2011-2012 CONFIRMATION

Welcome to Confirmation!

This year’s confirmation program will be filled with lots of exciting ways for your confirmand to learn and grow in faith! This year the focus will be on the Catechism and the Bible. The schedule is included in this handbook.

We will be using a confirmation curriculum published by Seraphim Communications, Inc., called “Road Trip,” developed by Rev. Hans Wiersma, a pastor of the ELCA. The Confirmation study of the Catechism will be in four units of six sessions for each unit. Unit 1 will cover the Ten Commandments, Unit 2 the Creed, Unit 3 the Lord’s Prayer, and Unit 4 the Sacraments. The study of the Bible will also be in four units of six sessioins for each unit. Unit 1 will cover Part 1 of the Old Testament, Unit 2 Part 2 of the Old Testament, Unit 3 the Gospels, and Unit 4 the Epistles (Letters).

The Basis For Confirmation . Confirmation begins at baptism and lasts a lifetime. On the day of baptism, certain promises are made, and confirmation is designed so that those promises can be fulfilled. In that regard, confirmation is a ministry that helps all baptized disciples of our church family to grow in their faith.

Public Affirmation of Baptism marks the entry of the confirmand into full voting privileges and responsibilities of the church; but it is much more than that. Our confirmation program at Vangen Lutheran has at least three goals:

1. To establish an ongoing discipling relationship with confirmation participants.

2. To establish and encourage relationships with the parents/families of our confirmation students.

3. To emphasize that all aspects of our teaching and learning relationships are dominated by the grace of God which reflects his love for us.

Faith Development . “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) St. Paul wrote that faith comes from hearing the Word, the message of God’s love in Jesus Christ. We tell the story of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

The good news of Christ is communicated in many ways in the life of Vangen Lutheran so that faith can grow and take root in the daily lives of its disciples and through the confirmation program. Throughout the two years of confirmation, confirmands explore the meaning of Christian faith in classes (both confirmation and Sunday school), and in relational experiences of service and fellowship.

The Confirmation Program at Vangen Lutheran, Which Contributes to One’s Faith Development. Confirmation will begin on September 7^th at 5:30 pm, and be held every Wednesday thereafter, except as otherwise scheduled, and during Thanksgiving week (week of Nov. 20^th), Christmas week (week of Dec. 25^th), Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22^nd), and Holy Week (week of Apr. 1^st). The last day of Confirmation Class will be April 18^th, with Affirmation of Baptism on Sunday, May 6th.

A Catechism and Bible will be provided. I t is important for your confirmand to bring her Catechism/Bible, writing paper, and pen/pencil to take notes. It is suggested that some sort of folder/ binder (inexpensive one) be used to keep notes, etc.

There is no grading system related to the Confirmation program. It is because Confirmation is to be a “place of grace,” where God’s unconditional love is experienced. In light of that policy, and in response to this being a “grace place,” participation is critical. Confirmands are expected to participate in all classes, and carry out assigned ministry tasks. There will be a review of each of the four units covered in the form of (non-graded) quizzes.

If your child is not going to be able to attend a particular evening (i.e., sickness, or out of town), please call and let Pastor Lance as well in advance as possible at either 660-6436, or 665-5426.

If your confirmand is absent for a particular session, a make-up session date will be arranged.

Faith in Action .

There are many ways our young people are encouraged to act out their faith, particularly through regular worship and Sunday school. Therefore, confirmands are expected to attend worship with their parents on a regular basis as much as possible, and Sunday School as well. Confirmands are also encouraged to attend the Wednesday evening Lenten services as much as possible.

During the Lenten season, your confirmand will be expected to submit worship notes. Worship note forms will be on the table near the basement door (a sample form is included in this handbook). Be sure to pick one up before worshiping, and drop the completed form in the box provided, also on the table. A minimum of five (5) worship notes need to be completed during Lent. Worship notes for Wednesday evening services will count as well as for Sunday morning worship.

Your Confirmand will be expected to be an active participant in the life of the church family. This is part of her “practical” experience of confirmation instruction, and part of her exposure to becoming a disciple. Practical experiences include: assisting with worship at special times (i.e., Holy Week/Easter), ushering, being a Scripture Reader at Worship, helping to serve during fellowship events, visiting shut-ins, etc.

Confirmation, Parents and Youth (a note to Parents) . As we seek to make confirmation an extension of one’s baptismal calling, and the pledge that parents made on behalf of their children at the time of baptism; our confirmation program, therefore, involves both youth and parents.

