Pastor Clayton ~ April

From the Rite of Confirmation

The pastor asks: Do you this day in the presence of God

and of this congregation acknowledge the gifts that God gave you in your Baptism?

The confirmand responds: Yes, I do.

How’s your memory? As each year passes, it seems like more and more of my childhood becomes fuzzier and fuzzier. I can remember playing in the street, hanging out at certain friends’ houses, and other activities, but I know my memory may not be as clear as I think it is. Despite this though, I know for certain that on September 9, 1997, I was in Mitchell, Iowa. This would be about 7 months after I was born. How do I know this? Well, because there is a record of it. In the local newspaper there, I’m mentioned along with the rest of my family. I have no memory of this trip, yet I know that it happened.

How’s your memory? Do you remember being baptized? I know I don’t. I was less than a year old when it happened and my memory is definitely not that good. I know for certain that it happened on November 15, 1997 though. How do I know? Well, because there is a record of it. I have a certificate with the information that lets me know when I received those great gifts from God in the water and His Word.

This month we’ll have several confirmands experience the Rite of Confirmation. Standing before the congregation, they’ll be asked the question above; they’ll be asked a question about something most of them don’t remember. How do they know they’re baptized? How do they know they’ve been given these gifts? Well, because there is a record of it. I’m not talking about just some certificates though. There is a record of it that’s been shared with them through their families who’ve recounted that day. There is a record of it that has been shared with them through those that taught them the faith. There is even a record of it that has been shared with them by some of you, as you were there and witnessed their baptism.

And this month they will publicly confirm these great gifts that were given to them in baptism. But we must be careful that we don’t let our minds get fuzzy and forget what Confirmation is about. Confirmation does not complete baptism. Confirmation isn’t a graduation; it isn’t an end to something. Rather, the Rite of Confirmation is an opportunity for those who have been baptized and instructed in God’s Word to publicly confess and confirm what they believe. To put on record who they trust in. It’s an opportunity for them to say, “God has given me these great gifts, and I cherish them, cling to them, and remember them now and will do so even when my memory gets fuzzy.” And then continue on, growing in their faith.

I hope you can join us as we celebrate this special day with our confirmands. And I hope that it jogs your memory, reminding you of your Confirmation Day and who it is that you trust in.