FAITH has an outstanding ministry for children. We have three Sunday schools each Sunday. The children
remain in worship until Pastor (and his stuffed frog Phoebe) finish the message for the children at which
time the children process to their classes. In addition our mid-week youth ministry, LOGOS, is a major
ministry for children helping families ground their youth ever more deeply in a Christ-centered identity.
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Bible studies take place at FAITH throughout the year. Some are 1/2 day programs and others are ongoing.
New members of the study group are always welcome.
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The Lutheran churches in New England own a beautiful camp on the shores on Lake Ossipee in New Hampshire.
Although primarily a summer camp, Camp Calumet also has a winterized facility, which is nicer than many hotels,
where folks go on retreat throughout the winter. Each summer almost 20 children from FAITH attend the summer
camp and many families use the camping facilities.
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Each Christmas season FAITH holds two Pageants which are designed for the children to help them relive
the Christmas story and develop a Christ-centered Christmas experience. In addition FAITH has a
marvelous 'Hanging of the Greens' program when we decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas season.
After each event we have a talent show and pot-luck dinner for the church.
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Our Pastors teach the first communion classes (Grade 4 and older)
and the confirmation classes (Grades 7 and 8). The confirmation ministry includes teaching and small group
relationship building for the youth. At the end of the program the youth affirm their faith in Christ as
Lord and Savior in a very moving worship experience.
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Our teens meet a few times a month with our youth worker. They have retreats and activities all year.
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LOGOS is mid-week youth ministry is for children in pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade.
The children will follow the same schedule as before with Bible study from 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; dinner from 6:00 p.m.
to 6:45 p.m.; worship skills from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; and recreation from 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. This year professional
nursery care assisted by parent volunteers will be provided for children who are too young to attend a LOGOS class.
The program begins in the fall each year.
The theme of LOGOS is that each person is a child of God and each person - adult or child - is treated as a child of God.
In essence, the program duplicates what a summer camp experience might be like for many children.
Faith's program lasts 23 weeks and follows the school year, concluding shortly before Easter. Most parents help out. We are
blessed to have several adults involved in this ministry who do not even have children in the program
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Next door to FAITH is the Lutheran Creative Living House which is a full-time residence for a house manager and 8 adults with developmental disabilities. FAITH was instrumental in helping build this facility which opened in 2006.
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Band or organ? Contemporary music or traditional? FAITH has a band which leads the Sunday
contemporary worship and FAITH has a traditional choir and a more "laid-back" singing
group which assist in our traditional services. In addition the people of FAITH often
share their musical gifts in worship - be it a youth playing the piano for the prelude
to the morning worship, a flutist, a violinist, etc.
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FAITH's Prime Timers meet monthly and have activities throughout the year.
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FAITH is a growing church and has numerous activities which take place all year - from the winter Mardi Gras which includes a program by a magician followed
by a dinner with a free will offering for a ministry beyond FAITH, to our men's group, to a few
reading groups, to our prayer shawl ministry to the parish nurse/wellness ministry, to our Sunbeams
play group for families with newborns.
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A wonderful week of Vacation Bible School comes right at the beginning of each summer vacation season.
This week is a fun-filled experience both for the kids and for the adults who lead it. Speak to Pastor
Marsha to find out more about Vacation Bible School.
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The SPIRITUALITY AND StrESS program is based in part on Pastor Jon’s training at the
Mind/Body Institute
of the Department of Behavioral Medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital
in Boston. The Mind/Body Institute is directed by
Dr. Herbert Benson, cardiologist. Benson has authored and edited a number of
books
including, The Relaxation Response,
The Wellness Book, and Your Maximum Mind.
Jon attended a week-long clinical training program as well as three or four
other offerings from the Institute.
This "mini-retreat" will include ample time with relaxation techniques,
centering prayer and an examination of scriptural resources. The day is suitable for
those new to centering prayer as well as for those who have attended previous groups.
Approximately 80 people from Faith have attended these workshops in the past.
Pastor Marsha leads a number of retreats throughout the year. The women of FAITH
attend a week-end retreat at the Lutheran church camp in New Hampshire- Camp Calumet.
We have another day-long retreat for women in the spring. Our Prime Timers also spend
a retreat week-end at Camp Calumet in the fall.
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Youth in grade 3 and older are encouraged to consider serving God by assisting in
our worship as acolytes, helping light the altar candles, leading the procession
into and out of the sanctuary and assisting with holy communion.
The practices are fun and they are the only
way the children can develop confidence in their service. After each practice,
the group goes bowling, swimming, plays games, etc. and enjoys pizza.
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