Confirmation
The Rite of Confirmation for youth is one in which a young person confesses for themselves what their parents confessed for them at the time of their baptism. For youth, confirmation is a two year process starting in seventh grade. During the pastoral vacancy, students attend mid-week confirmation class on Wednesdays with Pastor Kaufman.
St John's offers an adult instruction class for all those who are beyond youth confirmation age (older than 8th grade) and are interested in church membership. If you would like to learn more about The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, or would like to refresh your understanding of what we teach and believe as LCMS Christians, you are invited to come. Watch the church bulletin and website for information on when Pastor will be teaching the class.
Guiding Principles
Confirmation is not graduation but part of a lifelong learning in faith in which every member of St. John’s is called to even after they are confirmed. 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. (Psalm 119:33 ESV)
Confirmation is an opportunity for confirmands to confess for themselves what their parents confessed for them at the time of their baptism. Confirmands are welcomed to the Lord's table for communion following confirmation.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-- 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11-12 ESV)
Confirmation depends upon parents (with support from the pastor) teaching their children about the faith we have in Jesus as they model taking communion with them. 6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 ESV)
Result:
That the children of St. John’s will grow in faith and that their understanding of the presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in communion is part of their whole life, as a forgiven baptized Child of God.
4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. (2John 1:4 ESV)