Lisl is the 15 year old daughter of Perry & Cindi Scheuerman. She was confirmed today at Christ Lutheran Church in Elk City OK. Her confirmation essay follows:

As I have gone through confirmation the past few years, I have come to better understand many of the basic teachings of the Lutheran Church. While everything I have learned is important; Communion, while difficult to fully understand, is what I want to talk about today.

I used to think that communion was simply going up to the altar and eating the bread and wine, but now I know that it means much more than that. I now understand that Jesus’ body and blood are present in, under, and through the bread and wine, therefore every time I partake in The Lord’s Supper, I understand that I will be confirming my belief in God and showing my faith. I also believe that taking communion "often" is essential in building my relationship with Christ.

With that in mind, I have learned the importance of regular church attendance. Some people believe that they can go to church a few times a year and still be Christians as long as they believe in God. I believe this to be true, however, I have learned that going to church on a regular basis helps you grow into an even better and stronger Christian. St. Luke wrote in Acts 2: 42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer." This passage shows us the importance of being active in our church. In making the decision to be confirmed, I have come to understand the need to have church be a big part of my life. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the day approaching." While I have learned many things through these past two years, this verse tells me there is so much more I still have to learn; therefore, I know that if I don’t have my church family around me, I will miss out on many of the blessings that God has in store for me.

The importance of the word "often" should be expressed in talking both about communion and church attendance. Before beginning confirmation, I didn’t understand the importance of communion. It seemed like communion was just something we did in church every Sunday. I know now that even though I understand communion better, if I don’t do it "often", it will be less effective in my life. Regular church attendance opens your mind and heart to things that you may not have otherwise known. When we attend church "often" we build relationships with other people, through God, that could have never been built away from church. These relationships help to nourish and strengthen our spiritual lives. When we commune "often" we build this same kind of relationship. We are united as we partake in the meal, and we are united as we partake in the church service. Church is an important part of my life, and with the help of God and my church family, it will continue to be.

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