Better Together Service
In the journey of faith, we find strength and support in our community. As one confirmand beautifully stated, 'God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.' This event celebrates the commitment of our youth to their faith and the love that surrounds them.
Watch the full eventFaith Affirmation
The Rite of Confirmation is significant as it allows young members to affirm their faith and commitment to God, marking their transition into a deeper commitment to their Christian faith. During the service, confirmands share personal statements that reflect on their spiritual journeys and the Bible verses that guide them. As one confirmand shared, 'God is within her; she will not fall.' This powerful affirmation highlights the strength and support they find in their faith.
Plan a VisitCommunity Support
The community, including family and church members, plays a crucial role in supporting the confirmands by nurturing their faith and providing encouragement throughout their spiritual journeys. The pastor emphasizes the importance of staying close to God and the assurance of His presence and guidance in the lives of the confirmands. As one participant noted, 'We are blessed that God is in our very midst.'
Spiritual Growth
The confirmation service is not just a ritual; it is a celebration of spiritual growth. Each confirmand expresses their faith through personal testimonies, sharing how God has worked in their lives. For instance, one confirmand reflected on their life verse, stating, 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me.' This illustrates the transformative power of faith in overcoming life's challenges.
Scripture Highlights
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. - Psalm 46:5
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the message conveyed by the pastor during the service?
Content Transcript
Good morning everyone. We welcome you to the rite of confirmation service. We are blessed that you are present. More especially, we're blessed that God is in our very midst as these confirms and their families are sharing in this special day with our church family.
We at this time invite you to stand and to face in this direction to the crucifer. Let's lift our voices and join in singing Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.
Shall be in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved in the Lord, who are you? As God's children, we are chosen, holy, and dearly loved. How has God made you his own?
We were buried with Christ by baptism into death and raised to the newness of life. What does holy scripture declare concerning you?
>> If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
For what purpose has God called you?
>> We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
What comfort do you have in Christ?
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, as God's baptized people, we live in repentance and faith, trusting in Christ alone.
Holy and gracious God, I confess that I have sinned against you this day. Some of my sin I know, the thoughts and words and deeds of which I am ashamed, but some is known only to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask forgiveness, deliver and restore me that I may rest in peace.
Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Search all of our hearts to bring to mind our sins of thought, word, and deed. And our very sinful nature and how desperately we need and how God has provided us a savior in Jesus Christ.
By the mercy of God, we are redeemed by Jesus Christ and in him we are forgiven. Almighty God in his mercy has given his son to die for you and for his sake forgives you all your sins.
As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by his authority, I therefore forgive you all.
In the name of the Father, name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us pray. Oh God, your son is the shepherd of your people. Grant that when we hear his call, we know his voice and follow where he leads. Who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.
When you died and rose again, you healed the curse of all my sin. You forgave me, made me new. Jesus, I will live for you. Praise you. I will praise you, Jesus. You are the way, the life, the truth. I will praise you. Not my will but holy yours. Jesus, you are my Lord. Here's my life for you to use. Jesus, I will live for you. Praise you. I will praise you, Jesus. You're the way, the life, the truth. I will praise you.
This world will try to wear me down. But Jesus, I am heaven. As long as I'm just passing through Jesus, I will live for you. Praise you. I will praise you, Jesus. You're the way, the life, the truth. I will praise you. Praise you. I will praise you, Jesus. You're the way, the life, the truth. I will praise you. You're the way, the life, the truth. I will praise you.
Just a brief introduction to the statements of faith that these youth are going to be sharing. They share these statements of faith, these testimonies for the praise and honor and glory of God. They are affirming their baptisms and the work of God done in their lives in the waters of holy baptism.
And these statements of faith or testimonies are to give glory and honor to God. So, we welcome Grace as she shares the first of our statements of faith.
>> Hello, my name is Grace Adams. My life verse is Psalm 46:5. God is within her. She will not fall. God will help her at break of day. I chose this verse because it reminds me that I'm not alone. There are times in life when I doubt myself or feel stressed about school, friendships, or what will happen in the future.
Growing up can feel overwhelming sometimes, but this verse reminds me that God is within me, which means I'm never facing a challenge alone. Even if I feel like that I'm falling apart, God is always holding me up. I also love the part that says he will help her at the break of day because it reminds me that even after hard days and nights, a new morning comes. God brings hope and a fresh start.
I believe that God created everything and that he loves us more than we can understand. Even though we mess up in sin, God didn't give up on us. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and rise again so we could be forgiven. I believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I know I can't earn salvation by being good enough, but it's a gift from God that makes me feel grateful and secure in my faith.
When I look back on my life so far, I can see how God has been there for me through family times and friend troubles, and especially when my dad had cancer. He helped me grow even during hard or confusing times. I'm still learning and growing in my faith, but I know God is patient with me.
As I move into my eighth grade year and whatever comes next, I trust God always that he will continue to guide me. I'm thankful for my parents, grandparents, godparents, pastors, and everyone who has encouraged me in my faith and helped shape who I am today.
Hi, my name is Desi Atkins. My family brought me to this church about 2 years ago. My life verse is Philippians 4:13, which is I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I chose this verse because it shows me that God is powerful and he can help me through all things.
God has a plan for my life, but it's not always my plan. I may seem like a typical pre-teen at first glance. However, I had some challenges to overcome when I was at a young age. I had ankle braces and I wasn't able to walk correctly. Looking back, God was holding me. God made sure that I had the right doctors to take care of me. This shows his grace.
