The Workshop Rotational Model takes into account children's need for repetition and their love of experiential learning. Our goal is in-depth learning about and familiarity with the most important stories of the Bible by the time our children reach Middle School. Each year, we emphasize a different theme, and study five or six stories related to that theme. This means that our children spend about five weeks learning about a single story, instead of just one! Instead of reporting to the same classroom and the same teacher each Sunday, children attend a different workshop each week to experience the story in many different ways. Over a five-week period, children rotate through five workshops such as arts & crafts, science & nature, cooking, video, games, storytelling, and more. We use our own curriculum for our Workshop Rotational Sunday School and our teachers are our parents! Congregational members, staff, grandparents, and youth are teachers too.

For the 2008-2009 year, our theme is "God Calls Us". Stories we will cover are “The Burning Bush,” “Samuel Anoints David,” “Jonah,” “The Annunciation,” “Jeremiah,” “Fishers of Men,” and “Conversion of St. Paul.”

2008 - 2009 Sunday School Schedule
September 7, 2008--Registration for Sunday School
September 14, 2008--Rally Day; first day of Sunday School
October 26, 2008--Bibles presented to Third Graders
December 21, 2008--Sunday School Pageant
May 9, 2009--Bread Baking Mini-Retreat for First Communion students
May 10, 2009--First Communion
May 17, 2009--Confirmation Day and last day of Sunday School classes
May 31 or June 7, 2009--End of Sunday School Year Celebration

From September 14, 2008 through May 17, 2009, Sunday School meets every Sunday except:
November 30, 2008 (Sunday after Thanksgiving)
December 28, 2008 (Sunday after Christmas)
February 15, 2008 (Winter Break)
April 5, 2008 (Spring Break)
April 12, 2008 (Easter)

First Communion Preparation (3rd Grade): 3rd Graders prepare to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion with a series of five classes, including a special bread-baking retreat at which students bake the bread used for communion on their First Communion Day. First Communion is celebrated during the Season of Easter, usually on Mother's Day.

Vacation Bible School: We offer a week of VBS each summer. In 2007 and 2008, we offered VBS jointly with First Presbyterian Church and North Congregational Church, both in Farmington Hills. Our joint VBS has used the "Holyland Adventure" curriculum; in 2007, we "visited" Jesus in Galilee, and in 2008 we were with Jesus in Jerusalem. In 2009, we will again offer VBS jointly with our two sister churches; the theme will be "Rome: Paul and the Underground Church.": VBS will be held at Antioch in Summer 2009. VBS is offered for children entering K-5th grade. All are welcome to register for a nominal feel. Older youth and adults are invited to volunteer for VBS as we share Jesus' love with the children of our community.

Youth at Antioch - Youth Activities: Antioch's youth participate in 7th/8th grade and High School classes and youth groups. Events include visits to The Gathering of Michigan Lutheran Youth, car washes and other fundraisers, and service to the church. Youth can serve on committees, as acolytes and communion assistants, and as Sunday School and VBS teachers. In Summer 2009, Antioch's youth will attend the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans: Jesus, Justice, and Jazz.

Confirmation: Confirmation is a two-year program, beginning in 7th grade. We use a Small Group Model and a curriculum we have developed ourselves, "So What?". Confirmands have the opportunity to develop strong relationships with each other, their Guides (caring adults who lead the Small Groups), the Pastor and Intern, and other teachers. Confirmation involves study, service in and out of church, and time for fun. Confirmands also attend a week of Confirmation Camp at Camp Michi-lu-ca in the summer between their 7th and 8th grade years.

All classes begin at 6:15 PM and end at 8:30 PM unless otherwise noted below:

October 5, 1008
October 19, 2008
November 2, 2008 - during Sunday School hour
November 16, 2008
December 7, 2008
December 21, 2008
January 4, 2008
January 18, 2008
February 1, 2009 - lunch meeting immediately after 11:00 AM service
February 22, 2009
March 1, 2009
March 15, 2009
March 29, 2009 - dinner meeting with S.O.S
April 19, 2009
May 3, 2009

Adult Sunday School: Adult Sunday Classes are offered throughout the year and cover a variety of topics. The current Adult Sunday School Schedule will be listed on the homepage of our website.

Adult Forum Topics for 2008-2009
All sessions meet in the Chapel unless otherwise announced. Classes begin about 9:45 a.m. and run to 10:45 a.m.

Faith and Politics
Leaders: Pastor Don Kreiss, Intern Adam Berndt, and Director of Christian Education Susanna Muzzin
October 12, 19, and 26, 2008

"In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls us to be a light to the world and instructs us not to hide our light under a bushel basket. As people of faith, when and how can we let our light shine in the world of public policy and politics in these situations: as voters, as elected officials, as concerned citizens, as members of a political party, neighbors, and friends? When might our thoughts or actions as people of faith 'cross the line' and become inappropriate? How can we draw the balance?" --The Lutheran, September 2008

Please join us for a discussion of faith, politics, and how we can talk about them with each other.

