Sunday School
In Mark 10:14, Jesus says, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”
We recognize that shepherding the children of our congregation is important, not only for the sake of their faith, salvation, and spiritual well-being, but for the well-being of the Christian church and even of this world, as we train them for fruitful lives of service to God and to be courageous witnesses to Him.
Hope Lutheran Church is happy to offer Sunday School every Sunday from 9:00 to 9:45 AM during the school year (September through May) for children aged 4 through 8th grade. Here, your child can learn to know Jesus and grow in the gifts baptism gives, grow in his/her knowledge of God and the Bible, and interact with other children in the church. We encourage adults and confirmed youth to join us in Bible Class during this same time.
If your child is not yet baptized, we want to baptize him/her! Baptism is not a work that we need to wait to do; it is a miraculous gift of God, “it is for your children” (Acts 2:39) to become God’s children as He washes them clean of sin and gives the gift of faith and new life in Christ! Call us to talk about Baptism!
Bible Classes
My eyes fail from searching Your word. (Psalm 119:82)
Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
The Lord not only wants us to believe that His Word is true. He wants us to keep searching His Word daily, for our whole life. We arm ourselves against the devil’s attacks with His Word, which is the sword of the Spirit. Faith comes through the Word, but faith is also kept by continuing in the Word, so that faith is our shield in battle, the battle of the conscience.
Bible Classes are a great way to learn about God’s Word because we learn at our own pace and take time to ask questions and bring up important topics for discussion. Often, someone will bring up a question they were asked by a friend, and we’ll talk about it; this also helps the evangelism task so that members can talk about God’s Word to people they know, when the other person is hungry to hear it! Our pastor leads our Bible classes.
Hope Lutheran Church offers Bible Classes on Sundays from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. and a midweek Bible Class on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Please join us! Anyone can come!
Lord, Thy words are waters living where I quench my thirsty need.
Lord, Thy words are bread life-giving; on Thy words my soul doth feed.
(Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #230:3)
Youth Catechism
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Beginning in 7th grade, baptized children of our congregation attend a 2-year study of the basic Lutheran teachings using Luther’s Small Catechism. At the completion of this instruction, they publicly confess their faith, as they are confirmed. Then they are received as communicant members so that they can receive the Lord’s Supper with the congregation. It’s so joyful! When a young person is confirmed, the baptismal sponsors’ promises to see to it that they are brought up in the faith are fulfilled.
The larger goal of youth catechism instruction, or catechesis, is to have a deeper faith and understanding of God’s Word and a closer relationship with their Savior. They learn by heart the primary texts of the catechism (the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer; also the main Scripture references of the Sacraments). We use the ELS catechism explanation, which adds Bible verses and questions and answers to more fully explain what these main teachings of Scripture are. Then they are able to discuss God’s Word, witness the faith to others, and have a rich prayer life. We approach this class as an entrance into a lifelong, close walk with God.
Ponder all God’s truth can teach you, let His word your footsteps guide;
Satan’s wiles shall never reach you, though he draw the world aside.
Lo, God’s truth is thy defense, light, and hope and confidence:
Trust in God, He’ll not deceive you; pray, and all your foes will leave you.
(Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #256:5)
Newcomers’ Class (“God Says, We Believe”)
The best way to learn exactly what our church believes and teaches about the Bible, and to be able to receive holy communion with us, is to enroll in this class; this is the path to membership at Hope Lutheran Church. We title this class “God Says, We Believe” to emphasize that what the Bible says forms our faith. We cover the main teachings of the Bible by means of the teachings of Luther’s Small Catechism, but in a briefer way than in the youth catechism.
This course is 10-12 classes of 1 hour each. At the end of the class, you have the option of joining our congregation as a member, or not; there’s no pressure. Sometimes a group of people take the class together; sometimes people prefer one on one. We are flexible in how we schedule it. We invite members of our church to attend the class, too, as a way to refresh their faith.