Recently, I discovered that I had a lesion in my kneecap. Instead of being scared, I prayed to God and gave it to him. I had faith God can get me through this. Salvation is defined as deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss. In terms of my relationship with God, I believe Jesus died for our sins on the cross.
And I believe that my sins were taken away by Jesus as long as I ask God for forgiveness and accept him into my heart. For example, I had a friend that I was close with. However, our relationship ended for a few months because of another person. During this time, I was talking inappropriately about this person and she overheard me talking about her.
Looking back, I wish that I would have been nicer to her or held my tongue. Jesus didn't judge others by their sins, but offered them grace and forgiveness. This is just one of the benefits of having a living God. God made sure all things. God loved his creation and God the father sent his only son into the world to become man and to redeem and save humanity by his death and resurrection.
Aside from God and Jesus, I would like to thank those who made an impact in my life. First, I would like to thank my mom, my dad, and my brothers for being there my whole life. I would also like to thank my Sunday school teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Blair, Mr. Satler, and Mrs. Stephins. I would also like to thank my prayer pal Carrie Bates.
Hello, my name is Logan Blair, and for my life verse, I've chosen Isaiah 40:31. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They'll walk and not be faint. This verse has always seemed to stay with me, appearing both in my thoughts and in the world around me.
I'm strengthened and comforted incredibly by this when it tells me that when I possess hope in the Lord, he will give me the strength and endurance to complete whatever I'm doing now and in the future. God has already given me strength when things were hard. And I know that he has saved me through Jesus in my Lord's death on the cross because he tells me himself in his word.
This is an incredible relief to me that I can know for certain that I am destined to live in a never-ending life of love with the most amazing loving designer that could ever be. When I think about my verse, I'm filled with longing for that place where no one will ever grow tired, both mentally and physically, and where we can praise God forever without ever growing bored, tired, or becoming distracted from the purpose that God gave us the moment we were born.
God has always been there for me. But unfortunately, I can never truthfully say that I have been longing for God as much as I should have. Because of this sinful body I'm confined to until that last day, I'm incapable of fully realizing how much I need what God has given me, the death of his son. How much must he love each one of us, that he would give his own son, a son that never talked back, never disobeyed him, and never deserved any punishment.
This same God, the only true God, was the one who brought me into his personal family. He gave me the privilege of being raised in a God-fearing family that has taught me all about him, a God-fearing community which has given me examples to follow and a God-fearing church which has been with me always.
I now take this time to thank everyone who has helped me in my walk with Christ. I thank my parents who have always kept me going in the right way and taught me how to guard my faith well and my grandparents who have taught me useful skills as well as about our savior.
I thank my friends who have always been amazing role models and my prayer pals who pray fervently for me. I thank my confirmation teachers and pastor for teaching me the facts of the Bible as well as how to walk rightly with God.
Finally, I thank God for giving me the honor of being able to call myself one of his children. Thank you all for listening.
Hello, my name is Elanor Brown. My life verse is Matthew 19:26. With man, this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible. I chose this verse because it shows how God can do amazing things throughout my life. God is powerful. He can do anything. Even the things that may seem impossible, he has a plan for my life.
I have seen firsthand how God changed someone's life in a better way than they could have ever dreamed. I know he will do this for me. I believe in God the Father Almighty, who is the creator of heaven and earth and everything in them. He loves us very much.
I believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, the only son of God, born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered and died on the cross to take away a punishment that we truly deserve. Then he rose again, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. God has worked through my life by bringing me to him through church, the sacraments of holy baptism and holy communion, confirmation classes, American heritage girls, reading the Bible, and praying.
I began coming to church when I was 5 years old. I can see how my character has changed for the better, and in the future, I believe that God will continue to work in my life and strengthen my faith towards him. Some of the people I would like to thank for walking with me through my spiritual journey are my mom and dad, my great grandma and great grandpa Brown, my great great aunt Doran, Aunt Katie and Uncle Joe, my prayer pal Kathy Kane and her husband Joel Kane, my confirmation teachers Mr. Satler and Mr. Stefan, Pastor Mark, Mr. Elisha, Miss Claire, Mr. and Mrs. Blair, my voice teacher, Miss Rehea, my dance teachers, Miss Alyssa and Miss Cheryl, and all of my friends.
I know God has great things in store for me.
Hello, my name is Jonathan Crockett. I'm a 7th grade student at Tower Heights Middle School. My life verse is Colossians 3:2. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. I chose this life verse because it reminds me when I am in troubled moments with school or just things at home with family and friends. I can focus on things in heaven.
This takes my mind off the bad earthly things that can make me feel down. When I keep my mind on heavenly things, God helps me think of all the good things that he has in store for me. It also reminds me that God has done many things for me and my family in the past.
In 2018, Malca and Ray came to live with us. In the year 2020, my brothers Ray and Malai were adopted and baptized. In 2024, Ali and Alexis were welcomed into our family through adoption and baptism. The same year, Addie and AJ also came to our household to live with us. They have all been great younger siblings to me.
These events have shown me that God had a plan for me and my family. I've been chosen by God to be a big brother for my six younger siblings. With God doing this, I can understand that he has a great plan for me, just like he did with my family.
I'm here today because God led my parents to bring me to church and confirmation classes every week. He has helped me throughout middle school and has provided me with great friends. As I finish seventh grade and head to my final year of middle school, I trust he will help me make good decisions and choose high school classes that will help me keep growing.
