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Faith Lutheran Church
Confirmation Manual
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”
-Micah 6:8
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The confirmation booklet has been expanded this year!
More details – More descriptions – More breakout calendars
We hope you will find this new handbook helpful,
and that you will refer to it often throughout the year.
Table of Contents
Page 5
Greeting
Page 6
Confirmation Overview - What happens Wednesdays
Page 7
Classroom Policies, Confirmation Leadership
Page 8
What Happens on Sundays
Page 10
A Note from Pastor Tim
Page 11
Curriculum
Page 12
Called to be an Acolyte
Page 13
All about Retreats and Camps
Page 14
All about Meal Sites . . .
Page 15
All about other Service projects
Page 15
Secret Prayer Partner
Page 16
Individual Fund Raising Accounts and . . .
Page 17
Fund Raising Schedule
Page 18
Adult Volunteer needs, Fall & Spring
Page 20
About Volunteering / About Checklists
Page 21
Checklists for grades 7, 8, 9, 10
Page 28
CALENDAR 2013-12014
Page 30
DIRECTORY
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Confirmation Program
Welcome !
Sharing Christ through Worshiping, Discipling, Gathering and Serving
Yt|à{ H
1. SHARE
your highs & lows
of the day.
2. READ
and highlight a
verse in your Bible.
3. TALK
about how the Bible verse relates to
your highs & lows.
4. PRAY
for your highs &
lows, for your family and for the
world.
The life of the Church encompasses these four communities:
Worshiping, Discipling, Gathering & Serving
5. BLESS one another.
For a complete well-rounded experience, students & families will engage in all 4 areas
during their time in confirmation. Our hope & prayer is that parents & students, together, continue to grow in faith. By practicing the “Faith 5” above, families can
achieve this! That is why the “Faith 5” will become an integral part of confirmation
this year. “Confirmation is neither the beginning nor the end of learning, but rather
another step in lifelong development & growth in grace.”
Faith Lutheran Church LCMC
1611 41st Street Moline IL 61265
Ph (309)762-2824 Fax (309)762-6567 www.faithlcmc.org
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Confirmation Overview
What does Confirmation mean?
Confirmation is saying “Yes!” to God and all the wonderful plans He has for us! It is saying “Yes!” to
the promises that parents and sponsors made for us when we were baptized – as we publicly profess
the faith into which we were baptized. It marks the successful completion of our three-year program
learning about God, based on the Bible and the teachings of the Lutheran Church. It truly encompasses all four areas of church life and a living faith: worshiping, learning, gathering and serving.
Confirmation marks the beginning of adult faith and responsibility – including the weighty privilege as
an adult voting member in our Faith congregation.
What are the Objectives?
1. Confirmands know and believe they are the church of Jesus Christ. Confirmands
experience and demonstrate kindness & acceptance through the church, fellow classmates and mentors –
namely God's LOVE!
2. Confirmands are able to articulate their own personal faith. As the church of Jesus
Christ, confirmands are called to proclaim the Good News to the world – by what they say and by
what they do!
What is the Confirmation Program at Faith Lutheran
Church?
7th & 8th Grade –
Students get together from 6:30-8pm Wednesday evenings at church. Through active and
interactive learning experiences (games, movie clips, large group instruction, small group discussion
(and yes, a bit of fun) we learn about the Bible while making new friends.
We have chosen six core themes to be discussed over this two-year span. Three will be covered
each year, alternating with the remaining three the following year. This assures that, no matter which
year a student begins, everyone will enter the 9th grade curriculum with the same basic foundational
teaching. Curriculum will include instruction on the following: Luther & the Small Catechism + Old
Testament + New Testament, alternating with lessons on: Ten Commandments + Apostles Creed +
the Lord's Prayer.
New this year! Church-wide praise worship service on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm!
Students are expected to attend (& possibly serve?) this abbreviated Vespers-style service (20 minutes) as part of their confirmation instruction. At 6:50pm students are to promptly assemble downstairs for the remaining class time. (Snack time has been eliminated so that class may conclude at the
customary time of 8:00pm.) This presents parents with a great opportunity, as well – we strongly
urge parents to attend this exciting new service themselves, and then remain until 8pm to take part in
a study group that is tailored specifically to adults!
9th Grade –
Freshmen have the opportunity to attend a series of four overnight retreats (here at
church) instead of the weekly Wednesday evening sessions. Topics include Spirituality, Luther and the
Reformation, Apostles Creed and Sharing One's Faith Story. Other retreats are offered, such as the
popular “30-hour Famine” and the 2-night “ Fall Recharge” retreat at Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp.
Heads up, parents – adult chaperones are crucial to the success of these retreats! Note that each retreat represents a total of 8 class credits. Please remember, freshmen, that you are always welcome
at the regular Wednesday sessions! Remember Wednesday's “POWER” praise service is for you too!
10th Grade –
One last go-around with Sophomores! Prior to confirmation day on the last Sunday of October,
we offer a very special and unique overnight retreat called “Life after Confirmation”. We travel
off-site to a scenic and comfortable location, and while there – we tie it all together and help students
make a successful transition from “kid” to young adult in the church. Don't forget that the new
Wednesday evening praise service is for you too!
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Classroom Policies
The perfect society needs no laws or rules, but since we are all confessed sinners
and do not live in a perfect world, we will use the following guidelines:
− Be on time with your Bible, highlighter & other class materials.
− Be kind to each other. Listen when others speak.
− Show respect to pastors, teachers and mentors. 'Nuff said.
− Be respectful of other people's property. If it's not yours, hands off.
− Be respectful of the church's property, too!
− Please remain in designated class areas. Stay with your class or small group.
− Attend class/retreats regularly. As the old song says, “Makin' up is hard to do!”
− Cell phone use is prohibited. If we see it, we'll confiscate it until the end of class.
Habitual misbehavior and continued disturbances will be dealt with by Pastors and Christian Education
committee. We may find it necessary to contact parents. With the application of some common sense,
basic common courtesy and self-control most problems can be avoided!
Please remember that you are in the Lord's house, and He appreciates it when you treat it as such.
We will be sharing the building with other groups, and they will appreciate it too.
Finally, please remember that the parking lot is not a playground! We prefer that you wait for rides
in a safe place. And please, please, please do not be afraid to ask your pastors, teachers or mentors for
assistance!
Confirmation Leadership
There are many people who play a role in the confirmation of students here at Faith. Some
you will see “up front and center”. Others remain in the background but also work hard toward the success of the program. This includes members of church council (particularly
president Lori Turner and coordinator Elaine Pepping) and the Christian Education committee, chaired by Jeff Elkins. Sunday school superintendent Liz Winckler is part of this team as
well.
Confirmation Leader/Teacher - Introducing Rev. Tim Balfanz, new associate youth pastor! Pr. Tim has been called for the specific purpose of working with youth and their families
– namely YOU. It's been a long wait, but we are thrilled to welcome him and wife Grace to
our Faith family. Your cooperation and assistance will be especially appreciated in his inaugural year.
Confirmation Teacher – Sr. Pastor Dr. Mark Gehrke, will substitute as needed.
Confirmation Mentors – Also new this year! Tom Winckler and Andy Osborn will lead small
groups each Wednesday evening. Jeff Thompson will substitute as needed.
for their faithfulness and willingness to serve.
We thank them
Sunday School Teachers – Randy Oldenburg & Vicki Gehrke will continue to team-teach Jr
High. They look forward to delving into The Story, as are Todd Rittenhouse and Marty Ellison,
who will return as the Sr High teachers.
