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Grace Lutheran Sunday School

Sunday School has always been important to the members of Grace. It dates hack to the day of the first church meeting, 27 January 1924. Mr. A.J. Steinke was the first Sunday School Superintendent.

By 1948 there were 300 participants in the Sunday School program. At that time, Loves Park Grace School was used for additional classroom space during the winter months due to the crowded conditions.

As stated in the twenty-fifth anniversary booklet, "The early instruction in the word of God and in the way of salvation through Christ Jesus is so important that it should be regarded as more necessary than anything else." Thusly, the training of the youth at Grace has always been a high priority.

During the 1960's, a Youth Service Corps was initiated by Rev. Roland Johnson, Pastor, and Robert Hammarstrom, Youth and Education Director. It was a project oriented ministry for the youth of the church and received national attention.

Youngsters from fourth grade through college participated by following their motto, "Everything you do for your neighbor is also a service rendered to God", from Martin Luther. Activities such as visiting and assisting senior citizens and shut-ins received special emphasis. They also served as church ushers once a month, provided baby‑sitting services for special events in the church and assisted in the church office. In 1962, forty girls in the Corps formed a Youth Service Corps Chorus. At Easter that year the Corps sent 205 special placemats with a Christian theme or picture to the River Bluff Nursing Home. They also prepared thirty-five scrapbooks for the home. That summer, they collected used clothing for Lutheran World Relief clothing drive, and also planned Easter baskets for the needy.

A special "Youth Service Corps' plaque was designed by Carl Johnson, a member of the parish. Along with Pastor Johnson and Mr. Hammarstrom, Evelyn Franzen of the Worship and Music Committee. Bernard Bohn, chairman of the Christian Education Committee, and Verne Dryer, Chairman of the Church Council helped direct their activities.

Several of the programs involving the children of our church family have changed to meet their needs over time. SonLight Village and Sunday Safari are two that are leading to a new curriculum that began in the fall of 1999.