Greetings Sunday school families,

Happy New Year!  This week in Sunday school, when our children return to the classroom following a couple of weeks break, they will hear and discuss John 1(1-9), 10-18.  These verses serve as an introduction to The Gospel According to John.  I’ve read that the writer of this Gospel has a different style from the writers of Luke and Matthew.  One commentator in our curriculum writes, “If we had only the prologue to John and no nativity narratives [as in Matthew and Luke], we would have no Christmas pageants, no Christmas carols, but what a loss it would be if we lacked John’s splendid hymn-like poetry.”

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. ³All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being ⁴in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. . . . 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

Our preschool through 1^st grade students, taught by Kathrin Midgley, and our 2^nd grade students, taught by Carrie Munford, will explore the wonder of the description of Jesus and practice telling what they know about Jesus.

Our 3^rd and 4^th grade students, taught by Mary Ann Borkowski, will hear John’s description of Jesus as a shining light and tell the story of Jesus’ birth in their own ways.

Our 5^th and 6^th grade students, taught by Deb and Alan Vogt, will explore the images in John 1 and create their own ways to communicate God’s work in the Incarnation.   (One dictionary source defines the word Incarnation as:  the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ.)

Our 7^th and 8^th grade students, taught by David Scheidemantel, will continue to learn about our New Testament ancestors from the re:form curriculum.

In addition, our 5^th through 8^th grade students will meet with Kathryn Welter in the sanctuary for ten minutes at the start of class.  She will continue to discuss with them the liturgical music we sing during worship service.

Please let me know if you are available to assist in one of our three youngest classrooms, Pre-K through 4^th grade, this week. 

Also, ask your children what they learned in Sunday school this week.  I’m sure they will enjoy sharing with you something about their time spent hearing the good news of Jesus’ birth and the light he brings to our world.  You can use the above comments to prompt a conversation with your children and take a close look at the handouts they receive from their teachers. 

I look forward to seeing you and your children together this week for Sunday school.

–Kim Canning

“The Christian education program at Peace, where your child can experience God’s love through worship, learning, and fellowship.”