St. Andrew Lutheran Church

1901 62nd Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Senior Pastor Mark E. Kreemer

E-mail: standrewluth@verizon.net

Phone: (727) 864-3103

Fax: (727) 906-4833

© 2011 St. Andrew Lutheran Church

EDUCATION / Sunday School / Bible Study / Confirmation Program / First Communion

Sunday School

You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul . . . teach them to your children.—Deuteronomy 11:18-19

We have Sunday school for all ages.

Our curriculum for children’s Sunday school is “One Room Sunday School.” The class is taught by Pastor Mark. Lessons include games, music, scripture readings, and other activities. On one occasion they made the bread that was later used during Holy Communion.

Beginning in October, the adult Sunday school class will study The Greatest Story, a 16-session basic introduction to the Bible. The Greatest Story covers the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation as it introduces key people, places, and events in an easy-to-understand story. Participants are invited to explore where they fit in the greatest story and how the greatest story fits in their lives. The Lutheran Study Bible is at the core of each lesson, guiding participants through an engaging learner resource that brings the Bible to life through stories, illustrations, and reflections. Each session is visually depicted through captivating session videos that feature the sand art of renowned artist Joe Castillo. The Greatest Story can come alive for you as you share the great stories of faith. The class meets at 8:45 a.m. each Sunday in the all-purpose room.

Bible Study

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16, 17

On September 29, the Wednesday Bible study group began to study Christian Believer. The goal of Christian Believer is to make available to people the substance of the Christian faith that the church has confessed as a way of connecting to God and living faithfully. This 30-week study of the classical doctrines of the Christian faith aims at presenting, explaining, and interpreting Christian doctrine as the basic teaching of the church to the end that informed believing leads to committed discipleship. Christian Believer emphasizes the relationship of worship, belief, and daily life. The beliefs of the Christian community, taught within the Christian community, equip the Christian community for living faithfully and for passing on the faith entrusted to it. The Bible study at St. Andrew is always enlightening and sustaining as well as fun as the group studies in an informal atmosphere that always includes coffee and sometimes a cookie. Won’t you make the commitment now to be part of this study group? Join us. We think you’ll be glad you did.

Confirmation Program

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”—Matthew 19:14

Our confirmation program, To Know, To Live, To Grow, is a holistic approach to confirmation. With Christian education as a key component, this material helps youth integrate their faith with their families and into their congregational lives. Sessions are geared for 60 minutes for learners from grades 6 to 9.

To Know—confirmands will:

1. •Understand how to read and interpret the Bible
   

2. •Learn about important people and events in the Bible
   

3. •Learn the central teachings of the Lutheran church
   

4. •Discuss the scriptures and faith-related topics in small groups
   

5. •Complete in-class and homework assignments.
   

To Live—confirmands will:

1. •See the relevance of biblical events in their lives today
   

2. •Understand the church as the body of Christ, which functions by helping people
   

3. •Discover appropriate service opportunities in the church and the community
   

4. •Accept responsibility for serving God
   

5. •Express a willingness to confess the Christian faith.
   

To Grow—confirmands will:

1. •Discover that Christian growth is a lifelong process
   

2. •Understand that Christian growth takes place through worship, prayer, education, and service
   

3. •Integrate the Bible and the Christian traditions into their daily lives
   

4. •See how faith affects personal decision-making and the way we treat others.
   

First Communion

A few years ago a pastor was approached by a parent after church. The mother asked the pastor to talk with her son about something that had happened after church. The pastor agreed and the mother called her son over. He had followed several older children up to the front of the sanctuary after the service to eat the remaining communion bread, as was their custom. The mother, being new to the church was unaware of the custom.

The pastor asked the boy what had happened and he told him that he had eaten some of the communion bread. “Do you know what the bread is?” the pastor asked. The boy answered, “Yes, it’s Jesus.”  “So where is Jesus now?” asked the pastor. “He is in my tummy,” said the boy.

What a wonderful understanding of communion. When we take part in Holy Communion we receive the gift of Christ’s body and blood. We remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and our sins are washed clean in the blood of the Lamb.

The first time a child receives Holy Communion is a very special event in their life. In the past, first communion was received when a child was confirmed. In recent years it was sometime during the fifth grade, just before confirmation began. Today, the time for first communion is a decision reached between the parent, pastor, and child. For most families this conversation takes place during the third grade.

Some of the signs your child may be ready for first communion are:

1. •They are asking why everyone else gets the bread and they get a blessing from the pastor.
   

2. •They have friends receiving communion.
   

3. •They might ask why everyone goes up to the altar every week.
   

4. •They might also come to you with questions following a Sunday school lesson.
   

If you are getting these questions, it may be time for a conversation with the pastor about first communion.