Confirmation | Bethany Lutheran Church

Confirmation

Overview

Saved by Grace

Bethany Confirmation Ministry

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8

What is Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism?

Confirmation is the Fulfillment of Promises: It is a time for parents of adolescents to fulfill the promises made at baptism in partnership with the whole faith community, the promise to: “live with them among God’s faithful people, bring them to the word of God and the holy supper, teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer, so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.” Service of Holy Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Augsburg Fortress, © 2006), page 228

Confirmation is Vibrant Faith Formation: It is a time to learn about to whom we belong, who Jesus is, and how faith in Him impacts us.  Confirmation helps prepare and support us for life’s journey as adult Christians Saved by Grace.

Confirmation is Relationships: It is a time to experience God’s love by building caring connections with parents, mentors, and peers.  It is a commitment of the whole family to grow together, support one another and encourage one another to trust in a God who loves us, cares for us and forgives us.

Confirmation is Taking Responsibility for Discipleship: It is a time in the adolescent faith journey for intensive nurturing, a time of preparation leading to public profession of Christian faith and for youth to “confirm” their intention to live as a Child of God in the covenant of Baptism: “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism:  to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the Word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” Affirmation of Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Augsburg Fortress, © 2006), page 236.

Confirmation is a Step on the life-long Journey of Faith It is NOT a journey toward a “graduation,” but another step on the life-long journey of faith that extends from birth to death, which is why we call this faith formation. __________________________________________________________________________

What is Confirmation at Bethany?

  1. Saved by Grace, the confirmation program at Bethany is a family program.  Parents are expected to actively participate.
  2. Saved by Grace is for 7th – 9th grade youth that begins the fall of 7th grade and ends with the Rite of Confirmation in the fall of 9th grade.
  3. Confirmation meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:15p.m., September to the end of April.
  4. Bethany’s  curriculum covers The Sacraments, The New and Old Testaments, Lutheran theology, and the Small Catechism.

Questions? Joni Grundman Faith Formation Minister of Family Ministries 303-300-3304 joni@bethany-denver.org

Forms

Registration 2011 Fill out and return to office or Hospitality Desk or click here for online registration

Parent Volunteer Form In order to provide a robust and rounded confirmation experience, we need your help. We ask each parent to participate with one or more of the activities listed.

Worship Diary Students are to complete 16 of these by the end of confirmation.

Lenten Mentor Youth are to chose their own Lenten Mentor.

Service Form Youth are to complete 24  hours of service

Health Form Complete a new one each year

Retreats/Camp

Middle School Youth Gathering Registration January 13-15, 2012

Sky Ranch Confirmation Camp – July 22 – 27, 2012

For more information about either event contact Kevin Dragseth, kevin@bethany-denver.org

Fellowship

Extreme Challenge Gladiator Fusion Arena – Sunday, November 6, 2:oo – 4:00, $25

Middle School Christmas Party – Dec 11, 2:00 – 4:00

Contact Joni Grundman for more information 303-300-3304 or joni@bethany-denver.org

Parenting Class

AAA Parents

Authentic       Available        Affirming

Enriching Relationships – Developing Tools – Growing Faith

Join these lively and interactive discussions, facilitated by Family/Adoption Coach and Bethany member, Mary  Bender.  We will focus on issues relevant to parenting today’s teens with an emphasis on strengthening family relationships through the lens of Scripture,Classes will be held on Wednesday nights in Room 300 (the computer room)from 7:00-8:15, following Wednesday night worship.  We will follow the confirmation schedule and sincerely hope that you can join us for education and discussion during this challenging parenting time!There is no charge and no registration requirements – drop in as you can….as frequently as you can!

 

 

September 21, 2011              Following God’s Design for Family

Create a plan to strengthen your family.

That’s why God commanded us to follow all these rules, so that we would live

reverently before God, our God, as he gives us this good life, keeping us alive

for a long time to come. Deuteronomy 6: 24

 

September 28, 2011              Parenting Teens:  A Coaching Model

Adjust your style to fit your teen’s development

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father

and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— so that it

may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”.

Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the

training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesisans 6:1-4

 

October 5, 2011                     Encouraging Independence

Guide your teen toward a successful launch

Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.  Give

me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

Psalm 119: 33-35

 

October 19, 2011                   Enhancing Communication

Learn and practice skills to keep communication open

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19

 

October 26, 2011                   Discipline and Teens – It’s Different Now!

Understand the purpose for discipline and continue building relationship

No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful; later on however, it

produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been

trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

 

November 9, 2011                 The Over-Involved Parent

Balance your involvement and control with your teen

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will

strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10


November 16, 2011               The Culture “War” and Teens

Know the influences and build trust

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become

blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked

generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you

hold firmly to the word of life.  Philippians 2:14-16

 

December 7, 2011                  Tough Times and Struggles Have Meaning

Understand that pain has a purpose

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of

those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28

 

 

January 18, 2012                     Teens Just Want to Belong

Enrich your relationships by showing God’s unconditional love

we belong to the Lord Romans 14:8

January 25, 2012                     Our Sex-Crazed Culture

Look for opportunities to discuss

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is

right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything

is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

February 1, 2012                    Three Godly Strategies for Parenting Teens

Focus on your purpose; communicate authentically; lead and model humility

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his

appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5: 20

April 11, 2012                         Trust and Faith

Live with joy, trusting in God’s amazing power

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me

John 14:1

 

April 18, 2012                         God’s Plan for Families

Create your intentional family

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46: 1

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