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Legacy Mile Marker Ministry

Travel a Different Road

God’s vision for faith formation is found in scripture and is simply this: “Parents are the primary Christian educators in the church and the family is the God-ordained institution for building faith in young people and for passing faith on from one generation to the next”

(excerpt from The Family Friendly Church by Ben Freudenburg.)

Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, and Ephesians 6:4 compel parents to take the spiritual training of their children very seriously. The church, however, has a very important role.

Imagine a church that provides a process where parents grow in their own understanding of the Bible and their relationship with Christ and then are equipped with training and resources to pass along faith to their own children. The research has clearly shown that faith is “caught more than taught” which means that parents need to walk out their faith everyday, not just do church on Sundays. Martin Luther put it this way: “Most certainly father and mother are apostles, bishops, and priests to their children, for it is they who make them acquainted with the Gospel”.

Our spiritual formation process at Epiphany begins in infancy and continues through senior adulthood. We have created a simple path specifically for families to walk on called Legacy Mile Markers. This path is designed around preschoolers,

children, and students.

With great joy we are able help parents effectively train our children in the Christian faith as they do life at home.

In this way we build a legacy of faith into the next generation. Join us in this mission today!

CURRENT MILE MARKERS THAT YOUR FAMILY CAN PARTAKE IN

ARE BELOW:

Upon the decision to baptize your child, parents and sponsors are invited to meet with our pastor for instruction and spiritual guidance. On the day of the baptism, you will receive a baptismal blanket, and a baptismal candle. Legacy Mile Marker materials will also be included in your gifts. On this day, parents are also introduced to our Nursery Director and Children’s ministry director to help you start your journey on the Mile Marker path.

Every August, Epiphany connects with up-and-coming Kindergarteners for this mile marker. Not only are these children going to school, but they are graduating from our Nursery program. Children are given age appropriate instruction on what happens in our worship service and are recognized before the congregation. Also, children are given “wiggle bags” full of fun activities to use while in church.

In the Fall of the year, children in the third grade are given their own Bible and taught how to study it. Parents and children are invited to attend the “How to Study Your Bible” workshop, after Bibles are presented to the children in front of the congregation.

All 5th – 8th graders and their parents are invited participate in this workshop that gives instruction on how to receive communion in a worthy manner. Children will complete a banner that is displayed before the congregation. They are then invited to share in the sacrament on the following Sunday.

7th and 8th grade youth receive Luther’s Catechism based instruction during this two year class. The class meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:20am. Once a student has completed this class, they are then asked to confirm their faith in front of the congregation. Students who participate in the full instruction of this class are “Confirmed” at the end of the second year and become full communicant members of the congregation. Retreats and mentors are supplements to this class.

*Communion instruction is also included in this course.

During the High School years, our program focuses on training upcoming graduates for life after High School. Classes with an emphasis on defending faith and life skills are offered to students. Materials for parents are available. The Spring before graduation, seniors are invited to a banquet with their family. They are also given special recognition during our worship service.

Please call church office at (850)385-7373 or email kallen@epiphanystar.org for more information.

This webpage is under construction. Please return frequently to view more information.