Confirmation 2007-2008

Confirmation is an educational ministry of the church. It helps baptized youth to identify more deeply with the Christian community through Word and Sacrament and to participate more fully in its mission. Confirmation refers to both the growth process and the important event when young adults publicly say “yes” to what they have learned about faith, Christ, and God’s relevance to their life.

When a child is baptized, parents and sponsors make a promise to the child and to God... “to bring them to the services of God’s house, and teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Ten Commandments. As they grow in years...place in their hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith...” Sheridan Lutheran Church seeks to support parents in fulfilling that very important promise through worship and education.

After confirmation, the students are considered adult voting members of the church with full rights and responsibilities.

Events


Study	Service	Fellowship

Confirmation involves 7th, 8th and 9th graders in a variety of activities including a study of the Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism, prayer, mission and service projects, fellowship activities. participation in worship, music and drama. Youth are connected with a small group and an adult guide who share in these activities together. Students in each small group, together with their leader, form a close, caring bond within the larger church community.

Participation in a weekend retreat is encouraged. Opportunities include but are not limited to: Okoboji Bible Camp Fall Recharge for Youth on the weekend of November 9-11; and the Nebraska Synod Middle School Gathering on December 27 and 28 at the Aurora Leadership Center in Aurora, Nebraska. More information on these events will be available at a later date.

This Year at a Glance

The Learning Events this year will focus on Luther’s Small Catechism, particularly the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments. Over the course of Sheridan’s three year Confirmation program, students will have an opportunity to look in depth at the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion.

Fellowship and servant events are scheduled throughout the year as well as parent events. Many of these events are planned for the entire large group of youth in the confirmation program. Small groups may plan projects to do together as well.

Confirmation Calendar...

Parents…

You are very important to your son or daughter’s Confirmation experience. Almost without exception, the youth who end up enjoying and growing the most during these years are those with a parent or parents who take an active interest, talking about faith issues at home, and praying with and for their youth. As a parent, you play a vital role in the faith development of your son or daughter. The example you set in terms of worship habits and participation in the life and mission of the church will help your child understand what it means to be a confirmed member of the church.

Youth…..

You are expected to:

-attend all confirmation events

-call your group leader if you can’t attend

-become involved in Sunday worship and complete 12 worship notes

-participate in Sunday education opportunities

-share your talents in music, drama or creative writing

-serve in the faith community by doing such things as reading Scripture for worship, nursery assistant, Sunday school shepherd or VBS helper

-financially support the ministry of the church

Wednesdays @ the Well is Sheridan’s weekly Wednesday evening event for the entire family that includes worship, food, fellowship, fun, and faith development through Bible study, confirmation classes, and children’s activities.

The schedule is as follows:

5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Buffet style meal

6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Learning Event or Fellowship/Service Projects including multi-sensory worship

6:30-7:30 p.m Adult Education opportunities beginning on September 5 with Alpha Course, or Essentials of Discipline.

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Registration Information

The registration fee for each year is $35.00 per student or $55.00 per family. This does not include the additional charges for fellowship activities and for the midweek meals. There will be additional fees for youth events. Scholarships for the registration fee are available upon request.

Find the Registration Form here...

For inquiries and further information, call,423-4769, or email Kathy Paisley, Director of Ministries at k.paisley@sheridanlutheran.org

or Pastor Jeremy Freye at j.freye@sheridanlutheran.org

Confirmation Day 2008

For 9th Graders

and Parents

A Preparation meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, beginning at 8:15 p.m. This meeting will clarify expectations that need to be met prior to Confirmation Day.

Ninth grade students, who meet the expectations of the Confirmation program, will “affirm their baptism” at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2008. Confirmation expectations include participation in Wednesday learning events and Sunday education and worship, and participation in small group and large group fellowship, service and mission events.

As Confirmation Day approaches next spring, each student will write a confirmation essay detailing his or her faith journey, choose a Bible verse that is especially meaningful, and prepare a symbolic red stole for use on the day of confirmation.

A special banquet honoring the confirmands and their parents is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. An individual photo session will begin at 4:45 p.m. followed by group photos and rehearsal prior to the banquet. Eighth graders and their parents will host and serve the banquet. Seventh graders and their parents will host a reception following the Confirmation Service on April 27.