FISHER LUTHERAN EDUCATION
Sunday School
Sunday School is at 10:00 AM every Sunday unless listed otherwise. Age ranges from pre-K to 5th grade.
Each Sunday, children gather in the sanctuary to celebrate God’s love through song and offering. Children are then split into classes by age group. Several teachers, consisting of our wonderful parents and community volunteers, rotate throughout the year to teach the classes. The Sunday School curriculum we use is Spark Lectionary, which incorporates leaflets, puzzles, and activities. Children learn the same lesson in Sunday School as the pastor teaches during sermon, helping them gain a deeper understanding of each weekly message from God.
Confirmation
Confirmation ministry at the Fisher Bygland Lutheran Parish is a dynamic and interactive program for students in grades 6 through 9. The purpose of this ministry is to prepare teenagers to affirm their baptism and explore their faith in God, the Bible, and Christian living.
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Confirmation classes meet on Wednesday evenings during the school year for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Parents of the students are expected to attend each class with their students. If parents are unable to attend, students should attend without their parents. We use a three year curriculum that includes one year of Old Testament, one year of New Testament, and one year of Lutheran Catechism lessons. The classes are taught for the entire group on a three year rotation. A schedule of this year’s classes is posted on the parish website.
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Students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are expected to complete fifteen sermon notes and four hours of worship assistant service each year. In lieu of confirmation classes during the season of Lent, confirmation students are expected to attend all mid-week Lenten and Holy Week worship services. Each student is expected to attend one session at an ELCA Bible camp once during their confirmation years.
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Grade 9 students complete individual faith reflection exercises as well as group faith explorations and a retreat. A written statement of faith will be publicly presented at the Affirmation of Baptism service.
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Holy Communion Worship with Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) takes place on Reformation Sunday - the last Sunday in October, for those who have a desire to live their life for Christ, met the expectations of the program, and have been approved by their congregation’s council.
Baptism
Baptism signifies the beginning of the faith journey, complete with promises by parents, sponsors, and sometimes the baptized. We trust God’s promise to us holds, regardless of how many times we fail to keep ours. Therefore, we affirm our baptismal promises and frequently hear again of God’s never-failing love.
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At Fisher Lutheran, baptism services are public events that take place in the context of worship. The congregation participates fully in the prayers and promises, remembering our own baptismal gifts as we celebrate with families. To schedule a baptism, please contact us today.
New Bibles
As preschoolers enter Sunday school, they receive a storybook Bible to explore. As students enter 3rd grade, they receive a student study Bible. Parents keep their baptismal promises by placing these Bibles into their children’s hands and bless them as the congregation prays over them in the context of worship.
First Communion
Students in 5th grade and their parents meet several times during Lent to discuss God’s abundant grace, gratitude for daily bread, and the life we receive through Christ’s body and blood. We remember that it is not about us but about who God is for us. Students and their parents have a special invitation to the Maundy Thursday service during Holy Week as families’ commune together, taste the bread that the students made themselves, and experience the washing of hands.
Baccalaureate
We pray that we have helped parents’ engage their students’ faith. We pray that we have been a safe place to ask questions and go deeper regarding the crossroads of faith and everyday life. We strive to help students approach their relationship with God as something that is always changing, growing. We do our best to show students how to tend their relationship with faithfulness.
Each May, we celebrate with graduates on Baccalaureate Sunday in early May.