Rally Sunday
To kick off the programming year, we celebrate Rally Sunday in September.  
Sunday School
All children age three-sixth grade are invited to attend Sunday School!  Sunday School teachers use the Spark curriculum published by Augsburg Fortress.  Spark empowers kids' creativity and imagination as they explore Scripture through exciting activities that reinforce the lessons.  Sunday School is held from 9:55-10:55 on Sunday mornings.

Each week a Sunday School offering is collected. Children are encouraged to give a portion of their own money during this time. If your child receives an allowance, please encourage him/her to use some of that money for our Sunday School offering. Our goal is to help children practice the routine of joyfully and faithfully giving of what we have.

Sunday school classes participate in service projects throughout the programming year.
 
KDZ@SJLC for three through five year olds meets during Beloved Community on Wednesday evenings.  Connections of worship, education, and our church year help learners link faith to their daily lives through music, movement, crafts, stories, and games.
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The Lutheran Lakeside staff leads Vacation Bible School each summer.   The week is spent looking at the ways we can use our gifts, words, and actions to serve both God and others.  The children participate in songs, group games, devotions, crafts, and skits. 

Growing Together is a ministry team established to coordinate educational Christian family activities that encourage families to grow in their faith and share in fellowship such as:
--The “95 Theses Family Event” held in October which gives children and their families an opportunity to take part in a hands-on and educational celebration of Reformation Sunday.  The “95 Theses” event offers a series of interactive stations with activities for families to do together and some tasty treats just for fun.
--A Follow the Star Epiphany Family Event held on Epiphany Sunday.   Families have an opportunity to go on a treasure hunt and participate in fun and educational stations along the way that help them learn more about Epiphany.   
--Pentecost Family Event where families have an opportunity to do Pentecost-themed crafts, enjoy a yummy snack, and then gather outside in the fountain courtyard as they use the wind to send their prayers out into the world with … bubbles!
--The Long Green Season Family Event held in July.  Have you ever wondered…Why is the sanctuary so often decorated with the color green?  This family event gives families an opportunity to explore, discover, and have fun learning the answers to this and many other questions you may have about why we do what we do during worship at St. John’s!  

The rehearsals for the Children’s Advent Program are used as a tool to help children learn more about the meaning behind some of our Advent hymns and songs.  These hymns and songs along with Bible readings and reflections are shared at the Children’s Advent Program in mid December. 

People of all ages and walks of life are invited to be a part of this ministry.  For more information contact Sheryl Reed at 243-7691 ext.193 or sherylreed@stjohnsdsm.org.