St. Mark Lutheran
Church
Symco, Wisconsin
N7534 Church St.
Manawa, WI 54949
(920) 596-3241
Rev. Jeffrey A. Smiles, Pastor
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St. Mark Lutheran
Church Rev. Jeffrey A. Smiles, Pastor
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Education Adult Bible Study: Different Bible Studies are held throught the year. Watch the church newsletter for upcoming programs. Sunday
School: Audry Partika, Sunday School Superintendent Catechism Class:
Confirmation Teachers: Carolyn Windmier - 6th grade, Charlotte Thomack
- 7th grade, Pastor Smiles - 8th grade Church Library: St. Mark has a small church library containing books, videos, and recordings. Anyone may check out these materials by filling out the pocket slip and placing it in the holding box there in the library itself. anyone wishing to donate materials may do so through the church office. Sunday
School
(Proverbs 22:6) History St. Mark Lutheran Church has a rich history when it comes to Christian education. In the early days of our congregation, beginning back in the late 1800’s, St. Mark had its own Christian day school. This day school served our congregation and community up until the 1930’s. However, when the day school closed during the difficulties of the Great Depression, St. Mark did not abandon its concern for a Christian education program, the church simply looked for another way to continue teaching the children of our congregation the stories of the Bible. In the book History of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Symco, Waupaca County, Wisconsin edited by Don Hanson, Chairman of the 110 Anniversary Committee we are given a glimpse of the how of St. Mark’s Sunday School Program began. After closing the Christian Day School in 1933 it became necessary for the congregation to provide a Sunday School. Mary Ann Herman had taught Sunday School before her marriage and she knew how to conduct a Sunday School Program. She worked with Rev. Kitzmann’s wife to organize our first Sunday School. About sixty pupils were in attendance the first year. Mrs. Kitzmann and Bessie Heideman taught the lower graders in the school house. Mary Ann had the upper graders, often more than twenty students, seated on the long benches in the church balcony. All students were required to bring a one cent contribution each week. It was the responsibility of the teacher to collect and record the offerings. The Sunday School grew rapidly. Before long more teachers were added so that each grade had a separate teacher. Today our Sunday School Program serves the children of our congregation from nursery through eighth grade. With a dedicated superintendent, staff, and teachers, and a supportive board of education and council St. Mark provides a wonderful Sunday School Program. Overview St.Mark’s Sunday School Program begins each year with a Rally Day on thefirst Sunday after Labor Day. The time for Sunday School is 9:00 - 10:00. The day begins with a group opening that includes devotion, prayer, singing, and special announcements. The upper grades 3 - 8 meet in the church sanctuary (upstairs) and the lower grades, nursery - grade 2, meet in the church fellowship hall (downstairs). After the opening the children are dismissed to there respective classes. Besides Sunday School class, the children are also expected to participate when their group sings for church. There is also a Sunday School Christmas Program that will take place in December during one of our regular Sunday morning worship service the Sunday before Christmas. Rally Day Rally Day is the kick off day of the Sunday School Program. During the Sunday Morning worship service the members of the third grade class receive their Bibles. Also the teachers, staff and helpers are all installed and recognized by the congregation. Materials The materials being used for the Sunday School Program are ones approved by the pastor and the board of education. With these materials there will always be something sent home with the children. It is important that parents take time to look through what is being sent home and discuss them with their children the topic and the lesson. Offering All the children receive special offering envelopes to be used with the collection that is taken during the Sunday School opening. The money from this collection is used for various things throughout the year including mission efforts that go beyond our own congregation. The practice of giving provides good training for the children to learn the blessing of giving to God as he has given to us. As your child gets older and is given an allowance or is paid for doing a certain task or works outside the home, the act of giving an offering from such earnings can teach a child to be a good steward of God’s blessings. Singing in Church As it was mentioned in the overview, the Sunday School Classes sing in church from time to time. Generally either the upper grades or the lower grades sing on a given Sunday. Usually that is the second Sunday of the month. The reason for doing this is to allow the children to offer the gift of music to our God in a worship setting and to teach our children that the worship service is not just for adults, but for them as well .Christmas Program For many adults one of their greatest memories of Sunday School was the yearly Christmas program. Here at St. Mark we have had many memorable Christmas programs. However to make memorable programs takes work. The Sunday School Superintendent, the Teachers, and the Pastor begin working on the program in late fall and the materials are handed out before Thanksgiving. Rehearsals are held on Saturday mornings beginning on the first Saturday in December. The program itself is held during the regular worship service the Sunday before Christmas Specific information for this year’s program will come out as we get closer to that date. Attendance Awards While the knowledge of God gained from attending Sunday School and the faith that grows while being in class every time is an award unto itself, we here at St. Mark also like to recognize and award those who make the effort to be here regularly. Those who do not miss a class or who miss only one or two