I believe that God has made all things visible and invisible. I believe that God sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead. I believe in the Holy Trinity that God is the father, the son, and the holy spirit all three in one.
Again, I would like to thank my parents for bringing me to church and confirmation every week. I'd also like to thank my past Sunday school teachers who had taught me to understand the Bible. I would like to thank Pastor Mark for growing me in my faith. I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Satler and Mr. and Mrs. Blair for guiding me and my fellow confirms with our confirmation journey.
Hi, my name is Charlie Cross and my life verse is Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through him, Christ who strengthens me. God is always with me and has strengthened me in many ways. He has strengthened me physically, which has helped me play soccer in a large band instrument, and mentally such as showing me what to do on the soccer field and how to play the music and helping to give me knowledge and wisdom in school.
I know God will continue to strengthen me in both good times and hard times throughout my life. It is amazing to consider that despite my sins, Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life for my sins. And without him, I wouldn't go to heaven.
This certainly helped with when my grandma passed away because I knew she was up in heaven and her body and mind which were failing here on earth were renewed again in heaven. God has surrounded me with a great and loving family as well as amazing friends and I feel his love throughout the day especially when I need him.
If I commit a sin, I can always ask him for forgiveness and I know that I'm forgiven. He also provided me with wonderful people at my church to support and encourage me in the future. God's promises. He will be with me through school, sports, music, and someday getting a job, a house, and a family.
And when things are tough, I know things will work out one way or another. I know God is always with me, and I trust his promises and plan for me. I fully trust in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I want to thank God for what he has done and what he will do for me in the future.
He brought me two great parents as well as two good godparents who all help me get closer to God. I also want to thank God for all my family and friends who encourage and support me in this wonderful church with amazing people who help bring me and others to God and by continually showing the love of Jesus Christ.
The slides are in a wrong order.
>> Okay.
>> Hi, my name is Caitlyn Hops. I am 13 years old. The life verse that speaks to me most is Proverbs 3:5 that says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding." This is my life verse because it reminds me that the Lord is my guide and I am not alone through the good and bad of life.
The verse gives me strength knowing that I can do anything with God with me and blesses me with the fact that I have the Lord with me. I believe that God is with us all and he knows what we need and forgives us all even when we don't deserve it through Jesus dying in our place and rising from the dead.
I believe that salvation is God delivering us from sin and temptation of Satan. He blessed me with a twin, Madison, and at the age of four he blessed me with a little sister, McKenzie. They are the best things that have ever happened in my life. Even if sometimes I don't admit that to them or myself, God helped me through my struggles like losing my great-grandparents and dog by showing me that the way to happiness and giving me the best friends I could ask for to support me.
He has guided me through life along with my friends and family on a roller coaster of life. And I hope he continues to guide me through the struggles of life as I enter 8th grade and beyond. I thank my parents and godparents for their support and understanding through my spiritual walk with God and Jesus.
I also thank my grandparents for loving me no matter what I do with my life. In addition, I thank my friends at school for believing in me.
Hi, my name is Madison Hop. My life verse that I have chosen is for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.
The Lord has plans of a great and prosperous future of hope and love and of no harm. He will be with me spiritually in my future. He loves me and cares for me. He saved me from my sins. His son died for me and everyone else's sins. Jesus Christ is my savior. Jesus is my lifeguard.
God gave me a life and knew me before I was born and gave me a best friend. Caitlyn has been with me since before we were born and we do everything together. And that could not have happened if it was not for the Lord. She still plays video games with me on the weekends even if she is mad at me and does not get mad at me when I completely messed up those ballet moves in dance class a couple of months ago.
He has been with me all my life and has not left me. He stays with me still and he will be with me when I go to heaven as well. I would like to thank my parents for teaching me about him and thank the pastor and the youth leaders for teaching me in confirmation class, Sunday school, and putting together the youth nights.
I'm really thankful for my friends especially my best friend Hannah Mey who has always been there for me and always reminds me that Jesus Christ is my savior and has not given up on me even when I want to give up.
Hello, I'm Steven Klesza. My life verse is Romans 5:3-5 which reads, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance. Endurance produces character. Character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
This life verse really speaks to me because in my life I've had a lot of hard things that I needed to achieve or overcome. Whether it be climbing a mountain or just solving a difficult math problem, this verse helps me ease the distractions that pull me away from my faith.
This verse has been used in many different scenarios for me. Sometimes it's a simple prayer before I undertake something challenging or uncomfortable and other times it's a quick way of saying you got this to myself. In my past, God has blessed me in many ways such as amazing parents, good friends, and my amazing prayer pal.
And right now, my God is working through me. Sorry. Right now, God is working through me in many ways, such as going to confirmation classes and going to all the retreats I can go to to try and enrich my knowledge of God.
God will continue to work through me in the future, through the rest of my life as I keep walking through this faith, whether it be through future retreats or teaching someone else about God. I do give thanks to my parents who have nurtured me and walked me through all of this.
I also give thanks to my confirmation teachers for being supportive and understanding. And I finally give thanks to my prayer partner, Bruce. Even though we didn't do a ton together, I just always knew that I was in the back of someone's mind and he was always praying for me.
Hello, my name is Liliana Marquez and my life verse is Joshua 1:9. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. I chose this life verse because I know God will be with me. He will always help me grow and learn in my faith.
I know that he is always with me. He will help me when I need it. And he will help me when I don't understand things in life like when I'm having a difficult time in school. He will help me be strong and courageous when I need to be like when I'm having a bad or difficult time.