Confirmation Coordinator – Chris Bogen (also Meal Site Coordinator)
Fund Raising/Camp Coordinator – Kim Meyer, congregation administrative assistant
This is the “nuts & bolts” team that plans, plots, pushes and pulls - basically does whatever
is needed to carry the confirmation agenda forward.
Acolyte Coordinator – Carla Osborne
Prayer Partner Coordinator – Heidi Elkins
These two programs are closely intertwined with confirmation. See the acolyting section on
page 12, and on page 15 read about the Secret Prayer Partner program.
Contact information may be found in the Directory of this handbook.
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What Happens on Sundays
Remember! Wednesday activity is O substitute for
Sunday worship and Sunday school!
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Why does our confirmation program last 3+ years?
It has been proven that “later and longer” models of confirmation yield more longlasting results in the life of a young person. There is a greater chance of instilling healthy and
fruitful habits of attending church and participating in church life. Also, by waiting to confirm
until the sophomore year, teachers and pastors have the chance to discuss weighty topics on a
deeper abstract level – and apply them in more meaningful and relevant ways.
What happens on Sundays during confirmation?
There is no substitute for Sunday worship. Period. We were created for worship –
lifelong and in fellowship with one another. We expect students to attend both a worship service and Sunday school on a regular basis. In fact, we require that students turn in sermon
notes as an indication of their attendance and attention. The fill-in-the-blank worksheets provided in Sunday bulletins have greatly simplified this exercise, and you will observe people of
all ages using them!
Sunday school for both junior and high school age students takes place in the hour
between the traditional and contemporary services. Often, sermons tie in directly with Sunday
school lessons – never more so than this coming 2013-14 school year! The entire congregation will take part in a study of “The Story” that will take us clear through the spring. Parents
are strongly encouraged to join a small group themselves! Be on the same page - literally &
figuratively - with your kids!
Sundays, on a rotating basis, students are required to serve as acolyte or assistant.
This may seem a lot of bother for a seemingly “insignificant” task. Just ask Pastor Mark or
Pastor Tim how important it is to them personally – and to the entire congregation – to have a
smoothly run service! This is a significant function, both symbolically and operationally.
Please refer to the acolyte section (p 8-10) of this booklet, and pay close attention to the
schedule. You must secure your own replacement on any occasion you are unable to appear!
Use the contact list provided, and let the horse-trading begin! Don't forget to contact church
office.
Optional – but recommended!
Please check the calendar and watch for announcements and updates on a wide variety of Sunday activities – be it for
fun, fund raising, gathering or service events.
Youth breakfasts – As a big “thank you” to the congregation, the Jr & Sr high youth
will serve breakfast on Sunday, Sept 29 between services. Other breakfasts (some as fundraisers) will be announced later.
Sometimes on Sundays (from noon until 3 or 4pm) we will conduct what we affectionately refer to as “Ketchup” days. We provide students with a chance to catch up with reading, writing, and now even retreat assignments! We also provide lunch. Please take advantage of these opportunities when they are offered.
Four Sundays a year, our congregation is committed to serve a hot meal to the underprivileged in our area (through the Churches United meal site program). Our youth and their
families are an integral part of this effort. Please refer to the schedule on the “Meal Site”
page. It is a bit of work, yes, but gratifying and worthwhile – and fulfills service requirements!
For high school students – meet with Pastor Tim at Culver's on Sunday evenings!
We hope to establish this as a well-attended and long-lasting tradition!
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“Youth Sunday” Youth-Led Worship Services
On at least one occasion during the school year, the youth will lead ALL Sunday
worship services. This includes every facet of each worship service! (The exception to
this is the institution of communion, for which an ordained minister is required, and
we'll have Pr. Tim for that.)
Preaching –
deliver a sermonette
Reading –
short Bible texts
Ushering –
bulletins, offering, communion
Greeting –
prior to service as people arrive, then shift to another task
Music instrumental or vocal, solo or duet
Skit/drama – write, act, narrate, make props or costumes, puppets
Service assistant acolyte, communion assistant (that should be familiar territory!)
Tech assistant work lights or tech booth
Do you have a skill, talent or interest that fits any of these? We will assign a role to every
student currently in confirmation (and to recent confirmands as needed.) Not that we
want to frighten anyone, but we may ask you to step outside your comfort zone a bit and
try something new. You may be surprised by what you can do!
This year, Youth Sunday is January 5. The Christmas break will allow for time to
plan, write, rehearse & practice. Watch for announcements on planning & writing sessions,
followed by rehearsals.
Youth Breakfasts This schedule is still open-ended.
We begin with a “Thank You” breakfast on “Serve Sunday” September 29.
This will not be a fund raiser, but rather a service to the congregation as an expression of appreciation for their support – like the recent rummage sale, for example.
Pastor Tim likes breakfasts! And he would very much like the Jr and Sr high to
serve several throughout the year. These are not on any sort of schedule yet, so
please watch for announcements. Most likely, these will be fund raising events that
will be run in similar fashion to simple suppers during Lent – accompanied by a freewill donation.
What about Friends? Can we invite our Friends?
“Inviting” is one of the seven faith practices we encourage at Faith Lutheran
Church
Absolutely!! Friends are welcome any time you want to invite
them! Can't think of a single reason why you shouldn't be inviting your
friends!
It doesn't matter what's going on . . . be it a class on Wednesday or Sunday school, Sunday evening gathering, a camp or retreat, worship service, a fund raising or service event, or for an event that's just for fun.
You have some amazing friends, and we are always happy to meet
them and try our best to accommodate them. Sometimes that would
require some advance notice, other times it's OK to just show up. If
you're not sure, just ask Pastor or your teachers and mentors.
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A note from Pastor Tim Balfanz . . .
In confirmation this year we will embark on a journey through a brand new curriculum called “Head 2 Heart”. Designed by Faith Inkubators, it aims straight for the
heart of each student! This curriculum will focus on those teachings that we have all
learned through the ages - namely, the Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed, the Lord's
Prayer, Luther and the Small Catechism. My hope & prayer is that each student discover
for himself the richness in what we all believe as Lutherans.
“Head 2 Heart” takes these centuries-old beliefs and makes them relevant
for today's modern day students – Not just through lectures, but with music, videos, interactive activities, and last but not least, prayer. All of these will be featured in each
Wednesday class, and are guaranteed to challenge students while promoting greater participation & excitement !
Too often nowadays, youth cannot see the relevance of what they are taught.
I truly believe that this curriculum can make a real difference in their beliefs
and in their lives!
volvement.
An important component of this curriculum relies on parental in-
“Head 2 Heart” calls on parents to set aside family time for reading Scrip-
ture together, discussing it together and praying it together. Your children are here with
us for only a few short hours each week. Help them experience & live their faith
throughout the rest of the week.
I am truly excited, and I know that God will do amazing things this year! So come
and join me in the journey from “Head 2 Heart”.
Pastor Tim
“Head to the Heart” Journals at Faith Inkubators
www.faithink.com
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Join us each Sunday for “The Story” !!
We've discovered that many young people are woefully lacking in their knowledge of the great stories of the Bible. The same might be true for some older folks,
like new believers for instance. Many adults have not heard some of these since their
own Sunday school days way back when. It's time to revisit those great stories and
rediscover the truths to be found there!
