Christian Faith Formation Begins at Birth

Cradle-Roll
Emanuel’s Cradle Roll ministers to children and their parents from birth to age 3. This ministry provides musical CDs and monthly newsletters about faith development called Splash! The children are also given additional gifts at birth, at their Baptism and on their first three birthdays. These gifts include books, wooden Christian symbols made by our Emanuel crafters and a book/coloring/DVD packet on the church year.  These are accompanied by hand stamped cards.  The children also receive baptism anniversary cards every year as a reminder of that special day.

Sunday School
Our Sunday School program is open to all children Age 3 through Grade 5. Children engage with the Bible’s stories of God’s amazing love for everyone using the interactive and Bible-focused Spark! curriculum. Parents whose children will participate in Sunday School may visit our dedicated Spark website at http://emanuelhartford.sparksundayschool.org

* Sunday School classes meet from 10:15 to 11:00 a.m.
Children attending the 9:45 service will be dismissed after the Children’s Sermon to make their way to class by 10:15.
* Children attending the 11:15 service may arrive at their classrooms at 10:15. Class will end at 11:00, in time for the 11:15 service.

As three year olds enter the Sunday School program they are given Prayer Pillows, lovingly made by Emanuel members. Each week at Sunday School the preschool children receive a card, with a Bible verse and simple prayer, that fits in the pocket on the front of the pillow. At bedtime the children can share with Jesus their thanks, fears and love for God’s creation, always remembering that God promises always to listen.

All Sunday School children participate in the annual Festival of the Nativity, offered during the 10:00 a.m. worship service on the fourth Sunday of Advent. From lambs to angels, from shepherds, Elizabeth and the Wise Men to Mary and Joseph, the children tell and sing the good news of the birth of our Savior.

Children are also welcome to participate in Emanuel’s annual Lucia Festival.


First Communion
First Communion instruction is offered to 3rd graders in the spring of each year. We use the fed and forgiven communion preparation and formation materials.


Children's Library
On all Sundays that Sunday Church School is in session, the library is open, and a volunteer is there to assist in looking for appropriate materials and checking them out.  The corner room is bright and welcoming and boasts a joyful, wall-sized painting by our own Marj Johnson, depicting the happy ending of the Noah's Ark story. Sunday Church School classes also visit the library on a rotating schedule.

The Children’s Library has hundreds of books, both fiction and non-fiction, in its collection.  These books are for all ages, from toddlers to teens and adults. Videos and an increasing number of DVDs are also available for check-out.  DVDs and videos may be viewed in the library, as well.

Emanuel's Education Objective for Children

To provide biblically based classes that communicate God’s love for them, no matter what
To help them to know Jesus as kind and caring

To reinforce lessons with activities, materials and a church community that model the caring ways of Jesus Christ

To increase awareness of God’s loving presence in Baptism and, in older elementary, in Holy Communion and the forgiveness of sins