These words from the service of Holy Baptism set the agenda for our Special Grade Level Events program. The words clearly spell out our obligations, our responsibilities towards these young people. The words are very ordinary, in everyday language we can all understand, "Bring them to church, teach them the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, give them Bibles, etc." In these words we claim our place as children of God and as such, heirs to His promise of eternal life. These promises shape our lives, how we spend our time and money, how we model our faith to our children. These promises describe us, the kind of lives we want to lead, and the actions we will take to fulfill our part of this bargain.

 

So we are thankful for the simple words of this promise, words that give us an outline to follow, words that define our partnership as God's church on earth, that describe our task together. Hope Lutheran can be the place where your family goes to worship together; we will be the resource center to help you teach your child the Lord's Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments. We will help you place the Bible in their hands and be the place to come for instruction in the Christian faith. We will be your partners in this process. You might feel overwhelmed if you had to fulfill these promises alone, and as an organization, we would have little chance of success without your cooperation. It really is too much for either of us to do alone, but together we can, and in doing so, model a life of faith for our children so that they too "May lead godly lives until the day of Jesus Christ."

 

 

Worship is one of the most joy-filled ways we express our love to and for our loving Father.  Worship can be a confusing and often boring part of church for many children.  It’s not that kids and worship don’t go together, but that kids may have a difficult time understanding why they’re worshipping.  At the Praise Party we will stress that we worship God for who He is and what He does.  By helping children understand what God does and who He is, we’re drawing them closer to God in heart, mind and spirit.

 

 

Some people think that prayer is an inborn ability not requiring formal or creative instruction.  But just as Jesus taught His followers how to pray in Luke11:1, children need prayer instruction too!  At the Prayer Party children will learn that people have different ways of speaking to God through prayer and that what matters most is not the method in which they pray, but the sincerity of their prayers.

 

 

On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments to deliver to the people of Israel. In these commandments, God reveals his character and gives us a way to express love for God and for one another.

 

At first, young children may think some of God's commandments are restricting and unnecessary. This event is planned to help 2nd graders and their parents discover the importance of rules and how God expresses love for us through the Ten Commandments.

 

 

Parents have told us how much it means for their children to have a Bible of their own to read. The Beginner's Bible is presented at baptism and the Children's Illustrated Contemporary English Version Bible is presented to the third graders each year. These Bible editions are also used by all our children in Faith Steps each week.

 

A "Celebrate Scripture" party introduces the third graders (with their parents) to their Bibles in a fun, informal setting. They gain a working knowledge of how to look up stories and important people, who wrote the books of the Bible, and much, much more.

 

 

All fourth graders are invited to the Baptismal Bash in January  to celebrate their Baptism. There are games, crafts, stories, food and just plain fun as fourth graders learn more about baptism and celebrate their own baptism.

 

Our ceremonial baptism service is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Even for those who fall away from the faith and then return, we do not re-baptize, but instead reaffirm the original baptism. Since baptism happens only once, and is usually done when the child is still an infant, children do not remember or, if they witness a baptism, easily forget the purpose of baptism.

 

The repetition of reminders will help children grasp the deeper truth that baptism is the foundation, the fountain where we can return again and again for the water of life. To be able to recite one's date and time of baptism will not save one's soul, but knowing that date and time, unchanging through the years, can illustrate for all Christians the absolute nature of God's love for each person.

 

 

Hope's fifth graders begin their First Communion preparatory studies during Lent each year. They will learn that Holy Communion is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ given with bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for them to eat and drink. It is sharing in the life and death of Christ which radically creates a relationship with Christ and the believer. The benefits of this sacrament are pointed out by the words, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. These words assure us that in the sacrament they receive forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: forgiveness of sins. The children are rightly prepared to receive this sacrament when they understand and believe these words, because the words for you require simply a believing heart.

First Communion is celebrated at the services on Maundy Thursday with a reception honoring the First Communicants following the service.

 

 

Today’s 6th graders receive a daily barrage of input from secular sources: peers, teachers, magazines, radio, TV, etc. That's why the time they spend "in the world" needs to be offset by the time they spend "in the Word."

 

Hope offers a fun Devotional Event that is a one night, lock in for 6th graders. This event is held to inspire children to become active in daily devotions.  Devotions do not  have to be routine and formal but can be full of heart touching lessons and messages that also reach the mind. Devotion time can cultivate right attitudes and show how Christian faith is to function in daily living. Parents and children that use devotions early in life are planting the seeds of faith that will enrich them all the years to come. Worship periods in the home produce devout people who are also a blessing to others. Christian devotion, rightly understood, gives freedom, peace and joy.

It's probably too optimistic to hope that, as a result of this special event, your kids will be ready to start a daily devotional time. Very few 6th graders are ready for such consistency, but it's not too optimistic to hope that, as a result of this special event, they will recognize the importance of regularly spending time in God's Word.

Nursery

 

Hope’s safe and caring nursery provides well-prepared facilities and well-trained, loving workers to stand alongside and support parents as they seek to nurture their children.  The nursery is a place where babies can learn that the God who created them is Lord of all there is to know.  The nursery is usually opened and staffed during all scheduled worship.

 

 

 

 

When:  Saturday before Easter

Time:  10:00 – 11:30 am

Where:  North & South Campus

Who:  all young children and their parents

Don’t miss this opportunity to create memorable lessons for your children during this Easter season.  Join us as we discover how eggs and Easter are almost inseparable in the lives of Christians through stories, crafts, games and snacks.  You won’t want to miss the fun!

 

 

An annual event offered to 4th - 6th graders usually the 2nd - 3rd weekend in May at Castaway on Pelican Lake.  A great opportunity to meet new friends and have fun while learning about their individual relationship with Jesus at Castaway on Pelican Lake.

 

 

An annual event which takes place on a Saturday in February for 5th & 6th graders.  Morning sessions focus on safety and prevention issues, while the afternoon sessions focus on child development and creating a Babysitter’s Bag.