I know he is always with me wherever I go. He is always with me always. And he will be with me when I am at a swim meet, home or school. He is always with me in my life throughout through Jesus. I know I have a savior who proved his forgiveness of all my sins by dying and rising for me.
God gives me a place in church by learning about him. I have learned about the Bible and how we as Christians use the Bible in our lives. God has given me a better understanding of him and he has given me a need to keep learning about him. He wants me to assist people that need help understanding the Bible.
I know that God promises in the future to help me continue to grow in my understanding of him. I need to continue to learn about God by going to church and reading the Bible. I do these things. By doing these things, I know that he is here to help me with everything in my life and keeping me moving forward in my faith.
I hope I can help my family, especially my little sisters, with understanding the Bible. I hope to help others with my understanding of faith throughout my life in college and my house. I would like to thank all the people who helped me on this journey. My parents, my dear three sisters, all my confirmation teachers, my prayer pal, and Pastor Mark. They all have helped build me up in different ways.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to all of you for your help and support.
My name is Reagan Sally. My life verse is Psalm 46:5. God is within her. She will not fail. God will help her at break of day. This guides my life by reminding me that I am never alone. This verse gives me strength during moments of doubt and comfort during challenges, showing me that God is always present and faithful.
It encourages me to trust him even when things feel uncertain and to move forward with confidence knowing that he will always support me. Because of this verse, it reminds me that he is always there even in dark times when I am struggling the most.
In my past, many people that I love have passed away. My dad, great grandma Sally, great grandma Nani. I also miss my nana and Opa who were my cousin's grandparents who were present at all our family gatherings. I also miss my grandpa Steve. He would always come up from Kentucky just to buy me ice cream. He means so much to me and I know he would be proud to see how far I've made it now.
God has helped me realize God has helped me to get through these hard times by helping me realize they are in a better place. Always happy and looking down on me during difficult times, especially through losses in my family. God has been a source of comfort and strength for me.
When I was overwhelmed or unsure, I found peace in knowing that he was by my side no matter what. In my life today, I see God working through the gifts and people he has placed around me. Through dance, God allows me to express joy, discipline, and gratitude.
And it has taught me perseverance and confidence. He has also blessed me with a strong support system that encourages me and helps me grow in my faith. I am especially thankful for my family, including my two baby sisters, Luna and Sunny, and my 15 cousins, who remind me of God's love, joy, and blessings.
And I know that God will continue to guide me in my future and guide me to do the right things. I am deeply thankful for the people God has placed in my life, who have helped me shape my faith. My aunts and uncles, grandma and grandpa, my cousins, and especially my mom have showed me God's love through their guidance, support, and examples.
I am also grateful for my church and my confirmation teachers who have encouraged me to grow spiritually and help me understand my faith more deeply. Through all of them, I have been blessed with a strong foundation in my relationship with God. And I am very thankful for their lasting impact on my life.
Hello, my name is Nolan Satler and my life verse is 1 John 5:4-5 which states for everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world and this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except for the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God?
I picked this verse because I thought it was a great reminder to be calm and have faith for God will deliver me from my troubles and help me overcome my fears. I actually found this verse while having my older sister look for one that was good for her and I thought it was rather fitting so I chose it.
I believe that God created me and loves me and that he became man to save me from my sins. I believe that Jesus rose again from the dead on the third day and that I believe that the old Adam was drowned in my baptism by the Holy Spirit and that this has given me new life.
I believe that in Holy Communion, the bread and the wine are God's true body and blood and I believe that God has a plan for me and will come again. I would like to thank a few people for helping me along my spiritual journey, including my siblings, Pastor Mark, my godparents, my prayer pal, my mom, the Blaires, my confirmation instructors, and especially my dad, whose lectures always gave me the answers, even if they were extremely long.
God has put many great people in my life for many reasons. So, thank you.
Okay. My name is Lee Stefen and my life verse is Jeremiah 15:16. Your words were found and I ate them and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart. For I am called by your name, oh Lord, God of hosts.
Originally, this was my baptismal verse and has some wonderful connections to my life. First, this verse points to my Christian life as I consume God's word and let it guide me. In this way, the Lord has taught me to hold his word above all else.
Second, this verse stands out more in context. This chapter resembles the book of Habakkuk. Chapter 15 is about God's prophesied wrath against Israel in verses 1-9 followed by a complaint from Jeremiah in verses 10-18. God's reply is in verses 19-21. He says in verse 21, "I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
This encourages that amidst trouble and turmoil in my life, God is always with me and will protect me from danger. I believe that God created the world and everything in it. When we broke God's only law, we all fell into sin and continued to refuse the love which God graciously offered to us.
Yet, despite our sin, God showed mercy. He sent Jesus Christ, our savior and the perfect example of God's infinite mercy, who lived a perfect life, died, but rose again so that I and the rest of those who repent of our sin and believe in his resurrection and defeat of death will be saved.
Since Christ's resurrection, he returned to heaven, redeeming us and promising to be with us forever. He gave us the great commission in Matthew 28:19. And since then, our Christian duty with the help of the Holy Spirit has been to follow and fulfill God's command. And that is what I aspire to achieve.
Speaking of myself, it is only by the grace of God where I am standing here today. While my life is still but brief, every minute is vibrantly colored with every hue of God's mercy, love, and providence. The aspect I praise in my life that I praise and thank the Lord most for is simply that I and my parents are alive.
