Rites of Passage

Baptism        First Holy Communion        Confirmation

Baptism is the entry sacrament into the Christian church in which God adopts us into the family of God, the Church of Jesus Christ.  Baptism communicates God’s unconditional positive regard for us and our eternal salvation as God’s child forever. Baptism is the time we receive the Holy Spirit of God.  Baptism begins a life long process of Christian growth as we become more and more aware of God’s will for our lives, God’s call for us to fulfill a vocation in the world, and God’s invitation to us to witness to God’s love and extend the Christian church so that others become baptized because of us.

Second grade and older children are eligible to be instructed in Holy Communion with their families.  They are included as part of those whom Jesus gives himself and whom Jesus meets in the Lord’s Supper.  Jesus will be present to these children as He was present with the disciples at the Last Supper and all those who receive the Sacrament will be united in fellowship with Christ and receive the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. (Luther)

First Holy Communion classes are held in the spring for students and their parents.

Confirmation students confirm that they wish to continue to grow as Christians in the faith in which they were raised.  They affirm in the sacred rite of Confirmation that Jesus is their Lord and Savior and their desire to continue practicing the faith into which they were baptized.  Confirmation students say, "YES" to the faith and practices of Christianity into which their parents introduced them and nourished them.  By Confirmation, students become adult members of our congregation and they receive the privileges and obligations of attending and voting in congregational meetings at which members of the Body of Christ seek to do God’s will in our community and share our gifts and wisdom.

Confirmation classes are for 7^th and 8^th graders.  Students are confirmed in the 8^th grade.

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