Children -Classes are offered for children ages 2 years (by September 1st) through 5th grade. During Sunday School time, younger children (infants and toddlers) may experience the loving care of our Nurseries (see “Nurseries and Childcare” below). 2-Year-Olds - Building Blocks of Faith
Room 109
Using cardboard building blocks and Bible story books, our youngest preschoolers will hear stories of some of the people who are the “foundations” of our faith. They will also enjoy an art activity (very “process-oriented!) or a game, as well as a snack. This will also be their childcare room for the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services.
3-Year-Olds - Beulah Land
Room 110
Bible stories are told using flannel board figures, which the children are invited to use as well! The children are then invited to “wonder” together how the story might relate to their world. After the story the children will enjoy an art activity or game and a snack. This will also be their childcare room for the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services.
Pre K/4-Year-Olds through 3rd Graders - Godly Play
Pre K 4’s and Kinder: Room 211
1st graders: Room 204**
2nd & 3rd graders: Goleman Godly Play Room
Godly Play is an approach to children’s spiritual formation that is based on creating a “sacred space” in which to present the stories of our faith, to “wonder” about them together, and then to allow children open-ended opportunities (usually with art supplies) to engage in and respond to the story on their own terms. The stories are told simply and without interpretation, using beautifully crafted wooden materials which the children are free to work with and use.
**”Godly Play begins for 1st graders on October 16th, following the “Communion Instruction Class”.
4th and 5th Graders - Travel through the Bible
Room 216
These oldest elementary students will actually travel through the Bible in two years! The class is designed to meet the interests and needs of upper elementary students and includes special snacks (breakfast tacos!), occasional service projects and the ever-popular monthly Bible Jeopardy game. At the end of the year in May, the students challenge the parents to test their Bible knowledge in this game! This year’s focus is the New Testament.
Communion Instruction Class
September 11th - October 9th
Room 215
This class is especially geared for 1st graders and takes the place of their regular Sunday School class for these five Sundays. While not a “prerequisite” to receiving communion, this class invites children to begin to explore the meaning of the Eucharist and our worship service. This year, parents are encouraged to participate in the class with their children. Older children whose parents wish them to do so are welcome to join the class. The Episcopal Church requires only that persons be baptized in order to receive communion, so children who wish to attend this class must be baptized before October 9th. Contact Paige Matlock (paigem@stlukes-sa.net) for information on baptism.
Children with Special Needs
Please know that St. Luke’s welcomes children with special needs. Our goal is to integrate these children into our regular Sunday classes as much as possible. Please contact Ann Allen (ann@stlukes-sa.net) with any questions or concerns.
Nurseries and Childcare
Nursery care for children ages infant through Kindergarten is offered during all three morning services, as well as during Sunday School for infants and toddlers (2’s through Kinder have their own Sunday School classes; see above).
8:00 a.m. service - · Infants: Shepherd’s Room · 1- to 5-year-olds/Kinder: Noah’s Ark Room
9:00 a.m. service - · Infants: Shepherd’s Room · 1-year-olds: Noah’s Ark Room · 2-year-olds: Room 109 · 3-year-olds: Room 110 · 4- and 5-year-olds/Kinder: Room 108
11:00 a.m. service - · Infants: Shepherd’s Room · 1-year-olds: Noah’s Ark Room · 2-year-olds: Room 109 · 3-year-olds: Room 110 · 4- and 5-year-olds/Kinder: Room 108
Youth -St. Luke’s Youth Ministry is composed of 6th - 12th grade students. We offer a variety of small groups, bible studies, mission and outreach opportunities, and events that target specific ages and genders within this grade range. “BIG Questions, Real Answers”
September 11th- October 23rd
Youth Room
Why do we believe in God? In Jesus? Why does evil exist if God is purely good? We have lots of questions about our faith-which, by the way, is TOTALLY OKAY. God created us with inquisitive minds, so that we would learn more about Him and His impact on the world around us. Join us for the first seven Sundays of the fall to ask questions, discuss ideas, and develop answers.
Taking a Look at What’s Happening in the World Through a Young Believer’s Lens
October 30th - December 11th
Youth Room
The world is a beautiful yet troubled place. There is good to be seen, but it is often stained by the bad. How do WE, as young people that believe in Jesus, answer for what’s happening in the world?
Adults - Belonging, Believing, Becoming
September 11th - October 30th
Parlor
The Rev. John Badders will lead this course in the Church Parlor on Sunday mornings, beginning at 10:00 a.m. He will offer participants the chance to learn about St. Luke’s Church through a tour of the facilities and information about the past and present history of the parish. Fr. Badders will cover the theology and history of the Episcopal Church and Anglicanism. Finally, participants will learn how they can live out their faith through the ministries of St. Luke’s Church as well as their own ministries in the world. If you are new to the church, this is the class to prepare for membership and confirmation. If you have been a member for a while, and want to brush up on all things Episcopal, this is the class for you.
Lord Save Us From Your Followers
September 11th - December 18th
Room 201
Have you ever wondered why the Gospel of Love is dividing America? Lord Save Us From Your Followers (LSU) is an energetic engaging documentary that explores the collision of faith and culture in America. This class will watch segments of the documentary LSU then reflect on them with some (most likely) lively discussion. Led be the Rev. Stephen Carson.
The Rector’s Forum: The Letter of James
September 11th - October 23rd
Parish Hall
The Letter of James is one of the shortest books in the Bible. Within the 5 chapters the author describes the challenges of living in a Christian community that strives to embody Jesus’ commandment to love one another. The letter is filled with practical advice for Christians of every generation. The author also tackles interesting questions about healing, showing partiality, the relation of faith and works, and the contrast between godliness and worldliness. The Rev. David Read will lead a study of this letter.
The End of Time: Then and Now
September 11th - October 16th
Room 202
This six-week class will engage many aspects of apocalyptic texts that have shaped much of Western civilization in many ways. The first three weeks will address major biblical works and how these texts were intended to be understood in their own time. In addition, lesser known works such as the Animal Apocalypse and the books of Enoch will be discussed at this time. The second half of the course will address how these texts were interpreted and how they influenced Christian and European history. The last classes will focus on the role of apocalyptic thought in America’s history, present, and future. The class will be taught by Dr. Tim Milinovich, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Standing on Their Shoulders: Giants of the English Tradition
October 23rd - December 11th & January 8th - February 19th
Room 202
This class will examine those who shaped the English tradition, the foundations of our Episcopal Church. Teachers include Dr. Tim Milinovich, Rev. Wayne Knutson, Sylvia Maddox, Dr. Gill Cook, James Dennis, O.P., and Andrew Morrison. This material will be covered in 15 weeks, eight before and seven after Christmas. The Focus of the first section is: Bede and the Beginnings; Julian of Norwich (an early English mystic); William Tyndale (who translated the Bible into English); Cranmer and the Book of Common Prayer; Richard Hooker; the Caroline Divines; John Donne; and George Herbert and others. These men and women shaped the tremendous diversity of worship, faith and churchmanship we now call “Anglicanism.”
News & Reviews
Large Conference Room
This class examines issues from world politics, current affairs, church and cultural affairs and attempts to find what might be a Christian approach to them. Rather than the classic lecture style, this class focuses on open discussion. If there is disagreement, we at least hope to gain respect for sincere opposing views and to model creative listening advocated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Led by James R. Dennis, O.P.
