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: First Bible

October 13, 2019
9:15 -10:15am, Luther Hall (Blessing at the end of the 9:15am worship service)

What is the Bible? Is it really for children? Who are the characters in these stories? We will learn about the Bible through experiential learning and parent-child interaction. You can expect to have fun as you learn with your child!

This one-week parent/child class will take the place of your child’s Sunday School class for this week.  Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information.

1st Grade: Introducing Holy Communion

Sundays, January 5 & 12, 2020
9:15 -10:15 a.m., Luther Hall
We have a blessing of children, first-time communing and those already communing, on Sunday, January 19, during the 9:15 a.m. worship service.

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.
• This will take the place of your child’s Sunday School class for these weeks.

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2nd Grade: The Lord’s Prayer

Sundays, January 26, Feb. 2 & 9, 2020
9:15 -10:15 a.m., Luther Hall
Students will be blessed in worship at the end of the 9:15am service on Feb. 9

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. You can expect to have fun as you learn with your child!

This three-week series will take the place of your child’s Sunday School class for these weeks. If you have questions about these arrangements please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Blessing: There will be a blessing of second graders and parents in worship on Sunday, Feb. 9, at the end of the 9:15 a.m. service.

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 Faith 5
• Hard copy intro to The Faith 5

3rd Grade: Stepping into the Old Testament

Sundays, September 22, 29 & October 6, 2019
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
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. 6, right at the end of the 9:15 a.m. service.

4th Grade: Stepping into the New Testament

Sundays, March 1, 8 & 15, 2020
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m., Luther Hall

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:

March 1, The Good News (Matthew – Acts)
March 8, Amazing Grace: Paul’s Letters (Romans – Philemon)
March 15, The Universal Letters and Revelation (Hebrews – Revelation)

Please bring your child’s Bible (and Bible highlighter) with you! (Let us know if you don’t have a Bible or highlighter). 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 fourth graders and parents in worship on Sunday, March 15, right at the end of the 9:15 a.m. service.

Contact Minister of Faith Formation, Martin Rathjen, for more information: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

5th Grade: Celebration of Communion

Sunday Mornings, 10:45am, Luther Hall
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: Maundy Thursday, April 9, 7pm

Schedule

March 1, 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Exodus Role Play & Cup Making
March 8, 10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Workshop, Cup Glazing & Plate Painting
March 15, 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Seder Meal
Celebration of Communion: Maundy Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m.

6th Grade: Stepping into the Apostles’ Creed

Wednesdays, April 15, 22 & May 6, 2020
6:15 - 7:45pm, Luther Hall

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!

6:10 p.m. - check-in and receive name tags at the door of Luther Hall
6:15 p.m. - Worship with Holy Commotion begins (Parents can sit at the rear of Luther Hall in the seats provided and their children can join the large group opening)
6:25 p.m. - Welcome, announcements and introduction to the evening theme
6:30 p.m. - 7th - 9th graders will go to their small groups
          - 6th graders and parents will remain in Luther Hall for the Stepping Stone
7:00 p.m. - Students in Ascension Choir will come to the Stepping Stone at 7 p.m., immediately following their choir rehearsal.
7:45 p.m. - Go in peace and serve the Lord!

Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your questions.