The Superintendent for the 2007-2008 school year is Kristen Brockberg.
Youth Sunday School Education
All-Ages Education is offered each Sunday, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.
What is Akaloo? It's Greek, meaning "to follow". This is especially appropriate for us at Messiah New Hope, because our purpose is to prepare and equip devoted followers of Jesus who live in the joy of his love and who share his love with everyone.
Milestones Ministry Coordinator: Nancy Gage
Nancy Gage is the Milestones Ministry Coordinator for our congregation. Mrs. Gage coordinates and teaches in the Building Blocks of Faith, also known as Faith Milestones. With our Sunday School and in collaboration with parents, building blocks of faith include learning the Apostles' Creed, the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer. Other Faith Milestones include Baptism, entry into Sunday School, recieving a Bible in the 3rd Grade, annual Blessing of the Backpacks, First Communion, and completion of Elementary age Sunday School experience.
Many more Milestones are contemplated or have been offered in some form.
These can include:
-Entry into Confimation Ministry (a Rite of Commitment by students, parents, teachers, guides and congregation)
-Rite of Confirmation
-Receiving a Driver's License
-High School Graduation
-Homecoming (a celebration with college students over Christmas break)
-Going to camp for the first time
-Sexuality and Christian Values (5th Grade)
-Kids Entrusted with Money
Preschool Sunday School
Preschool children are 3 year olds through those who have not yet entered first grade. Sunday School students in this age category use the All Ages curriculum from Akaloo, which has proven to be a very good program for the children of this age.
First Communion at Messiah New Hope
The only true requirement for receiving Holy Communion is Faith. Jesus declares that he is present for salvation in the bread and wine and we are to believe it. Martin Luther states in the small catechism "anyone who believes the words given and shed for you is prepared..." A child's faith is very simple. They are taugh that esus is there in the bread and the wine and they believe it without question. The Bible does not teach about an appropriate age for communion. the main issue is Hospitality. By acting selfishly, believers do not discern that the brother or sister beside them is also part of the "Body of Christ," a community of believers. Any child who is old enough to have faith and desire the gift of Christ that is offered is old enough to join in Holy Communion.
First Communion is offered at Messiah New Hope in three steps. The first step involves reading the booklet "A Place for You" with your child. This booklet outlines what Communion is and how it is to be perceived. The second step is a Saturday morning of Communion Instruction, where the booklet is discussed with the participating children as a group, and bead is baked and later shared. The third step is First Communion itself, usually taken on the Sunday after the Communion Instruction at the worship service of choice.
Vacation Bible School
Messiah New Hope holds Vacation Bible School each summer for the children of Sioux Falls and surrounding areas. Middle School youth and adults are utilized to help guide the program, which follows a different theme each year.
All ages are welcome. Come as a child, a youth counselor, or an adult and grow in God's love!