Blessings Along the Way

 

Celebrating important milestones on the journey of faith

 

• Birth - each new baby receives a Spiritual Safe from the congregation to store mementos of faith

• Baptism - parents meet with one of the pastors to discuss the promises made during the Service of Holy Baptism

• Baptism Reaffirmation - children who have been baptized during the previous year are invited, along with their families, to reaffirm their baptismal promises on Baptism of Our Lord Sunday in January

• Age 3 - children are invited to a "Noah's Ark" party at the beginning of the school year to welcome them to participation in the Church School program

• Age 4 - children receive a Children's Bible

• Age 5 - "Send-off to Kindergarten" blessing is held during services in the early fall for those children beginning kindergarten

• Early First Communion - parents are encouraged to bring their child to one of several Early First Communion classes offered throughout the year when they feel that their child is "faith-ready" to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion

• 1st grade - (To be announced)

• 2nd grade - Receive a Bible in the spring from their parents and the congregation in preparation for studying the Bible in 3rd grade

• 3rd grade - Are welcomed to the Christos program, a special Church School program for 3rd-5th graders

• 4th grade - "Remembering Communion" a special program in the spring to remember their 1st Communion or to prepare for their 1st Communion

• 5th grade - Participate in World Hunger program in January

• 6th grade - Mark a special point in their faith journey as they begin the Confirmation program

• 7th grade - (To be announced)

• 8th grade - (To be announced)

• 9th grade - Focus during this year of Confirmation is on preparation for the promises made at the affirmation of Baptism service in the spring of their 9th-grade year. 9th graders also receive a special keychain and a "Behind the Wheel" blessing from the congregation as they begin the process of driver education and receiving their driver's permit

• 10th grade - (To be announced)

• 11th grade - (To be announced)

• 12th grade - Graduates are recognized as they embark on a new part of their faith journey

• After high school, FoC maintains a connection with our young adults through special mailings & email coordinated by our Young Adult Ministry team