classes the entire year are recognized and awarded before the entire congregation. Birthdays Birthdays are special days. On the Sunday before a child’s birthday the student is called up during opening and they bring up an offering of their choice to be placed in the Birthday Bank. Then all join together in the birthday prayer. Worship As wonderful as our Sunday School Program is, it is not meant to stand alone. Christian education goes along with worship. While it may be difficult to attend worship services when there are younger children in the family, it is still an important part of our life of faith. Here at St. Mark we encourage the whole family to be in attendance at the worship service. As our children see us worshiping, they too will learn how to worship God. In order to help the children feel more a part of the worship service we do make special children’ bulletins available. These bulletins have pictures and puzzles that relate to the theme for the day. We also include a children’s message during the worship service. With these messages, children are encouraged to join the pastor at the front of the church for a short object lesson. Devotions Not only is Sunday School and Worship important for a child to grow in faith, but so are home devotions. There are a number of resources available in our church library. We also encourage families to order copies of My Devotions. This is a daily devotion booklet written for children. For the older children as well as for all adults, the congregation provides Portals of Prayer free of charge. There is also, from time to time special devotion booklets made available. For other ideas contact the church office. Prayers, Pledges and Hymns DOXOLOGY Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise him all creatures here below, OFFERING PRAYER Dear Jesus our offering we bring Thee. With gladness this tribute we pay. BIRTHDAY PRAYER Many happy returns to the day of your birth. May sunshine and gladness be
given. PLEDGE TO THE CROSS I pledge allegiance to the cross, of our Lord Jesus Christ, Confirmation Beginning in 6th grade the children in our congregation are encouraged to begin their Catechism instruction. The Confirmation program at St. Mark’s is a three year program that ends in the 8th grade year. It is critical that the students attend all three years in order to gain the knowledge needed to be confirmed. For more information about confirmation contact the church office. Vacation Bible School Every year, usually at the beginning of summer, St. Mark offers a week long Vacation Bible School (VBS) for our nursery through fifth grade children. The weeks activity include Bible story lessons, games, songs, crafts, and snacks. The theme and specific dates are announced during the spring. Our older children (especially 6th-8th grade) are encouraged to work as helpers. This is one way we involve our middle school age youth in serving their church Staff and Teachers 2004/2005 Sunday School Superintendent: Audrey Partika Board of Education: Diana Henschel Tammy Johnson Tammy Evers
An Orientation Meeting for all parents and students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes will be scheduled by the pastor. We believe that it is vital that parents be involved in the instruction of their children during the years of Catechism Instruction.. The purpose of this orientation meeting is to review and discuss the guidelines of the confirmation program and enlist the full cooperation of the parents in assisting their child with assignments. 2. Goal of the Confirmation Program The central goal in our confirmation program is to teach our children in the basic teachings of the Christian faith in order that they may grow in their faith in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, enable them to trust more in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior from sin, and to follow Him as the living Lord of their lives. 3. Length of Confirmation The Confirmation Program coincides with the 6th, 7th and 8th grade years. The purpose: A three year program is needed to provide sufficient opportunity for the student to become knowledgeable in the doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Besides Christian training at home and Sunday School, confirmation classes may be the only other formal Christian instruction a child will receive during these three years. 4. Day and Time The confirmation classes will meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30. The Purpose: Wednesday has traditionally been designated as church night. 5. Worship Service and Sunday School Attendance Worship service and Sunday School attendance records will be kept with 75% attendance expected for advancement to the next grade and for confirmation. Ideally, we would like 100% commitment to worship. We understand in certain circumstances this is impossible. So, we will accept illness or going out-of-town (where there is no church available) as excused absences. These must be accompanied by a signed note. Any other absence may be inexcusable and could be counted against the original 75% When attendance falls below this level, parents will be called for a conference to discuss the matter with the pastor. The Third Commandment reads: "Remember to keep the Sabbath Day holy." In Acts 2:42 we are reminded to be devoted to teaching, fellowship and the breaking of bread. Consider this a challenge from God, not man-made guidelines. The Purpose: We worship weekly not only because of the command, but we come to feed our souls on the Word of God in joy, praise, and thankfulness for His blessings both physical and spiritual. 6. Worship Reports The Worship Report forms will be available in the Narthex where students may pick them up before a service. 6th grade - one worship report per month, 7th & 8th grade - two worship reports per month. These must be signed by the parents before they are turned in. The Purpose: In this day and age we are not accustomed to listening to some one speak. To listen to a person speak is something that must be learned. This exercise will help your child summarize in a paragraph the major message of the sermon, learn the Church Year Calendar, and finally to write down how the service and sermon helped him or her for daily life. 7. Confirmation Class Attendance Policy Weekly attendance of the confirmation class is mandatory. Please call the teacher if your child is sick or if you will be out of town. Attendance records will be kept. The Purpose: For your child to receive the maximum blessings from Confirmation classes, it is understandable that he or she will need to attend weekly. 