Adults

At Ascension, we believe that when adults are actively growing in their faith, then everybody will be growing in their faith.  Furthermore, we have learned over the years that small groups are almost always the best place for adult faith formation.  For this reason, we encourage our adults to find a way to get connected to a Bible Study or Small Group.

Academic Year (Post-Labor Day to Mother’s Day)

On Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. we generally have a Bible Study or Small Group opportunity for adults.

On Wednesdays, we have 2 groups for women.  One meets in the morning, the other in the afternoon.   The morning group generally meets in homes while the afternoon group meets in the Church Library.

Year Round

On Thursdays, a group of mostly senior citizens meet to fold the Sunday bulletins.  Then they have a Bible Study time together.  Often, they cap off the morning by going out to eat together!

On Saturdays, we have a Men’s Breakfast that meets at 7:15 a.m. for prayer, support and fellowship. Beginning in 2018, we are exploring local restaurants to identify a new gathering place. Please contact Jim Quackenboss or one of the other men to find our where we plan to meet this Saturday.

Periodically

We offer a Women’s Bible Study – usually on Monday evenings.  Pastor Jeff offers a week day or evening Bible Study.

Youth (7th – 12th grade)

Sunday Education

On Sunday mornings, our Youth are normally separated into a 7th-8th grade class and a High School class – though they will occasionally all be together in one larger group.  On a typical Sunday, each of these groups will use some kind of age-appropriate, topic-based lesson which focuses upon helping the students apply God’s Word to their daily life.

Confirmation (7th – 9th grade)

On Wednesday evenings, our 7th – 9th grade students gather together for our Confirmation Classes.  About 2/3 of the time, the 1st & 2nd year students start in a large group and then break into smaller discussion groups to focus upon the 5 Confirmation Promises and various aspects of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.  The rest of the time they will work on local mission projects, hear from guest speakers or do some other kind of learning experience.  Meanwhile, our 3rd year students spend about 3/4 of their time digging into the Bible and/or learning about our Lutheran Heritage.  They also get to spend about 1 night a month with their HS peers!

Senior High (10th – 12th grade)

On Wednesday evenings, our 10th – 12th grade students and their friends also gather together.  Some weeks will be focused upon growing their faith as they connect the Bible with their daily life. Some weeks they work on mission and/or discipleship projects. Some weeks they’ll watch a movie or play a game and just enjoy each other’s company. And nearly every week will have many of them heading over to a local Culver’s afterwards!

Elementary Children (1st – 6th grade)

KOG  (5th – 6th grade)

KOG or “Kids of God” is our Wednesday evening group for our 5th and 6th grade students.  At KOG, our kids and their friends get a chance to grow spiritually both individually as well as together.  Using a variety of topics and methods, the KOGgers will learn, read, pray, watch, eat, talk, visit, serve, sing, play, etc.!

Sunday School

These students follow an age-appropriate curriculum that has a lot in common with what the younger kids are learning – but at their individual grade level.  We do this so that the whole family can go home and discuss together what they are learning in Sunday School!  These students also spend about 15 minutes each week in music, and they comprise our “Elementary Choir” which sings a few times during the year at Worship.

Young Children (age 4-Kindergarten)

For this age group, our curriculum uses a number of different ways to teach children many of the stories found in the Old and New Testaments.  The kids also have about 15 minutes of music each week, and these students comprise our “Primary Choir” which sings a few times each year at our Worship services.

Toddlers and Infants

For the youngest disciples among us, we provide a nursery during Worship and Sunday School.  It is staffed each week by Miss Patti and Miss Cheri – along with volunteers from our congregation.  Of course, parents are welcome to keep their little ones with them during Worship and Sunday School!  We provide this consistent nursery staff and care to help give the youngest among us a safe place to be loved and cared for while also giving a little break to their moms and/or dads!

From time to time, we will offer some “classes” where parents and kids up to age 3 can do some faith and fun time with other families with children of similar ages.  It’s usually a fun and active time together!

We also provide parents some Christian Education materials that they can use at home to help their kids learn more about Jesus!