Faith Stepping Stones
Redeemer is a partner with families in the spiritual development of their children. Faith Stepping Stones are tools we use to help faith development, emphasizing major events in a child’s life of faith.

Faith Stepping Stones take place within the Sunday morning Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and the 11 a.m. worship service. For more information or to enroll your children in any of the stepping stones below, contact Amber at ext. 239. 

First Bible  
January 13, 20, 27 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
Each year Redeemer presents a Bible to each of our third graders. This is one of the ways our congregation supports our children in their faith development and supports you in your teaching of faith in your home. To mark this special event in your child’s life, we offer three special classes designed as an introduction to the Bible and its story, and to some of the resources we have for studying God’s Word. We call this short series "Place in Their Hands," a phrase from the promise you made at the baptism of your child. We encourage parents (and grandparents and sponsors or godparents) to participate in this class with the third-graders. It is especially helpful to have an adult working with the child, and parents usually find the course a helpful and quick survey of the Bible.
Leader: Pastor Ficken

Baptism (for parents)
November 4, 11, 18, 2007 and March 2, 9 & 16, 2008
We offer a Baptism class two times a year, in the Fall and the Spring. Parents of those who have baptisms scheduled, those whose children have been baptized in recent months, those with newborn infants who have not yet been baptized, and those whom we know to be expecting a child are all invited to this class. During these three sessions, we will work on several areas:
(1) reflecting on the meaning of Baptism, reviewing the baptismal liturgy and working on ways to fulfill baptismal promises
(2) sharing resources about child-rearing and family life and faith development
(3) enabling families with new children or families about to have children to get to know one another and talk about common interests and concerns

Blessing of the Twos
Sunday, August 19, 2007
9:45 a.m.
Each year on Fall Kick-Off (August 19, 2007) we promote the children
into their new Sunday School classes. This is the first day for the two-year-olds entering Redeemer's Sunday School program. On August 19, during the 11:00 a.m. service the children and their parents receive a blessing.

Confirmation / Jr. High Kickoff
August 26, 2007
Seventh and eighth-grade students and their parents will meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. for an informational meeting about our Confirmation and Jr. High ministry. The dinner will be potluck so bring a dish that serves 10-12.

7th-8th Grade — Confirmation
Sundays 9:30 a.m.
Confirmation I — 7th grade in Room 207
Confirmation II — 8th grade in Room 205

Confirmands meet on Sundays, but also participate in retreats, lock-ins and other Youth Ministry activities. The curriculum is called “Here We Stand” and students study the Bible during their 7th grade year and Luther’s Small Catechism in 8th grade. 
 
Dates to remember:
November 9-11, 2007 - Confirmation Retreat

Confirmation Weekend: May 10-11, 2008

First Communion
1st Communion Class: September 23, 2007
Children receive communion: October 7, 2007
All families who feel their child is ready to receive the sacrament and all families of fifth graders are invited to this class. In preparation for their children’s first communion, we offer an afternoon retreat. The class reviews Biblical descriptions of the Lord’s Supper, discussion on the meaning of this sacrament, its connection with baptism, its value for our lives of faith; we also reflect on matters of trust and readiness for this important step in the Christian life.
Leader: Pastor Samuelson

High School Graduation
Graduate Sunday will be May 18, 2008. It is a time for Redeemer to recognize all graduates and to especially lift up those graduating high school. Graduates will be recognized with a display in the Atrium and then have lunch with the rising seniors following the 11 a.m. service.