September 14   
Emphasize how Sunday School is a place for God’s family.

• Use Week 1 of the Centennial Sunday School lessons – “We are a Christian People” for youth and adults, “The Family of God,” for elementary, and “God’s Family” for early childhood.

• Use the Centennial sermon “The Church as a Covenant Community.”

• Distribute 3x5” index cards or card stock cut in various shapes to Sunday School members of all ages. Have each person write what it means to be “Christian.” Give children larger cards if they wish to draw a picture. Allow people to bring pictures, newspaper clippings, etc., that illustrate “Christian.”  Create a bulletin board (either in each classroom or in a hallway for the entire church) to display the cards, pictures, clippings, etc. Add additional words to the bulletin board each week of the emphasis.

• Plan a breakfast before Sunday School or a potluck lunch after church for this Sunday. Use this as a time for fellowship and connecting with others in the church. Invite the whole church community. Have different Sunday School classes help with various aspects of the set-up and clean-up, including children and youth in those plans. Place a brochure or flyer at each place setting that lists all of the Sunday School classes and discipleship groups offered by your church. Encourage every church member and every regular church attender to become involved in one of these groups.

• Start a new adult Sunday School class or small group during the Centennial emphasis.

• Challenge each Sunday School class to sponsor a class ministry to members of the church. Examples may include visiting homebound church members, providing a hot meal for a single parent family, delivering groceries to elderly members, or providing free childcare for a family with children. Children’s classes can make cards or plant flowers for the homebound. Youth classes can do yard work for disabled persons. Engage every Sunday School class in connecting with others within the Body of Christ.