
Christian Education
“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:20)
Jesus’ call to his followers is always one of discipleship, and a disciple is one who continues to learn the great teachings of God’s Word that are found in the Holy Scriptures (John 5:39).
Part of Christ’s call to his Church to fulfill his great commission of making disciples of all peoples is to provide for their ongoing Christian education. As Jesus made plain during the time of his own 40-day temptation period in the wilderness, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God!” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3).
Christ wants his followers to not only learn more about him, but to know him more intimately. As the Apostle Peter said, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” 1 Peter 2:2
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR ALL AGES
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
The Sunday school hour begins at 9:15 AM. There are classes for children from age three years through high school and a class for special needs children, Circle of Friends.
Children through fourth grade join together at the beginning of Sunday school for singing and their weekly Bible story. Afterwards, children and teachers go to their classrooms to review the story and complete activities that reinforce the week’s lesson and scripture. Pictured below is the early elementary class with a hands-on reenactment of Naaman being cleansed of his leprosy by bathing in the muddy Jordan River.
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Mount Olive has a special needs class that begins at 9:15 AM for Sunday School and lasts through the 10:30 AM worship service. There is a trained special education teacher and a faithful group of volunteers who share Jesus’ love. Because of this class, parents of special needs children are able to participate in adult Bible class and worship service. Circle of Friends includes Christian Education, IEP objectives, and many hands-on activities.
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
During the summer, the children explore a variety of themes. A summer may be spent learning The Ten Commandments or exploring the many animals found in the Bible. Parents, grandparents, and others volunteer to teach so that the regular teachers can have a break. Pictured below: The children have completed the lesson on sheep and are making a snack: an edible sheep from icing, pretzels, and popcorn. The water bottles remind the children that they are Jesus’ sheep and He is The Good Shepherd. At the top of the picture is the sheep pen and 99 cotton ball sheep and the one lost sheep that the shepherd found and returned to the fold.
EARLY COMMUNION CLASSES
Children in the fifth grade may participate in a series of instructional classes about the doctrine of The Lord’s Supper. Parents who believe that their children are ready to receive Holy Communion with the Pastor’s consent may be admitted to the Lord’s Table prior to their confirmation.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES
When children are baptized in the Lutheran Church, parents promise to provide for the further instruction of their children in the teachings of the Christian faith. To help parents with their important spiritual obligation, Lutheran churches offer multi-year confirmation classes. The class studies the Bible one year and then Luther’s Small Catechism the next year. At Mount Olive, classes begin with fifth graders (and older youth who have not been confirmed) and their parents. Our vision is for those involved in confirmation to strengthen their relationships with Christ and with each other. Parental involvement helps students to grow into the life of the congregation and creates additional mature Christian relationships for each child. Through these relationships, students will grow in their understanding of God’s boundless love and grace for each of them.
YOUTH CLASSES
There are classes for middle and high school students, which foster spiritual growth as our youth ready themselves for remaining faithful in today’s world. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
BIBLE STUDIES FOR ADULTS
There are opportunities for Bible studies and classes both on Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM and during the week. These classes may study a book of the Bible or other Christian topics. See the current Newsletter or Calendar for details.
NEW MEMBER CLASSES
New member classes are taught by the pastor at various times throughout the year during the Sunday school hour, for a six-week time period. Those who are new to the Lutheran Church, as well as lifelong Lutherans, are invited to attend these classes in order to review the basic Biblical teachings of Christianity and the particular emphases of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
CHURCH NURSERY
The church nursery or cry room was updated in 2022 with new flooring, furniture, and toys. Parents are welcome to stay with their little ones during worship and may listen to the service from the nursery speaker. A favorite place to explore is the set of cabinets that house the toys. Children may choose to play there, with the cabinet doors open, of course!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
During the summer, Mt. Olive has Vacation Bible School. VBS time is filled with Bible stories, singing, crafts, & games! Here are a group of children from VBS making wooden-framed crosses with sea glass designs embedded in them. News on our current VBS is in the sidebar on this page.
Current Sunday Morning
Bible Classes – 9:15 AM
March 2023 Sunday School and Bible Classes for All Ages
Click the above link to find the location and focus of our classes. The downstairs classrooms are accessible by stairs or elevator.
