Scott Shoup Instructor Confirmation instruction is taught during Sunday School hours (9:15AM - 10:15AM) primarily in grades 7 and 8. Our confirmation instructor is Scott Shoup. The teachings follow Luther's Small Catechism and the children are expected to know it by the end of the 8th grade. Teachings from the Small Catechism include the Ten Commandments, the Creeds, the Lord's Prayer, baptism, confession, and communion. Confirmation takes place on the Day of Pentecost, typically around the end of May. Our comfirmands are asked to sign a Confirmation Covenant along with their parents. This explains the expectations that are to be met during the two years they are involved in the confirmation program.
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Rehoboth Evangelical Lutheran Church
an ELCA congregation |
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Confirmation Instruction
Rehoboth Lutheran Church Confirmation Covenant 1. Attendance of Sunday morning confirmation classes is expected each week. It is the student's responsibility to contact Pastor Eric and arrange to make up a missed session. 2. Students will complete 10 sermon notes each year. 3. Students will participate in worship leadership at least 10 times each year. Students are expected to do at least two different activities such as being an acolyte, worship assistanct, usher, greeter, choir member, prayer writer or other activities approved by the pastor. 4. Students will select a mentor and meet with them at least twice a month to discuss their confirmation experience, journal entries, becoming an adult in Christ's Church, living as a baptized Christian, etc. 5. Students will complete two Journal entries each month, except November and December when only one entry will be expected. These entries will be shared and discussed with one's mentor and the pastor. 6. Students will participate in at least two service projects each year, or become involved in ongoing service activities such as monthly volunteering at a food pantry. 7. The students in the confirmation program will lead the young people of Rehoboth in planning and leadership of a worship service. All of these expectations must be met each of the two years you are in the confirmation program. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ _________________________
SERMON NOTES SHEET
1. Summarize the sermon in one or two sentences: 2. What did the sermon say about God? 3. What concerns, issues, and interests of yours did the sermon address? What did the preacher say about these issues and what is your reaction? 4. What did you learn today that you did not know before or what were you reminder of that is important for Christians to remember? 5. After listening to this sermon, is there anything you might do, reconsider, or try again?
2009 Confirmation Testimonies
Four students were confirmed May 31, 2009, the Day of Pentecost. They were: Amanda, Megan, Darion, and TJ. They have been instructed by their confirmation teacher, Mr. Rob Hicks, over the past two years which included the Ten Commandments, the Creeds, the Lord's Prayer, baptism, confession, and communion. We enjoyed hearing their confirmation testimonies. Please keep these students in your prayers as they continue on their spiritual journey.
From all my Sunday school and confirmation classes, I believe I have truly learned a lot. I believe the classes have strengthened my belief and relationship with God. One reason why my belief and relations with God has strengthened is from the questions/discussions I’ve had with my family. My testimony is about my belief in the Holy Trinity---God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I also believe in the Apostle’s Creed, the explanation of the Holy Trinity. In all Lutheran catechisms, it is said that the Apostle’s Creed is divided into three sections; God as our creator, Jesus as our redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as our sanctifier. In the Apostle’s Creed, it is said that God is the creator of heaven and earth. I believe this because without God’s creation, nothing would exist. God sacrificed Jesus, his only son, to show his endless love for us. Because of Jesus, we are now saved from sin. I believe this is true because without Him, we would not be pure and deserve to make it to heaven. He would judge us by our sin level/number and our true apology for our wrongdoings. Speaking of sin, the Holy Spirit’s purpose is to purify us and make us whole. As part of our faith we believe through prayer, baptism, and communion, we are forgiven of our sins. Through prayer we can offer our thankfulness for his blessings and ask for help to get us through many problems. A true blessing that He gave me is friends and family. My friends and family stick with me no matter what and get me through rough times just like God does for us. Knowing that God will always be there for me, I believe my faith has grown. To me, faith is more than just everyday life. Faith is forever. To be confirmed means that you are joining God’s army and becoming a member of the church. To me, being confirmed means doing what Jesus wants us to do; that is spreading the word of God. Being confirmed also means being able to interpret the bible with more thoroughly. All in all, being a Christian has helped me become a better person. It also has let me be more compassionate and understanding because of God’s sacrifices for everyone. Good morning, I'd like to share with you my testimony of Affirmation of Faith. My parents are primarily responsible for guiding my Christian journey beginning with the day I was baptized in May of 1995 here at Rehoboth. They stood before the congregation in God’s presence, much like I’m doing today, and promised to fulfill specific responsibilities to help me grow in Christian faith