In my birth, me and my mom nearly died and my dad's appendix ruptured. However, I know with certainty that God was there with me and the doctors to ensure our survival and recovery, mainly because I am here to say so. This causes me to always remember how much I must mean to God if he cared for me while I was before I was able to ever thank him for it.
From baptism till now, God has been teaching me to learn to lean into him for protection, healing, and growth in every aspect of my life, physical, mental, and spiritual. I feel especially comfort and secure in God's protection over my life for the future.
I know that no matter what happens to me, the Lord has his watch over me and has promised me salvation after death. So I have nothing to worry or fear about. As Paul says in Romans, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" The Lord has promised me through the Bible that he will sustain me through my life, bless me in my earthly life, and finally grant eternal life and perfect glory with him.
As the catechism says in the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, God certainly gives daily bread to everyone. As this is most certainly true, I can trust that all my needs will be graciously provided for. Keeping this in mind, I am eager to see what God has in store for my life and hope to advance into it with confidence and trust in him.
I would like to give a word of thanks to all those in my life who have put immeasurable effort into making sure I am here today. I would like to thank my family and parents for teaching and guiding me at home. My friends for being trustworthy and reliable role models. The Satlers, Blaires, and my dad for putting so much effort into confirmation class for us to learn from, and my prayer partner and baptismal sponsors for their continued prayers and support for my growth.
Finally, I would like to thank the congregation of this church for welcoming me and the other confirms into your midst. Thank you.
In 1 Peter chapter 2, we find these two verses as we talk about the flock under the good shepherd Jesus Christ. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray. But now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
This is Good Shepherd Sunday. And as it is Good Shepherd Sunday, when we reflect on these words for us, you confirms and every one of us need to remember that our savior Jesus bore in his body on the cross our sins. Our sins of thought, word, and deed. He took into himself, as we would understand this, every single one of your sins.
And by his wounds, by his stripes, you are healed. You are healed of your spiritual soul sickness. We are able to declare as a hymn expresses, I am Jesus little lamb. Ever glad at heart I am. We can declare I am Jesus little lamb.
And we are mindful of the fact that as a songwriter and singer has recently released a song about black sheep. Ba ba black sheep. You know, when you think of who we are in our sinfulness and our need for a savior to wash us clean and the forgiveness of sins that Christ would bring to us, we are needing to know that he is the one who is the good shepherd.
The good shepherd who has become a lamb who has given himself for us, for every single one of us. Confirm, please look at me and listen to me and take to heart the fact that you're among a flock of God's other little lambs.
And the safest place for any one of us to be as little lambs of Jesus is beside the good shepherd. Again, the safest place for any of us to be as little lambs is as near as we can be to the good shepherd. There are the outlying areas of a flock and those are the riskier ones that are out there on the fringe rather than near the good shepherd.
And some sheep will wander and stray. Don't wander and stray. Stay close to the good shepherd. Stay close to your fellow little lambs in Jesus's flock. I'm an undershepherd as a pastor to the good shepherd Jesus. But you have others who are part of the undershepherding work of God.
You've mentioned in your thank yous the Sunday school teachers, the confirmation instructors, our youth counselors. They're all a part of this flock. They're all looking out for you as little lambs and you look out for one another. By his stripes or his wounds, you have been healed of our soul sickness.
And as Matthew's gospel expresses, this even is something that is attached to our physical illnesses and our infirmities and our afflictions. That by his stripes we are healed not only of our soul sickness, but healed also of all sickness and all disease and all pestilence. And we are healed of death.
And when we are in heaven, we are with perfect health. God's ultimate will and plan is for you to have that perfect healing of eternal life through Jesus Christ, your savior. And he's looking out for you. And you have so many others who are looking out for you.
And you need to look out for one another as we're all a part of the flock under the good shepherd Jesus Christ. Amen.
So, we've arrived at this moment where we're going to be sharing in the rite of confirmation. And as we're sharing in this time, beloved in the Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ said to his apostles, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I've commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
You've been baptized and catechized in the Christian faith according to our Lord's bidding. Jesus said, "Whoever confesses me before men, I will also confess before my father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my father who is in heaven."
Confirm, please step forward at this time. I ask you to round out your individual confessions by joyfully giving answer to what I now ask you in the name of the Lord.
Grace, as we practiced yesterday. Those of you off to the right, more of you are wanting to go off in that direction. So, circle around your... It's like herding cats a little bit here, but herding a flock of sorts.
All right. So, give answer now of your faith. Do you renounce the devil?
>> Yes, I renounce.
Do you renounce all his works?
>> Yes, I renounce.
Do you renounce all his ways?
>> Yes, I renounce.
These young people once could not speak for themselves in testament to the faith that we believe, but now they can. And so I invite you, the congregation, to stand and join with them in that confession using the words of the Apostles Creed.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Confirm, I'm going to address you now. The congregation may be seated. Is this faith we have just spoken your confession as well?
>> Yes, I do believe in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Do you hold all the prophetic and apostolic scriptures to be the inspired word of God?
>> I do.
Do you confess the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church drawn from the scriptures as you have learned to know it from the small catechism to be faithful and true?
>> I do.
Do you intend to hear the word of God and receive the Lord's supper faithfully by the grace of God?
>> I do.
Do you intend to live according to the word of God and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death?
>> I do by the grace of God.
And do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and church, and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?
>> I do by the grace of God.