ADULT CLASSES
In 2022-2023, the adults classes will join together on Sunday mornings for a combined class taught by our teachers, Sandy Osborne and Barry Bost. The teachers will rotate in approximately in 6-week cycles, with Pr. Walt taking a rotation at times. Location: Fellowship Hall
Pastor’s Adult Bible Class: The Book of Jeremiah
From time to time, Pr. Walt teaches a 6-week rotation of our Adult Bible Class. His next class, beginning January 29th will look at the book of Jeremiah.
Fellowship Hall
Teacher: Pr. Walt Harper
Time: Sundays, 9:15 AM, January 29 – March 12, 2023
Sunday Morning Bible Study: Biblical Reconciliation
“The Bible talks a great deal about forgiveness and its ultimate foundation, reconciliation. But what is reconciliation? What does the Bible say we should do about it? Why do we need it? And what does it actually look like in real life?
“Reconciliation has much to do with transformation. It is the moving from a place of separation, hurt, and brokenness to a place of healing, wholeness, forgiveness, and reunion. It’s taking the wrong and covering it with the cleansing power of God.” (author, Jessica Brodie)
Join us for this exciting class where we will look at reconciliation in several Biblical accounts and in our own lives and ministry.
Fellowship Hall
Teacher: Sandy Osborne
Time: Sundays, 9:15 AM, March 19-April 30, 2023
The Lectionary Epistles: A Longer Look at the Lessons
The adult class will turn its focus to the weekly epistles based on the 3-Year Lectionary, Year A, found in the Lutheran Service Book, pages xiv-xv.
Fellowship Hall
Teacher: Barry Bost
Time: Sundays, 9:15 AM, beginning May, 2023
Ladies’ Book Club: Be Thou My Guide
All ladies are invited to attend a Bible Study and time of fellowship on the first and third Tuesdays, 7:00 PM. Beginning on February 7, 2023, the group will work through Be Thou My Guide: A Bible Study on Trusting God, by Margo Heath-Dupre. Be Thou My Guide encourages us to draw close to the Lord with trusting hearts and minds and not to rely on ourselves or choose the ways of the world. Use this study to be encouraged, to develop diligence to live as a child of God, and to practice intentional Christian living. The book may be purchased from CPH.org. Please feel free to join in even if you haven’t read the book. We have great fellowship and the leader will synopsize the chapter so you will still get valuable information from attending!
Fellowship Hall
Facilitator: Renee Harper
Time: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 7:00 PM, February – June 2023
New Members Classes – Beginning February 19, 2023
Throughout the year, Pr. Walt teaches a series of classes for potential new members. Are you interested in learning more about the teachings of the Lutheran Church? Would you like to review these teachings in a fresh way? Are you considering membership at Mount Olive? Are you already a member who would like to get to know some of our newer folks? If you answer, “yes” to one or more of these questions, this six-week class is for you! Sign up to attend the class by calling or emailing the church office. For more information about his next series of classes, contact Pr. Walt.
Fellowship Hall
Teacher: Pr. Walt Harper
Time: Sundays, 2:00 PM, beginning February 19, 2023
Pr. Harper’s Midweek Bible Study: TBA
Pr. Walt teaches several series of Wednesday Bible Studies throughout the year. Pastor’s next series of classes will be announced closer to the time.
Fellowship Hall
Facilitator: Pr. Walt Harper
Time: Wednesdays at 1:30 PM or 7:00 PM – TBA
VBS 2023: It Happened in Babylon!
The Mt. Olive VBS team is excited to announce that VBS 2023 for children age 3 – rising 5th graders will be here on June 14-16! VBS will be jam-packed into 3 evenings from 6:00 – 7:45 PM.
Here is the overview: Daniel did more than survive a den of hungry lions! Join Daniel—torn from his home and forced into the king’s service. Imagine the pressure of learning a new language and culture…and the shock of discovering your best friends have been tossed into a fiery furnace. Explore exotic sights and smells in a Babylonian bazaar! Kids and adults will find that they’re not much different from Daniel and his friends, who kept their faith in a faithless culture. (Group.com)
Be on the look out for updates and announcements in May.
Registration for 2023 VBS will be coming in late spring. Guests are always welcome at Mt. Olive’s VBS!
We are looking forward to another great adventure!