and life. Ever since I was able to talk, I can remember my parents kneeling beside me as I said my bedtime prayers by asking God to bless my family and friends. Most of you are familiar with . . . now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. But, my mom changed the ending to say, “guide me safely through the night, and wake me with the sun’s bright light!” At the young of age of four, I attended the Bright Beginnings Christian Pre-School program here at our church. I remember how much fun my cousin Zach and I had when we attended classes three days a week, then came back on Sunday mornings again for Sunday School. The pre-school teachers Mrs. Woodling, Mrs. Sebastian, and Mrs. Berenbrok nurtured and taught me about Jesus through stories and songs. When I was in 3rd grade, my church family placed in my hands the Holy scriptures. Throughout my Sunday School years, various teachers like Mrs. Paclawski, Mrs. Goncz, Mr. and Mrs. Shoup, and Mr. Hicks have taught so much about faith in the one true God. A much anticipated milestone along my Christian journey included instruction and guidance for my first Holy Communion in fifth grade. Mrs. Morris allowed us to taste the wine before taking communion for the very first time on Maundy Thursday. I have to admit being one of the few students who actually “liked” the wine! I continue to proclaim and share God’s word as a participant in Rehoboth’s outreach ministry referred to as the Rejoicing Rascals for 8 years now as well as a member of the youth Bible Bowl team for the last three years. My Christian education is the result of the knowledge, training and support of so many wonderful people worshipping with us this morning. So, today I stand before you as an 8th grade confirmation student to share my beliefs in order to be confirmed much like my mom; grandfather Richard; and great grandfather Clifford did at Rehoboth before me. · I believe as a baptized child of God I was sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. · I believe the Ten Commandments are God’s rules to follow for my entire life. · I believe in the Apostle’s Creed which states that you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe God created me together with all that exists. · I believe God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die for us on the cross to forgive our sins. · I believe Holy Communion represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The next chapter in my Christian journey has yet to be determined; but I believe it is now my responsibility to begin serving my church and the Lord as is described in the closing verse that we sing each Sunday which states: Filled with the Spirit, filled with God’s grace, Filled with the friendship we find in this place; Called as disciples, go now in faith; Jesus will show the way. Go out and serve him, serve him, Carry his word into all of the world Go and serve him, serve him, Go out and serve the Lord, go serve the Lord! During my confirmation, I’ve learned a few things that have never really came across my mind before. Certain writings that I would read during church. I believe that I should lead my life with the 10 commandments as a guideline. That if I were to live strictly by the 10 Commandments, it would make a better person, and Christian out of me. Which I obviously can’t do all the time. But it definitely is a good basis of living to me. There is only one God to me, no other figures I follow as him. I believe that the baptism is something that symbolizes us as children of God. To me it is the “start of our journey” as children of God. That by being baptized, you will be recognized as a child of God. A personal belief for me, baptism helps shield the influence of the evils. I believe in the Holy Communion. The giving of Jesus’ body and blood for us to eat and drink. I believe that there was the betrayal of Jesus Christ during the Last Supper. In the Apostles Creed, I am honestly a little skeptical. But this is because it’s hard for me to fully understand it, and what is being said. At times when I read through it during service it seems to be like I’m just saying it by rote. I do believe in one God and Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilot and was descended to Hell. And that three days later he rose again. But I don’t understand the Holy Spirit. I don’t know exactly what it is or what the story is behind it. I’m sure later in my life I will, but not at the moment. I know that when I sin if I ask for forgiveness, and truly apologize I will be forgiven. I know that Jesus gave his life for me and you to save us from our sins. I want to believe that there really is a heaven and hopefully when my time comes I will reach that holy place. But it is really just kind of difficult to be assured of it. I know that is my responsibility to believe it, and I do. It is just extremely hard to always have that in mind. And I’m ashamed to admit this but it is the truth, in times of struggle I feel doubtful. Ion the end I find my way back around the doubts, but during that little time frame, I sometimes don’t know. But I am still young and some time in the future I am positive my faith will be strengthened. I believe that an angel had once appeared to Mary, and she delivered Jesus. That is somewhat confusing, the whole story behind it, but I believe that it was Mary who delivered our Lord. I take those things literally, and I try to believe what was written word for word. No matter how much it doesn’t make sense or if it is so hard to believe that someone may laugh at the idea, I still try to believe it. Now, with my beliefs I know that I don’t know nearly everything I need to know. But I am still learning and coming into other, new beliefs along the way. I know I will also eventually have a stronger faith in God.
