a Bible story is the focus of the lesson, employing stories, crafts and songs.

Adventures in Faith:  Kindergarten – 8^th Grade   

It is the mission of our program, Adventures in Faith, to use the talent of the church to support the development of the faith of the next generation.

Adventures in Faith (AIF) is our creative approach to Christian education for K-8. Children use a variety of learning methods, such as drama, art, puppets, science projects and other methods to learn Bible stories and key concepts.

Children rotate to a different kid-friendly workshop each Sunday within a four- or five-week unit. These workshops relate to one or more of the ways of learning and knowing. Teachers remain in the same workshop, repeating the lesson to a new group of children each week, with age-appropriate modifications. Their AIF shepherds, who also move with each class and assist the teachers, lead the children to their workshops.  

We will start our new rotation of AIF on October 9.  All Aboard!  With tickets in hand, kids board a train bound for glory.  From the engine to the caboose, each week they’ll explore a different car on the train.  Each car focuses on a well-known Bible verse which they will not only memorize, but learn how to apply to their lives.  The children will understand how Christian living sustains them through the journey of life and keeps them on the right track.  The kids will be able to recall these nuggets of Bible wisdom no matter how bumpy their journey of life becomes.

Parents, the Christian Education Committee will be assigning vacant slots for the fall rotations to anyone who hasn’t signed up; sign up now to get your preference!  No time to plan?  We have a new position this year that doesn’t require any!  Your job will be to rotate through all six workshops with the same group of children.

Senior Highs:  9^th – 12^th Grade
Senior High Students meet on Sunday mornings during the worship service.  The students focus on living their faith and responding in a Christian manner to the challenges encountered in their every day lives.  Once a year the Senior High Students plan and conduct a worship service for the entire congregation. 

Adult Study
Under the director of our pastor, adult studies are offered throughout the year, including pastor’s classes following worship as well as special seminars and presentations on current events.  Check the bulletin each week to find out more about current classes.

All Church Retreat
Once or twice a year the Christian Education Committee sponsors an “All Church Retreat.”  This is a wonderful opportunity for church members to “get away from it all” for a weekend of fun and relaxation.  Church members have the opportunity to catch up with each other, renew old friendships and begin new ones.  In past years we have traveled to Stronghold Castle in Oregon, Illinois (yes, it really IS a castle!) and have camped on the shores of Lake Michigan, near Saugatuck. 

Vacation Bible School
St. Luke hosts 40 – 50 children for a week each August for Vacation Bible School.  Come join us and learn about God’s love!   We traveled to the African Plain, the Deep Sea and the Rainforest over the past few summers – all within the walls of St. Luke.  We sing songs, make crafts, do a mission project….and of course, have snacks!

Youth Ministries

Junior High Youth Group – JAZ, 6^th – 8^th graders
Meets 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, September through June

If you are in middle school (grades 6-8), then this is the group for you!

Our Junior High Youth Group, “JAZ,”meets Wednesday evenings, September through June, under the direction of our youth leader, Sarah Karstens.  The JAZ program includes dinner together, beginning at 6 p.m., then a group activity such as a discussion night, mission project or social activity. 

Past projects include making blankets for Project Linus, cooking for the homeless shelter and decorating for Christmas at a local nursing home.

On the lighter side, highlights of JAZ fellowship and fun include go-carting and a scavenger hunt to the local mall. Lock-ins and youth retreats are also part of planned activities.

Youth in grades 6 through 8 are welcome to participate and bring their friends as well.  Adult volunteers assist with the program and youth parents support by providing dinner or transportation and chaperon support to social events.

Senior High Youth Group – SOS, 9^th – 12^th graders
Meets 12:00-2:00 p.m. Sundays, September through June

In addition to meeting on Sunday mornings, the Senior Highs students can participate in “SOS” (Seniors on Sundays), the Senior High School youth group. 

SOS meets on Sundays 12:00-2:00 p.m.   The group participates in mission activities, social outings and discussion sessions.  The Senior Highs also research, plan and fund-raise for summer mission trips to various parts of the country.

Youth in grades 9 through 12 are welcome to participate and bring their friends as well.  Adult volunteers assist with the program and youth parents support by providing transportation and chaperon support to social events.