Education Opportunities at Bethel
Reaching, Caring, and Sharing Christ
Sunday School for ages 3 – high school
Bethel offers Christian education for the following ages (dependent on the availability of teachers):
Preschool—*3 year olds
Jr Kindergarten—**4 year olds Kindergarten—**5 year olds Grades 1—8
*A child must turn 3 years old by August 1st of this year in order to enroll in Sunday School. All children entering Sunday School must be potty-trained and their parents must remain on site. Parents are also asked to volunteer to help in the classroom once each month. Parents are asked to pick their child up from their classroom promptly at 10:45 am after Sunday school.
**If a child turns 4 before August 1 of the school year, they will be placed in Jr. Kindergarten. If a child turns 5 before August 1 of the school year, they will be placed in Kindergarten. Parents of 4 & 5 year olds must remain on site during the Sunday School hour. Parents of 4 year olds are asked to volunteer to help in the classroom once each month. Parents are asked to pick their child up from the classroom promptly at 10:45 am after Sunday school.
Sunday Morning High School Bible Study: Pat Sebastian facilitates our studies which sometimes include visits from Mystery Guests. If you have topics you would like to study, let Pat Sebastian know by email patsebbis@aol.com, call or text (701) 471-3289.
Wednesday High School/Post High School Bible Study: led by Pat Sebastian and Mandy Galster. This group meets at Bethel in the Jericho Room every Wednesday at 8 pm. Friends are always welcome!
Middle School Youth Monthly Event: All Bethel and Shepherd of the Valley Middle School students (grade 5-8) are invited every third Sunday to a time of Bible Study, food, friends, and games. Contact Pastor Woodside for more information (pastorwoodside@gmail.com or text 951-217-3385).
High School Sunday Game Club: Youth in grades 9-12 from all five of our local area churches are invited to participate in a weekly board gaming club from 1:00-3:00 pm at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. We begin with a prayer and devotion, followed by fellowship and games. Pastor Woodside has a fairly large collection of games, but feel free to bring your own favorite games to play as well. Light refreshments will be provided. Come along and bring a friend! Contact Pastor Woodside for more information (pastorwoodside@gmail.com or text 951-217-3385).
Sunday School Memory Work
Confirmation
Bethel Lutheran’s Confirmation program is designed to teach students about our Christian faith based solely on Scripture. Our 6th grade students, led by Pat Sebastian, spend a year learning the structure and stories of the Bible. Then as 7th and 8th graders, we dive deeper into an understanding of Law and Gospel through Luther’s Small Catechism.
This year, we are collaborating with Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church to have a combined 7th & 8 grade class taught by our Shared Assisting Pastor, Rev. Justin Woodside and Bethel’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Jonathan Walla. Parent/Guardian participation is strongly encouraged, not only to support the studies of our youth but as a commitment to life-long learning.
Bible Studies & Fellowship Opportunities
We have Bible studies, classes and Fellowship opportunities for a wide range of ages and interests. You have an open invitation to participate in any or all activities! Not finding a good match? Drop us a line with your suggestions! Please check the calendar for current schedule.
Sunday Morning Bible Study: every Sunday morning between services, you are invited to a Bible Study.
Senior Potluck Luncheon: Join other Seniors for a potluck lunch followed by Bible Study on the 4th Tuesday of each month at Noon.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML): all women of the congregation are invited to the monthly meeting and Bible study held the second Monday of the month at 6:30 pm.
Tuesday Evening Bible Study: held at 6pm at Shepherd of the Valley church. This study is for all ages and is meant to be another Bible learning opportunity beyond Sunday mornings.
Men’s Network Breakfast & Bible Study: meets the third Saturday of each month, rotating between the Bismarck-Mandan LCMS churches. Join other men in our community for great food, Bible Study and conversation with brothers in Christ from sister congregations.
Quilting: A group of Bethel ladies get together to tie quilts or sew other projects. If you’d like to volunteer your hands for this service, you’re welcome to join them! Finished quilts/projects are donated to the needy in and around our community. If you have any questions about the quilting group, contact the church office.
Martin Luther School
Bethel is a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Lutheran School Association who has sponsored Martin Lutheran School (MLS) for over 25 years. MLS serves children from Preschool to the 5th grade. At MLS, we have a great appreciation for the arts, music, and most of all, sharing Christ with our students and their families! As of Fall 2020, we are transitioning to Classical Education. For more information on Classical Education and our school, please visit our website at Martin Luther School.