Faithful Families
MILESTONES
Celebrating Milestones & Rituals at Church and Home
Celebrating, recognizing and remembering the following events in your child's life will strengthen their faith and remind them how special they are to their parents, their church family and especially God.
Baptism
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is a special event in the life of a child both at church and with family. It can be remembered each year by celebrating the anniversary in a special way and as the child grows they will continue to learn more about it's meaning each time. Click below for ideas on how you can celebrate baptismal anniversaries at home and also for a reminder of the responsibilities parents are entrusted with at the time of Baptism.
Bible Presentations
As the children of FULC reach the following milestones they are recognized during worship with special bible presentations allowing the congregation to share in a part of their faith journeys. When a baby or toddler is baptized they receive their first bible, The Frolic First Bible. At the start of Sunday School children are given The Spark Story Bible. When moving up to the next class they receive the Spark NRSV Bible and upon starting Confirmation classes students are presented with a Lutheran Study Bible. Each of these bibles provide age-appropriate versions for youth to begin recognizing, understanding, and studying the stories of the bible both at church and at home. To learn more about Sparkhouse bibles click below.
Holy Communion
From the earliest testimony of the Church the only requirement for partaking of the Eucharist is belief and baptism. Our children are baptized. Do our children believe? Without question! Our little ones have the simple kind of faith we all should have. In the ELCA statement, “The Use of the Means of Grace” it states, “Baptized children begin to commune on a regular basis at a time determined through mutual conversation that includes the pastor, the child, and the parents or sponsors involved, within the accepted practices of the congregation.” With this as the practice at FULC, this milestone can be celebrated at any age. Parents are invited to meet with the Pastor to discuss their responsibilities of assisting them as they take communion and answering questions as they are asked. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” (Mark 10:13). So let us welcome them to our Lord’s table as our Lord welcomes us.
First Day of School
The return to school each year is always the start of something new and different. No matter their age or grade children, need to know that their parents are supporting them and that God will be with them each day. Consider sharing together the prayers and bible verses in the links below. When the church also includes a blessing or special prayer as a part of worship, students realize that their lives matter to their church family. They hear that the congregation cares about what happens at school and that God and church are not just a Sunday thing.
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Affirmation of Baptism
Another major milestone in a young person's faith journey is when they make public affirmation of their baptism, also known as Confirmation. After completing typically 3 years of studies based on Luther's Small Catechism, a confirmation student may decide they are ready to make public profession of their faith with the intention to continue in the covenant God made with them in Holy Baptism. At FULC we come together for one worship service to support the young people making this decision. During this service we are all reminded of the covenant made in Baptism which you can find under the parent reminders button above.
Click Here for information about downloading a free app with Luther's Small Catechism.
Graduation
At First United we recognize the accomplishments of graduation so that students know their church family supports them and their future. Connecting this milestone with their faith also helps remind the graduate that God is with them wherever their future is leading them. Finding ways at home to connect graduation milestones and faith will also reinforce this concept and encourage the transmission of faith that will last as they eventually move away from home and are on their own. Sharing and discussing some applicable bible verses is one way to make these connections as a family at home.