A Message from Pastor Beth: 

As a mom who raised four active and involved kids, I appreciate how much parents must stretch time and resources to support today’s youth.  In addition to school, activities include sports, music, dance, drama, art… and the list goes on!  But what about the faith?  How well do parents keep those promises made when sons and daughters are baptized…that the parents will:

Bring them to the services of God’s house,
Teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,
Place in their hands the Holy Scriptures, and
Provide for their instruction in the Christian faith.

The Bible proclaims that the faith is to be passed on, one generation to another.  Martin Luther wrote his “Small Catechism” as a primer in Christianity for parents to use at home.  I truly believe the role of the church and its confirmation program is to support parents to be their children’s Primary Teachers and Models of the faith.   So “Mission: Confirmation” encourages parents to attend presentations with their sons and daughters…and discuss each week’s lesson on the way home and in the days following!

At Emmanuel, the “Mission: Confirmation” ministry is supported by the philosophy and materials licensed through Faith Inkubators.

Using Large Group Presentations, followed by the following week’s Small Group Discussions, the information found in Luther’s Small Catechism forms an outline for confirmation.  Themes covered include: Martin Luther and the Reformation; the Church’s Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion; the 10 Commandments; the Apostles’ Creed; and the Lord’s Prayer.  Rather than only “giving information” these interactive sessions are designed as faith formation...helping youth engage today’s world as disciples of Jesus.  Students are also asked to discover Jesus’ heart and mind by outlining one of the four gospels and by reflecting on God’s “Living Word” through their worship, study and service.

In their Small Groups, led by adult and high school Guides, students have the opportunity not only to discuss the previous week’s presentation but also to share highs and lows and pray for one another.

“Mission: Confirmation” classes meet weekly from late September through May on Tuesday nights, 7-8 pm.  These are preceded by an hour of “Food & Fun” when the 7th & 8th Graders gather for a 6:00 supper, fellowship, and games.

Because Emmanuel’s “Mission: Confirmation” is a two-year program, 7th and 8th Graders meet together and complete all the courses in a running cycle.  Those who fulfill the requirements may choose to affirm their baptismal promises in the Rite of Confirmation, usually scheduled on Pentecost Sunday.

Objectives of Emmanuel's Confirmation Program:

• To support the faith formation of parish youth by covering the basic beliefs found in Luther’s Small Catechism.
• To encourage parents to reclaim the primary role of passing on faith to their children by encouraging their participation in the weekly sessions and providing parents opportunities to connect with their sons and daughters over faith questions.
• To bond the youth of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and promote ongoing fellowship through the sharing of highs and lows and prayers for one another.
• To hold up the promises made during the confirmation service (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) as a call to faithful discipleship…and to involve youth in Christian worship, service, and daily reflection.