8. Class Assignments Completion of all assignments is required before a child can be advanced to the next class or be confirmed. Please contact the teacher if your child is having any problems or difficulties with assignments. The Purpose: For your child to receive the maximum blessings from the program, he or she must complete all assignments. One way a child can grow in his or her faith is through the study of God's Word wherein the Holy Spirit may increase his or her faith. 9. Devotional Life at Home As we know, children learn from our example as parents. If they observe you taking time to read your Bible or a devotional booklet, it is likely they will follow that example. The pastor can help you with some devotional materials for the family. The Purpose: To have our children participating in three years of Christian instruction, and not having the support of the example in the home defeats the very purpose of Confirmation. 10. Class Projects Each child will be asked to work on various projects assigned by the teacher for 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Projects could consist of essays, tours, camp, and other activities. The Purpose: To enrich the Christian instruction that is being given and to help to relate Christian teaching and doctrine to everyday life experiences. 11. Class Discipline In order for all the students to get the most out of their class time, the rules of that classroom must be obeyed. When there are actions that require parental notification, the following actions will take place. 1st Discipline Action - A notice will be mailed home which must be signed and returned to the next confirmation class. 2nd Discipline Action - The student is removed from the classroom and the parents are called to pick up the student and at that time will be informed about the problem. The teacher records the action, marks the student absent and lets the Pastors know of the problem. 3rd Discipline Action - The teacher calls the parents so the child can be picked up. Then, for the student to return to class, the parents will have to sit in on the class with their child. 12. Acolyte Service Serving the Lord Jesus in our lives is a joyful part of our discipleship. All students will be asked to serve as Acolytes. The Purpose: Experience serving the Lord in His House of Worship. 13. Bibles - Which Translation? We suggest the New International Version. Bible passages and memory work in the Catechism are from the New International Version. 14. Progress Reports Progress Reports may be issued during the confirmation instruction year by the teachers. It is not an attempt to grade your child's faith, but rather a report to you on how the confirmand is responding to assignments, along with confirmation class, worship and Sunday School attendance. 15. Parent-Student Letter of Commitment Presented with these confirmation guidelines is a letter outlining the commitments both parents and students are to adhere to once beginning the confirmation program. The top copy is to be returned to the church office when signed and the bottom copy retained by the family for reference. 16. Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews Parent-Teacher interviews may be conducted each year for all grades. If a parent wishes, he or she may request an Elder be present. The Purpose: To communicate directly with parents the accomplishments or problems their child may experience. It gives parents opportunity to share with the teacher any concerns they might have. 17. Memory Work Requirements Part of the Catechism instruction will include memory work. This memory work will include parts of the Catechism, Bible passages, prayers, and hymns. The student memorizes the assignment and repeats it to the teacher or teacher’s helper the night of class. The Confirmation class teacher or helper may question and may reject memory work done at home. The Purpose: Committing various kinds of knowledge to memory is very valuable. The children are required to do this in many areas of their secular education. Memory work can help the student retain the main teachings of the Bible in their hearts and minds. The student of the Christian faith needs to know by memory certain key Bible passages so that the student can be equipped with the Word of God for sharing his or her faith and for fighting against the temptations of the devil and one's sinful flesh. 18. Confirmation Camp In recent years our North Wisconsin District has begun offering confirmation camps at Camp Luther in Three Lakes, Wisconsin. As a confirmand enters his or her eighth grade year, he or she will be required to attend one of these camps along with the rest of the confirmation class. The Purpose: These camps offer an opportunity for confirmands to interact with youth from other Lutheran Churches in a retreat setting. It also all allows the confirmands and the pastor to get to know each other in a more relaxed atmosphere. Such opportunities can, at times, accomplish far more in one weekend than the classroom can in several months time. 19. Rite of Confirmation The pastor, along with the Board of Elders will determine at the end of the 8th grade year if a confirmand is ready to be confirmed. The advise and counsel of the parents will also be sought. All assignments must be completed. The traditional Rite of Confirmation will normally be observed for the 8th graders on the 3rd Sunday of May."Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom" Col. 3:16 "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Ps. 119:105
Revised and reviewed by the Board of Elders and Board of Education August 2002 |
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St. Mark -- A Caring Christian Community
Contact us: stmarksymco@yahoo.com Web Design By: Mary Bonikowske |
