ABOUT CIRCLE OF LOVE

Connecting Hearts, Discovering Purpose In Christ! 

"When we play, we learn!" Play is a developmentally appropriate way for children to make sense of their world and holds a crucial role in the development of the whole child. Our goal is to connect closely with each child and meet their diverse needs; spiritually, cognitively, physically, emotionally, and socially, supporting them in discovering who God has made them to be. To meet these needs, our curriculum provides opportunities for children to develop and express themselves creatively in our play-based, hands-on, Christ-centered environment. Train up children in the way they should go, even when they are old they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6) 

The focus on education has deep roots in the Lutheran Church. Over 500 years ago, the Bible was not accessible. There was the obstacle of extremely low literacy, a general lack of access to education, and at that time, Bibles were both rare and written almost exclusively in Latin, not in the languages of the common people. Martin Luther addressed his various concerns with the church in Europe and in response to those concerns, Luther translated the Bible into German, all of which sparked what would be known as the “Protestant Reformation.”

The Lutheran Church was founded on the belief that it is the shared duty of churches, parents, and teachers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and that all people are entitled to read and study the Bible. At First Lutheran Church and Circle of Love Preschool, we proudly hold early childhood education in the highest regard as it sets the foundation for all future learning. Circle of Love trusts deeply in the tradition of Lutheran education because we believe it is essential to “train up children in the way they should go, even when they are old they will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

- Making Jesus Real (Pacific Southwest District LCMS) 

Education: We value Christ-centered Education as a means to serve all of God's children, young or old, and support them in discovering their purpose in Christ.

Formational Traditions: We value traditions that assist individuals, families, and our community in their formation as God's children in all areas of life - in soul, mind, body, emotions, and relationships.

Connection: We value connection to God and connection to each other as the means to create a Christ-centered community of belonging.

Service: We value service as a reflection of Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve, and who taught that it is a crucial mark or Christ-centered community of belonging. Discovering purpose is always service oriented.

Prayer: We value prayer as an essential posture in all we do as a church and school and necessary in living life together compassionately.

Music: We value music as a vibrant means of expressing the beauty of God and its crucial contribution to people's entire formation, both educationally and spiritually. 

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pacific Southwest District produced this video to showcase the mission and philosophy of it's various preschools. Circle of Love Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten is a part of the LCMS Pacific Southwest District and believes deeply in the mission of "GROWING MINDS AND KIND HEARTS."

Learn more about the long and rich history of Lutheran education, HERE. 

Formal Lutheran education began 165 years ago when people felt strongly that it was time to set up Christian schools for their children and grandchildren. Now, almost two centuries later, over 290,000 children are enrolled in schools operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations.

There are many reasons why parents choose to send their children to a Lutheran school.  Lutheran schools provide top-notch Christian and academic education.  On average, students in Lutheran schools perform significantly higher than the nation’s public school students.  Furthermore, Lutheran schools get the attention of parents, says Terry Schmidt, Associate Director of School Ministry, LCMS, “because the schools play a significant role in their most precious possession – their children.”

Educators in Lutheran schools enter into this ministry because of their love for Jesus, their love for children, and the desire to serve these children. The staggering amount of time Lutheran teachers devote to each child, from preschool through high school, presents many, many opportunities to share the love of Jesus with those who already know Him as Lord and Savior, as well as with those who do not. According to Schmidt, to get the same investment of time in a church setting, a child would have to attend Sunday services faithfully for 266 years.

Of the 290,000-plus children attending Lutheran schools, 46,000 (or 16 percent) are unchurched. What an awesome opportunity for Lutheran schools! The Lord can work mightily, using our schools as a great mission field. We should praise God for the untapped potential He’s given us for all Lutheran schools to set hearts on fire for Christ.

Lutheran schools provide not only a Christian education, but also an excellent, well-rounded, academic education for students, from preschool through college.  In the words of one of our principals, Paul Brandt (Shepherd of the Desert, Scottsdale, AZ), “The Pacific Southwest District is the place to be!”

- Rachel Klitzing, PSD Executive Director of School Ministries, 9/05 

What does it mean that Circle of Love Preschool is an accredited school through the NLSA? Click this LINK to learn more!