Historically, it has been a basic Christian tradition to know the Ten Commandments. Recognizing this moment as a milestone affirms the importance of reading Scripture and learning about God’s love for us. The Ten Commandments present foundational ways to love God and neighbor and provide the Christian community with vital language to shape daily conversations, conduct with  others, and values and concerns. This Learning the Ten Commandments Milestone Moment is an opportunity to gather with family and friends to celebrate those who have learned the Ten Commandments.

Historically, it has been a Christian tradition to learn and know the Apostles’ Creed.  Recognizing this moment as a milestone affirms the significance of learning the Apostles’ Creed. This Learning the Apostles’ Creed Milestone Moment provides an opportunity to celebrate the learning of the Apostles’ Creed. The Apostles’ Creed is an affirmation of faith. It has been widely used by both Protestants and Roman Catholics and used as a statement of faith for Christian baptisms. It was not written by the apostles. Rather, it was written at least 150 years after the
apostles had lived. It is called the Apostles’ Creed because it is a summary of what the apostles taught. 

The anniversary of when a congregation was established is worthy of recognition. It is a time to     celebrate the years of God’s faithfulness to this faith community and reminisce about the past as well as envision where God continues to grow lives of faith through the ministry of the congregation.    Acknowledging this special time in the congregation, the home, the community, and beyond is a very good reason to celebrate a milestone year! This Congregational Anniversary Milestone Moment is an opportunity to gather members, volunteers, choir members, staff, and all the families and friends from across the country who have been part of a rich, faith-filled history.
 

Confirmation is not a graduation, but rather it marks the beginning of a new chapter in the faith community and commitment to Christ and to the body of Christ and to the church through lifelong worship, learning, and serving. Confirmation is the affirmation of one’s baptism and part of a person’s baptismal journey.

This Confirmation Day Blessing Milestone Moment gives an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate confirmation day by creating faith-filled memories after the Rite of Confirmation is completed in a public worship service.
 
 

Visiting a new congregation often requires a sense of commitment, determination, and courage. Not knowing exactly what you will experience can leave you with a sense of vulnerability. Will you like what you experience? Will you be warmly received? Will you feel lost or at home? Will the life of this congregation help you with a sense of the divine in your life? In the midst of these concerns, you have ventured forth to visit a new congregation in the hope that it can make a meaningful contribution to your life of faith.

This Congregational Visit Milestone Moment provides an opportunity to talk with others about your experience after visiting a congregation and evaluate what you are looking for in a faith community. 
 

Giving a Bible as a gift to someone has significant meaning for the person receiving it as well as the giver of the gift. A Bible is often  presented or given to a child or youth by a family member or a    congregation. However, it can also be a gift of love and faith given at many stages in life, for            instance, at baptism, confirmation, graduation, a wedding, or other milestones as well.
 

This Gifting a Bible Milestone Moment provides an opportunity for friends and family to gather with the one who is given the gift of a Bible and talk about their favorite Bible passages as well as those of generations past.

Christians around the world recognize All Saints Day on November 1st each year. It is also known as All Hallows’ Day, or Hallowmas. Hallow, in Old English, means “holy” or “sacred.” It is a time to  honor all of the saints from Christian history, as well as remember those closest to us who spiritually influenced our lives and have passed on to the Kingdom of Heaven.

“All Saints Day” annually reminds us of our connectedness as Christians. All followers of Jesus are considered saints. God calls a “saint” anyone who trusts in Christ alone for salvation. It is also a time to remember and honor those friends and family members in the past who have influenced and shaped our faith and lives.

Epiphany Day is celebrated on the 6th of January each year. The name Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning either appearance or manifestation. This Feast of the Epiphany
Milestone Moment provides an opportunity for family and friends to gather together to celebrate this Christian holiday which honors the first appearance of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, also known as the three kings or wise men. The Magi are known as Caspar of India, Melchior of Persia, and Balthasar of Arabia. Each gift they gave to Jesus had a significant and spiritual meaning. Gold as a gift given to a king, frankincense (an incense) pointing to Jesus as a priest of God, and myrrh (a spice) used as an oil for anointing the dead. 

Worship today brings together thousands of years of Christian history, story, and text to bless lives now. Whether worshiping virtually or in-person, the experience reminds us all that faith is established and formed through God’s living word in a community of personal, trusted relationships. 

This Preparing for Worship Milestone Moment seeks to help worshipers consciously prepare for public worship, whether it be in-person or virtual. It reminds us of the basic ingredients essential to Christian worship that enrich our lives with faith, hope, and love for all people and all of God’s creation.

The custom of the Advent wreath began in Germany in the 16th century. The wreaths were              traditionally circular to represent God’s unending love. They were normally made using evergreen branches to symbolize the hope of eternal life through Jesus. Four candles were placed on the wreath to represent the four weeks of Advent. The light signified the light of God coming into the world through Jesus. Advent wreaths today vary in design and candle colors.

This Advent Wreath Blessing Milestone Moment provides an opportunity for both the home and the congregation to bless the Advent wreath on or before the first Sunday of Advent.
 
 

Every year, around October 4th, many congregations have a special liturgy called the “Blessing of the Animals.” People are asked to bring their pet animals for a blessing on this day.  The service includes prayers for creation and a blessing of the animals. Christians around the world celebrate the ritual that St. Francis of Assisi started almost 800 years ago of blessing animals. It was Francis who introduced the idea that human beings are only one of God’s many creations, but that all, including animals, are blessed by God.

This Blessing of the Animals Milestone Moment brings family and friends together at home or in the faith community to mark a special time and affirm God’s presence in their midst.
 

Pentecost Sunday is 50 days after Easter. It is a day to celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit that    enlivens the church to continue what the disciples learned and received through Jesus. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus Christ alive and real today as Savior, not just as a historical figure to recall from the past. Jesus’ forgiving and renewing work is extended to the church of all times through the Spirit.

This Pentecost Milestone Moment provides an opportunity to gather with friends and family to have faith-filled conversations about the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and pray together.
 
 

Helping others in need is truly a joy to one’s life and central to the Christian faith. A mission trip to another place, whether it is across town or across the ocean, has a valuable element of service. One of the great benefits of mission trips is to be placed in a fresh, new setting—often very different from one’s typical experience. Such a new environment creates opportunities to rely upon one’s faith, learn about one’s faith in new contexts, and gain from the lives and faith of other people in different cultural contexts.

This Mission Trip Blessing Milestone Moment will help mission trip travelers receive the blessings of those with whom they travel and those they will serve. It is an opportunity to gather with friends and family to recognize God’s presence in this moment and send them on their mission trip with a blessing.