Atonement Lutheran Church: Catechetics

Catechetics at Atonement
2009-2010

+ WORSHIP +

Worship is central to our lives together as a community of faith.  Catechetical students are expected to attend worship weekly: Sundays at 8:30 or 11:00 a.m.  Our Wednesday evening (7:30 p.m.) services will take place on the second Wednesday of the month, and each Wednesday during the seasons of Advent and Lent.  We insist each student attend at least 25 worship services, with regularity. 

A completed worship slip verifies your attendance at a worship service.  At the end of worship, write your name and date on a slip and turn it in personally to one of the pastors. The worship slips are found on the top of the cabinet to the right of the doors leading into the nave of the church.  If there are none on top of the cabinet, look in the top drawer.  Acolytes and choir members must turn in worship slips even though they participate in the service.  For double protection, always sign the members and visitors attendance book in the pews, too.  If turning in a bulletin from another church, be sure your name and the date is on it.

+ LEARN +

The study of the Scriptures and the Small Catechism, written by Martin Luther for religious instruction in the home, has long been a major part of study in the Lutheran church.  Students are expected to attend each class; we insist each student attend 25 classes.

This year the curriculum will explore Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.  Text books will be the Lutheran Handbook and the Lutheran Study Bible (New Revised Standard Version); both may be purchased for $25.00.  Classes are held on Sundays during the Sunday School hour, 9:45-10:45 a.m., in the Atonement Parish Center, adjacent to the main church building.  Timeliness is of the utmost importance; if the student is late, he/she will not get credit for that class.  Teachers are well-trained lay members of the congregation.  Members of the pastoral staff of the congregation also meet with the students as they progress through the program.

+ SERVE +

Each of us has been called by God to spread the Good News of Jesus to the world by our words and our deeds.  We are encouraging lives of Christian service through the habit of serving others at a young age.  This year the program is a little different than in years past.  Each month, one (or more) service event/opportunity will be offered.  We insist each student serve in at least 6 events throughout the year.  

One of these service projects will be participation in worship in one of three ways. 

• Acolyte – We will train you and a schedule will be sent out.  Participating as an acolyte is worth one service project.
• Youth Choir – The youth choir meets weekly on Wednesdays from 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. and sings in worship monthly.  Participating in the choir is worth two service projects. 
• Youth Hand bells – The youth hand bell choir meets Tuesdays from 6:45-7:15 p.m. and rings in worship several times each year.  Participating in the hand bell choir is worth two service projects.

Participating in more than one of the above worship pieces is allowed and encouraged.  There will be a variety of other events offered to round out the total of six service projects including serving the needy (a group serves at Opportunity House monthly), to raising money for a good cause (such as the CROP Walk on October 11 or a Youth Fund Raiser).  The service projects will be happening throughout the year.  Keep an eye out in the newsletter and the weekly announcements for places to serve.  A few others:  Christmas Caroling in December, Youth Sandwich Sale in February, and Vacation Bible School in the summer.

+ PRAYER +

Prayer is also an important part of our lives as Christians.  It is expected that the students take part in prayer in their daily lives and in class.  We are shaped by prayer; we put voice to our concerns before God through prayer.  Learning to pray is a beneficial part of each Christian’s life.  We insist that the students make prayer a part of their lives. 

+ AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM +

Students who have completed two years of catechetical classes and have included these marks of discipleship in their lives will later affirm their baptism in the presence of the gathered community.  The students will begin attending the Senior High class where the focus is on questions of faith and what it means to live as a faithful, committed Christian.