Bible2School will kick off its new season in Elizabethtown on Tuesday, Sept. 30, and this year, a fourth-grade class has been added to the program.

Classes will be offered on Tuesdays for second-graders from East High Elementary School and on Wednesdays beginning Oct. 1 for third- and fourth-graders from Bear Creek Elementary School.

"Bible2School is a program that provides free elective Bible classes to elementary children attending public school during the school day," explained Arlene Heistand, treasurer. "Trained volunteers engage the children in lively worship and Bible stories. Children and volunteers discuss how they can apply the Bible lessons in their lives and pray together."

Students are bussed from school to the host location, the one-room Rissers Schoolhouse, located on the property of Rissers Mennonite Church, 8360 Elizabethtown Road, Elizabethtown. Classes take place over the students' lunch and recess time.

The second-grade curriculum focuses on the Old Testament, while third-graders learn about the New Testament. Fourth-grade students will focus on discipleship.

"Our first full year of the Bible2School program for the Elizabethtown district with classes for second- and third-grade students was 2016-2017 school year," shared head teacher Karen Olweiler.

Increased interest in the program led the organizers to expand to fourth grade this year.

"Since we had second- and third-grade classes last year, we had students ask at the end of the year if we were going to have a fourth-grade class because they were going to be fourth-graders in the 2025-2026  year," shared Cindy Seitz, president. "We assured them we would work on it, and with the cooperation of the Elizabethtown schools, this has become a reality."

Participants can expect to have fun while growing in faith, Seitz remarked.

"The Bible2School program is safe, Christ-centered, age-appropriate, relevant, relational and fun," she said. "The love for the children is evident in our Bible2School volunteers. We want this to be a highlight of each student's week and that they will want to return each week to create lasting relationships, to enjoy more fun and learn more about the Bible with their friends."

She added that Bible2School is seeking volunteers, especially to fill specific roles.

"We are looking for some volunteers to ride along on the bus to and from the elementary schools and a business partner to serve on our Community Team," Seitz said, noting that a good volunteer loves to share Christ with others, shows genuine love and care for the students and their families and demonstrates Christ-like behaviors while teaching and mentoring students.

The program also seeks donations to provide curriculum, advertising, supplies and more.

To learn more about Bible2School, families are invited to a meet-and-greet drop-in on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Rissers Schoolhouse. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet teachers and volunteers and see the space where children will meet for the classes.

"We would appreciate your prayers for the program, the volunteers, the children and their families, the Elizabethtown School District and the Community Team as we start the new Bible2School program this fall," Seitz said.

To learn more about Bible2School or to make a donation, visit http://www.bible2school.com or call 717-940-1447. Information forms are also available in both school offices.