Will you support the work of our Lord, responding to the opportunities he gives to serve him, remembering it's that same Lord who gave his all for you. Will you do so with your prayers, time, treasure, and talent?
So, parents of these confirms, if you would please stand where you are seated. Confirm. Parents, please stand. As I see you standing before us and I address you as the parents of these youth, you have been the instrument and the tool of God to be bringing these children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and from the very beginnings you've been there to be a role model and an example for them and to do all that God would do through you to instill in them an understanding of God's love and his faithfulness to them as your sons and your daughters.
So if you are willing to continue because you're not done yet. If you're willing to continue in this way, then say yes with the help of God.
>> Yes, with the help of God.
And may God grant you the ability to do this loving work as you continue your role of parenting and actually preparing to launch these boys and girls into the purpose and plan that God has for each and every one of them.
So you may be seated. I'm not sure if we have Godparents here present. If you're a godparent, a sponsor for one of these boys or girls in terms of their baptisms. If you are a godparent, a sponsor in that regard, stand up.
I see one there and another over here. And oh, that warms my heart to see. Not all of you have your godparents or sponsors here from the days of your baptism that happened many, many years ago for most of you.
But these sponsors, they vowed before God Almighty that they would be praying for you, modeling for you a Christian walk, going to mom and dad if they needed to to say, "Hey, you're forgetting the most important need of that godchild of mine. You're making sure they've got friends. You're making sure they can play pianos. You're making sure they can kick soccer balls. You're making sure they're getting food and clothing and shelter.
What's wrong now? You've neglected their most important need, their spiritual needs, because all these other things go away and the only thing that really matters is heaven and eternity. And so Godparents are very important. They took a vow before God to do all of those things to pray for you, to model for you a Christian walk.
Maybe the Holy Spirit's tugging on your heart right now and saying you need to do more as a godparent to live more fully in that role that you have given yourself to. And so I ask you, do you recommit this day to continuing to do all of those important works in the lives of these boys and girls?
Then say yes with the help of God.
I mean, God enable you also to do this faithful and loving work. And you can stay standing because some of you are involved with Christian congregations and I want everybody to stand who's a part of the Emanuel church family, parents and godparents and our whole church family because we're a family for everyone.
And as we've been sharing in our confirmation banquet last night and sharing now again, these youth need all of us. All of us. You need one another, confirms. And turn around. Just take a real quick look at everybody standing back there. These are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
These are the ones who you will spend eternity with who know and believe and trust in Jesus Christ. And they've made a commitment. They're going to recommit to it right now. That we will continue to be a Christian congregation that is all about raising boys and girls to be young men and women of God who are living their lives to the praise and glory of God and who are fulfilling the great commission that Jesus Christ has given to us as a church and so you're part of them as well as they're part of you students confirms.
So you can turn back and look this way. Let's all again recommit ourselves to the work God has called us to. Will we continue to be a church family that is sold out for Jesus Christ and living our lives to the praise and glory of Jesus Christ and gathering with one another around the word and the sacraments and means of grace to keep nurturing and building ourselves up in the faith?
If we're willing to take that step, then join me in saying yes with the help of God.
Yes, with the help of God. And as these students are making their vows before us today, we rejoice with thankful hearts that you have been baptized and have received the teaching of the Lord. You have confessed the faith and been absolved of your sins.
As you continue to hear the word of the Lord, receive his blessed sacrament, he who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Amen.
And we have you confirmands return to your seats and return in the order that you are seated. And we invite the elders to come forward and line up to my left here. Elisha, you've got several jobs to do.
Removing this lectern, bringing the kneeler and bringing the Christ candle in place for us. And do one of you elders have a microphone in your hands? No. Elisha, that's another job we'll need you to do. Grab that microphone from the stand there.
And Elder Greg, you can step right up here and stand beside me as you're here. And Elisha brings the Christ candle. And as soon as that Christ candle's in place, Grace, you'll know what to do as your last name starts with an A and you'll start...
Just a note, Lee Stefen is the person who helped us to understand this truth and I want to thank him for doing this. This baptismal candle was lit when you were baptized, Grace, which was years and years ago and it's a reminder always of our baptisms.
So as indeed we proceed.
All right. Maybe Grace Adams. Your verse is God is in the midst of her shall she shall not be moved. God will help her with her morning dawn. Psalms 46:5. Grace, much like your life verse, I am reminded of Psalm 16:8. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is in my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
May the Lord bless you with strength to overcome the challenges in this life and confidence to know you can always call on him. He is your solid ground and your security. Let your light shine before others that your heavenly father will receive the glory.
What is your full name?
>> Grace Adams.
Grace Eileene Adams. I anoint you with oil making the sign of the cross in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God the father of our lord Jesus Christ who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit and has forgiven you all your sins continue to give you his holy spirit the spirit of wisdom and knowledge of grace and prayer of power and strength of sanctification and the holy fear of God. Amen.
And Desi Atkins, your verse I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.
The verse I pick for you is Luke 8:16 where Jesus says, "No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed." And my blessing for you is that you let the Lord always to know that he is always with you, encouraging you, strengthening you, and you can do all things. So let others see your light.
What is your full name?
Desire Patience Atkins.
Desiree Patience Atkins. Making the sign of the cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification, and the holy fear of God. Amen.
Thank you.
Logan Blair, your verse. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31.
Logan grandson. Praise God for your willingness to share your faith with us publicly today. Your verse Isaiah 40:31 is a powerful promise. Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Like an eagle, may you rise above life's storms with vision, strength, and endurance. Remember what you have witnessed. God is faithful.
