CHILDREN & YOUTH FAITH FORMATION
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BAPTISM
CONTACT: PASTOR KRISTIN SWENSON | EMAIL
Baptism is sometimes a point of debate among the Christian community. Should babies be baptized? Only adults? Is it simply symbolic or is there something more mysterious happening?
As a Lutheran congregation, we believe that adults, kids, and babies can be baptized. Why? Well in some ways it's simple -- Jesus asks it of us.
There certainly is more to be discussed and we would be happy to talk to you about it!If you are interested in having your child or yourself baptized, please email the above address or call the office during business hours.
Once you have confirmed a date, please complete the Baptism Worksheet.
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Hope's Child Care is open Sunday's during both Worship Services. Children 4 years of age and under are welcome to use this supervised space. Registration is required ... this only needs to be done once. >> Learn More
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SUNDAY SCHOOL (SUN 10:30AM)
LEAD: ALICIA HERRLE | EMAIL | SCHEDULE
SIGNUPS: CHILD PARTICIPANT | ADULT/YOUTH VOLUNTEER
Children ages Pre-K through 4th grade are invited to join us Sundays at 10:30am for in-person Sunday School offered September through May. Register your Sunday School student now!
Volunteer teachers and assistants are needed each week to cover our Pre-K & Kindergarten class, our 1st & 2nd Grade class, and our 3rd & 4th Grade class. Volunteers are asked to have a current background check and take our online Abuse Prevention Training class, both provided at no cost. Volunteers who have completed both are encouraged to sign up now!
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FIRST COMMUNION
CONTACT: PASTOR KRISTIN SWENSON | EMAIL
The invitation to the Feast of Victory is Christ’s to make, not ours! At Hope, it is not our tradition to have a specific age or grade that children have their first Holy Communion. If you and your child have discerned that they want to begin receiving the bread and wine at the Table, we welcome you to attend a few weeks of faith formation about how Lutherans understand God’s grace and presence in the sacrament.
First Communion classes for 2023 are now complete. We welcome you to join us in March 2024. Registration will open around January 2024.
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Anyone is welcome to affirm their baptism at any time in order to be reminded of the amazing grace God has given us! Confirmation is a special opportunity for our young people to publicly declare their intent to continue their faith journey and to receive the love and support of their congregation.
At Hope, Confirmation preparation usually begins in 5th grade. Students who are in 5th through 8th grades are invited to participate in this special faith formation. The Rite of Confirmation typically occurs in the fall of the students' 9th grade year.
As appropriate for their ages, confirmands will explore the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament in more depth than our younger children do in Sunday School. They will also have the opportunity to learn about Christian history, teachings, and ritual. Our goal is to give young people a solid foundation of love and support for what we pray will be a lifelong journey of faith made in curiosity, humility, and wonder.
Confirmation runs September through May. The 2023-2024 program year began September 20, but students are welcome to join at any time -- click here for this year's schedule.
YOUTH ROOM OPEN 6-8pm on WEDNESDAYS: Youth are invited on Wednesday nights when Confirmation or Teen Ministry meets to come a little early to hang out, play games, etc. before we begin our class/session at 6:30pm, and as schedules allow, are welcome to stay as late as 8pm for pick-up.
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TEEN MINISTRY (WED 6:30PM)
CONTACT: PASTOR KRISTIN SWENSON | EMAIL
One Wednesday a Month at 6:30pm
Beyond Confirmation, supporting our young people in their faith journey is an important part of our ministry at Hope. Throughout the program year (Sep-May), our teens gather one Wednesday a month for fellowship, fun, conversation, study, and prayer. This group is primarily for 9th-12th grade youth, though teens in 6-8th grades are welcome to join too. Any interested teens are welcome to attend, and friends are always welcome! See the above schedule for Teen Ministry Nights.
YOUTH ROOM OPEN 6-8pm on WEDNESDAYS: Youth are invited on Wednesday nights when Confirmation or Teen Ministry meets to come a little early to hang out, play games, etc. before we begin our class/session at 6:30pm, and as schedules allow, are welcome to stay as late as 8pm for pick-up.
