Sunday School 2004

Presently we have 61 enrol1ed in our Pre-K through Sixth Grade program.

January-March

Our eighth annual Bowling Bash had 25 in attendance at Riviera Bowl. Twenty people enjoyed the high school pool during our February Fun and Float. We again collected donations for the Mexican Children’s Refuge for our Lenten project. Our contributions totaled $1,370. March was church camp month, with students decorating envelopes for camp donations. These donations from the congregation help summer campers with their camp costs. We had 55 people join the fun at Jan & Dean’s Rolling Wheels for our annual roller-skating party

April-May

On Palm Sunday, students participated in the annual palm procession at the 10:30 service. We had approximately 80 people join us for our Easter Party. The festivities included an egg hunt, treats, face painting, the “Bouncy House,” and balloons by Denman Kramer. Our Sunday School year closed with Sundae Sunday. We celebrated with ice cream, awards, and treats. Pastor Herb and Bev Feierabend shared a Mexican piñata with us.

June-August

Morris Press published our church cookbooks, “Recipes From The Heart.” The Sunday School began selling them for $8 each. Vacation Bible School was held June 14-18. Kelli Straight has taken over as coordinator for this ecumenical program. Thirty-five students attended “Hero Quest: Powered By Faith.” Nine campers received financial aid through the generous camp fund donations. Students attended camp at Pilgrim Center or Moon Beach. We held our third annual brat stand in July at Piggly Wiggly. We sold approximately 1,040 brats and hot dogs in two days. Our profit was $1,269. By the end of summer, we were sold out of cookbooks. We were very happy with this successful venture. Our profit from the cookbooks was $1,704.

September-November

The 2004-2005 Sunday School year began on September 12. The “Bouncy House” was the entertainment for the annual picnic. The third Sunday of each month continued to be Children's Sunday at the 10:30 service. The Sunday School Choir sings and there is a children's meditation. For our fal1 event, 55 people gathered at Green Thumb Farms and enjoyed a hayride, picking out pumpkins, and exploring Pumpkin Land. The newly forming youth group sponsored a Halloween party for the Sunday School. Fifty people were present at the party and had a terrific time. The Sunday School students presented Pastor Bob with an album of photos and messages as a going away gift. The students and staff presented him and Sharon with a digital camera so they could send us photos. There were many tears and hugs as Pastor Bob and Sharon left for Washington. The Sunday School collected $115 for UNICEF. The Harvest Home project was again a success. We had a full truckload of items to donate.

December

During Advent, volunteers began lighting the altar candles before worship services. Other students volunteered to greet on Children’s Sunday. Volunteers will continue to be scheduled through May. Grades 5 & 6 painted the windows for the season. Our choir participated in the Music Festival. White Gifts were collected for the H.E.L.P. project. Our birthday party for Jesus was celebrated on December 12. The annual Christmas program was held on December l9—the theme being “love.” Approximately 235 people attended the 10:30 service. We received our reorder of cookbooks and started our sales again.

My heartfelt thanks to Pastor Bob, Pastor Denise, Pastor Kendell, and the Sunday School staff, for their dedication to our Christian ministry program.

When the Sunday School choir sang Jesus Loves Me on January 16, Pastor Kendell told the students he heard God’s voice when they sang.

I also heard God’s voice during the Christmas Program when they sang Pass It On. If you were there, perhaps you heard Him too. Their voices were loud and full of love. They filled my heart with joy. When I wrote the program this year, I was far from joyous. I shed many tears that our friends Pastor Bob and Sharon had left on a new journey. I chose Pass It On as I pondered over how this song described Pastor Bob’s ministry here.

It only takes a spark to get a fire going
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it you spread His love to everyone;
You want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend this happiness that I’ve found
You can depend on Him,
It matters not where you’re bound

Pastor Bob started many sparks in his 15 years here. Not only within our congregation, but throughout the whole community. He started so many sparks—he left us with quite a bonfire! After a recent visit to Blaine, I saw Pastor Bob starting his sparks in a new community. They need him and already feel God’s love through him.

God’s voice rings clear in the singing of our youth. These students have been blessed by being a part of a compassionate congregation. God’s work doesn’t stop here. God wants us to share His words, Christian love, and the work of disciples like Pastor Bob.

As we look to the new year ahead, we ask God for strength. We have a big job to do. We must keep the fire going. God needs us to do His will. Pastor Bob needs us to carry on his work. We need each other for love and support. Our youth need us, as they are the future of this church. With the leadership of Pastor Kendell and Pastor Denise, the strength of this congregation, and the diligence of the Search Committee—we move forward.

Come to church! And may God be with us as we keep the fire going in 2005!

Margaret McFarlane, Superintendent

Pastor Denise leads this class, which meets in the lower lounge of the education building basement from 9:10-10:10 on most Sundays. The topics vary from scripture studies to discussions of relevant issues. Last fall we looked at “The Gospel According to Peanuts”; currently we are studying the Book of Ruth. All adults are welcome to attend.