CHILDREN & YOUTH

Child In Our Hands is a philosophy embraced by Bethel.  In "Child in Our Hands", the focus is on the home and family as the primary place to teach and nurture faith with the congregation providing support and working in partnership with the home.  Bethel Sunday Christian Education provides special instruction for children with their parents:

• First Grade Students learn about baptism with their parents.

• Second Grade Students learn more about prayer with their parents.

• Third Grade Students spend a 3-week session with their parents "Getting To Know Their Bible".

• Fourth Grade Students spend three weeks finding out "What Luther's Got to Say" along with their parents before receiving their catechisms.

• Fifth Grade Students receive their first communion after receiving instruction in Sunday School along with their parents.

• Sixth Grade Students and their parents take a trip to Temple Aaron to learn more about the Jewish faith.

Sunday Christian Education is from 9:30 - 10:30 weekly during the school year.  Classes are offered for all ages -- infants through adults. 

Click below to complete and print registration forms.

Sunday School Registration,  Permission and Release Form

Babies & Toddlers 0-2:

Moms & Kids:  Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m..  Activities include:  Bible study, fellowship and crafts.  Moms & Kids provides an uninterrupted time for busy, young moms to spend time together and grow in their own spirituality.  Child care is provided.

Pre-school & Kindergarten:

 

Vacation Bible School:  VBS is offered in the evenings the first

full week in June after school has concluded for the year.  It is

offered for 3 year olds - 6th grade, and adults.  It begins

with a family supper and centers around a

special theme each year. 

Elementary:

 

3rd -- 6th graders

Little League Monthly Events:  We offer all different kinds of opportunities for youth to grow as individuals and as a group.  Events are announced in the Bethel Youth News.  Activities include:  Rock Climbing, concerts, game nights, service projects and trips.

 

Quarterly Events:  Events are periodically during the school year summer -- trips to the cities, service projects, recreational activities.

Vacation Bible School:  VBS is offered in the evenings the first full week in June after school has concluded for the year.  It is offered for 3 year olds - 6th grade, and adults.  It begins with a family supper and centers around a special theme each year. 

Junior High (7th & 8th):

 

Confirmation:  Bethel has a 3-year confirmation program underlining the basics of faith as experienced by adolescents using Faith Incubator materials.  Confirmation is provided 5:30 - 7:00 pm on Wednesdays.

 

Hang Time:  Wednesdays - 2:50 to 5:30 p.m. - Provides a safe place to take a break between school and confirmation.

Monthly Events:  Jr. High youth are offered the opportunity to participate in youth gatherings, service projects, recreational events, lock-ins and other activities.

Mission Trips:  Each summer a mission trip geared for Jr. High youth is planned.

High School (9th - 12th):

Small Groups:  Bethel offers a small group experience led by adults in group member's homes on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7:45 - 8:45 p.m.  Transportation is provided at 7:30 from church to the small groups.  The small groups are centered around discussion of topical issues as well as Bible Study.

Peer Ministry:  Once a year, we offer an 8-week training course in Peer Ministry -- a program that empowers youth to be ministers and peer counselors among people their own age.  An advanced Peer Ministry course is offered after completing the first course.

Summer Trips:  Each year the Sr. High youth take a trip.  There is a rotation.  Year 1 -- ELCA Youth Gathering, Year 2 -- Mission Trip, Year 3 -- Recreational or Intergenerational Trip.  These are a highlight for many of our youth.

7th -- 12th Grade:

Holy Ground:  Holy Ground is a worship service led by youth for youth.  At Holy Ground, youth experience God's presence through all their senses.

 

God Squad:  This is a choir that shares the gift of music in worship with a contemporary music style.  It also provides opportunities during the year to lead the worship time in different ways.