SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILD CARE CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT OFFERINGS ATTENDANCE & PINS CURRICULUM MUSIC FIRST COMMUNION EVANGELISM BIBLES REACHING BEYOND OURSELVES VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CAMP CALUMET LUTHERAN HOW PARENTS CAN HELP WHAT IS EXPECTED OF STUDENTS CONFIRMATION (FINK) and TEENS (TAGS)

This page describes our Sunday School, other learning opportunities, and activities that promote education and fellowship for our children. We hope you take advantage of all the opportunities to grow spiritually in your family's journey of faith.

Our Sunday School is cooperative, which means we rely on parents and members as volunteers to help create a loving environment for our children to learn about God's love and grow in their faith. Please consider supporting our Sunday School Programs in any way you are able but most importantly bring your children to Sunday School regularly.

Feel free to visit classes, talk to teachers, and offer suggestions. If you have any questions, visit or call the church office at (508) 366-7095.

In Christ's Service,

The Learning Committee

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School is available during the non-summer months for all children, ages 3 and older. Currently, two separate sessions are held for all ages, one during the 9:00am service, and one during the 10:30am service. Morning music for children occurs at 10:00, allowing children in both Sunday School sessions to have fellowship time together.

Classes begin after Labor Day, and continue into May. Please contact us by phone or email to obtain exact dates.

CHILD CARE

Professionally Staffed Childcare is provided for both the 9:00 and 10:30 services, during the non -Summer months. During the Summer Services, the childcare room is supervised by adult volunteers.

Our facilities are Handicapped Accessible .

back to top

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Each year our entire Sunday School gathers and prepares for a presentation of the Christmas story. The opportunity that the pageant brings is one for our children to share their faith and love for the Savior who came for all. The Christmas story is told through drama and music, so that all who attend come away with a wonderful sense of family, love and faith. The pageant is one that all ages enjoy followed by a pot luck meal. It it held on the Sunday of or before Christmas.

OFFERINGS

At Good Shepherd we strive to teach good Christian stewardship. Sunday School offerings are used to support many different projects. The offering is used to purchase supplies for the Sunday School. Additionally, this past year we were able to purchase musical instruments and pay two full camperships for Camp Calumet.

back to top

ATTENDANCE and PINS

In an effort to encourage regular attendance, Good Shepherd participates in the church pin program. Recognition pins are earned for 30 weeks of attendance, and are awarded in June or the following fall. A pin is earned the first year, a wreath to encircle the pin for the year two, and bars for every year thereafter. Each Sunday, teachers take attendance and every two months perfect attendance is celebrated at a special opening assembly.

CURRICULUM

The material used for 3 year olds through 6th grade is "Life Together", published by Augsburg Fortress . The children not only read and/or listen to Bible stories, they also get to explore them in interesting and memorable ways through the use of teaching aids such as wooden figures, marbles, Frisbees, costumes, etc.

The 7th and 8th grades use material designed to complement their week day confirmation class. They also use a magazine called "Youth Talk", published by Augsburg Fortress. This format contains fiction and poetry as well as Bible references to stimulate discussions of real life issues from a Christian perspective.

back to top

MUSIC

Music is an integral part of the Sunday School curriculum. The children learn fun Christian songs in which they interact with each other. They also learn songs to share with the church congregation throughout the year. Music time occurs weekly.

FIRST COMMUNION

Instruction in the sacrament will be offered to children in 3rd grade and above.

Parents are asked to come to the first class in order to be informed on the program of instruction, and to be better prepared to provide family support for this special time in their child's life. The booklet Come to God's Table will provide the study materials. The study time on Sundays and at home will help deepen the understanding and interest of the children who are preparing for participation in Holy communion.

Most Lutheran congregations prepare children for communion in the 5th grade. However, we also know that some children have been prepared to receive these gifts of love at an earlier age. Those children in the 5th grade who are already communing, are also asked to participate in our First Communion Classes. They, too, will find this to be a good opportunity for renewed appreciation for this sacrament.

back to top

EVANGELISM

Good Shepherd Sunday School encourages children to be witnesses of Jesus' love. Our Lord has commanded, love and teaching of his word to our children. As part of this challenge, we encourage all children, parents, and teachers to bring children who do not attend our Sunday School to join us in Sunday School and worship. We also designate certain Sundays throughout the school year as special "Bring a Friend Sunday".

BIBLES

Good Shepherd Sunday School provides Bibles to all children above the 2nd grade. The word of God is important in our life and in the life of our Sunday School. The Bibles presented to our children are used in the classroom through the years.

back to top

REACHING BEYOND OURSELVES

The Sunday School takes part in many community events. The children have assisted the church by helping others who are less fortunate. Some of the community programs we sponsor are:

• Food collection for the Westborough Food Pantry;
  
• Thanksgiving Basket Collections for needy families in Westborough;
  
• Hop-A-Thon for Easter Seals;
  
• Jeremiahs' Inn, a residence for homeless men in Worcester;
  
• Toys for Tots;
  
• Fundraising for camperships for Camp Calumet;
  
• Rosie's Place, a residence in Boston for homeless women.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Don’t miss out on an out-of-this-world adventure at the Westborough Ecumenical Vacation Bible School, August 13-17, 2007 with the theme, "Sonforce Kids: Special Agents". Download the 2007 Registration form for more details.

It is offered each summer during the second week of August. Vacation Bible School is an ecumenical effort of six churches in Westborough, including Good Shepherd. Children ages 4 through grade 6 are welcome to attend the five days from 9:00 to 12:15 a.m. at two of the participating churches. The morning consists of an opening by a different Pastor each day, class time, music time, craft time and a nutritional snack time. Registration is in June and July. Approximately 150 children attend each year.

back to top

CAMP CALUMET

A place for all ages to go during the year to celebrate their faith and to meet other people from the New England Synod. The camp is more than a summer camp for children, it is a camp for all ages to attend and grow in deep spiritual relationships. The camp is set on the beautiful Ossipee Lake in Ossippee, New Hampshire. Camp Calumet offers to the children at Good Shepherd many opportunities of fellowship, worship and a place just to have fun. The different activities that occur are summer camp for the children, winter camp in February, weekend retreats for different age groups, and family camping opportunities for the entire family during the year. Good Shepherd Sunday School is committed to sharing the Calumet experience with all children because it is one of love, joy, and faith.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

Many studies have shown that the home is the primary force shaping a child's beliefs and values. Christian teaching learned in the home are reinforced in the church. The hour a week a student spends in Sunday School requires support at home to be effective.

We, as parents, can actively assist in developing our children's spiritual growth. Please consider:

1. Bringing your children to Sunday School regularly;
2. Discussing Sunday's lessons with your children;
3. Encouraging a Christian life and faith;
4. Observing a regular worship and prayer time at home;
5. Praying for our children, the teachers, and the Sunday School;
6. Bringing our children to church services regularly;
7. Setting a Christian example;
8. Practicing good stewardship by making regular contributions to the Lord.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF STUDENTS

We request that students:

1. Show respect for God's House and God's Word;
2. Show respect for Sunday School Teachers;
3. Have regular and punctual attendance;
4. Show a willingness to learn and cooperate with teachers;
5. Participate in a special programs and services;
6. Care for their Sunday School materials;
7. Show an interest in bringing others to Sunday School;
8. Lead a Christian life every day.

back to top