Confirmation Journey 2016

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee Confirmation Journey 2016 Sunday, February 7 - Sunday April 24 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SUN, JANUARY 3 Registration Fee is $30 and includes: Confirmation journal The Story of God s love for you (Book) New Living Translation Teen Life Application Study Bible Confirmation Retreat with food and lodging Class materials For questions, please contact, Ezrah Schmeelk, Director of Youth Ministries Phone (608) eschmeelk@myfpc.org

2 Confirmation Curriculum We Believe You are what you wear Your baptism marks your entrance into the family of God, as you are clothed in Christ and is the beginning of your lifelong journey How do you spell Presbyterian? The church is called to God s purposes in the world and organizes itself to fulfill those purposes Where is God when it hurts? God governs, supports, and redeems creating, so that nothing in our lives is ever wasted. Extravagant Love There is no Savior like Jesus & no salvation like the one Jesus offers. We ve got the Spirit! The Holy Spirit makes Jesus as present to us as his physical presence was to the disciples. Can you hear me now? Prayer involves both addressing God and listening for God s word within our hearts. The Lord s Prayer serves as a model for praying. Going out! When we pray, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are asking God to use us as instruments to fulfill God s purpose. Grace and gratitude We obey God s law out of gratitude, confident that God gives us the grace to grow in love and knowledge daily. *All sessions from PC(USA) confirmation curriculum We Believe

3 What to Expect Sunday s: Confirmation Classes & Worship This is an opportunity to grow in knowledge and relationship with Christ and each other over the span of the Confirmation Journey. Mentor Part of the confirmation experience is having a mentor to walk alongside you during the journey. A mentor is someone who is there to support and encourage you as well as a person you can learn from as they have been journeying with Christ for many years. Church Visit The group will go to a church that has a different style of worship than Presbyterian. Afterwards, we will have lunch together and process the experience. The Story of God s Love for You Each participant will read this incredible book that gives a narrative overview of some of the most amazing biblical accounts. This book will help you connect to the Bible in a whole new way while having a better sense of God preparing the world for the Messiah. Memory Students will memorize scriptures and works that will help them keep God s Word in their heart even when they don t have access to a Bible. These include: The Lord s Prayer The Apostle s Creed Doxology 10 Commandments John 3:16-17 Psalm 23 OT verse of their choosing NT verse of their choosing ABC verse challenge (optional) Retreat The retreat is a highlight confirmation journey. The group will have a chance to get away, serve together at the River Food Pantry, bond, worship, play, learn about the history of the church, and more. This year the retreat will be located at Bill and Maribeth Baker s renovated barn in Baraboo area. Serving Others Our team will serve together at the River Food Pantry

4 What to Expect Statement of Faith Every student will craft a statement of faith that includes what they believe about Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. This challenges students to think about what they believe and be able to articulate it. Final Meeting with Ezrah The first two weeks of April, each student will find a time to have a brief meeting with Ezrah to connect on their statements of faith and answer any questions they may have. This is also a time that Students will let Ezrah know if they are planning to be confirmed at the end of class or if they are choosing not to. This decision is for the student to make, and not the parent(s). Meeting with the Elders (part 1) This is the time when the students meet with the Elders and have the opportunity to become members of the church. During this time, the Elders will have the opportunity to ask students a variety of questions that relate to their Confirmation experience. Confirmation Dessert (part 2) After meeting with the Elders, students will enjoy a time of celebration with those who were part of this confirmation journey with them. Guests will include Elders, mentors, and parents. This will be a potluck dessert with parents being in charge of providing food and drinks as well as set-up of the gathering space. Confirmation/Youth Sunday This is the culmination of the Confirmation Journey. After three months of growing in relationship with God and each other, students who choose to be confirmed will be sharing their statements of faith at both worship services. This is an exciting time and we encourage you to invite loved ones to celebrate with you at church. This will also be youth Sunday, so other students will be participating through ushering, leading musical worship, and more. Baptism If you have not yet been baptized, and wish to join the church, please plan on connecting with Ezrah about having your baptism on Confirmation Sunday. Joining the Church If you are choosing to be confirmed, the next natural step would be to join become an active member of the congregation with your time, talents, and treasures.