2008 Confirmation Testimonies
Mr. Rob Hicks, 2008 Confirmation Instructor, along with Rehoboth is pleased to announce our confirmands' for this year: Caitlin, Emily, Ashley, and Julian. We extend our warmest congratulations to these members! We look forward to posting their testimonies in the next few weeks. Confirmation will take place on May 11th which is also Mother's Day!
The Apostle’s Creed starts out with: “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, or Lord”. What better way to start my affirmation of faith with the beginning of the Apostle’s Creed. The Bible is a vast book full of what God has done. Many events in the Bible seem unexplainable and/or impossible in our eyes. I believe that not only is anything possible with God at your side, but that God will not lie ever. I completely believe in eternal salvation. Without Jesus rising from the dead, where would we be today in faith? When he comes again, where will you be? On the side of Jesus, or on Satan’s side? There is no gray area. You either believe in God or not. I will admit that at first the Bible did not seem very realistic to me. However, as I grew older and thought deeply through these matters, I realized that what we think is impossible is possible with God. Whether it be calming the storm that Jesus did in front of the disciples, or seeing a relative’s health get better when all seemed lost, miracles and “impossibles” are there. Some people could view it as luck. I don’t. God saved them. God saved all of us by sending his only Son down to earth to die and suffer death on a cross to help us and only us, not him. “Lord to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life.” Peter the apostle said this to Jesus, and it is so true it’s sitting right in front of you; it’s in the Bible, which is true no matter how obscure it may seem. A common obscurity is the Three-in-One Holy Trinity. I believe in this as well. There is only one God but God is Jesus who is the Holy Spirit. They are one but separate at the same time, and yet they can exist separately. An example of this is the Holy Baptism of Jesus Christ. Jesus is there being baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit is there in the form of a dove, and God the Father is there saying: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” I also believe that the Ten Commandments were set as guidelines for us human beings to follow. These “rules” are strict and hard to follow because we are human beings and that is just our nature. We follow these so that as humans we can be the best we possibly can in God’s eyes. Paul also writes in Romans that the Ten Commandments also point out how much sin we really have and that we can’t accomplish this on our own, we need a Savior; which is exactly where Jesus Christ came into the picture. I also believe that the Ten Commandments should not be taken for face value. For example, interpreted as the fifth commandment: “Thou shalt not murder” not only means you shouldn’t kill someone, it also means you shouldn’t inflict pain upon someone or express anger toward someone or give bad counsel. You should also not even think of doing any of the above to anyone. As evident, these restrictions are hard to follow because we sin, so these are guidelines that we should try our best to follow. I believe that if we simply have faith in Jesus Christ and believe that he died for us and was our ultimate savior, and I know as a Lutheran and Christian that he will come again and that we should always be on the lookout for his second coming.
2007 Confirmation Testimonies Mrs. Janet Reese, 2007 Confirmation Instructor, along with Rehoboth is pleased to offer our confirmands' essays which were presented by students during our Pentecost worship service in May 2007. We extend our warmest congratulations to these new members!