He exchanges your weakness for his strength and carries you forward. Logan Randall Blair. May your confidence rest in him. Your joy be rooted in his love and your life reflect your faith in Jesus. Go forward with courage knowing he will always guide you and lift you higher.
Well, grandpa already gave me the full name, but you're going to get to speak it yourself. When you were baptized, we asked your parents, "How is this child to be named?" And they said your name, and then we baptized you into that name.
And so, what is your full name again?
>> Logan Randall Blair.
Logan Randall Blair. Making the sign of the cross to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification, and the holy fear of God. Amen.
Elanor Brown. Your verse is, "But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man, this is impossible. But with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26.
Elanor, your Bible verse and your statement of faith testify that you believe God's power is awesome and unlimited. In Mark 13, Jesus told his disciples that they would stand before governors and kings for his sake. Further, he said the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations.
You may not stand before governors or kings, but you can proclaim the gospel. Then he said, "Do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given to you for that hour. For it is not what you who it's not what you speak, but who but the what the Holy Spirit speaks."
My prayer is for you that as you grow in faith, you will grow in boldness as you honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason of the hope that is in you with gentleness and respect.
And Elanor, I do remember your baptism with your entire family being baptized into the Christian faith. And I stand in awe of how God has continued to work. So what is your full name?
>> Elanor.
>> Elanor.
>> Marcel.
>> Marcy.
>> Marcel.
>> Marcel.
Elanor. Marcel Brown. Making the sign of the cross in the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit, has forgiven you all your sins, continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification, and the Holy Fear of God. Amen.
John Crockett.
Uh, set your minds on things that are above, not only things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2.
Jonathan, your life verse from Colossians reminds us to keep our reflection, our affections on heavenly things. The Apostle Paul continues in chapter 3 stating, "Put on them as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."
John, I see all these virtues growing in you. I think I even see a little sprout of humility. It's growing right beside mine and we will keep working on it together. May God continue to grow these heavenly things in you so you can spread his love wherever you go and with whatever you do.
You are a good son, a good brother, and a good friend. May you forever be a friend to the Lord, keeping your mind set on the things from above, knowing he will keep you holy and beloved.
So a few years back I said to you and Kim I said do you wish to bring this child to be baptized and you said yes. And I said and how is this child to be named? And you said and Kim said
>> Jonathan Terry Crockett.
Jonathan Terry Crockett making the sign of the cross in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit and has forgiven you all your sins continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification and the holy fear of God. Amen.
Charlie Cross. I can do all things through him, Christ, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13.
Charlie, I'm so proud of you for the young man that you're becoming. My blessing is that God helps you clearly see the path he has for you and that he fills your heart with peace and confidence as you follow it. Keep leaning on him. He will give you amazing strength as you grow in faith.
Make good decisions and follow him in every part of your life. So, as you're recommitting and affirming your baptism that happened years ago, Charlie, I know you are wanting to recommit to being a baptized child of God.
And what is your full name, first, middle, and last?
>> Charles Wallace.
>> Charles Wallace Cross.
Making the sign of the cross in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit, and has forgiven you all your sins, continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification, and the Holy Fear of God. Amen.
No glasses, Elisha. So, this is...
I was going to comment, thank you for letting us know the right order.
Uh, your verse, trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5.
Caitlyn, trusting in the Lord with all your heart. Not leaning on your own understanding, all your ways, acknowledging Jesus, he will direct your paths. I love this verse from Proverbs 3:5. My grandmother used to on my birthday send me a birthday card with Proverbs 3:5 written on it along with the dollar bill and Juicy Fruit when I was young.
I really liked the dollar bill and the juicy fruit. But now I understand that was her legacy. Love this verse. Wherever you will go, wherever your paths will go, Jeremiah 29, you have a future and a hope.
You need to acknowledge Jesus. What does that mean? Means Caitlyn says, I am not afraid of the gospel. I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Caitlyn, dance for Jesus. Be bold and courageous. Let your light shine for all. God bless you, Caitlyn.
And what is your full name?
>> Caitlyn Marie Hop.
Caitlyn Marie Hop. Making the sign of the cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, marking you with the cross of Christ as one redeemed by Jesus. God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit, has forgiven you all your sins, continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification, and the Holy Fear of God. Amen.
Amen.
Here we go. Madison Hop.
Uh, for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11.
Madison, the plans I have, God has for you. A future and hope. That's what the world needs right now is hope and peace. And you can give that to them. You can show them. You can reflect God's light just like the moon reflects the sun. You have it and you want to share it.
Just Madison, trust in the Lord with all your heart, in your sports and in your singing and your music. Be courageous and tell those others around you why you have God's peace and his hope. Be strong and not ashamed of the gospel. God bless you, Madison.
>> And what is your full name?
>> Madison Rose.
>> Madison Rose Hop.
Making the sign of the cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, as one redeemed by Christ the crucified, God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit, has forgiven you all your sins, continue to give his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification, and the Holy Fear of God. Amen.
Steven Kuza. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing the sufferings produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5.
Stephen, my blessing for you is that you always remain aware of the grace given you in your baptism. Jesus died for you. All your sins are forgiven. And it's a simple gift that's yours by faith.
It is this gift of the Holy Spirit that keeps you steadfast and enables you to continue growing in your faith. Ask God how he can use you and he will bless you in the endeavors he chooses for you. So hang on to the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ. Regardless of what comes at you in life, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Amen.