Why do you sit where you do?
What your choice of seats says about your understanding of Christian community and how you hear a sermon
The Rev. Craig Satterlee, LSTC
November 2, 2008

The Rev. Craig Satterlee is the Jacob and Carlson Chair of Homiletics and the Dean of the D.Min. in Preaching Program at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He will be preaching on Sunday, November 2, 2008, at our Sanctuary Dedication. He will also lead our Adult Forum discussion on the topic "Why do you sit where you do? What your choice of seats says about your understanding of Christian community and how you hear a sermon." This is based on his book When God Speaks Through You. To learn more about Rev. Satterlee, visit his website at www.craigsatterlee.com.

The Apostle's Creed
Leader: Pastor Don Kreiss
November 9, 16, 23, 2008 - No session on November 30

On many Sundays, we are invited to "confess our faith, using the words of the Apostles' Creed." But what is a "creed," exactly? And what does it mean to "confess," and are the words we say together really what we believe? Beyond those questions, did the Apostles really write the creed that bears their name? And are these words still important for Christians today?
We'll look together at these words that are part of our worship service and bind us together as Christians, and explore their meaning for us in our situation.

The Book of Psalms
Leader: Intern Adam Berndt
December 7, 14, 21 - No session on December 28

I was taught at a young age that to find the book of Psalms, one only had to find the middle of the Bible and open it! There you will find the largest book of the Bible complete with 150 chapters filled with everything from the most joyful songs of praise and thanksgiving, to the saddest cries from the heart. The book of Psalms is both a window into the private and communal lives of the Israelites, and a useful and appropriate tool in our own faith lives and journeys today. This collection of hymns and sayings provides us with universailty over space and time because of its concern with the fundamental aspects of the human condition.
Join us for these three weeks in December as we open to the middle of our Bibles (we will provide Bibles, but feel free to bring your own!) and explore the strikingly poignant book of Psalms. We will find Psalms of creation, trust, and wisdom, and come to find that we already use many psalms in our songs and prayers at Antioch! Come join us! All are welcome!

Good God Questions
Leader: Susanna Muzzin
January 4, 11, 18, 25, 2009

"Why does the way of the guilty prosper?
            Why do all who are treacherous thrive?
...How long will the land mourn,
            and the grass of every field wither?"
                                    Jeremiah 12:1b, 4a

"Sometimes questions about God are hard to ask and even harder to answer. Sometimes we get stuck at the questions and sometimes we stumble."
--Good God Questions

The people of Israel have a long history of complaining to God: we see it in Jeremiah and Jonah and Job. But we are often afraid to voice the secret questions we have about God. Why does God allow suffering and death? Why did Jesus have to die? Why do bad things happen if I'm a good person? Sometimes our questions are less complaints than things we wonder about but are afraid to ask: What will happen to me when I die? Why did Jesus have to die? What if my friends or children don't believe? If I'm forgiven, why will I be judged? Is the Holy Spirit really active in my life? Do Jews, Muslims, and Christians all worship the same God?

Good God Questions centers around the conversations of four Luther Seminary professors as they discuss these questions in a Biblical and Lutheran context. We'll watch short video segments of their discussion, and then carry on the discussion about these difficult questions ourselves. All (and all questions) are welcome!

Interfaith Speakers
Facilitator: Pastor Don Kreiss
February 1, 8, 22, 2009 - No session on February 15

What do members of other faith traditions believe and teach about God? Can we find common ground with these faiths? What are the similarities and what are the differences? Is it possible for us not just to get along, but also to appreciate and work with each other?

We will invite three speakers from other faith traditions to speak to us about their faiths. Join us for the chance to listen, learn, and ask questions.

The Simpsons Go to Church!
Leader: Intern Adam Berndt
March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2009

Death and dicing, Satan and temptation, the power of prayer! The animated series The Simpsons has wrestled with them all, as well as with many more topics we in the church wrestle with every day. Even if you have never heard of Homer, Marge, Maggie, Lisa, or even Bart Simpson, you will be able to relate quickly to their consistent characters and family dynamics! For almost twenty years, the Simpsons have been delighting audiences with their humor, adventure, and the quirkiness of their family. Join us as we use the medium of the series The Simpsons to discuss issues relevant in our church. Come as a fan. Come as a critic. Come as a faithful disciple of Christ and explore what The Simpsons has to share (in the only way they can) about faith!

Sacramental Theology
Leader: Pastor Don Kreiss
April 19, 26; May 3, 10, 2009 - No sessions on April 5 (SOS) or April 12 (Easter)

Maybe you've been taking communion since you were a little kid, but could you explain WHY we eat and drink in church? Is what Lutherans believe about the Lord's Supper the same as what Catholics believe about the Mass? Andy why does this common action have so many names?

We'll also take a look at what Lutherans believe and teach about baptism, and why it is so important to "wash" new Christians. Do Methodists and Presbyterians teach the same thing we do about baptism? Why do some churches make you wait until you're older, while Lutherans usually baptize babies?

We'll discuss what the Sacraments mean for Christians and where Lutheran theology makes specific claims about what those sacraments mean. This will be an opportunity to ask all the questions your third graders have been and are asking you!

Murals painted during one of the Sunday School Workshop Rotations

2006 Sunday School Christmas Pageant