I believe in love. Without love there is no happiness. In the Bible, there is a chapter called the love chapter, it's I Corinthians 13. It says, "there are three things that last forever, love, hope and faith but love is the best of all." Love doesn't mean you have to marry everything you love. It could mean many different things. Love could mean something like in most cases, you want to be with them all your life. It also says love your enemies, be good to those you hate. You tell yourself all the time I love him and believe in him, but what kind of love do you really have for him? You're probably saying to yourself now I love him with real love but do you really? Because no matter what you do, he will always love you. Are you only suppose to love those who love you? Why would you love someone who hates you, because God might not have loved everyone on Earth when he sent His only Son down here to forgive our sins. And isn't He the one when we sin He forgives us? No matter what we do to make him mad or someone else, he forgives us. That's real love. Not everyone loves Him the same way. What does He do to make us not listen to Him or treat everyone the way He would treat us. When it says love your enemies, why would we do that? What if they did something that made us so made we couldn't even look at them anymore? That just goes back up to what I was talking about earlier. In the Apostle's Creed, it says honor your neighbors as yourself, do we do that? I'm sure when you're neighbor throws their grass in your yard, you just want to ruin their flowers or something! Yea, it wasn't right for them to throw grass in your yard, but it's probably because they're jealous of your yard. Did you ever say to yourself, I hate that person? Do you really? Or is your love so deep, you can't stand them? Love can be good and love can be bad. It's however you take it, it could be good if you take is serious but if you don't take it serious, it will probably be bad. When kids come to Sunday School every Sunday, it's because they have to or is it because they really want to learn something about God? My love for God has grown more and more as the years go on and my teachers teach me more. The things he did for us is unbelievable. Do you think Jesus was forced to come down here to give his life and forgive us? He did it because he loves us. Then when people didn't believe him, when he told them who he was, but he still loved them. And for the kids when they tell their parents they hate them, isn't there a commandment that says honor thy mother and father? Yet everyday someone breaks laws, but he doesn't put them in jail or give them a ticket, he forgives them. Does it make you cool to do something you were told not to do? It can make you cool by showing your love and coming to church to worship him. Love might not be important to you, but to a lot of people I'm sure it is. Anyone can be anything but with love you can be a lot more. You could bring new people to the world to share God's love. Love is one of the most important things in my life. I don't know about you, but I think I would have no hope or no faith without love -- that's why I believe in love! I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. I didn't know how to start saying what I believe in, so I figured what better way to start than stating the beginning of the Apostle's Creed. After having Confirmation classes, I now not only say the Apostle's Creed, I fully understand it along with the Lord's Prayer and the Nicene Creed, too. In Sunday School, when we were being taught these Creeds and prayers, I realized how much I didn't know. We slowly broke down the sections and we learned what each part meant. After doing this, I felt like my knowledge and beliefs were already stronger. I believe that God will forgive my sins. Everybody is a sinner. For God to be able to forgive anybody is incredible. I also believe that I will have everlasting life. It is also phenomenal to me that just be believing and knowing God, and taking him into our lives, that we are saved. Although it seems impossible to be fully man and fully God, we all know that Jesus was both. I believe that being confirmed assures my faith in Jesus. God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we may learn more about Him. I was brought into this religion, and was baptized by the choice of my parents. I then became a child of God. I received Holy Communion and I am now being confirmed. The church, along with my parents, has taught me what to believe. Now, it is my respnsibility to take my beliefs on my own and go further with them. It is my responsiblity and my decision to make my belief in God a central part of my being, of all that I do, and of all that I plan. I also believe that you can turn to God for anything. I believe that God will listen to our prayers. I believe God can create miracles. I know this because my belief and my faith are strong in God and continue to grow with the Holy Spirit. I understand that now I am confirmed I am a voting member of the church. I'll do my best to contribute to this church as much as I can. I ask the congregaion to support me in my efforts. I also thank the congregation for helping to this point. I also know my responsibilities extend past these walls. As I enter the community, I need to be an example of God's love for everybody to see so that others may come to know Him. Some people say that seeing is believing. But I know, because my faith is so deep, I will