We strive with God to help young people become life-long, joy-filled followers of Christ who belong to the Body and minister to the world.
Confirmation
We celebrate confirmation as a symbol of a young person's choice to affirm baptism and their faith.
Students who are to be confirmed meet with the pastor or lay minister for instructions in the faith for a period of several months before the ceremony. They study the Bible, the Lutheran catechism and church doctrine. Typically, students have attended years of religious instruction from member of our congregation (aka-lay teachers) during Sunday school. On the day of confirmation, those who are to be confirmed don special robes and walk in a procession to the altar. They participate in a liturgy in which they affirm their baptism and faith and express their desire to serve God and other people.
Lutheran Christians are united by their acceptance of the teachings of the reformer Martin Luther, who felt that the Roman Catholic Church in the early 1500s had strayed too far from the Bible and the gospel message of salvation through faith. The Lutheran Church celebrates two sacraments: Baptism and Communion. While confirmation is not considered a sacrament, it is a beloved tradition for members of Emanuel Lutheran Church.
The purpose of confirmation is to identify more deeply with the Christian community and participate more fully in its mission.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Jeryl’s Haven: A Safe Place to Know You Belong
Jeryl’s Haven is a comfortable space for teenagers who want a safe place to hang out after church service on Sunday, after school or during designated time periods on weekends. The room is equipped with a smart TV, a host of board games and comfortable furniture.
In Jeryl’s Haven, youth members have the opportunity to hang out, grab a bite to eat, talk with compassionate adults, do homework, and generally be encouraged, held accountable, and feel cared about. The room was dedicated in 2019 to honor beloved member of the congregation, Jeryl Picking Anderson.
*For safety purposes, a sponsoring adult must be present within the building during weekday after school and weekend evening hang-time. Please contact the church office for more information and to express interest on when your teen is interested to hang in Jeryl’s Haven!
LIPY
Emanuel is a partner in LIPY-CM, the Lutheran Inter-Parish Youth group of Central Mass. LIPY is a regional, cooperative, youth ministry comprised of a number of Lutheran churches in Central Massachusetts. The group engages in monthly servant and social/fellowship activities for youth in grades 7 through 12. The aim is to encourage our youth in their faith formation: getting to know themselves and others better while living into their baptismal promises.
Each year, LIPY youth travel with advisors to one of several sites on the east coast and serve others, as Jesus' hands, feet and heart for a week. During these Mission Trips LIPY youth volunteer at food banks, soup kitchens, nursing homes, and other venues, as they seek to shine the light of Christ for those in need.
For more information on any of the young adult programs, please contact the church office.
Main Office: 508-756-6620 | emanuellutheran@aol.com