Your support and involvement with your child in confirmation is important to the success of the instruction given here at Vangen Lutheran Church. To help in monitoring the progress of your confirmation youth, I encourage you to be involved with her faith development. I invite you to encourage discussion with your child on the weekly “Bring It Home” sections of her handouts. Children learn more about life and what is important from parents. So, talk to her about your faith. Keep track of what is happening in the confirmation class, and look for ways of becoming involved. Weekly handouts will be sent home with your confirmand to use in your dialogue. Please sign your name somewhere on the handout indicating that you did engage in conversation on the “Bring It Home” section, and ensure your confirmand brings her handout back to class the following week.

I also encourage you to attend worship regularly with your confirmation youth. And as you send your child to Sunday school, I invite you to attend the Sunday adult class as well.

Parents are the single most important role models in a child’s life. We are to be faith transmitters to our children. Children learn best when they learn with their parents. The church’s task is to equip parents to be the best transmitters possible.

Parents also have many opportunities at Vangen to become involved and active with our children. We list a few possibilities here: Sunday School teacher or assistant

Special Events Helper

Vacation Bible School teacher or assistant

Serve Wednesday Lenten Suppers

We encourage and welcome everyone to participate.

Affirmation of Baptism .

“Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism: to live among God’s faithful people, to hear his Word and share in his supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” (Service of Affirmation of Baptism, Lutheran Book of Worship pg. 201)

Affirmation of Baptism will be May 6^th. C onfirmands who are ready to do so are confirmed in an Affirmation of Baptism service before the congregation.

*** Before affirming her baptism, your confirmand will be expected to select a Bible passage of her own choosing and prepare a statement of what it personally means to her.

Affirmation of Baptism is the confirmand’s decision, but will emerge out of interaction with the parents, the pastor and other members of the congregation.

I am looking forward to a great confirmation year!

Shalom!

Pastor Lance

Questions and Answers .

When does Confirmation begin?

Confirmation is a ministry which begins with baptism and includes a youth’s entire relationship with the church – worship, Sunday School, Bible School, youth activities, Bible camp, and specialized instruction with parents and pastors. Formal confirmation instruction begins at the 7^th grade.

How long does Confirmation ministry last?

Confirmation is a life-long event. However, there are some events that are ‘bench marks’ along the way. Affirmation of Baptism (another term for “Confirmation”) Sunday takes place in the Spring.

What is the basic course of study?

In confirmation, special emphasis is given to the Catechism and the Bible, using the Seraphim Communication “Road Trip” curriculum.

How do we view Confirmation requirements?

The key word in confirmation is ‘opportunity,’ not requirement. What Vangen Lutheran provides is an opportunity for faith-in-life development.

What if a student enters the program late?

Each student is asked to enroll with their own grade. Should they enter mid-term, the pastor and parent(s) will discuss how best to help the new student be assimilated into the confirmation ministry.

Is or will there be a mentoring program associated with confirmation?

It is envisioned that each confirmand, in cooperation with the parents and the pastor will select an adult mentor (who is not a relative). The mentor is not a substitute for the parent, but is an additional adult to whom the confirmand will relate during the last year of the confirmation program. Specific guidelines for mentoring will be available when the confirmand enters that phase of the program.

Worship Notes

(Jesus loves, calls, and equips!)

Date: ___________

Name: ________________________ Class: ___________________

Spiritual Temperature Gauge: Mark and “x” where you would put yourself

| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

I Feel                                                                                                                                                               I Feel

Far From                                                                                                                                                         Close

God                                                                                                                                                                         to God

What’s on your mind today?

(take time to pray)

Something I would like prayed for in my life: ___________________________________________________

Bible Text: ____________________________________________________________________________ 

One question you have about this passage:

____________________________________________________________________________________ ? 

The Sermon:

(remember, these notes are to be for the entire sermon, not the first minutes only) 

How did it start? _________________________________________________________________________ 

What did you find most interesting in the sermon? ______________________________________________ 

 

What did you learn about God in the sermon? _________________________________________________ 

How does what you heard in the sermon relate to your own life?____________________________________ 

______________________________________________________________________________________

What words, phrases, thoughts didn’t you understand?___________________________________________

(Our hope is that you experienced Jesus today in some way. Blessings to you as you witness Jesus to others. Please return this form to the worship notes box in the Narthex.) 

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND KEEP IT...”  (Luke 11:28)