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Making Disciples with Children and Youth
Children
First Year Visits
A pastoral visit is made to families between the child's first and second birthday, with resources to help the early faith development of their child.
Nursery
Children are welcome in worship at Memorial! Nonetheless, there is a nursery at Memorial Lutheran, staffed by teenage and adult volunteers from 8:20 a.m. to 12 noon on Sundays. It is primarily for toddlers to age 4.
Milestones of Faith
Pastors, parents, godparents, and other adults are involved in teaching their children the Christian faith at Memorial Lutheran. Intergenerational classes are offered for 2nd - 7th graders.
Three & four year-olds new to Sunday School have a welcome Open House Sept 9, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.; and a special blessing and anointing is bestowed upon them at the worship services Sunday, Sept. 10.
Second graders study the Lord's Prayer with their parents 9:45 - 10:45 Sundays 11/5 - 11/26
Third graders study the Apostles' Creed with their parents 9:45 - 10:45 Sundays 2/4 - 2/25 (Herzberg)
Fourth graders learn how to use the Bible with their parents 9:45 - 10:45 Sundays 9/17 - 10/15 (Herzberg) They are presented new study Bibles at 11:00 worship Sunday, Oct. 15.
Fifth graders study the Sacraments with their parents 9:45 - 10:45 Sundays 3/11 - 4/8 They are introduced to the Passover Seder meal 4/8; they have First Communion Sunday 4/22 at 11:00 a.m.
Sixth graders study the 10 Commandments with their parents 9:45 - 10:45 Sundays 11/5 - 12/10 (Burling)
Seventh graders study Worshiip with their parents 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesdays 1/10 - 1/31 (Herzberg)
Sunday School
Classes are offered on Sundays from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. for children age three through high school. Memorial is blessed with many experienced, committed teachers who volunteer to pass on the faith.
The curriculum of our Sunday School is a Bible-based series called "Come and See Jesus." Most Sundays the children are studying the bible passages they will hear read at the Sunday worship service, each class at its own developmental level. The curriculum includes story-telling, memory work, crafts and activities.
Sunday School Children's Music
Children from age 3 through 6th grade enjoy Bible songs each Sunday morning for 15 minutes during the Sunday School hour. Dennis Henderson and Eileen Miller are leaders. The children sing for worship at least once a month. This is an important activity for the children, and we commend parents who make it a priority.
Christmas Program
All Sunday School children are invited to participate in a musical Christmas program under the direction of Dennis Henderson. Rehearsals take place during Sunday morning music time, with a final rehearsal on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10:00 a.m. The program will be Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4:00 p.m.
A Note to Parents
In their baptismal promises, parents took primary responsibility to live and communicate the faith to their children. The truth is, the education and youth ministries of Memorial Lutheran do not have the influence which the home will have on the development of our children as disciples. You are influencing your child's faith every day: by your prayer or absence of prayer; by your regular worship or absence in worship; by your Bible study or your neglect of Bible study; by your values and patterns of service.
Our goal is to supplement the Living Faith you model and pass on to your children.
Middle School
Kid's Club
Children in 3rd - 6th grades are invited to be a part of the Kid's Club for learning, singing and fellowship. A typical Kid's Club night begins at 6:45 with Pastor Herzberg who offers an activity on a Bible theme; from 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. the children rehearse music to be offered a Sunday worship with choir director Terri Evans-Winfield; from 7:30 - 8:00 p.m. the children enjoy non-competitive games and tasty snacks under the supervision of their parents who take turns providing this portion of the Kid's Club. Kid's Club nights are Wednesdays Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 29, Jan. 10, Jan. 31, Feb. 28, Mar. 28, Apr. 25, May 23. The Kid's Club will offer music for 8:30 a.m. worship on Sundays Oct. 8, Nov. 5, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, Apr 8 (special Palm Sunday music at 8:30 & 11:00); and Apr 29 (cantata with Senior Choir at 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.)
Confirmation Preparation
Seventh-graders and their families prepare and serve "Breakfast at Memorial" to raise part of their camp fees. At the end of their seventh grade year, students attend Confirmation Camp at Lutheran Lakeside, East Okoboji, IA. This year's dates are June 10-15, 2001.
Eighth-graders gain greater insight and experience into the meaning of Christian life and faith in Wednesday evening confirmation classes from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. The youth move from large group instruction to small group interaction with parent/adult facilitators.
