Confirmation 2010

Monday, April 19, 2010

Dear Confirmation Students and Parents,

                          PLEASE READ THIS!

The Rite of Confirmation has traditionally been a major cornerstone in the life of a young man or woman.  It is the time when they, as an individual stand before God, their faith community, their sponsors and parents and publically proclaim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

We congratulate you and your son/daughter for making this major decision in their life!

There are several important required dates to mark on your calendar!!!

PRESENTATION SUNDAY, SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2010….  During the next several weeks, your son/daughter will be working on a 3-4 minute presentation to be presented before the congregation on Sunday, May 16, 2010 at the 9:00 a.m. service.  There are twelve questions within your child’s workbook “My Confirmation” which need to be addressed within their paper.  Those questions include:   1.Why do you want to join the church of Jesus Christ?    2. What has the church already done for you?    3. What can the church do for you?  4. What can you do for the church?    5. What does Jesus and his church require of you?  6. How much time should you give to the church?  7. How much money should you give?  8. What is meant by stewardship?  9. What are your duties as a member of the church?  10. What does the word Confirm mean?  11. What is meant by the Laying on of Hands?  12. What does Confirmation mean to you?  Students are asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. and to sit in the front pew with our Christian Education Director, Jordan Clark and Confirmation Instructor, Deb Osterbrink.

DRESS REHEARSAL, WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010…. On Wednesday evening, during what would be Confirmation Class time, we will do a walk through of Confirmation Sunday. Please plan to have a least one adult representing your family at rehearsal with your son/daughter.

 CONFIRMATION SUNDAY, SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010…. Students are to gather in the upstairs dining room at 8:30 a.m.  Barb Bruning will greet them, help them to robe and pin on them a boutonniere or corsage. We will then gather in the sanctuary for our official Confirmation Class photo.

Confirmation will be during our 9:00 a.m. service.  This will be a special Communion Sunday for the entire congregation.  The students and their extended family will be invited to sit in the front pews of the church, which will be reserved alphabetically.  The students will process in with Jordan, Deb and I during our opening hymn.  The students are to sit at the end of the pew.

During Confirmation, I will invite your child as well as the family to come forward.  At this time, the entire family is to rise and come to the bottom of the steps. Then, the student and sponsor/sponsors continue to come up the steps to the kneeler.  At this time the sponsor/sponsors are to say,   “ Members and friends of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, I present my God son/daughter, (say name here) for Confirmation”.  The sponsor/sponsors stand to the side while Church President, Bill Panzigrau reads their selected Bible Verse, I Confirm and Christian Education Chair,  Karen Krueger places a cross around their neck.  May this cross become a valued gift from your church as a treasure you will keep for a lifetime.  Your son/daughter and family then return to there pew.

A reception will follow in the Guild Hall and your son/daughter is expected to attend.  Additional photos will be taken at that time.

Congratulations on this very special occasion! 

Blessings,                                                                                                    

Rev. Philip C. Schneider & Jordan Clark