National Sunday School’s Sunday
Congregations and parishes of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) are urged to observe and participate in the National Sunday School Program as per the church calendar for this year.
ELCPNG Sunday School Coordinator, Reverend Gembube Wongege, said this is the only major event for Sunday School students on November 9, 2025, and it must not be disturbed by other programs.
Rev. Wongege expects church leaders in the respective congregations and parishes of the 17 ELCPNG districts to support their Sunday School teachers to make this program successful.
He said during a meeting attended by the 17 ELCPNG district coordinators on March 24–29, 2025, it was agreed that a special Sunday program, as per the church calendar, must be held on November 9 and that awareness of the program must reach all parishes and congregations.
“It’s a National Sunday School Sunday, and in previous years, the Sunday usually fell on November 11, but this year it’s on November 9.
The Church Council agreed and gave us this date following the baptism date of Dr. Martin Luther, the first German Lutheran missionary who brought the Lutheran faith to PNG,” Rev. Wongege said.
Rev. Wongege said Martin Luther was born on November 10 and received his baptism on November 11, making this day very special and meaningful.
He added that the life story of Martin Luther, as a champion of the Lutheran faith, is being shared to strengthen the faith of Sunday School students regarding the baptism they received — especially as many parents are still doubting or troubled about their children’s baptism.
Program and Purpose
On National Sunday School Sunday, a standard program is prepared and distributed to all parishes and congregations to follow and observe the day with fellowship, thanksgiving, and prayer requests. Click here to download 2025 program.
This program started in 2006 when it was first agreed upon and included in the church calendar.
It has proven successful over the last 20 years, during which all offerings collected on this day were sent to the National Sunday School Office to support its programs and administration.
Rev. Wongege said offerings have been reaching his office but added that more effort is needed by district Sunday School coordinators, parish supervisors, and Sunday School teachers to encourage parents to support their children on this special day.
Hosting and Prayer Focus
Rev. Wongege reminded church leaders that the program must be hosted in respective congregations, not at district, circuit, or parish centers, as gathering little children together poses its own challenges.
“Those congregations that are close and want to have a joint program gathering all the Sunday School children together can do so; otherwise, it’s better to hold it in individual congregations,” Rev. Wongege said.
This year’s Sunday School prayer focus will include:
- Children who have passed on or are suffering from the Israel–Gaza and Russia–Ukraine wars
- Children who do not attend Sunday School
- Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary (2025)
- ELCPNG’s 50th Anniversary (2026)
