27 Affirm the Promises of their Baptism

This afternoon we celebrated Affirmation of Baptism with 27 10th grade students. It was an amazing experience as nearly 400 people came here to be with these very special young adults. Like their parents and family members, I always come to this day, part of me wishing that we could seal each one in a bubble so that nothing bad could happen to them, but…..
#1 – We can’t. And so their parents and the church do the very best thing that we can do - we surround them with prayer. Parents, grandparents, baptismal sponsors, and family & friends come forward, place a hand on his/her head, and placing our hands on their head, we pray: Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake, stir up in Sara the gift of your Holy Spirit: confirm her faith, guide her life, empower her in her serving, give her patience in suffering, and bring her to everlasting life. And the student says, Amen!
#2 – The world needs these amazing young people to “shine” the Light of Christ that God has given them. God has given them great gifts. We pray that God will send them to use those gifts in God’s mission. God’s world is constantly changing, and I cannot pretend to imagine the world into which God will send these young people three years from now. In the meantime, they are here with us. They’ve heard me say many times, “Confirmation is not graduation.” And they need you to continue to welcome them into fellowship and leadership.

This was one of the verses this class chose to be read today, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14.

Please join in praying for them:
Father in heaven, for Jesus’ sake, stir up in Grace, Brittany, Kristina, Kandace, Joseph, Courtney, Blake, Chelsey, Emily, Bennett, Jordon, Sara, Amanda, Sara, Kairsten, Michael, Ben, Aryn, Katie, Chelsi, Derek, Claire, Nicole, Evan, Brett, Alyssa, and Danielle the gift of your Holy Spirit: confirm their faith, guide their life, empower them in their serving, give them patience in suffering, and bring them to everlasting life. Amen!