FAITH STEPPING STONES

'"Go make disciples, baptizing and teaching ..."

This is the mandate that Jesus gave to His disciples and to His Church. Ascension Lutheran Church's Christian education ministry takes our Lord's mandate very seriously. For us, though, "teaching" is much more than acquiring a basic knowledge of the Bible. It is learning to talk, act and live as one of Jesus' disciples everyday. It is nurturing people's discovery of God in their lives and discovering the gift of community in which faith is shared and care is given. It is a lifelong journey in faith involving our youngest members to our oldest; a journey that starts in baptism.

When a child is baptized, Christian parents promise to bring the child to church, teach the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place the Holy Scriptures in their hands and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith. Ascension Lutheran Church is a partner, standing ready to help parents fulfill those promises through Faith Stepping Stones. Each stepping stone corresponds with a point along a child's faith journey and will give the church the opportunity to give God thanks for that child and to bless the family. The Stepping Stones are as follows:

Stepping Stone 1: Holy baptism

Stepping Stone 2: Remembrance of baptism (during the year following baptism)

Stepping Stone 3: Entering Sunday School (three years old)

Stepping Stone 4: First Bible (3rd grade)

Stepping Stone 5: First communion (5th grade)

Stepping Stone 6: Entering confirmation ministry (7th grade)

Stepping stone 7: Confirmation

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Our Sunday School program helps to build a child's Christian education foundation by embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ through worship, ministry, fellowship and discipleship.

During the school year, the Ascension Lutheran Church Children's Sunday School meets every Sunday during the 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services. All children 3 years old through 6th grade are welcome and encouraged to attend. Your child's morning will begin with a children's service including worship, prayer and music.

The classroom lessons that follow nurture a child's faith in a positive, safe learning environment. Using lectionary based material in a fun and interactive way, our staff helps your child grow in his or her understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Curriculum:

* Christ centered: Every lesson shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ

* Bible based: Children learn the best loved Bible stories for a firm faith foundation

* Life directed: Hands-on lessons and activities prepare students to put their faith into practice in all situations

* Family Connected: Consistent Bible lessons along with take-home materials encourages faith building for the whole family

Enrollment for Sunday School is always open, and all children are welcome.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a two-week half-day summer program for children 4 years old through 4th grade. (Classes are based upon the most recent grade completed.) Youth who have completed 5th grade and above are welcome to help out as aides.

Children explore God's world through Bible stories, songs, sign language, crafts, outdoor games, and science experiments. Each day begins with a children's worship service. Snack is served daily.

On the last day of VBS, we have a closing program, where the children share God's word through songs and skits. The closing program concludes with a family picnic. Call the church office for dates: 631-667-4188.

Ascension Lutheran Church’s basketball program runs from November through March and is open to all of the youth of the church. The kids compete in the Long Island Lutheran Basketball League, playing against churches from Farmingdale, Garden City, Seaford and Hicksville.

The games are fully officiated and a lot of fun to watch. Most games are played Sunday afternoons so they do not interfere with school activities.

Ascension is always looking for new players -- both boys and girls -- to compete and also for parents to coach and be assistant coaches. For information on how to get your kids involved or to volunteer yourself, contact Joan Piazza at imtLg711@yahoo.com

Trying to serve the whole community has always been an important focus of  Ascension Lutheran Church’s ministry. As much as possible, Ascension makes its facilities available for important social ministries of the community. It even has a designated Community Room where some of these functions take place. Here are its current community based groups.

AA

Several different AA groups meet in the Community Room during the week.  Meeting times are as follows:

Monday: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Thursday: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

CODA

 CODA meets on Thursday from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. in rooms 11-12 in the Classroom Building.

DEBTORS  ANONYMOUS

Debtors Anonymous meets on Sunday from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in room 9 in the Classroom Building.

GREYSHEETERS

 Greysheeters meets on Sunday from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in room 12 in the Classroom Building.

SLAA

 SLAA meets on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in rooms 11-12 in the Classroom Building.