Confirmation can mean different things to different people. Some expect a sort of graduation – a milestone of sorts. Some expect to "feel differently" upon being confirmed.
you were just a little child, you were baptized?
Then a few years ago, when you received your First Holy Communion?
Last year when you studied the Old Testament with Intern Dirk?
This year when you have learned about Luther's Small Catechism?
It seems more like a life long journey than a destination. The journey began when you met Christ. Unlike other things you will do, faith does not have a graduation or a point when you have learned & achieved everything. This is not the end or the destination of exploring your faith for your journey continues…
All these things happen to you with all of your church family around - supporting, participating, caring for you. Sometimes you may have felt like you were doing this alone, but there were many people around for you.
KJV Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
There are different ways to witness the glory of God…some people witness through the Word…some are touched by tradition…some are motivated by music….some find the power of God in the people around them. This community cares about you like God loves you as one of God's own…that is what the Christian community does. It's the great commandment…to love each other as Jesus has loved us.
NRS Mark 12:29 Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
We have prayed the Lord's Prayer together…in Spanish…German - even in Latin but definitely better when we hold hands!
Our Father in heaven…Your kingdom come…Your will be done…
We shared meals together…on Wednesday nights during Lent, in class upstairs, in worship we share Holy Communion. I learned that you really like to use baked bread for communion – that gives new meaning to the petition "Give us today our daily bread". Your favorite – the bread of Holy Communion…
NRS Matthew 26:26 ¶ While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
We forgave each other….we found out what it feels like to ask for forgiveness and then to forgive someone. We wrote down our sins and even dared to share them with each other.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those against us…
NRS Matthew 18:33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
We shared the challenges that we faced…things from school, friends, family, sports, church…feelings…relationships
Save us from the time of trial…And deliver us from evil…
And we prayed to God…the Creator, our God – the God that we share with each other.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
You have shared your faith…
NRS Matthew 28:19 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
We've shared our highs and our lows…acted out skits about how to pray and how to tell a sinner from a saint.
We've worshipped together…on Sundays…you have been acolytes and readers and prayer leaders and singers…on Wednesday nights in the snow during Lent…and last Sunday you lead an awesome worship!
I learned that you love to hear and tell the stories from the Old Testament and from the New Testament….You selected the readings for the youth service last week. Very significant stories about creation, God's love for us, God's covenant with Noah and the story from John about Jesus walking on the water. You liked this story because it spoke to you of how faith in Christ can get you through anything...
NRS John 6:18 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.
As Jesus journeyed in his life, so will you. Just as Peter and Thomas doubted and questioned, so will you. Like Mary Magdalene, Paul, and those who believed with all their hearts, so will you. Your faith may falter like the disciples…sometimes strong, sometimes questioning. And when you face some rough times ahead, you will know that God is always here for you…and so is your church family.
Today you will read notes from people here in the HTLC family of faith…notes of support and you may learn that many of us are still on our faith journey…still learning…sometimes questioning. Our stories are all a little different but the one thing we do share is Christ. As you keep learning and exploring your faith, remember that the journey continues…and as you journey, you are cared for and cared about by the people here in this community of HTLC.
We are all called to walk with each other as sisters and brothers united in love.
AND the best news of all, Christ is with us on the journey!
NRS Matthew 28:20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
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