Sunday School Information: The purpose of St. Andrew’s Sunday School is to bring the children of the church together to learn about Jesus and his life; to help them understand the bible by bridging everyday events with biblical events. We also want to encourage them to be the caring individuals Jesus wants each of us to be.
The job of the Christian mentors is to create a comfortable and secure setting which fosters a sense of community among the children and allows the children to blossom
Nursery (2 to 3 years old) -Volunteers still needed
Pre-K /Kindergarten (4 and 5 year olds)
Mentor – Marquita Speed
Primary -1st thru 3rd Grade (6, 7, and 8 years old)
Mentor – Simi Chandy
Intermediate -Grades 4th thru 6th (9, 10 and 11 years old)
Mentors – Beth Parker and Susan Ryan
Rite 13 - Grades 7th thru 8th (12 and 13 year olds)
Mentor – Lucy AdamsSunday School classes meet each Sunday expect on Youth Service Sunday’s for 2011 - 2012 (Oct 2, Jan 1, March 4, and May 6 )
Sunday School children will be with their families during the beginning of the 10am service. The children will then be dismissed right before the Homily to attend class. The children will return to service before the start of Communion.
St. Andrew’s Sunday School Curriculum: “Living the Good News”
For close to three decades, Living the Good News has provided mainline Christian churches with up-to-date Christian education resources based on the ancient cycle of Bible readings known as "the lectionary."
Living the Good News bridges our everyday stories with the timeless stories of our Christian faith-a celebration of God's unending love and grace!
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Sunday School Ministries:
The Sunday school participates in various ministries and outreach projects throughout the year. This year, we will sponsor a Fall, Winter, and Spring Outreach Project. This Fall we will be reading books to raise funds for the MS-Read-A-Thon, to help stop the effects of Multiple Sclerosis. Our Winter Outreach will be collecting shoe boxes with everyday items to send overseas for children in third world countries through “Operation Christmas Child”, and in the Spring, we will host “Alex’s Lemonade Stand” to help fight cancer.
The Sunday school will also honor and remember our deceased veterans of St. Andrew’s during Memorial day by helping the local VFW place flags on the their gravesites at the St. Andrew’s Church cemetery.
OUTREACH PROJECTS
Operation Christmas Child - An annual rite of passage for millions of families is Operation Christmas Child, the shoebox ministry managed by Samaritan's Purse bringing hope to disadvantaged children around the world. For more than fifteen years, families across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries have had a wonderful opportunity to impact the lives of less fortunate children across the globe. Through the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization headed up by Franklin Graham, Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 46 million shoeboxes filled with toys, personal hygiene items, booklets, school supplies, and other items not readily available locally to many of the recipients. What started out as a relatively small campaign to help homeless children in Romania has expanded into one of the largest relief and evangelical programs of its kind. It isn’t too early to start thinking about how you and your family can participate – Operation Christmas Child is your opportunity to impact young lives as well as demonstrate to your family the real meaning of Christmas giving. St. Andrew’s Sunday School students will be participating in Operation Christmas Child as an Outreach project. Each student is asked to bring in a shoebox with items listed above by Sunday, November 13th.
(MS READaTHON): MS (multiple sclerosis) means “many scars”. The disease has this name because it causes scars on the nerves of the body. The brain sends messages through the nerves to other parts of the body, but when scars form, they slow or stop these messages. As a result, some people with MS may have a hard time moving their arms, legs, or seeing and speaking clearly. The MS READaTHON offers children an opportunity to help people living with MS. The program encourages children to get sponsors and then read as many books as they can. For many children, MS READaTHON provides the first experience of raising funds for a worthy cause. In return for their efforts, the children will be able to choose from a range of prizes.
Please help your child get sponsors (it can be family, friends, and Church members). They also can read any type of genre of books for this project. This fundraiser will begin before the start of Sunday school. This is so we can get a head start on our first Outreach Project of the year. Sponsorships for the MS READaTHON will be announced.
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS A NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS: sundayschool.standrewschurch@verizon.net. Feel free to reach out to the Sunday school with any thoughts or ideas you have, and also let us know if you are interested in volunteering!
Youth Services:
Quarterly, on the first Sunday of that selected month, the Sunday school holds a “Youth Service” at the 10am in place of class. During this service, children volunteer to participate by doing things such as reading lessons, ushering, greeting and taking up the bread and wine.