later see. "Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul . . ." as said by Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, poet, author and philosopher. That is what I am up here to talk to you about: Affirming my faith. Today I have the wonderful opportunity to become confirmed. By being confirmed, I personally affirm my faith to God and to myself. A few weeks ago, Pastor came into our Sunday School and told all of us that we were to compose an essay declaring what we believe in, confirming our faith. I'll admit that at first no part of me was really eager for this assignment , but it really made me look deeply into my heart and my soul. Until today, I didn't have much of a decision in my religion path. My choices in this church were always chosen by my parents. When I got baptized, that was my parents' decision. When I received my First Communion that, too, was my parents' decision. Now I am making this choice on my own. I choose on the path that was started on. All of us here have said or heard the Apostle's Creed, Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments numerous amount of times. Do we say it routinely, like robots, or do we really think about the words that are coming out of our mouths? As I was thinking about what I was going to write, I realized about how amazing all of these things are. God the Father never lived on this Earth, but he made it for us to live on. He gave His only Son, not for himself, but for us. When the Ten Commandments were composed, he wasn't setting those rules for himself, he made them to better us. I believe in the 3-in-1. I believe in God the Father, Jesus his only Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that there is only one true God. I trust and love God above everything else. God is not only with me in church but in all of my activities and aspects within my life. I know that the Spirit is there with me always to guide me in the right direction. I believe that I am becoming an adult in part of God's family. I know that God loves all of us and that one day we will enter his kingdom and have eternal life with him. I believe that my parents did not make this choice for me but God chose this path for me to take. I believe that God is with me to keep my faith strong. I know that he keeps me safe and helps me when I am tempted by the devil. I believe in God as the Creator of Heaven and Earth. God is my Father, he is my Teacher, he is my Protector, He is my Lord, and above all other things, God is my Savior. As Albert Einstein had once said, "true religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness." I believe that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to us so that He may forgive our sins. I also believe that Jesus was the Son of God the Father. I believe that God created Heaven and Earth. I believe that everyone should believe in the mighty power of God. God saves people from going to Hell, so they do not have to live a horrible afterlife. He wants everyone to love Him like He loves us. Some people are very stubborn and choose to go against their conventional ways of praise and prayer. I believe that every person, in their lifetime at one time or another, believes in God but then there are those people who stick with God for their entire lives. I believe that it is our duty here on Earth to convince as many people as we can while we are still here. I believe that we all should recruit as many people as we can in our lifetime as we can to serve God, because if everyone believed in God then all of these killings, wars, and battles over religion would not happen. They would be gone and for the most part, we would live in peace. I believe that the Bible is 100% true. Sometimes you keep sharing the word of God and nothing is happening. The Bible says that the word of God is living and active. It says that His word never comes back to him without accomplishing its purpose. Jesus compared the word of God to the seeds that a sower would sow. That some of the seeds would land on rocky soil, and some will land between the thorns, some will be taken by the birds, but a lot of that grows in the good soil. It says that in the Psalms of the Old Testament those who sow in tears will reap with sheaves. There have been many people where their loved ones haven't come around to believeing in God until the last minute but more often than not they did come around. And like that thief on the cross at the last minute, they made their commitment to Christ and that commitment counts jus as much as any other commitment. It doesn't matter when you come to work for God as long as you do. I believe that everything, we as Lutherans believe, is true. I feel that everyone in our church makes you feel comfortable, like they are your family. I believe that the Holy Spirit guides you through your church life to do what is right or wrong. I believe that God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus make up the Trinity. I believe that the Trinity is the three-in-one. I believe that if you believe in God, then you should not be afraid to show that you love and believe in Him. You should not be afraid of God for He loves you regardless -- this is what I believe!
Rehoboth Evangelical Lutheran Church 2800 Conway Wallrose Road Baden, PA 15005 724.869.2806 church-office@rehobothlutheran.com Raise money for Rehoboth Evangelical Lutheran Church just by searching the web and shopping online! |
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