A Day of Milestones

November 22, 2009

The occasion of the Festival of Christ the King was a special day some young members of St. Mark's congregation. Several milestones, including a baptism, first communion and third grade Bible distribution, were celebrated at the 10:30 service.  

Kyseem Smith, son of Amanda Weaver and Kareem Smith, received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at the start of the service. He was presented for Baptism by his grandmother, Lisa Weaver. He received a gift from the congregation at the end of the service.

Third graders received a copy of the Holy Scriptures with additional learning aids, also at the end of the service. These special Bibles were were provided to friends and family members beforehand so that they could endorse the Bibles with advice and encouragement. They and their families joined in the luncheon immediately following the service. At that time, Pastor Elkin sat down with the children to explore their Bibles and see what messages relatives and friends have written or favorite passages they have highlighted in the Books.

Celebrating the Bible Milestone were Milestone Day for: Kyseem Smith, Ian Elliott, son of Mike and Tracie Elliott, Dustin & Brandon Pelleschi, Sons of Bryan & Karen Pelleschi, Lynna Robertson, daughter of Rick and Jenn Robertson, Annika Waffenschmidt, daughter of Valerie Doebler & Thomas Waffenschmidt, Madison Walz, daughter of David and Nicole Walz, and Sadie & Taylor Wentzel, daughters of Mel & Mindy Wentzel. 

The last Milestone event was first communion.  Holy Communion is central to our Lutheran Faith. At the discretion of their parents, third graders at St. Mark's are invited to prepare for First Communion. The students and their parents participate in several classes focusing on a Biblically-based introduction to our Lutheran understanding of the Lord's Supper.

St. Mark's welcomed five young persons, who began to exercise their baptismal privilege of sharing in the Holy Communion. They were: Kyseem Smith, Ian Elliott, Dylan Ott, Lynna Robertson and Annika Waffenschmidt.  They communed with their families.