Author: sarah

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T CONFIRMATION T
(The pastor addresses the catechumens.)
P Beloved in the Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ said to His apostles: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” You have been baptized and catechized in the Christian faith according to our Lord’s bidding. Jesus said, “Whoever confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Lift up your hearts, therefore, to the God of all grace and joyfully give answer to what I now ask you in the name of the Lord.
P Do you this day in the presence of God and of this congregation acknowledge the gifts that God gave you in your Baptism?
R Yes, I do.
P Do you renounce the devil?
R Yes, I renounce him.
P Do you renounce all his works?
R Yes, I renounce them.
P Do you renounce all his ways?
R Yes, I renounce them.
P Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?
R Yes, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
P Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord?
R Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
P Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
R Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
P Do you hold all the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God?
R I do.
P Do you confess the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, drawn from the Scriptures, as you have learned to know it from the Small Catechism, to be faithful and true?
R I do.
P Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord’s Supper faithfully?
R I do, by the grace of God.
P Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death?
R I do, by the grace of God.
P Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?
R I do, by the grace of God.
P We rejoice with thankful hearts that you have been baptized and have received the teaching of the Lord. You have confessed the faith and been absolved of your sins. As you continue to hear the Lord’s Word and receive His blessed Sacrament, He who has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
C Amen.
(The catechumens kneel to receive the confirmation blessing. The pastor places his hands on the head of each catechumen and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead while saying:)
P [Name], the almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you the new birth of water and of the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His grace to life T everlasting.
R Amen.
(The pastor may read a text of Holy Scripture as a remembrance of confirmation. After all the catechumens have received the blessing, the following collect is prayed.)
(Stand)
P Let us pray.
Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank and praise You for Your great goodness in bringing these Your sons and daughters to the knowledge of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and enabling them both with the heart to believe and with the mouth to confess His saving name. Grant that, bringing forth the fruits of faith, they may continue steadfast and victorious to the day when all who have fought the good fight of faith shall receive the crown of righteousness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
P Peace T be with you.
C Amen.