Christian Education

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk to the when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Christian education is a special focus at Trinity. We teach the faith to all ages and seek to help parents prepare their children to live their lives as Christians, trusting in God's unfailing love through Jesus Christ.

Wednesday School

Trinity Lutheran hosts Wednesday School every Wednesday 6:00PM-7:30PM that Ottumwa Public Schools are in session. Children Kindergarten through Eighth Grade are welcome to attend. We teach the children through Bible stories, music, and lessons. The children meet in the Sanctuary where they sing songs and the Pastor introduces the lesson of the day. Then the children split into groups according to their grade in school for lessons. Children, teachers, and parents meet together at 7:00PM for Vespers service. We follow every lesson with worship, because worship is so central to the Christian life. Our faith thrives on God's Word and promises. 

My First Catechism

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My First Catechism is the text book for grades 4-5. It teaches the same Small Catechism as the confirmation class (grds 6-8), but with illustrations and Bible stories. Each child receives his own copy to keep. My First Catechism introduces the Catechism in a simple, non-intimidating way and prepares the children for confirmation class taught by the Pastor.

Bible Studies

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We offer several Bible studies at Trinity Lutheran. 
  • Sunday Morning @ 8:45AM
  • Men's Bible Breakfast @ 6:30AM @ Country Kitchen Restaurant (1107 N Quincy Ave)
  • Women's Bible Study every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month @ 6:00PM. 

College Student?

Are you or your child going to college or university soon? Ask your pastor for help in finding a good church to attend while away from home. Also check out LCMSU to find a faithful church near you or your loved one in college.  

Resources for the Youth
Worldview Everlasting: Questions, Answers, and Videos on the Lutheran Faith
Lutheran Hymn Revival
We are very proud of our 2016 confirmands, who were confirmed May 22, 2016. From Left:Stacy Wetterich, Alan Angle, Pastor Preus, Marissa Suarez, Zachary Mattiesen. They confessed the faith boldly and clearly. May God the Holy Spirit keep them strong in the true faith, diligently receiving His means of grace, until life everlasting. 

Memory Work Assignments

Memory Work for September through November

Luther's Small Catechism

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Lutheran Congregations have been using Luther's Small Catechism to teach children the faith since 1529. This resource divides the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith found in Scripture into six parts: The Ten Commandments, The Apostles Creed, The Lord's Prayer, Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Sacrament of the Altar. Each child in confirmation class (grds 6-8) receives his own copy. We encourage parents to assist their children in learning the catechism by heart by reciting it out loud together everyday. 

Sing the Faith

Sing the Faith is yet another means to teach children the Small Catechism. This CD aids the children in learning the Catechism by heart through melodies and repetition.

Adult Instruction

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Luther's Small Catechism is used to instruct adult confirmands as well. Adults can enter instruction with the pastor privately or in a group. Instruction generally takes eleven to thirteen  one hour  fifteen minute sessions following the outline of the book Didache. ​

Confirmation

 Confirmation is the rite by which we confirm the faith of each child's baptism. In Confirmation the confirmands (student of the catechism preparing for Confirmation), after they have been instructed and examined by the pastor, confess the faith of their baptism and promises to never deny the Christian faith as taught in the Small Catechism, even to death. This is why it is so important to learn the catechism well. After Confirmation the confirmands receive the Lord's Supper for the first time. 

Sunday School

Trinity holds Sunday School  at 8:45 every Sunday after Labor Day until the end of the School year. The children meet in the Bible study room with the adult Bible study class. Together the children and adults say the Invocation, Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, Luther's morning prayer, and sing the hymn of the month before going down stairs for their lesson. Children Kindergarten through Fifth Grade are welcome to come. The children learn of the love of Jesus through Bible stories following the curriculum Growing in Christ.

Youth Bible Study
Students from Sixth to Twelfth Grade are invited to attend Youth Bible Study.  On occasion the Youth Bible Study joins the Adult Bible Study. 

Means of Grace at Trinity