Confirmation

Confirmation in the Lutheran Church is a public profession of faith.  It is called “affirmation of baptism” and is a mature and public reaffirmation of the promises that parents, sponsors, and congregation made for them at their baptism. At their affirmation of baptism, confirmands are asked to make this promise for themselves: “…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.”

The process of preparing to affirm these promises includes classes and increased involvement in congregational life. The end goal is to prepare youth to boldly and confidently make these promises, affirm their baptisms, and continue to live out their faith in the church. St. Philip’s youth participate in small group activities and learning during their grade 6 through grade 8 years.  Youth will be confirmed during the fall of their grade 9 year.  Requirements and expectations for Confirmation are important to guide and form the youth into active members of our congregation. Each program year consists of roughly 30 weeks.

St. Philip’s Confirmation requirements and expectations include:

  • regular worship attendance
  • 12 sermon notes
  • 12 service/worship involvement opportunities, which include, but are not limited to:
    *prep/serve Wednesday evening Community Suppers *reading during worship
    *special music *assisting in the nursery or with Children’s programming *helping in the Food & Clothing Shelf
  • regular participation in Sunday morning and Wednesday evening ministry activities and opportunities
  • attend Middle School Retreats
  • complete a Faith Expression project prior to your Confirmation
  • engage with a mentor during the Lenten season

During the season of Lent, youth who wish to be confirmed are required to attend at least four of the six Wednesday evening Lenten worship services with a mentor.  Each night, prior to worship, the youth and their mentor will meet and explore faith together.  We encourage the youth to choose a mentor who is a member of St. Philip’s, however they may choose a family member (not a parent).  The goal of this time together is to grow in relationship with a caring adult and journey through this season with them.  The hope is to learn and grow in faith from a new and different perspective.