Calvary Lutheran Church
Children's Ministry
Sunday school
Age 4 through sixth grade
Children of Calvary Lutheran Church receive special attention when it comes to the teachings of the Bible. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). Jesus loves children and insists that they be taught his truths from little on by parents/guardians and the church.
From 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. (except during the three summer months) the children of our Sunday school are taught stories from the Bible that are specifically written for their age level. In addition, projects, crafts, and memorization of Bible passages are also part of the curriculum. Class sizes are small so that individual attention can be given. Sunday school is open to the community and not just members of the church.
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Confirmation instruction
Seventh and eighth grades
Confirmation instruction is offered to all seventh and eighth graders who desire to learn the teachings of the Bible. The two-year course uses Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, specifically designed for their age level. New classes begin in the fall and are open to all. The date and time are flexible, but currently classes are conducted for an hour and 15 minutes on Saturday afternoons at 4 p.m. Following confirmation instruction, a long-standing tradition in the Lutheran Church is a public examination of the confirmands, followed by the Rite of Confirmation in a Sunday morning worship service. This Rite gives the confirmands the opportunity to confess their faith and be welcomed into communicant membership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It is a special event for all as it means that the confirmands have been thoroughly instructed in the truths of God’s precious Word and are eligible to be received as communicant members.
Children's message in worship
Children who are sixth graders and younger are given special attention in our Sunday morning worship services when they come to the front of the church for a brief spiritual message by the pastor. The message usually involves an object lesson that is fun and can drive home the main point.
Children's Christmas service
Christmas is such a happy time of the year, especially for children. But sometimes in the midst of all the decorations, Christmas trees, and presents, the true message of Christmas is lost, that God sent a Savior to the world. One way to prevent this from happening is to involve children in a Christmas service and message that they can present to parents, friends, and congregation. Each year Calvary Church conducts a Christmas service in which the hildren recite, read, and sing about the birth of Jesus and the meaning for our lives. Participation by children in the community is welcomed and encouraged. Watch our website for details.
Summer camp
Good Shepherd Bible Camp is a full week (6 nights/days) of fun in the California mountains (about 7000 feet high) during July. This is a chance to have fun with old friends and make new friends while you apply God's Word to your life, play games, eat good food, swim, canoe, shoot arrows, sing around a campfire, play volleyball/ basketball, run around in the gaga pit, build a fort, and do a little hiking. The camp is open for children going into 4th grade through 10th grade as of the Fall.