Father Chandy uses his sermon time to preach directly to the children, who sit with him during the sermon. During Communion preparation, children join Father Chandy on the altar for a first-hand look at what takes place
DATES TO REMEMBER
Sept 18 - Sunday School Begins
Oct 2 - Youth Service 10am - NO CLASS
Jan 1 - Youth Service 10am - NO CLASS
March 4 - Youth Service 10am - NO CLASS
May 6 - Youth Service 10am - NO CLASS
J2A & EYC Update
November & December 2011
J2A = Journey to Adulthood Program. This program encompasses lessons, community service & fun, social events. The entire St. Andrew’s parish is embracing our young adults as they go through their journey to adulthood. We are all in this together. Keith & Lucy Adams are the coordinators of this program.
The J2A-Rite 13 Class is open to all 6th to 12th graders. They meet three Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. & 1 Saturday evening (The first Saturday, starting January 2012 after 5 p.m. service) a month. It’s not your typical Sunday School class, as you know it. (And yes, there is usually food!) We encourage all young adults to gather with us and then attend the 10 a.m. service. Friends welcomed! Lucy Adams is the facilitator.
EYC = Episcopal Youth Community. The EYC (aka: Youth Group) is open to all 7th to 12th graders. The normal schedule will resume in January with meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each month, unless noted. Due to the many activities in December (see the following schedule) we will not meet on that Thursday. Friends welcomed, even if they are not from St. Andrew’s. Steve Martin has taken on this ministry & is assisted by Lucy Adams.
Sunday, November 27: The J2A & EYC will meet normal 9 a.m. time. First Sunday in Advent. We will be working on the float, as we are trying not to do too much of this on school nights and wrapping up the loose ends of the Millennium Development Goals project. Please try to attend.
Thursday, December 1: J2A/EYC Float meeting. Time to be announced
Friday, December 2: Mt. Holly Tree Lighting Parade. The J2A & EYC Youth will be participating with a float. If you are a 7th-12th grader who wants to participate & you don’t have a part yet, talk to Mrs. Adams, Mr. Steve or Mrs. Stacy McBride as soon as possible. We will meet at St. Andrew’s at 5:30 p.m. to go to parade line-up.
Sunday, December 4th: 9a.m. J2A - Rite 13 Class (for all 6th-12th graders) meets downstairs of the Parish Hall.
World Aids Awareness Sunday – J2A & EYC = Meet inside by the front doors of our Church at 9:45 a.m. for this project. Let Mia Sanchez know if you will be attending today’s 10 a.m. service. The J2A/EYC will be lighting the Advent candle this week during the service– we need you. J
Sunday, December 11: J2A – Rite 12 Class meets downstairs of the Parish Hall at 9 a.m. Wrap-up Christmas Service Project.
Sunday, December 18: EYC Members Christmas Party at the Adams’ home from 1:30 to 4 p.m. No J2A-Rite 13 Class today. Homework: Be prepared for some fun! Holiday attire = Wear your reds & greens. R.S.V.P. – Geoffrey Adams (609) 894-9531 by 12/15. If you’d like to carpool or need a ride; let Mr. Steve or Ms. Lucy know. Directions will be in the mail.
Merry Christmas! No Classes today. See you on Thursday!
Thursday, December 29: Christmas in Philadelphia! This is open to all J2A & EYC Members. Come experience the sights & sounds of the City! We’ll take the PATCO high speed- line train into Philadelphia, walk to Macy’s to see the Grand Court Light Show (a tradition started in the 1950’s by John Wanamaker); take a walk back in time at the famous Dickens Village; and enjoy lunch at the restored Reading Terminal Market (There’s something for everyone here, even for the pickiest of eaters & for those of us w/ allergies. Pizza, Chinese, Deli foods, Amish Market, Italian Sausage, and of course, Philly cheese steaks and so much more!) YOU (Youth) need to R.S.V.P. by 12/21, so we can finalize arrangements. Parents/Guardians are welcomed too!
Leave: St. Andrew’s at 10 a.m.
Return: Approximately 4 p.m.
Dress: Casual. Wear comfortable walking shoes (No, it’s not far; just want you to be comfortable). Dress appropriately for the weather; especially if there’s a nip in the air – hat & gloves a must.
Cost: $10 - $15 for lunch/snack (In the past, we’ve been able to get lunch for a little under $10. The Terminal is one the cheapest places to purchase food, while also offering a wide variety of foods from junk to healthier selections.) Your transportation will be covered.
Bring: Your Christmas spirit! Please leave all electronics, except for cell phones (emergency use only) at home. Oh – You MUST have your permission slip turned in or you will not be able to attend.
RSVP: Miss Lucy or Mr. Adams by 12/21: (609) 894-9531 or lkadams55@comcast.net