This coming school year our entire congregation - at all age levels - will study
these great stories together! Sermons, small groups and all levels of Sunday school
will be coordinated week by week, all the way from September through May. We encourage parents to bring their students to services & Sunday school - and to join an
adult study themselves. There are many options from which to choose, even some
conveniently scheduled for Sundays and Wednesdays.
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Curriculum 2013-14
for Grades 7 & 8
As we go through each week, it is imperative that both youth & parents are active in
the studies. Each week your child will come home with their Faith5, and it is expected
that, as a family, you go through it together. When you are finished, both parent's
and student will sign that you have completed the exercise. The student will hand it in
to their Mentor each week. The goal is to not have a confirmation that is solely “filling
in the blank”, but a curriculum that gets at the heart! Faith is not just for Wednesday
evening, but a daily journey. It is our fervent hope that students' faith will grow as we
delve into God's Word and prayer – here at church on Wednesday, but particularly at
home through family discussion.
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In confirmation we will not study “The Story” along with other groups on the churchwide schedule. However, we will cover similar material with a different emphasis.
Remember that 7th & 8th graders will work through “The Story” during Sunday school
with Randy Oldenburg & Vicki Gehrke. Look at the list of lessons below and you will
immediately see the overlap during weeks 1-20.
Second 10 weeks – New Testament
1. New Testament Overview
2. The Holy Spirit Comes
3. Peter and the Early Church
4. The Damascus Road
5. The Journeys of Paul
6. The Letters of Paul
7. The Letter to the Hebrews
8. The Universal Letters
9. The Revelation to John
10. The Bible and My Life
First 10 weeks – Old Testament
1. Old Testament Overview
2. Creation
3. The Fall
4. People of the Promise
5. The Promise Continues
6. Moses and the Wanderings
7. Of Tents and Kings
8. The Psalms
9. Wisdom Literature
10.The Voice of the Prophets
Last 10 weeks – Luther and the Small Catechism
1. The Story Monk
2. The Protesting Professor
3. Trouble, Trouble, Trouble
4. Heretic's Trial
5. Martin Luther: A Legacy
6. Ten Commandments Overview
7. Lord's Prayer Overview
8. Apostles' Creed Overview
9. The Sacrament of Baptism
10. The Sacrament of Communion
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Called to be an Acolyte . . .
You are joining a tradition that goes back to the year 250 A.D.
The following is simply a general overview of the responsibilities of an Acolyte.
Please refer to the booklet “Called to be an Acolyte” for all the details. For those
who are new to acolyting – there will be a class on how to perform this essential
job, to which parents are also invited! Watch for announcement on this. Experienced
students will be on hand to demonstrate and help you practice.
Also, you may be
paired with an experienced student during communion services.
Acolyting Basics
As an acolyte, or “companion,” you help set the tone of worship. You will be assisting
our Pastors before, during and after each worship service, and you will be working with other
service assistants as well.
Make yourself familiar with the following terms. Just like the Pastors, you will wear an
“Alb” - the white or off-white robe cinched at the waist with a “Cincture” of rope. This is a reminder of the rope that bound Jesus as he was led to trial. Learn to use the “Candle lighter”
carefully and properly. You will need to know about the baptismal “Font” and the location of
the Chancel, Altar and Sacristy.
The duties of acolytes vary according to the type of service. The early traditional
service requires a bit more decorum, while the later contemporary service is more casual –
no “alb.” Regardless, you need to arrive 15 minutes before the service. Review the service bulletin and, if needed, ask questions or get special instructions from the Pastors ahead of
time. Make sure the candle lighter is in good working order. Make sure that you are in good
working order – presentably dressed, groomed and alert.
Please maintain a respectful demeanor throughout the service – no gum, candy or
chatter. When the congregation sits or stands, so must you also. Have a hymnal on hand, and
have worship notes or bulletin insert ready if you intend to take notes on the sermon. You will
be asked to assist with communion when scheduled, to accept the offering, along with other
routine duties. During certain seasons of the year, Advent for instance, you will perform certain tasks that are reserved for those special services.
Students are assigned in a set rotating order. Two acolytes are required to serve
at services that include communion, whereas only one is needed for non-communion services.
Please study the acolyte calendar and hold to it as best you can. If you cannot be present on
your assigned date, you are responsible for securing a replacement ASAP. . . and you
must also inform the church office (no later than the Tuesday prior) so that Kim Meyer may
send a reminder to the correct people and include correct names in service bulletins. There
has been a fair amount of trading over the years, as you might imagine.
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Carla Osborne has been our acolyte coordinator for several years, and luckily for us, has
agreed to work with us this year too. We have just changed our Sunday worship schedule, and
we are not quite set on confirmation enrollment. Between those two things, we find it difficult
to set a firm acolyting schedule right out of the gate. The current acolyte schedule runs
through the end of October, but we will have a new schedule ready for you long before then.
Thank you Carla, for helping us to navigate through another year!
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“All about Retreats and Camps”
We place great value on these experiences and incorporate them into our confirmation
program. In fact, we require and subsidize youth participation in camps and retreats!
Through the course of the year, the confirmation program chaperones/sponsors 6 overnight retreats, including the “30hour Famine,” and through RLBC, endorses fall weekend “Recharge” retreats and a week-long summer group camp.
Check the breakout calendar below:
Sept. 28-29, 2013 Sat-Sun
Oct. 18-19, 2013 Fri-Sat
Nov. 8-10, 2013 Fri-Sun
Nov. 22-24, 2013 Fri-Sun
Dec. 13-14, 2013 Fri-Sat
Jan. 17-18, 2014 Fri-Sat
Feb. 21-22, 2014 Fri-Sat
Apr. 25-26, 2014 Fri-Sat
June 22-27, 2014 Sun-Fri
July 20-25, 2014 Sun-Fri
“Life after Confirmation”, 10th grade only, Turner's in Galena
Retreat #1, 9th grade only, at church w/possible trip off-site
Fall Recharge, for grade 7,8,9, Riverside LBC
Fall Recharge, for grade 10+, Riverside LBC
Retreat #2, 9th grade only, at church w/possible trip off-site
Retreat #3, 9th grade only, at church w/possible trip off-site
30-Hour Famine, for all Jr & Sr high, at church w/trip off-site
Retreat #4, 9th grade only, at church w/possible trip off-site
Confirmation Camp, entering grade 8,9, Riverside LBC
Confirmation Camp, entering grade 10+, Riverside LBC
9th Grade Retreats
Attendance for 9th grade students is required. Each 24-hour retreat equals approximately 8 regular class sessions. Most agree that this schedule accommodates high schoolers better than weekly attendance. Generally, each retreat will include 3 instructional sessions, a movie, maybe an off-site activity, and maybe a service project. Students are
to arrive at 6pm (after dinner) and stay until approximately 4 or 5 pm the following day. Lock down at mid-night. Everyone stays together in the smart classroom – which serves as the main base of operations. Beverages, breakfast and
lunch are provided. Students may bring a snack/treat to share. They also need to bring a sleeping bag/pillow, basic
toiletries, and last but not least their Bibles. Students are encouraged to bring a friend, who are always welcome. Also
required is at least one parent volunteer, who's needed to assist the pastors as a chaperone and to serve Saturday
meals.
10th Grade Retreat
The “Life after Confirmation” overnight retreat for 10th grade students just prior to their confirmation may just
be the most important retreat of all! It certainly is the most unique of all the in-house retreats we offer. We cannot
thank the Turner family enough for the many times they have graciously welcomed us into their lovely vacation log
home at Apple Canyon Lake in the Galena area. Dr. & Mrs. Turner are wonderful hosts and mentors too! This year's
retreat is scheduled for the last Saturday & Sunday in September. Thanks to Heidi Elkins and Krista Rittenhouse for
serving as chaperones.
