Confirmation is a two-year process in which young adults in the church explore their faith more deeply. While Confirmation is traditionally considered a rite of passage and a conclusion to a student’s Sunday School instruction, Confirmation is really the beginning of a young adult’s faith journey as they claim their faith as their own.
Lutheranism is an expression of Christianity that practices infant baptism, and these two years of intentional study are intended to provide the students with the opportunity to affirm the baptismal promises that were made for them by their parents and sponsors. This process will culminate with an Affirmation of Baptism in worship, where the students will publicly affirm their faith before their families, the congregation, and one another. Confirmation classes are not mandatory but are, instead, a welcome opportunity for each young adult to grow and better understand their faith.
WEEKLY CLASSES
Weekly classes will take place on Sunday mornings from 9:00 – 10:00 AM during St. John’s Sunday School hour. In addition to studying their own curriculum, the confirmation students will also assist the Sunday School classes with special events and act as mentors for the younger children. Some activities that the confirmation youth are scheduled to help with are: the Reformation Day event, Christmas Pageant, Rock-A-Thon & Birthday Social, St. John's Squares on Palm Sunday, and Easter Pageant.
Students are expected to attend and participate in class each week, as fellowship, class discussions, and leadership development are important aspects of the Confirmation curriculum. Students should attend, at minimum, 75% of the weekly classes. Accommodations can be made for students who are unable to attend weekly due to shared custody arrangements.
Please notify Pastor Halle Kluever of any absences. In lieu of class, she will provide the students an at–home assignment to be submitted the following week.
2023—2024 CURRICULUM
This year, the Confirmation Class will focus on studying the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. We will discuss why the Old Testament is important and why it is included in the Christian Bible, and we will also explore New Testament scripture to more fully understand Jesus’ ministry and the ministry to which he calls God’s church. The outcome of this year is to provide the students with Biblical literacy and an understanding of God’s Law and Gospel.
The students will be expected to bring their handbook to class, ready to discuss the topic of the day. Pastor Halle will send weekly pre-class assignments via email, which will include short readings and/or videos. The intention of these assignments is to prepare students for the week’s class discussion.
WORSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Throughout the church school year, Confirmation students are expected to attend a minimum of 18 regular worship services and 5 special liturgies (Advent, Lent, and Holy Week services, for example). There will be a sign-in sheet at the ushers’ table for students to record their attendance at each service. Students new to Confirmation will also begin acolyting for either the 8:00 AM or 10:15 AM service (each family may choose which service they prefer). Sharon Stehly, our church administrator, will email the acolyte schedules each month. If your student is unable to serve on their assigned date, please call the church office at (610) 767-6361.
Weekly worship attendance and participation in the sacrament of Holy Communion are important spiritual practices in a believer’s life. Taking seriously God’s Word, God promises to dwell wherever “two or three are gathered” (Matthew 18:20) and to meet us at the altar in the bread and the wine. Through fulfilling this Confirmation requirement, it is the hope that students will build a foundation of faith that emphasizes the importance of the communal life to which we are called as the Body of Christ. Accommodations can be made for students whose worship attendance is dependent upon custody arrangements.
SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Each student is expected to assist the church in staffing two events throughout the Sunday School year. These events include: catering dinners, community luncheons, and social ministry events (ex: the Penny Party). Below is a schedule of dates for the 2023–2024 school year. More dates will be made available as events are planned:
Sunday, November 5, 2023 — Community Luncheon, 11:30 to 1:00 PM
Saturday, December 2, 2023 — Pig Stomach Dinner, 3:30 to 6:00 PM
Saturday, December 16, 2023 — Holiday Bread Fundraiser & Christmas Prep, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Sunday, January 7, 2024 — Community Luncheon, 11:30 to 1:00 PM
Saturday, February 10, 2024 — Pork and Sauerkraut Dinner, 3:30 to 6:00 PM
Sunday, March 3, 2024 — Community Luncheon, 11:30 to 1:00 PM
Saturday, April 6, 2024 — Ham and Dandelion Dinner, 3:30 to 6:00 PM
Sunday, May 5, 2024 — Community Luncheon, 11:30 to 1:00 PM
CHURCH COUNCIL INTERVIEWS
The Church Council of St. John’s has traditionally interviewed each student upon the conclusion of their Confirmation instruction. This interview takes place at the end of the student’s second year in preparation of their public affirmation of faith in worship. More information about these interviews will be shared with second-year families in the spring of 2024.