Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones are intentional times when parents and their children gather to be equipped to grow in faith together and to grow in faith habits that can be used at home. This is a ministry that supports Immanuel families to live out their faith in their homes. We begin by meeting with families preparing for their child’s baptism we invite parents and child to gather for the following Stepping Stones (most include a 3-week parent and child series which culminates with a blessing before the congregation).

Faith Habits for Families

Stepping Stones supports, encourages and equips families to live out their faith in their homes. A couple tools to assist you with growing faith in your home:

• The Faith 5 (PDF)
• Faith Habits - Prayers and Rituals (PDF)

 

Kindergarten: Loving Your Neighbor

Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m.

Please join us for our new Kindergarten Stepping Stone—Loving Your Neighbor! Kindergarteners and their parents will learn about the story of The Greatest Commandment, who is our neighbor, and how we can show love for our neighbors.  This will be a virtual stepping stone via Zoom (see login information below) with an easy and fun at-home activity for parents and Kindergartners to do together following the gathering.  

No sign-up needed, but there are two things we do need you to do, please: 

• Pick up supplies for the at-home activity at Immanuel during the week before the stepping stone (Monday-Thursday, Oct 19-22).  
• Have your Kindergartener bring a favorite stuffed animal or toy they really love with them to the Zoom stepping stone gathering. 

Join Zoom Meeting:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86441671395?pwd=RHpRSy9GTVl4V1dWa3MwdWZ6T1AxZz09

• Meeting ID: 864 4167 1395 
• Passcode: 408636 

 Contact cindy@immanuel.us for more information.

 

1st Grade: Introducing Holy Communion

Sundays, January 24, 31 & Feb. 7, 10 a.m.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82888395547?pwd=MFl0M1dHMjc3NnZPSVZ6L2VHMms5UT09  Meeting ID: 828 8839 5547  Passcode: 412038

This series aims to help parents and child learn about Holy Communion

• This is not a “first” communion class, rather, teaching children and parents about communion. Immanuel welcomes all baptized people (children and adults) to participate in the Lord’s Supper. Children younger than first grade are welcome to come and receive forgiveness in the bread and wine - it is The Lord’s Table - and all are welcome.
• Parents and children will gather together to learn of Christ’s welcome that all come to the table.
• Families may elect to have their child commune prior to this Stepping Stone.

In-person ​Celebration of Communion: Feb 7 & 10

We invite all first grade families, whether it is your child's first communion or not, to signup for a 15-minute increment for household private communion with one of our pastors. We will welcome 2 families/15-minute increment - one pastor will be in the Sanctuary and the other in the Fellowship Hall) to celebrate the gift of Holy Communion:

• Sunday, Feb. 7, 11:30am - 2pm
• Wednesday, Feb. 10, 4 - 5pm

2nd Grade: The Lord's Prayer

Sundays, November 8, 15 & 22, 2020

10 a.m. Zoom Gathering:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83923873142?pwd=Nm1hNXF4cmVVWXgrL2YyelJVUkI3QT09  Meeting ID: 839 2387 3142  Passcode: 873909

What is prayer? Is it a magic wand we wave in front of God to get God to turn events and situations to our advantage? Is it simply a conversation? Is it worship? Why, when and how can we talk to God? Jesus gave us a guide in Matthew 6, what we now call The Lord’s Prayer.

In this series we will help children to understand the concepts embedded in the Lord’s Prayer: the holiness of God, God’s provision, the importance of forgiving as well as being forgiven, and so on. We will learn about prayer through experiential learning and parent-child interaction.

If you have questions about these arrangements please contact martin@immanuel.us

Resources

• The Lord's Prayer - for your meal table. Place this in the center of your meal table and use it to pray the Lord's Prayer at the end of your meal. Join hands around the table and join in prayer.
• Video introductions to The Faith5
• Hard copy intro to The Faith5

 

3rd Grade: Stepping into the Old Testament

Sundays, September 27, Oct. 4 & 18, 2020

10 a.m. Zoom Gathering

This series aims to introduce the 3rd Grader to the Bible and answer some questions like: Who wrote the Bible? When was the Bible written? How can I use the Bible? How do I find stuff in the Bible? The 3rd Graders will use their Bible with parents at each of the sessions - and there will be a public presentation of the Bibles in worship. This three-week series will take the place of your child’s Sunday School class for these weeks.

Blessing: There will be a blessing of third graders and parents in worship on Sunday, Oct. 18, right after the Stepping Stone, during the 10:30 a.m. service

 

4th Grade: Stepping into the New Testament

Sundays, January 3, 10, 17, 2021

10 - 10:45 a.m. Zoom Gathering

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85702959511?pwd=KzdPZVlPWTJ2all2WVJUOWlEakFUUT09  Meeting ID: 857 0295 9511, Passcode: 429419

This series introduces the 4th Grader to the New Testament with an overview of the New Testament, highlighting key Bible verses, participating in active learning and activities with parents, other students and at table groups. The schedule will be as follows:

January 3, The Good News (Matthew – Acts)
January 10, Amazing Grace: Paul’s Letters (Romans – Philemon)
January 17, The Universal Letters and Revelation (Hebrews – Revelation)

Please have your child’s Bible (and Bible highlighter) with you! (Let us know if you don't have a Bible or highlighter). 

Blessing: There will be a blessing of fourth graders and parents at the end of January 17 Zoom gathering.  Please submit a photo of your 4th grader on/before Wednesday, January 13, that we will use on-screen in worship.

Contact Minister of Faith Formation, Martin Rathjen, for more information: martin@immanuel.us

5th Grade: Celebration of Communion

March 7, 14, 21, 2021

We invite and encourage 5th graders and parent(s), to join us for the Celebration of Communion which builds on prior learning and takes children deeper into the meaning of The Lord's Supper.

• Parents and students will experience a re-enactment of the Exodus and experience a sample Seder Meal – a meal in which Jewish people celebrate Passover (it was during Passover that Jesus began - “instituted” - Communion).
• Each participant will also design and shape their own Communion cup.
• We will gather for learning activities and classroom instruction. Each participant will glaze their communion cup and families will design and decorate a Celebration of Communion plate.
• We spend a great deal of time working in family units, so the presence of an adult is important. If a parent is unable to attend we suggest inviting another adult who is significant in the 5th grader’s life: a baptismal sponsor, grandparent or other relative.
• Celebration of Communion: During the 10:30 a.m worship service on March 21 (right after the final Stepping Stone)

Schedule

March 7, 10 a.m. - Exodus Role Play* & Cup Making*
March 14, 10 a.m. - Workshop, Cup Glazing* & Plate Painting*
March 21, 10 a.m. - Seder Meal*

Celebration of Communion in Worship TBD

*Details of if/how these activities will occur will depend on the spread and/or containment of the virus.  

 

6th Grade: Stepping into the Apostles' Creed

Spring 2021

These sessions will help students and parents claim the Apostles' Creed as their own, introduce students and parents to Confirmation ministry, and give them tools for home-centered faith practices that express belief in God in daily life. Participants will be involved in active learning, with interaction between parent and child, small group discussion and a variety of activities. Students will create a Give Jar (for use at home). Please bring your Bible with you!

Contact martin@immanuel.us with your questions.