Grace Lutheran Church : Dodgeville, Wisconsin

Our Mission
At Grace Lutheran Church, we are called to Invite, Equip and Send our youth into the world to proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why Confirmation?
When a child is baptized, parents and sponsors promised to bring the child to worship, teach her, him the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments. Parents and sponsors promised to provide the child with the Holy Scriptures and with instruction in the Christian faith. The Confirmation Program is intended to help parents and sponsors fulfill promises made at baptism.

Our Confirmation program is one piece of our Christian Education program. While Christian education is a lifelong process, Confirmation studies are an intensive 2 years, intended to help prepare youth to live as followers of Jesus Christ and take their place as voting members of the church.

Participation in the Confirmation Program requires a significant commitment on the part of the student and her/his family. At the end of the two years of study, the students have the opportunity to affirm their baptism. Participating in the Affirmation of Baptism service, the student says “Yes! I am baptized. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am ready and willing to take my place in the church.” The Affirmation of Baptism service is not one of graduation from church, but rather is one celebrating commitment to Jesus Christ.

Our Confirmation Ministry Includes:

	Learning activities
	Service and worship projects
	Music, prayer and monetary offerings
	Small group care and fellowship
	Family participation

Our Learning Units:
Year 1: Old Testament, Ten Commandments, Intro to the Small Catechism, Apostles Creed
Year 2: New Testament, Lord's Prayer, Sacraments

"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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28: 19 - 20)

Grace Lutheran Church Confirmation Program Format

Wednesday Evenings

	6:00 to 6:30 PM – Guide Meeting (for equipping and caring for our leaders)
	6:30 – 7:00 PM – Worship and prayer time with Large Group
	7:00 to 7:25 PM – Large Group Learning Presentation
	7:25 to 8:00 PM – Small Group Time

Wednesdays during Lent (excluding Holy Week):

	6:00 to 6:50 PM – Small Group Service/Worship Projects (may last longer if group is completing a project, i.e., - visiting nursing home)
	7:00 to 7:45 PM – Worship together at the mid-week Lenten Services
**Students – Be sure to bring your Bibles, a pen and an offering if you can. Notebooks will be kept at church.

Requirements for Confirmation

1.	Regular Attendance
	-	at all Wednesday programming throughout the year (allowed 3 excused absences)
	-	at Sunday morning Sunday school (must attend a minimum of 12 classes)
2.	Worship Notes
	-	10 worship notes need to be completed per year
	-	Pick them up at the usher’s table and return them to the usher’s table or place in Pastor’s Steve’s mailbox or give them to your guide
	-	You can take worship notes at other churches you attend
3.	Acolyte Service
	-	Each student is required to serve as the Acolyte as scheduled by Patti Finley. If you cannot make it on a Sunday, you need to find a substitute or call Patti at 935-3681. If you switch Sundays with someone, please let the church office know before Wednesday of that week so the correct name is in the bulletin.
4.	Worship Leadership and Service Projects
	-	Each student is required to participate in at least 5 worship (not including acolyte duties) or service activities each year. These can be done in small groups, with friends, with your family, or on your own. Activities can include participating in worship (reading, ushering, playing special music, performing a skit) or serving someone in our church or community.
	-	Students will complete a “Reflection on Service/Worship Form,” describing the activity, the service provided, their personal participation, and how the experience affected them.
5.	Notebook
	-	Each student will keep their notebook updated with highlights of small group sessions, sermon notes, and review tests. Notebooks will be kept at church.
6.	Periodic Reviews
	-	There will be occasional quizzes and activities to help students review and remember material.
7.	Offering
	-	While this is not a requirement, an offering will be taken each week for the purpose of helping someone in need. The students will determine where the offering will go.
8.	Memory Work
	-	Students will need to know, from memory, the Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s Creed, 10 Commandments, and at least 3 Bible verses
9.	Family Participation Sheets
	-	Families are partners with the church as we nurture the faith of our children. Students and parents/mentors should complete at least 4 Family Participation Sheets each year.
10.	Faith Statements
	-	8th Graders will complete written faith statements and meet with Pastor Steve or Pastor Cindy

Confirmation Schedule 2007-2008
Wednesdays (6:30-8:00p.m.)

Date	TOPIC TITLE	CONTENT
August 27	Parent Meeting/Acolyte Training	Informational
September 5	“A Dangerous Book”	Introduction to the Bible
September 12	“Let There Be Light and Stuff”	Creation
September 19	“The Fall Up”	Adam and Eve
September 26	“All Wet”	Noah
October 3	“A Promising God”	Abraham and Sarah
*October 10	“What Goes Around Comes Around” /Parent Night	Joseph
October 17	“A Fine Mess”	Bondage in Egypt
October 24	“Freedom is Coming”	Moses
November 7	“Take Me Through the River”	Promised Land
November 14	“My Kingdom for a King”	Kings
November 21	NO CONFIRMATION	Thanksgiving Eve
November 28	“A Good Word in a Bad Time”	Prophets
December 5	“What’s This Mean?”	Catechism
December 12	“The Old Covenant”	10 Commandments
December 19	“The First Word”
DECEMBER 26	NO CONFIRMATION	Christmas Break
January 2	NO CONFIRMATION	Christmas Break
January 9	“Talking and Listening to God”	2nd & 3rd Commandments
January 16	“So That It May Go Well…”	4th Commandment
January 23	“Rules for Life Together”	5th-10th Commandments
*January 30	“Rules for Life Together”/Parent Night	5th - 10th Commandments
February 6	Small Group Service/Worship	Ash Wednesday
February 13	Small Group Service/Worship	Lent
February 20	Small Group Service/Worship	Lent
February 27	Small Group Service/Worship	Lent
March 5	Small Group Service/Worship	Lent
March 12	Small Group Service/Worship	Lent
March 19	NO CONFIRMATION	Holy Week
March 26	“The Creed You Need”	Apostles’ Creed
April 2	“Jesus is Lord”	Apostles’ Creed
April 4-5	8th Grade Retreat @ Bethel Horizons	Faith Statements
April 9	“Know Christ; Know His Benefits”	Apostles’ Creed
April 16	“In the Service of a Gentle Master”	Apostles’ Creed
April 23	“A Ghost Worth Believing In”	Apostles’ Creed
April 30	“Saints and Sinners” and Review/Prep	Apostles’ Creed
*May 7	Closing Celebration with parents	6:30 p.m.
May 11	Affirmation of Baptism - 8th graders	10:45 Worship Service
* Indicates evenings when parents come to Confirmation with their student
BAD WEATHER POLICY When the Dodgeville School District cancels school due to poor weather conditions on a Wednesday, Confirmation class will be cancelled that evening as well. If students have school, but the weather deteriorates late in the day, listen to WDMP 99.3; call Nancy Tews at 935-5507; or contact your small group guide, to hear if Confirmation is cancelled.

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