30-Hour Famine
This is a nation-wide effort to draw attention to world-wide hunger while raising money to help address it.
Students collect pledges prior to the designated weekend – this year February 21-22. Students will begin fasting after
breakfast on Friday morning, then gather at church around 5pm for an evening of fun activity & stay overnight. On Saturday they may canvas area neighborhoods for canned goods for local food pantries – up until noon, when they may
finally break their fast. Coordinator and chaperones needed for this event.
Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp – RLBC
Theologically sound and kid-endorsed … RLBC runs numerous camps, retreats and events throughout the year
for all ages. They are located about 3-1/2 hours away in Story City, Iowa (north of Ames). Our program endorses two
fall Recharge retreats and two summer confirmation camps. These fall weekend retreats are not mandatory, but qualify as a retreat requirement! Cost is $70 (+$5 if reserved w/in one week) with a non-refundable $25 deposit. Summer
group camp runs between $395-455 including $125 deposit. Since we require students to attend at least one summer
camp, the congregation will subsidize each first-time summer camper! Subsequent trips will be fully paid by the student
- either by their family or by earning tuition through various fund raising activities. Please see page 15 of this handbook. Camp scholarships are also available - please see Pr. Balfanz. The congregation provides transportation and
chaperones to these RLBC camps and retreats. Please contact our Camp coordinator if you have any questions.
Sign-up sheets for the 2-night Recharge retreats are available right now. Reminder letter for summer camp
will come in January – early registration deadline is February 15. Chaperones/drivers needed! Riverside LBC takes very
good care of adult chaperones, so if you are in need of some “R & R,” you will definitely want to consider this! You may
notice that our age brackets do not match exactly with those published by Riverside; we have imposed our own age restrictions to suit our program. You are encouraged to attend Riverside events as individuals or families on your own, if
you wish. Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp publishes a full-color booklet describing all their programs – you may recognize some familiar faces! Many of you already receive one directly from the camp in the mail. Their website is excellent
– riversidelbc.org - where you register and submit payment for deposits & tuition. Email them at [email protected].
They may also be reached by mail at 3001 Riverside Road, Story City, IA 50248 or by phone 515-733-5271 or by fax
515-333-4096.
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“ All About Meal Sites .
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Our Faith congregation has served these continuously for so many years, that we take it for granted that everybody knows what
these are. But not so! We are asked so often about these that we feel it merits a page of its own in the confirmation handbook.
The meal site program in which our congregation participates is administered by an organization
known as Churches United of the Quad Cities. Among other things, it oversees the operation of
fixed meal “sites” scattered across the QC area to which member churches deliver and serve a hot
meal to anyone who needs one. One such fixed site is Mt. Zion Baptist Missionary Church in East
Moline, another site is Hope United Church of Christ on 41st Street in Moline. There are others, but
those two are the sites where our congregation serves.
Mt Zion in EM opens its site each and every week Monday through Thursday, and is staffed by a
paid manager. Number of patrons has fluctuated greatly over the years, but has recently seen
steady increases due to prolonged economic stress. We serve four meals each calendar year at Mt
Zion – the first Tuesday of February, May, August and November.
Hope United Church of Christ serves the needy each and every Sunday evening, and is managed
by Pastor Lewis and his wife Kathy, who laughingly tell me it's their “date night.” They are joined by
the same team of dedicated & delightful volunteers each week. Their numbers have seen a similar
uptrend.
We visit Hope four times a year also – generally the third Sunday in February, May, September and
November. A good many of you may recall the collaborative Thanksgiving feast we served there the
last few years.
What happens on a meal site day? Be it a Tuesday or a Sunday, the schedule is similar. Food
prep begins here at church around 2 or 3pm. Volunteers may arrive whenever they are able but no
later than 5:20pm when everything and everyone is loaded into vehicles and transported to the site.
We must be ready to serve by 6pm sharp. We really need a minimum of 4 (up to 6 or 7) people to
carry, set up and serve. (Patrons are not allowed to serve themselves.) We stop serving around
6:30 and load up for the return trip to Faith, where we still may have a bit of cleanup. Usually back
to church by around 7pm.
What do we serve? We are required to provide a fully balanced and well rounded hot meal. That
includes: meat/protein, hot vegetable, starch potato/rice/pasta/bread, salad, dessert and beverages/
milk. All that for between 40-80 people. That's a fair amount of food to plan, buy, haul, cook, load
and serve. Adult coordinators handle planning & buying. We are fortunate to have Thrivent Financial
reimburse our expenses through a community grant program – to the extent that this effort has become more or less self-funded. We are also blessed with some wonderful donations of bulk food
items on occasion.
“Many hands make light work.” Remember that old saying? We all know that the opposite is
true too. All too often we have served short-handed, and that makes for a very hard day. The fact
of the matter is that this is not just another “service project” but real-life mission outreach that addresses a real-life need right here in our own neighborhood. No matter if enough volunteers show up
or not – people are counting on us! One of the site managers recently told me that it breaks her
heart when she must turn people away because no one filled a gap in the schedule or a church group
failed to appear.
The meal site program is a pretty serious enterprise, subject to the regulations of several state-wide
agencies and administered by paid staff people. While most churches send adult groups, we are
somewhat unique by incorporating our youth. It provides our Jr and Sr high school students with a
great opportunity to engage in mission work outside our own walls while gaining for themselves
greater perspective, appreciation, understanding and compassion. But this is not just for kids. To do
this job well - really well - and keep up with demand, we will need as much adult/parent support as
we can muster. Oh, and by the way, Jesus commands us to demonstrate our faith in this manner.
Meal Site Serving Schedule for the 2013-2014 school year:
Sunday, September 15 at Hope United
Tuesday, November 5
at Mt. Zion
Sunday, November 17
at Hope United (do not serve Thanksgiving this year)
Tuesday, February 4
at Mt. Zion
Sunday, February 17
at Hope United
Tuesday, May 7
at Mt. Zion
Sunday, May 19
at Hope United
Tuesday, August 5
at Mt. Zion
14
. . . all about other Service Projects”
As Christian parents and teachers it is important to impart to our children and students the
great intrinsic value of service. We here at Faith name service as one of the great faith values
and practices, and we have an an entire “community” built around it. It is not always convenient or comfortable, but we are to reflect God's love and goodness in this manner. Jesus, at
his last meeting with his disciples, graphically demonstrated this by taking up a towel to wash
and dry their feet. The servant's towel has stood as a symbol for Christian service ever since.
Today, as Christians we must also “take up the towel” and, like Jesus, demonstrate to our
charges the importance of service to others.
Beside the 8 (yes, eight!) meal site commitments listed on the opposite page, the following
service events are planned:
Sunday, Sept. 29
Sunday, Oct. 27
Sunday, Nov. 24
Sunday, Jan. 5
January/Feb TBA
Fri-Sat, Feb. 21-22
Sun-Thu June 15-19
Back-to-Church '14
Youth “Thank-You” breakfast, between services
Serve at confirmation reception (grade 9)
Assemble & distribute Thanksgiving baskets
Youth-led worship services
Trivia night, assist in fund raiser/benefit
30-hour Famine, raise funds for world hunger, collect food
Vacation Bible School, assist or even lead
Plan and conduct rally/carnival
You may notice the absence of things like Lenten Simple Suppers. Turn to the page about fund
raising activities. The special distinction here is that service events are performed solely for
the purpose of giving of oneself for the glory of God without the expectation of gain or anything in return. A big lesson.