And you can share now your full name, first, middle, and last.
>> Steven Nicholas Klesa.
>> Steven Nicholas Klesa.
Making the sign of the cross in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified God the father of our lord Jesus Christ who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit and has forgiven you all your sins continue to give you his holy spirit the spirit of wisdom and knowledge of grace and prayer of power and strength of sanctification and the holy fear of God. Amen.
Yeah.
Liliana Marquez, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9.
Lily, the verse I picked for you has a very important question from Jesus. Where is your faith? My blessing is that those who see you will also see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in all of your actions.
And what is your full name?
>> Liliana Marquez.
>> Liliana.
>> Liliana Lane Marquez.
How do you spell the middle?
>> L, uh, L A N E.
Okay. Lane.
Liliana Lane Marquez, we got to get it right. God knows you by name. He calls you by name. And he's gonna say to you by name. Well done, thou good and faithful servant one day.
So when we make the sign of the cross in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit and has forgiven you all your sins continue to give you his holy spirit the spirit of wisdom and knowledge of grace and prayer of power and strength of sanctification and the holy fear of God. Amen.
Reagan Sally. God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved. God will help her when morning dawn. Psalms 46:5.
Reagan. When we are surrounded by trials and tribulations, we can remain hopeful knowing that God will never leave or abandon us. God is our protector and is present whenever we need him.
When whatever happens, we can trust in him. We have a never-ending supply of his presence. As Christians, we know that this is so. We know that God is by our side in every step of life. With God by our side, evil cannot defeat us. God is greater.
Reagan, as you take your walk through life, find peace in this knowledge that God is there. Continue to share his promises with others as you have told me that you've already done. Be that beacon of hope to people that you come across who need it. Share God's love and peace.
And what is your full name?
Reagan Sheay Sally making the sign of the cross as you were baptized. We did this marking you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit, has forgiven you all your sins, continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification, and the Holy Fear of God. Amen.
Nolan Satler for everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God? 1 John 5:4-5.
Nolan, as your life verse says, through your faith given in the water of your baptism, Jesus has overcome the world, the devil, and your flesh. You have been taught this faith and discipled in this confession. And at this altar, you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.
So may God continue to keep you steadfast in the truth of this confession and the hope of this faith by his grace and power alone, growing you to be the man of God he means for you to be. And may his blessing and peace attend your ways all the days of your life.
And what is your full name?
>> Nolan David Satler.
Nolan David Satler. Making the sign of the cross to mark you as one redeemed by Christ the crucified. God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has given you the new birth of water and of the spirit. Has forgiven you all your sins continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge of grace and prayer of power and strength of sanctification and the holy fear of God. Amen.
All right.
Jonathan Lee Stefen, your words were found and I ate them and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart. For I am called by your name, oh Lord, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15 verse 16.
Your father and your mother have brought you up in the training and admonition the discipline and instruction of the Lord. They have done so in faith of his promises. Now in your confirmation today you have indeed boldly proclaimed by the grace of God your faith in him of which Satan, the flesh and the world are on notice that you are Christ's ambassador and the victory belongs to the Lord.
I pray that you will daily take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand firmly. May the sword of the spirit which is the word of God living and active sharper than any two-edged sword be your source of truth.
Lee, as the Lord told Abram to go and as Jesus tells his disciples to go. May you too go forward with the readiness given by the gospel of peace as shoes for your feet. And may the Lord and the joy of the Lord refresh your heart, soul, and witness from here until life everlasting. Amen.
And what is your full name?
>> Jonathan Lee Stefen.
Jonathan Lee Stefen. Making the sign of the cross, marking you with the sign of the cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins continue to give you his Holy Spirit, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification and the holy fear of God. Amen.
So you can just stay right here and everybody can come join Lee at the altar here. And we'll take care of your candle that's dripping on you. So, everyone line up again if you would please.
Upon these your promises, I in the name of the congregation acknowledge you as confirmed members of Emanuel Lutheran Church invite you to share and participate in all the blessings of God.
And they're lining themselves up for the prayer time already. So I'm going to make my way around sharing the right hand of fellowship with each of you. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Acknowledging each of you as confirmed members of Emanuel Lutheran Church.
We are excited to see the future as it unfolds and we share a prayer over you. Lord God, heavenly father, we thank and praise you for your great goodness in bringing these your sons and daughters to the knowledge of your son, our savior Jesus Christ, and enabling them both with the heart to believe and with the mouth to confess his saving name.
Grant that bringing forth the fruit of faith, they may continue steadfast and victorious to the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of righteousness through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
We invite everyone to stand as we share the dismissal and benediction. And we invite everyone who desires to come forward during the closing song and the time of prayers for the confirmands at the altar to come forward in the singing of father welcomes.
We hide God's word in our hearts that we might hold out the word of life. First Peter 2 chapter verse 9. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2 chapter verse 9. Glorifying God, knowing him, and sharing his love and grace with all. Go in peace and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
And the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen.
Again, come forward. But don't forget after we have prayed over these confirmands, we'll be heading back into our Emanuel Fellowship Hall for a cake reception that we'll be sharing in. Let's sing and let's pray. Grab him. Stay. Stay. Have a recess. I'll just have him come up with the candles. Or can they come out? Cuz they're ready.
>> Candles.
>> Can they beep it up?
>> Yeah, that's fine.
I might... Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Salur. Heat. Heat. Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. where they store... Imagine here. Thank you.