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Children in the Worship Service
Children are always welcome to remain with their parents
throughout the service. But if you have children three-years-old
and younger, there is nursery care available for them from the
beginning of the service to its conclusion.
We invite children four-years-old to fourth grade to join in the
children’s Sunday school which will be dismissed from the service
at the announcement time. The Sunday school teacher will guide
your child(ren) to the classroom area. We use Concordia
Publishing House's curriculum called Growing in Christ. The
children will return to the sanctuary in time to receive Holy
Communion. Your baptized children are also welcome to receive
Communion, if that is your desire. Otherwise, they are still
invited to come to the Communion rail to receive a blessing.
throughout the service. But if you have children three-years-old
and younger, there is nursery care available for them from the
beginning of the service to its conclusion.
We invite children four-years-old to fourth grade to join in the
children’s Sunday school which will be dismissed from the service
at the announcement time. The Sunday school teacher will guide
your child(ren) to the classroom area. We use Concordia
Publishing House's curriculum called Growing in Christ. The
children will return to the sanctuary in time to receive Holy
Communion. Your baptized children are also welcome to receive
Communion, if that is your desire. Otherwise, they are still
invited to come to the Communion rail to receive a blessing.
Confirmation
Usually starting at the age of twelve, children begin Confirmation
training. Confirmation is the ancient rite of the Church where a
person publicly professes the Faith he or she was baptized into
as an infant, and where they are empowered by the Holy Spirit,
through the laying on of the hands of the bishop, to begin their
work of ministry in the Church. Confirmation classes are lead by
the pastor and run for thirty-two weeks
training. Confirmation is the ancient rite of the Church where a
person publicly professes the Faith he or she was baptized into
as an infant, and where they are empowered by the Holy Spirit,
through the laying on of the hands of the bishop, to begin their
work of ministry in the Church. Confirmation classes are lead by
the pastor and run for thirty-two weeks
Children's Sunday School During the Service
Acolyting
Kids' Fun Night
Every first Friday of the month is Kids' Fun Night from 5:30 to
8:30pm. It all starts out with Fr. Jerry on his guitar leading the
kids in singing through the Children's Catechism. The kids play
games, have a meal (usually pizza!), watch a movie, or engage in
some other fun activity. Kids ages five and up are welcome, and
there is no charge.
8:30pm. It all starts out with Fr. Jerry on his guitar leading the
kids in singing through the Children's Catechism. The kids play
games, have a meal (usually pizza!), watch a movie, or engage in
some other fun activity. Kids ages five and up are welcome, and
there is no charge.
Are Your Children in Covenant with God?
Our children are the most important people in our lives. What wouldn’t
we do to give them everything they need? But sometimes parents neglect
to do for their children the one thing that is most vital for their lives,
and that is to bring them into the kind of relationship God shows us in
His Word that He most desires to have with them—a covenantal
relationship.
If you’re not sure exactly what that means, but you are sure you want to
give your children everything they need to grow up in the grace and
blessing of God, then I highly recommend that you read John Sartelle's
little book, What Christian Parents Should Know About Infant Baptism.
I know that the concept of infant or child baptism will throw some of
you. Having been a convinced Baptist till after college, I totally get that!
It was a huge hurdle for me to get over, too. But I must say that this
booklet has been the most foundational for me in coming to understand
the biblical teaching that God wants to bring whole families into
covenant with Himself, and not just bare individuals. It helped me to
understand the whole concept of a covenant, and why God wants this kind
of relationship with my wife and me and our kids, and what a life of
grace and blessing it opens up to us. It also helped me to see the
responsibilities I have as a parent of covenant children, and the faith
and life I need to lead them in for the future. It’s so much more than just
a book on baptism.
So if I’ve piqued your interest at all, and you want to make sure you're
not neglecting to give your children everything they need to grow up to
be faithful children of God, we at St. Stephen’s would very much like to
send you a copy of this little book, and then try to answer any questions
you might have with regard to your family’s relationship with God. No
charge, no commitment. Just our heartfelt desire to share something of
immense importance for you and your children. Send me an email or a
Facebook message with a name and an address, and we’ll send it to you
immediately.
Blessings in Christ,
Fr. Jerry
we do to give them everything they need? But sometimes parents neglect
to do for their children the one thing that is most vital for their lives,
and that is to bring them into the kind of relationship God shows us in
His Word that He most desires to have with them—a covenantal
relationship.
If you’re not sure exactly what that means, but you are sure you want to
give your children everything they need to grow up in the grace and
blessing of God, then I highly recommend that you read John Sartelle's
little book, What Christian Parents Should Know About Infant Baptism.
I know that the concept of infant or child baptism will throw some of
you. Having been a convinced Baptist till after college, I totally get that!
It was a huge hurdle for me to get over, too. But I must say that this
booklet has been the most foundational for me in coming to understand
the biblical teaching that God wants to bring whole families into
covenant with Himself, and not just bare individuals. It helped me to
understand the whole concept of a covenant, and why God wants this kind
of relationship with my wife and me and our kids, and what a life of
grace and blessing it opens up to us. It also helped me to see the
responsibilities I have as a parent of covenant children, and the faith
and life I need to lead them in for the future. It’s so much more than just
a book on baptism.
So if I’ve piqued your interest at all, and you want to make sure you're
not neglecting to give your children everything they need to grow up to
be faithful children of God, we at St. Stephen’s would very much like to
send you a copy of this little book, and then try to answer any questions
you might have with regard to your family’s relationship with God. No
charge, no commitment. Just our heartfelt desire to share something of
immense importance for you and your children. Send me an email or a
Facebook message with a name and an address, and we’ll send it to you
immediately.
Blessings in Christ,
Fr. Jerry
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We encourage children eight-years-old and older to serve as
acolytes in the service. Acolytes assist the ministers in the
conduct of Holy Worship by lighting the candles, bearing the
Processional Cross, carrying the Gospel Book, and assisting at the
Altar in the service of Holy Communion.
acolytes in the service. Acolytes assist the ministers in the
conduct of Holy Worship by lighting the candles, bearing the
Processional Cross, carrying the Gospel Book, and assisting at the
Altar in the service of Holy Communion.