Beside planned events, students and their families are encouraged to perform acts of service
wherever and whenever they see a need - be it in aid to a neighbor, friend, fellow parishioner
or even a total stranger. There are plenty of projects around the church that need some
attention too! Do this as a family project and record it on the checklist.
Secret Prayer Partner Program
While students go through the confirmation program, there is a group of devoted prayer
warriors serving them! Even pastors, teachers, mentors and coordinators reap the benefit
of having a secret someone faithfully lift them up in prayer. By name. Every day. Secret
Prayer Partners also send cards and notes of encouragement occasionally. The idea here is to
share spiritual gifts – not material ones.
We spend a lot of time in confirmation on the topic of prayer: nature, purpose, value
and exercise of prayer. Through a secret prayer partner, confirmation students and staff also
become the focus of prayer and receive its blessings. The secret nature of this program adds
an element of fun and surprise, but it also points to an important feature of Christian service –
we are to serve in God's kingdom anonymously. The world may not always know or see what
we do, but God does. And that's what matters.
Nevertheless, the SPP banquet is held in May, when all is finally revealed and all prayer
partners are paired up in person – accompanied by an exchange of cards or a small token gift.
By the way, the banquet is tentatively scheduled for May 14, and it is a fun way to mark the
end of the school year. Please make every effort to have your student attend!
Thanks to Heidi Elkins for heading the program this year – she assisted last year, and
already has things well in hand. If you are interested in serving as a prayer partner yourself,
please contact her. Heidi's goal is to include high school & college age students, and even
some military. Enhance and focus your personal prayer life by becoming a Secret Prayer Partner!
15
$
$
FUND
$
Individual Fund Raising Accounts
Jr & Sr high students have the opportunity to earn all the money they may need to
attend any faith-building activity – namely, summer camp, fall Recharge or other trip.
Below are some fund raising projects (5 of them, actually) to help them get there!
Christmas Wreath Sales (November)
Earn a percentage from each wreath order. Pretty straightforward. If you participate in the
sales effort, you will also earn a percentage from orders recorded on general sign-up sheets.
Super-Bowl Subs (Jan/Feb) & Pizzas (April/May)
Students earn money in several ways – through selling and assembling. Earn 50% of profits of
what is sold, then 50% of what is made. This motivates students to not only sell, but also ensures that enough people will be on hand to work the assembly line.
Example: John sells a pizza at a profit of $6. John will earn $3 toward his personal
account, but if he comes to help make that pizza, he will also earn the other $3!
Additionally, participants share in the money that is collected from orders received directly
from bulletin inserts.
Car Wash (June) & Rummage Sale (July)
Students earn money based on amount of time worked. The car wash takes place on one or
two Sundays during church hours. The rummage sale requires many hours over the span of 6
days – set-up on Sunday, collection on Monday-Wednesday, actual sale on Thursday & Friday.
Study the following example from a hypothetical rummage sale:
John works 6 hrs, Jane works 7 hrs, Jimmy works 10 hrs = 23 hrs
Rummage sale made $400, divided by hrs worked (23) = $17.39/hour
John earns $104.34, Jane earns $121.73, Jimmy earns $173.90
It is easy to see how quickly a personal account can be built up to cover the registration fee and tuition for camp! Please be aware that even first-time campers (with a
tuition subsidy) are still responsible for the initial $125 registration fee. Students are
responsible for all camp costs thereafter and all Recharge weekends. However, we
hope that we have shown that parents do not necessarily need to stretch the family
budget to absorb these expenses. Also, students will place more value on the experience if they have worked to earn that trip!
$
$
$
$
$
We engage in a wide variety of fund raising events throughout the school year and the
summer season. There are some fund raisers where the proceeds are not divided into
individual accounts, but are deposited into a general youth operating account. The
fund raising coordinator is responsible for keeping track of individual accounts and will
monitor the general youth operating account.
Oh, and how's this for a teaser – There may soon come a time when a youth gathering or mission trip is on offer! Specially designated fund raisers may be added to the
mix.
16
RAISING
$
$
$
Fund Raising Schedule 2013-2014
Please review both the fund raising and service sections of this handbook. In confirmation, we teach that both have equal value and importance. Some fundraisers earn
money for the youth program as a whole. Others (like those described on the opposite
page) are designed to help students earn toward a personal account, which the student
may access for approved faith-building trips. Both kinds of fund raisers are listed here in a
general chronological order.
Throughout November
Christmas Wreath Sale
Students may collect their own orders throughout November and/or tend
sign-up table, assist with distribution first Sunday after Thanksgiving
Throughout January
Super-Bowl Subs
Students may collect their own orders throughout January. Assemble,
distribute & sell subs on Super-Bowl Sunday, first Sunday of February.
January/February
Trivia Night
Here's a crossover. This event is held by our congregation, sometimes
as a benefit for the youth program. The youth are on hand to serve &
facilitate the event – no matter who benefits. That's why this event ap
pears on the “service” page also. Good chance to sell snacks & baked
goods, regardless.
Beginning of Lent (Spring)
Ash Wednesday Simple Supper 6pm
Donate, deliver/prep & serve meal to congregation prior to Lent service.
Free-will donation to confirmation program – Gr 7,8,9 serves
Final Wednesday of Lent
final Lenten Simple Supper 6pm
Donate, deliver/prep & serve meal to congregation prior to Lent service.
Free-will donation to youth – Jr & Sr High serves
Throughout April
Pizza Fundraiser
Students may collect their own orders throughout April, then assemble
pizzas on the Saturday before distribution
Early June
Car Wash
Before Jr High camp departure. Need good weather! Work for personal
account during church hours.
Late June / early July
Rummage Sale / Bake Sale
Before Sr Hi summer camp. Work hours Sun-Fri. Sunday set-up, MonWed accept donations, Thur & Friday actual sale. Bank hours for camp
this year or next year!
17
18
Jr & Sr Hi
Nov TBA
Tue Nov 5
Fri-Sat Nov 8-10
Sun Nov 17
Fri-Sun Nov 22-24
Fun event
Meal Site
Fall Recharge
Meal Site
Fall Recharge
Grade 9 only
Grade 7,8,9
Confirm. Retreat #2 Fri-Sat Dec 13-14
Wed Dec 18
During break TBA
During break TBA
Sun Jan 5
thru Jan
Christmas Party
Youth Service
Snow Star
Youth Worship
Super-Bowl Subs
Jr & Sr Hi
Jr & Sr Hi
Jr & Sr Hi
Jr & Sr Hi
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Thanksgiving Bskt Sun Nov 24
Sr Hi only, gr 10+
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Gr 7,8,9
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi
Sr Hi only
Wreath Fundraiser thru Nov
Sat Oct 5
6-Flags
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Grade 9 serves
Sun Sept 29
Youth Breakfast
Grade 10 only
Confirm. Reception Sun Oct 27
Sat-Sun Sept 28-29
Confirm. Retreat
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Grade 9 only
Tue Sept 15
Meal Site
Participants
Confirm. Retreat #1 Fri-Sat Oct 18-19
Day/Date
Event
Conduct all Sunday services
Plan & organize
Plan, rehearse for Sunday, Jan
Organize potluck, publicize gift X
Additional chaperone REQUIRED
Sort donations, perishables, deliver
(2) Chaperone required, drive, then relax
Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
(2) Chaperone required, drive, then relax
Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
Plan & organize, addtl chaperone needed
Collect orders, distribute
Set-up, serve, cleanup
Additional chaperone REQUIRED
Female chaperone REQUIRED
Organize donations, service
Chaperone, meals
Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
General Duties
Kim Meyer & _________________ Collect orders
Pr Tim, Chris Bogen & _________
Pr Tim, Kim Meyer & __________
Pr Tim, Chris Bogen & _________
Chris Bogen & Mentors
Pr Tim & ___________________
__________________________
__________________________
Chris Bogen & ______________
__________________________
Chris Bogen & _____________
Pr Tim & __________________
Kim Meyer & ______________
Chris Bogen & Kate Bergstrom
Pr Tim &________________
Pr Tim & Andy Osborn
Kim Meyer & Tom Winckler
Heidi Elkins & Krista Rittenhouse
Chris Bogen & ___________
Coordinators
Adult Volunteer Needs
19
Tue Feb 5
Sun Feb 16
Fri-Sat Feb 21-22
Wed Mar 5
thru April
Wed Apr 9
Meal Site
Meal Site
30-Hour Famine
Ash Wednesday
Pizza fundraiser
Simple Supper
Jr Hi only
May TBA
Sat May 3
Tue May 6
Wed May 14
Sun May 18
early June
Sun-Fri June 8-13
Sun-Fri June 22-27
Sun-Fri June 22-27
Tue Aug 5
6-Flags
Pizza fundraiser
Meal Site
Prayer Banquet
Meal Site
Car Wash
Rummage Sale
Summer Camp
Summer Camp
Meal Site
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Completing gr 9+
Completing gr 7, 8
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi
Grade 9 only
Confirm. Retreat #4 Fri-Sat Apr 25-26
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi
Gr 7,8,9, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi, Adult
Jr & Sr Hi
Sun Feb 2
Super-Bowl Subs
Jr & Sr Hi
Grade 9 only
Jan TBA
Confirm. Retreat #3 Fri-Sat Jan 17-18
Fun event
Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
Invite, publicize, coordinate food & workers
Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
Coordinate assembly
Additional chaperone REQUIRED
Additional chaperone REQUIRED
Coordinate food donations, workers
Collect orders
Coordinate food donations, workers
Publicize, organize pledges, coordinate
Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
Coordinate assembly, distribution
Additional chaperone REQUIRED
Plan & organize, addtl chaperone needed
(2) Chaperone required, drive, then relax
Chris Bogen & ________________ Plan, shop, prepare, deliver, serve, cleanup
__________________________________
____________________________ (2) Chaperone required, drive, then relax
Chris Bogen & ________________ Set-up, accept donations, sale
____________________________ Publicize, organize workers, supplies
Chris Bogen & _______________
Heidi Elkins, Chris Bogen & _____
Chris Bogen & ______________
Kim Meyer & _______________
Pr Tim & ___________________
Pr Tim & ___________________
___________________________
Kim Meyer & ________________
___________________________
___________________________
Chris Bogen & _______________
Chris Bogen & _______________
Kim Meyer, Chris, Tom & _______
Pr Tim & ____________________
Pr Tim & ____________________
. . . About Volunteering
Remember this old adage? “There's a special place in heaven for volunteers.”
Well, that may not be the most Bible-based saying, but you get the idea. Let's model
serving.
No church event of any kind can run without volunteers, but most particularly those
involving young people. They need transportation, supervision & guidance beyond the
basic needs of the job at hand. The list on the previous two pages shows all the
events where parents are needed – even required as in the case of chaperones. We
ask that each parent “adopt” a few events that may involve their own kids or hold
some interest for them. The open blanks are for parents willing to head up an event
or share the responsibility with another adult volunteer. You may see a name already
inserted – in that case, you are asked to help manage that activity. It's an “each one,
teach one” kind of thing. Most, not all, but most will require a sign-up for students
and other parents. So it should not be all on you! There is no new or exotic event on
this list – they've all been done many times before, and there are plenty of people you
can ask about the exact requirements and details of every event. You can start with
Chris Bogen, Kim Meyer, Vicki Gehrke and Tom Winckler – all of whom are currently
part of the confirmation leadership team. Pastor Tim, in spite of his recent arrival,
already has a pretty good grasp of things. We welcome your participation – we need
it – and we pray that you will be receptive to requests for help when they come your
way.
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
About the Checklists . . .
Those pesky checklists . . . some of us love 'em, some of us hate 'em, some of
us just ignore 'em. Thank you to those who turn them in – you use them to great effect! Please do not rely on memory – it is best to check things off each week! There's
a lot going on, and if you thumb through the handbook, you will notice the many facets of our confirmation program. Remember the four communities listed in the mission statement on the first page? Worshiping, Discipling, Gathering & Serving.
They're all represented on the checklists.
We may have redesigned the handbook, but the checklists should look pretty
much the same to returning students – with a few tweaks. For grades 7 & 8 we added
spaces on the back to help with recording projects & acolyting. Same for grade 9 - we
added space on the back for projects to make it easier for them too. Some requirements have been increased, but nothing that doesn't make sense. Students will be
held more accountable for reading and writing assignments this year. With a new associate Pastor on board and the Coordinator shifting away from other things, we'll be
better able to monitor progress in these areas. Lucky you. Seriously, lucky you.
We think the checklists are pretty straightforward, but if you have any question
at all, let us know. With handing in homework each week, the checklist exercise
should become more routine also. At least, that's the hope. The turn-in schedule remains the same – during January to cover fall semester activity, and during June to
cover spring. Pretty simple! We will continue to schedule “Ketchup” days for writing
and reading assignments, so please take advantage of those opportunities when they
are offered.
20
7th Grade Expectations 2013-14
Student to complete & turn in:
We will keep track of the following:
Sermon Notes (Sunday)
Worship cards (located at Prayer-Partner
mailbox) or bulletin inserts when available.
O Sermon Notes #1 __________
O 1_____Jan. 2014
O Sermon Notes #2 __________
O 2_____June 2014
O Sermon Notes #3 __________
Readings
O Sermon Notes #4 __________
O John _______________
O Sermon Notes #5 __________
And 2 of these:
O Sermon Notes #6 __________
O Matthew ____________
O Sermon Notes #7 __________
O 1 Timothy ___________
O Sermon Notes #8 __________
O 2 Timothy ___________
O Sermon Notes #9 __________
O Colossians __________
O Sermon Notes #10 _________
O Genesis _____________
O Sermon Notes #11 __________
During class at some point – student will paraO Sermon Notes #12 __________
phrase what they've read - to either
O Sermon Notes #13 _________
Pastors or mentors.
O Sermon Notes #14 _________
Updated checklist to confirmation coordinator
mailbox.
Sunday school, Wednesday evening
O 1 _______
O 21 ________
O 2 _______
O 22 ________
O 3 _______
O 23 ________
O 4 _______
O 24 ________
O 5 _______
O 25 ________
O 6 _______
O 26 ________
O 7 _______
O 27 ________
O 8 _______
O 28 ________
O 9 _______
O 29 ________
O 10_______
O 30 ________
O 11 _______
O 31 ________
O 12 _______
O 32 ________
O 13 _______
O 33 ________
O 14 _______
O 34 ________
O 15 _______
O 35 ________
O 16 _______
O 36 ________
O 17 _______
O 37 ________
O 18 _______
O 38 ________
O 19 _______
O 39 ________
O 20 _______
O 40 ________
Retreats (1 required)
O Recharge RLBC, Nov 8-10, 2013
O 30-hr Famine, Feb 21-22, 2014
Service Projects (3 required)
2 projects describe on back
O ____________
O ____________
1 family project, describe on back
O ____________
Service/Worship Assistant
Acolyte, greeter, reader, actor, usher, communion assistant, etc.
Minimum of 10 times, as required
by schedule. Please briefly record
dates on back in the space provided.
Written Paper
Summarize what you feel you have learned
during your first year
of confirmation.
O 2-page paper _________
Turn in to Pastor Tim for feedback.
We will keep track of the following:
Confirmation Camp
RLBC
(1 Required)
Sun-Fri, June 22-27, 2014 – first time
subsidized
21
Service/Worship Assistant Please record all dates here:
Please describe your service
projects here, indicate date.
Minimum, but not limited to, 3.
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O
____________________________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
22
8th Grade Expectations 2013-14
Student to complete and turn in:
We will keep track of the following:
Update of checklist to confirmation
coordinator mailbox
O 1 _______ Jan. 2014
O 2 _______ June 2014
Sermon Notes
Worship cards (located at Prayer-Partner
mailbox) or bulletin inserts when available.
O Sermon Notes #1 __________
O Sermon Notes #2 __________
O Sermon Notes #3 __________
O Sermon Notes #4 __________
O Sermon Notes #5 __________
O Sermon Notes #6 __________
O Sermon Notes #7 __________
O Sermon Notes #8 __________
O Sermon Notes #9 __________
O Sermon Notes #10 _________
O Sermon Notes #11 _________
O Sermon Notes #12 _________
O Sermon Notes #13 _________
O Sermon Notes #14 _________
Readings (3 total)
O Mark __________
O James _________
And 1 of these:
O Hebrews _______
O Galations _______
O Philippians ______
O Jonah __________
During class at some point – student will
paraphrase what they've read – to either Pastors or mentors.
Retreats (1 required)
O Recharge RLBC, Nov 8-10, 2013
O 30-hr Famine, Feb 21-22, 2014
Service Projects (3 required)
2 projects, describe on back
O ____________
O ____________
1 family project, describe on back
O ____________
Service/Worship Assistant
Acolyte, greeter, reader, actor,
usher, communion assistant, etc.
Minimum of 10 times, as required
by schedule. Please briefly record
dates on back in the space provided.
Written Papers (2 required)
What have you learned from the following
passages? (see Readings above)
O 1-page paper ________
Mark 10:13-31 -or Mark 15:1-47 & 16:1-8
O 1-page paper ________
James 1:9-27 –or James 3:1-18
Turn in to Pastor Tim for feedback.
Sunday School, Wednesday evening
O 1_________
O 21 ________
O 2_________
O 22________
O 3_________
O 23_________
O 4_________
O 24_________
O 5_________
O 25_________
O 6_________
O 26_________
O 7_________
O 27_________
O 8_________
O 28_________
O 9_________
O 29_________
O 10_________
O 30_________
O 11_________
O 31_________
O 12_________
O 32_________
O 13_________
O 33_________
O 14_________
O 34_________
O 15_________
O 35_________
O 16_________
O 36_________
O 17_________
O 37_________
O 18_________
O 38_________
O 19_________
O 39_________
O 20_________
O 40_________
Confirmation Camp RLBC (1 required)
Sun-Fri, June 22-27,2014 – first time subsi-
dized
23
Service/Worship Assistant Please record all dates here:
Please describe your service
projects here, indicate date.
Minimum, but not limited to, 3.
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
O ____________
O ____________
O ____________
O
____________________________
O ____________
O ____________
Description:
24
Freshman Expectations 2013 -2014
Student to complete and turn in:
We will keep track of the following:
Update of checklist to confirmation coordinator
mailbox
O 1________ Jan 2014
O 2________ June 2014
Sermon Notes
Worship cards (located at Prayer-
Partner
mailbox) or bulletin inserts when
available
O Sermon Notes #1________
O Sermon Notes #2________
O Sermon Notes #3________
O Sermon Notes #4________
O Sermon Notes #5________
O Sermon Notes #6 ________
O Sermon Notes #7 ________
O Sermon Notes #8 ________
O Sermon Notes #9 ________
O Sermon Notes #10 _______
O Sermon Notes #11 _______
O Sermon Notes #12 _______
O Sermon Notes #13 _______
O Sermon Notes #14 _______
O Sermon Notes #15 _______
O Sermon Notes #16 _______
O Sermon Notes #17 _______
O Sermon Notes #18 _______
O Sermon Notes #19 _______
O Sermon Notes #20 _______
Readings (6 total)
O Luther Biography
O Luke
O Romans
O Ephesians
and 2 of these:
O 1 Corinthians
O 2 Corinthians
O Acts
O 1 Peter
O 2 Peter
Retreats (4 of following are required)
O
O
O
O
O
O
Recharge RLBC, Nov 8-10, 2013
Retreat #1, Oct 18-19, 2013
Retreat #2, Dec 13-14, 2013
Retreat #3, Jan 17-18, 2014
30-hr Famine, Feb 21-22, 2014
Retreat #4, Apr 25-26, 2014
Service Projects (3 required)
2 projects, describe on back
O _________
O _________
1 family project, describe on back
Sunday school (or Wednesday eve)
O 1_____
O 2_____
O __________
Written Paper (2 required)
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
What have you learned from the following
passages?
O 1-page paper ________
Luke 11:1-13 – or Romans 10:1-17 – or Ephesians 4:1-16
O 1-page paper
Luke 10:1-23 – or Romans 8:1-17 – or Ephesians 2:1-10
3_____
4_____
5_____
6_____
7_____
8_____
9_____
10_____
O 11_____
O 12_____
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
13_____
14_____
15_____
16_____
17_____
18_____
19_____
20_____
Confirmation Camp RLBC 1 required
Sun-Fri, July 20-25, 2014 – First time
subsidized
25
26
10th Grade Expectations
Retreat Attendance
O “Life after Confirmation” retreat ____________
Travel off site to the Turner's vacation home in Galena area.
Scheduled for Saturday through Sunday, September 28-29
It is a very special retreat in a special location.
Make every effort to attend! Clear your calendar.
Written Paper (1 required)
O 2-page minimum ___________
To cover the following topics:
What do you feel you have learned during the course of confirmation?
In your own words, what do you believe it means to be confirmed?
Why do you believe you are ready to accept confirmation?
What do you plan on doing after confirmation to continue growing in your faith.
The above topics will be the focus of discussion at the retreat, and you will have
the opportunity to work on your paper while there.
Scripture Verse
O Memory verse _________
Choose a verse to memorize to share with the congregation on the morning of your
confirmation. You may have the verse written on a small card from which to read,
if you wish.
*
*
*
*
*
This year you will have the rare opportunity to not only catch up on reading and
writing assignments, you may also catch up on missed retreat time with Pastor Mark!
Please take advantage of this unique opportunity. The final catch-up session
is October 20 and is the deadline for all work – papers, letter to council, etc.
Watch for mailings and texts, and refer to the calendar at the back of the confirmation
handbook.
*
*
*
*
*
October 27 is Confirmation Sunday!
Please invite family, friends, godparents or sponsors to this special event in your life!
Traditional Service
27
FAITH LUTHERA CHURCH
Confirmation Program Calendar for 2013-2014
*ew this year! “POWER” praise service each Wednesday at 6:30 pm. *ew this year!
Students are to attend “POWER” then move downstairs immediately following service for remaining
class time. Sunday school between services each Sunday. Exceptions noted below.
Fall Semester 2013
Sept 8, Sun
Sept 18, Wed
Sept 22, Sun
Sept 25, Wed
Sept 28-29, Sat-Sun
Sept 29, Sun
Back to Church Sunday & potluck
“Ketchup” day
Confirmation Banquet/Orientation
Meal site service
1st confirmation class
“Ketchup” day
SYATP “See You at the Pole”!
Confirmation Retreat, Turner’s cabin
Youth “Thank You” breakfast
8am – 1pm, all grades & ages
1-4 pm following potluck, make up missed retreats
Between services, all grades & adult
4-7 pm, leave church 5:20 pm & return by 7 pm
6:50-8 pm, grades 7 & 8, following “Power” service
Noon-4pm, Luther movie encore w/popcorn
Prayer 7am. Rally leave church 6:30 pm
Off-site from 4 pm Sat to 6pm Sun, grade 10 only,
between services, Jr & Sr high
Oct TBA
Oct 5, Sat
Oct 6, Sun
Oct 16, Wed
Oct 18-19, Fri-Sat
Acolyte training
6-Flags, Gurnee !!
“Ketchup” day
“Ketchup” day
Confirmation Retreat #1
Instruction & demonstration, for any new acolytes
Sr high only, leave 7:30am – return 8:30pm,
Noon-4pm, lunch available,
2-5 pm (½ day Moline HS), preceding service/class
6pm Fri thru 4pm Sat, grade 9 (gr10 optional)
Oct 20, Sun
Oct 26, Sat
“Ketchup” day w/Pastor Mark!
Confirmation rehearsal
Noon-4pm, lunch available, make up missed retreat
Time TBA (about 1 hour)
Oct 27, Sun
Confirmation Sunday, grade 10
9 am service, reception 10:10 am (grade 9 serves)
Nov 3, Sun
Nov 8-10, Fri-Sun
Nov 5, Tue
Christmas wreath fundraiser begins
Fall Recharge at Riverside LBC
Meal site service
Jr & Sr High, throughout the month
Grades 7-9 w/friends, Faith trans & chaperones
4-7 pm, leave church 5:20 pm & return by 7 pm
Nov ???
Nov 17, Sun
Nov 22-24, Fri-Sun
Nov 24, Sun
(fun event TBA)
Meal Site service
Fall Recharge at Riverside LBC
Thanksgiving baskets, sort & deliver
Jr & Sr High, w/friends, chaperones needed
4-7 pm, leave church 5:20pm & return by 7 pm
Grades 10-12 w/friends, Faith transport & chaperones
10am - 2pm
Dec 1, Sun
Dec 13-14, Fri-Sat
Dec 15, Sun
Dec 15, Sun
Dec 18, Wed
Dec (during break)
Dec (during break)
Dec 25, Wed
Dec. 29, Sun
Christmas wreath pick-up
Confirmation Retreat #2
Sunday School Christmas Program
Christmas Caroling
Conf. Christmas potluck & gift exchange
Snow Star tubing
Prepare/rehearse for Youth Sunday
O confirmation class
O Sunday School
after Sunday services
6 pm Fri thru 4 pm Sat, grade 9 only w/Pr Tim
Contemporary service
time TBA
6:50-8 pm, following “Power” service, gr 7.8.9
Jr & Sr High w/friends, chaperones needed
Jr & Sr Hi - prepare for youth service Jan 5
Merry Christmas!
Sept 11, Wed
In spite of all our careful planning, try as we might, this calendar is subject to change.
Unlike the 10 Commandments, it is not cast in stone!
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SPRIG SEMESTER, 2014
All Jan
Jan 1, Wed
Jan 5, Sun
Super Bowl sub fundraiser begins
O confirmation class
Jr & Sr High, earn toward personal account
Youth Worship Sunday
Youth lead worship service, Jr & Sr high
Jan 8, Wed
Jan 12, Sun
Jan 17-18, Fri, Sat
Jan ???
Feb 2, Sun
Feb 2, Sun
Feb 5, Tue
Feb 16, Sun
Feb 21-22, Fri-Sat
O Sunday School
Confirmation class resume s
Sunday school resumes
Confirmation retreat #3
(fun event TBA)
Super Bowl Subs
Congregational annual meeting
Meal site service
Meal site service
30-hour Famine, begin after b’fast
6:50-8 pm, grades 7 & 8, following “Power”
Between services, all ages
6pm Fri thru 4pm Sat, grade 9 only
Jr & Sr High, w/friends, chaperones needed
8am – 1pm, Jr & Sr High, assemble, distribute, sell
2pm Serve Sandwiches/Meal
4-7 pm, leave church 5:20 pm & return by 7 pm
4-7 pm, leave church 5:20 pm & return by 7 pm
At church from 5 pm Fri-2 pm Sat, Jr & Sr high
Mar 5, Wed
Mar 12, Wed
Mar 19, Wed
Mar 26, Wed
Ash Wednesday
Lent service/confirmation class
Lent service/confirmation class
Lent service/confirmation class
Jr high serves Simple Supper 6 pm,
Simple supper 6 pm, class/Lent service 7 pm
Simple supper 6 pm, class/Lent service 7 pm
Simple supper 6 pm, class/Lent service 7 pm
All April
Apr 2, Wed
Apr 9, Wed
Apr 16, Wed
Apr 20, Sun
Apr TBA
April 25-26, Fri-Sat
Pizza fundraiser begins
Lent service/confirmation class
Lent service/confirmation class
O confirmation class
Happy Easter! O Sunday school
Fun Event
Confirmation Retreat #4
Jr & Sr High, earn toward personal account
Simple supper 6 pm, class/Lent service 7 pm
Youth serves Simple Supper 6 pm,
May TBA
May 3, Sat
May 6, Tue
May 7, Wed
May 14, Wed
May 18, Sun
6-Flags, Gurnee, IL
Pizza fundraiser
Meal site service
Last confirmation class
Prayer Partner Banquet
Last Sunday school
Meal site service
Jr High only, all day, w/ Pr Tim, chaperones needed
Jr & Sr Hi, assemble pizzas
4-7 pm, leave church 5:30 pm & return by 7 pm
6:30-8 pm, grades 7 & 8
6:50 pm, meet your Secret Prayer Partner
between services, all ages
4-7 pm, leave church 5:20 pm & return by 7 pm
TBA ??
June 8-13, Sun-Fri
June 15-19, Sun-Thur
June 22-27, Sun-Fri
July 20-25, Sun-Fri
Aug 5, Tue
Car Wash
Rummage Sale & Bake Sale
Vacation Bible School
Riverside LBC summer camp
Riverside LBC summer camp
Meal site service
Easter egg hunt after early service
Jr & Sr High, w/friends, chaperones needed
6 pm Fri thru 4 pm Sat, grade 9 only
Summer Season
Jr & Sr Hi, earn toward camp or trip
Jr & Sr Hi, earn toward camp or other trip
Evenings, Jr & Sr Hi, service – lead or assist
Jr Hi (completing gr 7-8),
Sr Hi (completing gr 9 & up)
4-7 pm, leave church 5:20 pm & return by 7pm
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