Confirmation Class

Confirmation is a two year program geared toward 7th and 8th graders. The first year class is a Bible study and is taught by Pastor Lewis. Second year students, taught by Pastor Lookingbill, study Luther's Small Catechism and Lutheran Theology. Church history, Christian ethics and current events are interspersed throughout. Confirmands also participate in retreats, outreach activities and field trips. If you have questions about the confirmation program at Emmanuel, or to register, please contact the church office at 301-365-5733 or via email at info@elcbethesda.org.

CONFIRMATION AT EMMANUEL

Confirmation Classes at Emmanuel Lutheran Church are intended for youth who have reached at least the seventh grade in school and are interested in learning about the Bible and the basic teaching of the Christian Church. It is a two year program meeting weekly on Monday afternoons with Pr. Lookingbill and Pr. Lewis that leads to a Celebration of Confirmation normally on Pentecost Sunday. Included in the two year program is regular responsibility as an Acolyte at worship services. One of the two years is spent in Bible Study, both the Old and New Testaments. The second year is devoted to Martin Luther’s Small Catechism which includes study of and explanation of the 10 Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostle’s Creed and Baptism and Communion.

This year we are scheduling a meeting of all youth, parents and godparents for a luncheon on 2 October after the late service. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall and introduce the plan for study for the year. One of the decisions that needs to be made for 2012 is whether we celebrate Confirmation on Memorial Day weekend? Classes will begin on 3 October, Monday afternoon at 4:30.

Please let Pr. Lookingbill know that you are planning to join the Confirmation Class this year and plan to have lunch with the group on 2 October.

FIRST COMMUNION CLASSES

First Communion Classes: A three week course for youth who would like to prepare for First Communion is conducted by Pastor Lookingbill during the Sunday School hour several times during the year. Parents and youth meet together with Pr. Lookingbill to study the history and meaning of Communion in the church.

Beginning on Sunday, 2 October, and continuing for three weeks, Pr. Lookingbill will lead a class for those children and youth who want to prepare for their first Communion. The class will meet in Pr. Lookingbill’s office at 10 a.m. for three Sundays. Students and Parents are invited to come and will need to have a Bible for the first session, so bring along one from home or let Pr. Lookingbill know that you’ll need one from the Sunday School.

The Church Council of Emmanuel has agreed that children who are considered mature enough by their parents and the Pastor to understand what Communion means in the Lutheran Church are welcome to join the Pastor’s First Communion class. First Communion this year will be celebrated on Sunday 23 October.