Sunday School/Youth
Sunday School
Sunday School 2021-2022 This year, under the leadership our superintendent Megan Neeb, we will be doing our Sunday School program a little bit differently than years past. During worship, the children will be invited to the front of the sanctuary for a short message by Pastor Scott. Then, they will be dismissed with the Sunday School staff for fun, enriching reinforcement of the lesson. They return to their families during the sharing of the peace, so they will not miss out on Holy Communion, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Blessing. The curriculum will typically follow the lectionary (the reading used in worship), so the class activities will reinforce the important Bible lessons learned each week. The classes will be fun, safe, and intergenerational. During fellowship time, we will be planning songs and other activities in the sanctuary.
From September through November an Old Testament story is taught each week. Advent begins right after Thanksgiving. The four Sundays of Advent, we discuss the events leading up to Jesus’ birth at Christmas, usually with special songs or programming. After the new year, lessons move into Jesus’ time on earth and what the apostles experienced. During Lent we teach the events that led up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Our students know that Easter isn’t just about bunnies, but about our Lord coming back to life. Many New Testament lessons round out the year until we break for the summer.
First Communion
Children are invited to attend First Communion classes in the spring of 3rd or 4th grade. Confirmation preparation will now include Grades 6 -8. Pastor Scott teaches them about the items in the altar area, why we have them, and what the bread and wine mean. He also explains they will be able to serve as acolytes and what’s involved. First Communion is held on a Sunday near the end of May.
Confirmation classes span two years, 7th – 8th grades. In the fall of 9th grade, the confirmands meet with our Pastor for about eight weeks. Confirmation is at the end of October on Reformation Sunday. As part of the ceremony, confirmands say how they will be involved at church, such as reading the lesson during worship or working in the food pantry. Confirmands are adult members of the congregation and are encouraged (not forced though!) to take up duties that appeal to their talents.
Lutheran League
The Luther League at Triumphant Cross began as a fellowship ministry for tweens and teen between Grades 5-8. The goal was to begin the building blocks of friendship and service through safe, fun, and enriching activities. Meeting typically twice a month, the group of Middle School students enjoy time playing games, doing devotions, volunteering time, and forming friendships. Fellowship building activities include fun and games at church (especially popular was flashlight tag in the dark), roller skating at the rink, Laser Tag mania, bouncing off the walls at XtremeCraze, carving Jack-o-lanterns, getting lost in corn-maze, and rolling California Roll sushi. Service activities included sorting and dating food pantry donations from the Boy Scouts of America and the Postal Food Drive and organizing the “turkey bags” for Thanksgiving. 2020 plans are underway to continue to build important bonds between the Luther League kids—to strengthen their faith, give them positive influences, and most importantly have fun. New participants (including friends) and new volunteers are always welcome. Emily Howard is the Luther League Captain.
Youth
You’ve come up through the ranks of Sunday School classes, you got confirmed at the beginning of 9th grade, and now you’re officially an adult member of the church. What’s next? The E3 (Enrich, Energize & Equip) youth ministry is coordinated by Karen & Drew Mather. Older teens meet regularly for fellowship, faith0building, and outreach. E3 youth are welcome at every level of involvement at TCLC. Youth sing in choir, play handbells, and teach Sunday School. Youth read the lessons during worship and serve as communion assistants. Anything you find older adults doing at church, you find youth alongside.
TCLC’s youth program is constantly changing according to the interests of its youth and the support of interested adult volunteers. In the past E3 has led the Campaign for Coffee to support the Bread of Life Food Pantry, and collected socks and underwear for Isaiah 58. E3 and a crew of over forty volunteers picked up trash in the muddy parking lots of the NH Motor Speedway in Loudon. Almost 2K was raised!