5 Confirmation Schedule Date Time Description Sun 2/7 Wed 2/10 8:30am-11am 7:30pm-8:30pm You Are What You Wear Ash Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary Sun 2/14 8:30am-11am How Do You Spell Presbyterian? Sun 2/21 Fri 2/26 Sun 2/28 10am-2pm Fri 4pm Sun 11:30am Mt. Zion Baptist Church & Culver s (bring lunch $) Confirmation Retreat Where Is God When It Hurts?, History of the church, Statement of Faith, Fun & Games, and More! Sun 3/6 8:30am-11am Extravagant Love Sun 3/13 8:30am-11am We ve Got the Spirit (Daylight Savings Time Begins) Sun 3/20 No Meeting Spring Break! Sun 3/27 No Meeting Easter Sunday Sun 4/5 8:30am-11am Can You Hear Me Now? Sun 4/10 8:30-11am Going Out! Sun 4/17 8:30am-11am Grace And Gratitude Sat 4/23 6:30pm-8:30pm Confirmation Dessert & Meeting With Elders Sun 4/24 8am-11:30am Confirmation/Youth Sunday

6 Confirmation Covenant Participant Copy A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. First Presbyterian Church desires that your confirmation journey will be a meaningful, enriching, and spiritually deepening one. If you are prepared to commit yourself to the items on this page, you will find a depth and richness in your journey towards confirming your faith in Jesus. We invite you and your parent(s) to study and sign this covenant. In the way that you give yourself to this experience, so you will receive. 1. Confirmation Classes I will attend, be on time, & come prepared to fully participate in confirmation classes. 2. Worship I will attend worship each Sunday during the Confirmation Journey. I will complete a Sermon Notes sheet for each worship service I attend. 3. Confirmation Retreat I will attend the Confirmation Retreat that is scheduled 4pm 2/26-11:30am 2/ Mentor I will meet with my mentor at least 3 times during the confirmation Journey. o Once in February, once in March, and once in April (more if desired). I understand it is my responsibility in making sure my mentor and I meet/connect. 5. Reading, Journaling, and Memory Prior to the first class on Feb. 7, I will read the entire book, The story of God s love for me and complete the work that is assigned with it. I will spend time learning and memorizing the scriptures and works and come prepared to share them from memory when requested. 6. Attendance Expectations I understand that I can miss up to one scheduled class without penalty and that if I choose to do so, I must contact Ezrah prior to the class I will miss. I understand that if I miss two or more scheduled classes and/or the Confirmation retreat, I will not complete the confirmation journey this year. For sickness, emergencies, etc., please contact Ezrah regarding excused absences. 7. Parents I won t try to force my child to confirm their faith as only they can make that decision I will support and encourage my child during the Confirmation Journey I understand I will be helping set-up & clean-up for the confirmation dessert as well as supply the requested food/beverage that I am asked to bring for the event.

7 Confirmation Covenant A covenant is an agreement between two or more parties. First Presbyterian Church desires that your confirmation journey will be a meaningful, enriching, and spiritually deepening one. If you are prepared to commit yourself to the items on this page, you will find a depth and richness in your journey towards confirming your faith in Jesus. We invite you and your parent(s) to study and sign this covenant. In the way that you give yourself to this experience, so you will receive. 1. Confirmation Classes I will attend, be on time, & come prepared to fully participate in confirmation classes. 2. Worship I will attend worship each Sunday during the Confirmation Journey. I will complete a Sermon Notes sheet for each worship service I attend. 3. Confirmation Retreat I will attend the Confirmation Retreat that is scheduled 4pm 2/26-11:30am 2/ Mentor I will meet with my mentor at least 3 times during the confirmation Journey. o Once in February, once in March, and once in April (more if desired). I understand it is my responsibility in making sure my mentor and I meet/connect. 5. Reading, Journaling, and Memory Prior to the first class on Feb. 7, I will read the entire book, The story of God s love for me and complete the work that is assigned with it. I will spend time learning and memorizing the scriptures and works and come prepared to share them from memory when requested. 6. Attendance Expectations I understand that I can miss up to one scheduled class without penalty and that if I choose to do so, I must contact Ezrah prior to the class I will miss. I understand that if I miss two or more scheduled classes and/or the Confirmation retreat, I will not complete the confirmation journey this year. For sickness, emergencies, etc., please contact Ezrah regarding excused absences. 7. Parents I won t try to force my child to confirm their faith as only they can make that decision I will support and encourage my child during the Confirmation Journey I understand I will be helping set-up & clean-up for the confirmation dessert as well as supply the requested food/beverage that I am asked to bring for the event. Student Name (Please Print) Student Signature Parent Signature

8 Participant Name School Grade Cell Phone Home Phone Parent Name(s) Parent Cell Phone(s) Mentor Please write down the names of adults from our congregation that you are interested in being your mentor for the Confirmation Journey. If you don t have anyone in mind, that s okay; we ll match you up with someone that we think would be a great fit. Choice #1 Choice #2 Choice #3 Bible You will receive a Bible on the first day of Confirmation that is age appropriate and will help guide you in both the Confirmation Journey and your life long journey with Christ. ***If you love the Bible you have and would rather not receive a new one, please let us know by signing here *** Please circle the Bible cover that you would like us to order for you: