Confirmation by definition means ‘make something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it’; ‘establish the truth of something’ (taken from WordPerfect Thesaurus). These are two of the many definitions for confirm or confirmation. For us as Lutherans, it is a special time for Christians, young or old, to stand before the church and confess their faith in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This special time comes today for Chelsea Nahrgang. Also, Nicole Barnes and Lisl Scheuerman will be celebrating their confirmations in the near future.

Our traditional 3 year program requires study through the 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th grade years, and Chelsea, Nicole, and Lisl have completed or are completing the program. This program, however, has become increasingly difficult to ‘make happen’ in today’s busy society; and many families are unable to make a three year commitment. Also, families move much more frequently than in the past and we don’t always have three years to ‘teach the basics’. Even though fewer and fewer kids ‘grow up Lutheran’ and grow into confirmation, God is blessing us with young people outside of the church. As God brings these young people to us (most older than traditional confirmation age), we must provide a complete, but shortened form of confirmation study, similar to that of adult confirmation, but tailored to the needs and schedules of these new Christians and new families.

To answer these needs, we are introducing an optional New Confirmation Camp this summer. (The traditional program will be offered to those desiring it.) Students will cover the five chief parts of the Catechism culminating with a banquet and recitation of memory work on Friday and finally, Confirmation day. We also intend to offer one-day mini-camps throughout the year with interactive activities and service projects teaching Old Testament History, Psalms, The Acts Church, Church Growth, Evangelism, and the earthly life of Jesus.

It is important that the young people coming to our churches are instructed in the elements of faith–to be prepared as the Bible says, "so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God . . . Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming." Ephesians 4:12-14. Our following schedule hopes to answer the issues of today’s confirmands.

Monday: The Apostles’ Creed–history, creation video, Christ’s crucifixion & resurrection, Justification & Sanctification, the Trinity, Jesus’ baptism, lunch, and community building activities.

Tuesday: Ten Commandments–the Exodus, original sin, sins of omission, sins of commission, marriage, the Greatest Commandment, video clip, and archery (missing the mark).

Wednesday: Service project (visit the nursing home), lunch at Pizza Hut, the Lord’s Prayer, writing their own prayer, church symbols, liturgy and order of worship, and skit.

Thursday: Baptism- the Flood, passing through the Red Sea, Namaan, Pentecost, cleansing object lessons, video clip and an evening trip to the Quartz. Mtn. Water Slide, and campfire devotion.

Friday: Lord’s Supper study, fellowship, church unity, crucifixion and resurrection, music by a Christian band, and celebration banquet.

Each day will also include group and individual prayer and community praise time.

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