Confirmation Program: The Bible & Catechism Our Saviours Lutheran Church NALC, Ackley, Iowa 2 Year Format

20132015

Welcome to Confirmation!
Dear Parents and Confirmation Students: Welcome to confirmation and the journey which will lead you to membership at Our Saviours Lutheran Church. Confirmation is a program of study in which we will explore the Bible, Luthers Small Catechism, and work together on mission projects. Together we will break bread together, share in exploration of Gods Word, find points of connection when we gather for worship on Sunday, and discover how we truly are saved by Gods grace alone through His free giftthat being Jesus Christ. Remember the words of Ephesians 2:8-10 and commit them to your memory:

For by grace you have been saved through

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faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his
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workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)

Our journey together will have two key parts:

First we will study the Old and New Testaments together memorizing key verses and knowing the Word not only as the true gift of God that it is but believe on it for its living giving instruction. The Bible is truly for us Lutheran Christians a living book of faith which grant us life and hope. You will be ask to commit to memory the books in order and have a working knowledge of how the whole of the Bible witnesses to the life and work of Jesus Christ. In your second year we will study Luthers Small Catechism and commit to memory the guidance of this precious booklet written by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther for Christians to believe, confess, and live out in their lives of faith. We will study the life of Martin Luther and learn about how the Lutheran Church continues to witness to the saving name of Jesus Christ here in our community and throughout the world.

Confirmation students are expected to participate in worship each week, serving as crucifer and acolyte on a rotating schedule. I will also ask you to take worship notes which ask you to think about how the hymns, scripture readings, and the sermon come together to proclaim a message about faith and our life in Christ. Blessings to you as you begin confirmation and journey towards church membership at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Ackley, Iowa

Reverend Kris Leland Snyder

CONFIRMATION OVERVIEW
What is confirmation? Confirmation is a two year program offering instruction in the Christian faith. It involves memorizing key scripture verses, learning the Bible (both Old and New Testament), and committing to memory Luthers Small Catechism. We spend two years of studythe first in the Bible and the second year studying Luthers Small Catechism and the life of Martin Luther. What is the goal of confirmation ministry at Our Saviours Lutheran Church? Rather than seeing confirmation as an end to your educational life in church confirmation is another step towards full membership in the body of Christ. There are three goals which will be our focus during the program:

Confirmation is used to gain an understanding of both Law and Gospel when reading and understanding the Scriptures. This is using our Lutheran lens to look out into the scriptures listening and taking in what God has to say to us in this present day. In order to be more mature in our faith we will study Luthers Small Catechism to grow in the knowledge of how God calls us to a new life through the Word, in the Sacraments, and by ordering our lives according to his precepts. Confirmation will be a stepping stone towards becoming a full member of the body of Christ. Confirmation students will be prepared to answer the questions proposed in the Small Catechism, namely, Christian Questions and Their Answers used by the confessional orthodox Lutheran church for many generations. As confirmation students learn these questions and answers the whole body of Christ, Our Saviours Lutheran Church will also be challenge in learning these questions and answers and prepare to encourage young believers in a life lived in faithful discipleship.

What will be required of me? Confirmation students will be asked to come to confirmation with a willingness to learn, and openness to hear and obey Gods Word, and embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Students are asked and encouraged to share how God is active and working in their lives and this experience will be valued by the pastor and those mentoring the confirmation students. You will be asked to be respectful of the journey shared togetherpastor and confirmation student, to commit to scripture reading and the study of Luthers Small Catechism, and to engage faith when dealing with tough issues. You are asked to be respectful of the church, the leadership of the pastor and those guiding you in this journey, and of yourself.

Weekly attendance at worship, receiving the sacrament when offered, and attending confirmation class. 40 worship notes a year which can be done either at Our Saviours or at another congregation. Attendance at service events coordinated by Pastor. Confirmation camp for at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp Faith and Discipleship Retreat with Pastor and families in the fall in which you are confirmed. Successful completion of both A Bible History and Exploring Luthers Small Catechism workbooks. Successful mastery of the unit and cumulative examinations of both Bible and Small Catechism units.

When is a person ready to be confirmed? In the fall after your final year of confirmation you will be presented to the church council for confirmation examination. Along with this you will be asked to meet with the pastor to go over Christian Questions and Their Answers along with presenting a faith based knowledge of the Small Catechism and the Bible. The final part of your experience will be to share in the Sacrament of the Altar on Confirmation Sunday, which typically is on Reformation Sunday. At this time you will be presented to the congregation and given an opportunity to profess your belief in Christ and your commitment to continue in faithful discipleship as a member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church Can a person fail out of confirmation? Confirmation is not a course whereby a letter grade is earned. It is not a class where grades are given and expectations are given that if not met students fail out of a program of study. With that in mind students cannot fail out of confirmation. Rather, students are given expectations which can be met over a two year time frame and it is the hope of the pastor and church council that confirmation students would take advantage of the time given to master the core beliefs of Lutheran Christianity. Mastering the concepts and neglecting application to every day life is not advisedto do such would be to neglect the purpose of confirmation ministry in the Lutheran church which is engage youth to believe, confess, and become full disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Additionally confirmation students will be given the ability to participate fully in the life of the congregation as members of the body of Christ at Our Saviours Lutheran Church.

Confirmation resourCes used at our saviours Lutheran, aCkLey, iowa

First Year Old and New Testament

Second Year Small Catechism & Luther

Both Years

This very helpful resource will be used throughout the entire program. Students will be given assignments to read and study a particular book and will find this a valuable tool for Bible study

Students will need their own copy of the LSB and will be expected to bring this each week. Also bringing their Bible to worship on Sunday is a great way to follow along!

Worship Report Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Ackley, Iowa Confirmation 20132015 Name: _________________________ Season of the Church Year: ______________________ Old Testament Lesson: ______________ Psalm: ________ Epistle Lesson: ______________ Gospel Lesson: _________________ What was the theme of the worship service? Hint, look at the hymns chosen for the day, the scripture readings, and what you heard in the Pastors sermon How was this theme presented throughout the service? Think about this question and what you heard. Sunday _____________ (Date)

How did you hear Law and Gospel presented in the service today? How have you heard the laws of God (the Ten Commandments)? How has the Gospel (the Good News of Jesus) speak along with this message?

How did the sermon challenge you today?

What changes in your life might you consider as a result of the sermon today?

What questions do you have concerning the readings and sermon today?

Confirmation Weekly Schedule:

Sunday: Divine Service at 10 AM Confirmation students will assist in worship. One carrying the cross (the crucifer) and the other lighting the candles. Acolytes will assist the pastor in other tasks such as communion assistance and during special events such as baptism. Remember to pick up a worship note and completely fill it out. You must return this to Pastors box in the narthex before leaving worship. Tuesday: Confirmation Class with Pastor at 3:45 PM We will begin promptly as we have much to cover! Please look at the schedule to see what you will need to read before class, what you will need to bring and turn in, and what we will be looking at during class.

Assignments Due for Each Week: Worship Notes: Book/Workbook: Bible Readings: SNAP Journal: Other Readings: Memory Work: Due on Sunday right after worship! Assignment given on Tuesday due on Sunday. Assignment given on Tuesday due on the following Tuesday Using the Scripture, Notes, Application, Prayer method we will journal about the weekly assigned readings. Assignment given on Tuesday due on the following Tuesday. Memory work assigned and can be tested anytime.

Students remember to turn in your workbook on Sunday by placing your book in the Pastors mailbox in the Narthex of the church. Your book will be returned on Tuesday at class.

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