The Stepping Stones Program

• blesses children as they go through the developmental phases of Christian education,
• calls parents back to the baptismal promises they made for their children,
• provides a chance for families to grow in faith together, and
• equips parents for sharing their faith with their children.

At each step along the faith journey, we set aside special times for blessing and intergenerational education and sharing.

Baptism: Parents meet with Pastor Olson to arrange the baptism. First Lutheran hosts a Baptismal Parties for recently baptized children and expecting parents. Once a year, on the Sunday of the Baptism of our Lord, the baptismal families gather around the Christ Candle to celebrate the gift of baptism by lighting their baptismal candles.

Entrance into Sunday School: Pastor Olson provides opportunities for the parents of toddlers to meet with professionals who can help parents meet the needs of their children. A Noah's Ark party will be held on Saturday, September 9th at 10:00 a.m.to introduce 3 and 4 year olds-and their parents-to Sunday School routine and their teachers. On Sunday, September 10th, Rally Day, parents bring their 3 and 4 year olds up to the altar for a renewal of their baptismal promise.

First Bible - Third Grade: There are two sessions for children and their parents which explain the Old Testament's promises(Tuesday, Sept. 5th at 6:30 p.m.) and the New Testament's key verses (Monday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m.)and discuss the importance of family devotions. Parents give the Bibles to their children during Worship in the Park on Sunday, September 17th.

Gospel Reading - Fourth Grade: Children are assigned readings from the Gospel. Then we get together with your parents to discuss you reading and have a party! Sunday, February 11th at 6:30 p.m.

First Communion - Fifth Grade: During the Lenten Season, classes are held for youth and their parents. One session will be devoted to the role of reconciliation in family life. First Communion will be held on Maundy Thursday, April 5th, and the students will make the bread for this service. We will host a dinner in which we celebarte a taste of the Passover Meal. Students will also invite their baptismal sponsors to be a part of this special day.

Entry into Catechetical study - Seventh and Eighth Grade. One of the biggest days in the Lutheran Church in Europe is the beginning of a child's catechetical study. Students and parents will attend the first confirmation class on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 p.m. to learn about the confirmation program. During Sunday worship on Rally Day (September 10th), the seventh graders, their parents, baptismal sponsors, and mentors will come forward for a blessing and the renewal of the promise of baptism, and students will receive the catechism and study Bibles. Confirmation classes are held on Wednesday nights during the 7th and 8th grade years.

Preparing for Confirmation: During the spring of their eighth grade, students and mentors will be commissioned for their summer work: completing a series of worksheets dealing with worship, social life, family life, and school and writing a statement of faith. Confirmands will meet individually with the pastor to discuss the worksheets and their statement of faith. On Wednesday, September 27th, confirmands will make their confirmation stoles.

Confirmation - Fall of Ninth Grade: Upon the completion of mentoring, confirmands and parents will meet with Pastor Olson on Sunday, October 22nd at 6:00 p.m. for a session on the meaning of the confirmation service. Parents and confirmands are invited to write a letter describing how they will continue their ministry in the years ahead. This letter will be sealed and reopened on their graduation Sunday.

The Confirmation Service - Ninth Grade: . Confirmation will be held on Reformation Sunday (October 29th), and family and mentors will share in the blessing of the confirmands. Parents will present the stole (which emphasizes the confirmands "commissioning) during the Confirmation service. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall after the service.

Graduation Service - Twelfth Grade: Parents and graduates will come forward so that parents can bless the future of their graduates; graduates will then give their parents a "thank you" blessing for all their support. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall after the service.