In the first class we will talk about how to know Jesus and how we grow in our relationship with Him. The only prerequisite for taking Holy Communion is genuine faith in Him. After talking about the ABC’s of coming to know Christ (A – Admit we need Him, B – Believe in who He is and what He did on the cross for us, C – Commit our lives to Him by inviting Him to be Lord in our life), we will give them an opportunity to receive Christ for the first time or to reaffirm their faith in Him.

In the second class we will talk about WHAT Holy Communion is and WHY we take it. Holy Communion is a sacrament, an outward sign that reflects an invisible reality. There are two parts of a sacrament: What we can see (the bread and the wine) and what we can’t see (Christ present amidst His people when they gather together and in the bread and the wine). We will talk about how communion is the Family Meal for God’s people and learn how we prepare to receive that meal.

In the third class we will talk about HOW we take Holy Communion.  We will go through the worship service and talk about how it is structured to help us prepare our hearts to experience Christ through communion. In our service we remember the gospel, we ask God to make the bread and wine filled with His presence, we offer ourselves and come to receive Him. Participants will have a chance to practice taking the bread and wine, in order to assuage any anxieties that sometimes come with taking communion for the first time.

This class, taken by children and their parents together, is an opportunity to learn the basics of WHAT communion is, WHY we take it and HOW we prepare our hearts to receive it. Through fun games, teaching and hands-on activities families will get to unpack the meaning of communion and how we take it.

Any child in 1st-6th Grade who has never participated in a First Communion class is welcome to join us. Even if your child already takes communion on Sundays, if he/she has never participated in a Fist Communion class this is an excellent opportunity to learn about the basics of communion.

We ask that each participant have a parent in attendance with them at each of the three classes. We feel it’s important that the First Communion Class be something that you do together, for several reasons:

• ​Show your support: Your presence conveys to your child that this is something you believe is an important milestone in his/her growing faith and that he/she has your full support as they take this big step in their journey of knowing and following Christ. The class is a key step in building the kind of relationship with your child where he/she feels comfortable talking with you openly about their faith.

 

• Be prepared to continue helping your child to grow: Attending the class will give you an opportunity to experience what your child is learning and hear the language and terms that we use. As future questions and discussions arise at home, you will be equipped to explain and remind your child of WHAT communion is, HOW we prepare our hearts to receive it, and WHY we take it.

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• Come to the table as a family: In the class we teach the kids that Communion is God’s family meal. We hope that your family will grow together in your relationship with Christ as you take Holy Communion together as a family. By participating in the class with your child you all are taking the first step toward celebrating this sacrament together.

First Communion class graduates take communion for the first time on Sunday, March 24. It’s a time for our whole church body to celebrate with your family as your child take this step in his/her relationship with Christ. Even if your child was receiving communion  before taking the class, it is still a special time for your family to come to the table together and celebrate with your child in his/her newfound understanding of the sacrament.