Baptism
Holy Baptism is central to the life of the community at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church. It is ”the ritual of welcome” for entering into the Christian Church whether one is baptized as an infant or an adult. Martin Luther, in particular focused his pastoral theology on God’s gift of baptism. It is the promise that God is ever near, and so we walk as baptized Christians. We renew our faith every time we remember our baptism. In the waters of baptism, we are called to be Jesus’ disciples.
At Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, the rite of baptism is scheduled during the Sunday morning worship service. It is a public celebration with the congregation participating in music and word.
If you are interested in baptism for yourself or a member of your family, please contact the church office to schedule a date for the baptism service and a meeting with the pastor. Since many visitors to Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church come from a variety of Christian denominational background, we offer this time to discuss and learn about our congregation’s Lutheran baptism practices.
First Communion
Within the ELCA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, baptized Christians are allowed to receive Holy Communion at any age. In practice, infants are allowed to participate in Communion. Historic traditions, congregational practices and parental discretion; however, have determined how broadly this is practiced.
At Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, the pastor regularly schedules a First Communion class for the 2nd graders in Sunday School. The children and their parents participate together in a class focusing on the book “A Place for You, “ and in enacting a Seder Meal.
If you are interested in your son or daughter participating in a First Communion class, please contact the church office.
Confirmation
Confirmation education has a long, historic tradition within the Lutheran Church. In Scandinavia and Germany, the rite of Confirmation signaled the completion of public education and entry into adult life. This coincided with 8th grade compulsory education. The curriculum then consisted simply of a memorization of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.
Today, confirmation education serves as a period of growth in the Christian faith. In addition to a broad overview of the Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism, confirmation students study the nature of the promises their parents and godparents made when they were first baptized.
The two-year confirmation program begins in the fall of the 7th grade. Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church uses the Augsburg-Fortress “Here We Stand” curriculum. Wednesday evening classes include small group leaders and mentors and interaction with the pastor.
The Rite of Confirmation, the culmination of the education program, takes place in October of the Confirmand’s 9th grade.