Eighth-graders also attend "YouthQuake" a weekend youth gathering in Des Moines Jan. 5-7, 2001; and participate in a funeral home visit in the early spring as part of their study about death and dying.
Homecoming Activity Night
7th & 8th graders will enjoy a night of games and music after the Nevada H.S. Homecoming Game until midnight, Oct. 20.
Christmas Vacation Dance
The parents of the 8th graders chaperone a Christmas Vacation dance at the Nevada Middle School featuring Ames Youth Club DJ Ron Cheeves. This fund-raiser for the cost of the "Youth Quake" weekend for eighth-graders in Des Moines, has become a popular tradition.
Preparing to be an Adult with Living Faith
High School
Sunday Morning Life-Talk
High school students grades 9 - 12 are invited to Sunday morning study and fellowship from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. under the leadership of Jim & Sylvia Perkins. Throughout the year the high school students discuss a variety of Christian life topics, meet in a classroom, a local restaurant, or a home. High school friends are always welcome.
"Captive Free" in Concert at Memorial
The Christian rock band, "Captive Free" will present a concert at Memorial on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7:00 p.m. High school youth groups from Nevada and Ames area churches are invited.
Confirmation Preparation
Ninth-graders gain greater insight and experience into the meaning of Christian life and faith in Wednesday evening confirmation classes from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. with Pastor David Burling.
Ninth-graders plan and complete a "servant project" in the summer after their ninth-grade year. The project is a get-acquainted activity with the mentors who will journey with them toward their confirmation in the fall.
Tenth Graders meet with adult Christian mentors six times in the fall to prepare for adult Christian commitment and Confirmation. The classes, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, begin with prayer and large group presentation, then 45 minutes of one-to-one conversation. A confirmation dinner with families and mentors Sunday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. celebrates this milestone. Confirmation Sunday is Oct. 29 at 11:00 a.m.
With Abstinence I'm Treasured (WAIT)
Eighth and ninth graders are offered an abstinence workshop every other year through Memorial. A parents' meeting will precede the workshop, Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 7:00 p.m. The workshop is held in two sessions, Saturday, Nov. 11, 1-4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12, 1-4 p.m., 2000.
Christian Marriage
How is dating, engagement and marriage different for Christians? Here's a two-session course for High School students and married adults, Sunday, Dec. 10 & 17, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
9th Grade Trip to Wartburg College
Ninth-graders are invited to a weekend at Wartburg College, Waverly, IA., March 17-18, 2001.
Nevada Christian Youth
The Nevada Professionals in Ministry are teaming up to provide regular high school youth events for all participating churches. The schedule of these events is not yet available.
Graduation Breakfast and Baccalaureate
High school graduates and their families are invited to a special breakfast on Sunday, May 27, 2001, prior to the 9:30 a.m. Baccalaureate Worship service here at Memorial. The graduates receive a benediction from the entire congregation in the courtyard.
Summer 2001 Servant and Adventure Trip to Appalachia
High school students are invited to an experience of a lifetime: a summer trip to Appalachia. Plans are underway to assist in a significant servant project for the poor, as well as mountain adventures.
High School Disciples
Venturing
Venturing is a new program at Memorial for young men and women ages 14-20 (who have completed eighth grade). It is a young adult, co-ed division of the Boy Scouts of America. Venturing will offer a variety of interesting activities, and opportunities to grow in Christian friendship. The program was approved by the congregation Council in June, 2000. Watch for information, or contact James Dalthorp and Steve Lekwa.
Youth on Teams
The Church Council has recommended that all Ministry Teams of Memorial Lutheran Church have at least one youth member. Service on a Team is usually for two years and begins in January. Team meetings are the first Wednesday of each month. A listing of the teams with the names of chairpersons can be found in this booklet on page 6. We invite you to contact them for more information.
Youth Teaching Children
Some of the most powerful examples of Christian discipleship for the children of our congregation are the high school youth who teach and chaperone Sunday school classes and middle school events. Contact the Education and Youth Teams for opportunities.
Service in the Congregation
Memorial welcomes high school students as participants with adults in its ministries. Youth may serve in a variety of worship ministries, the Senior Choir, Teams, education programs, care groups, hospitality and service ministries.