Confirmation Lenten Mentoring
This year during Lent, we will explore the concept of signs of belonging. These are the signs Martin Luther offers as external evidence for locating the Christian church here on earth.
Upcoming important dates:
February 15 – Lenten Mentoring Orientation, following 6:30pm worship
February 22 – Ash Wednesday – attend the 7:00 pm service.
February 29 – Lenten Mentoring Begins
- Longing for: authenticity in our relationships
- Sign of Belonging: forgiveness – the truth where we belong
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- Text: John 20:19-23
- Wednesday Sermon: audio, video
- Blog Questions: (click HERE to respond to these questions online) What makes you feel like you belong? (To a family, God, an organization, etc.) Which is more difficult: to ask for forgiveness, offer forgiveness or confront someone when they have sinned and need forgiveness? What does forgiveness mean to you? When and how do you practice forgiveness?
March 7
- Longing for: courage to stay faithful
- Sign of Belonging: Cross
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- Wednesday Sermon: audio/text, video
- Blog Questions: (click HERE to respond to these questions online) What makes you feel like you belong? (To a family, God, an organization, etc.) Is it hard to be a Christian in your world? Who or what gives you courage? How does the Holy Spirit help you stay strong in your faith in moments of despair and suffering?
March 14
- Longing for: a faith community in which to participate
- Sign of Belonging: Worship
- Wednesday Sermon: Text, Visual
- Blog Questions: (click HERE to respond to these questions online) What makes you feel like you belong? (To a family, God, an organization, etc.) What does your prayer life look like? Is it part of your daily routine? Does life get in the way of prayer? What is the best worship experience you have ever had?
March 21
- Longing for: freedom from our sins
- Sign of Belonging: Holy Sacraments
- Wednesday Sermon: Text, Audio, Visual
- Blog Questions: (click HERE to respond to these questions online) What makes you feel like you belong? (To a family, God, an organization, etc.) How does it make you feel to know that God has claimed you as His own? Is Holy Communion a meaningful ritual for you? Why or why not? How does it feel to live in freedom? How do you live a counter-cultural life?
- Additional Resources:
- Do Nothing for 2 Minutes: HOW!?! Read more!
- Reducing Your Screen Time: Listen here! OR Read more here!
- How does Social Media impact our life? Watch here!
- National Day of Unplugging – March 23, 2012: lessons to learn
- Bring Back the Sabbath (NY Times article)
- Creating Sabbath Peace Amid the Noise (NY Times article)
March 28
- Longing for: finding ourselves in the story
- Sign of Belonging: Word
- Wednesday Sermon: Text, Audio, Video
- Blog Questions: (click HERE to respond to these questions online) What makes you feel like you belong? (To a family, God, an organization, etc.) Do you see yourself in the story – the Bible? What is your relationship like with your Bible? Is there a Bible passage you have gotten different meanings from each time you use it? If so, what is it?
— — — — HOLY WEEK — — — —
April 1 – Palm/Passion Sunday. Worship at 7:30am, 9:00 am, and 10:00am
April 5 – Maundy Thursday/First Communion. Worship 7pm.
April 6 – Good Friday. Worship 7pm.
April 7 – Easter Vigil. Worship 7pm.
April 8 -Easter Sunday! Worship at 6:00am, 730am, 9am, 10:30am
What is Lenten Mentoring? Confirmation students share their Lenten journey with AAA (Available, Affirming, Available) adults. Our faith is a relational faith! When the church began, it was up to believers to be an example – a mentor – to pass on the faith to others.
During Lent, our students have a chance to work with an adult one-on-one. Mentors are often another significant adult in their lives. They are neighbors, godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, or a family friend. It allows our students to experience a faith relationship with another adult who is not their parent.
Just some of the many activities our Mentors and Mentees will enjoy together during Lent!
**Creating a Mosaic Tile – Art Room
**Walking the Labyrinth – open each Wednesday from 7am – 9pm
Mentor/Mentee Covenant
Just the Facts Detail Sheet
Orientation PowerPoint from February 15
Lenten Mentoring Booklet for 2012 – available at the Hospitality Desk
As heard on the congregational phone call from Pastor Ruth Ann
(click here to LISTEN to the prayer)
“Good morning, Bethany! This is Pastor Ruth Ann, calling with a message to encourage you as we embark upon this Lenten season. On Ash Wednesday, our foreheads were marked with a dusty cross, reminding us that it is God alone who can create new and right spirits within us.
So, today, I have a prayer for us from the ELW:
Almighty God, by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ, you turn us from the old life of sin. Grant that we, who are reborn to new life in Him, may live in righteousness and holiness all our days. Through your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
It is such a blessing that we belong together in Christ and a blessing that we belong together at Bethany, and a blessing that we belong to each other. God bless you this day. See you in church!”
