Confirmation is a time to learn about your church, the entire church community and what it means to be a faithful Christian. You will also understand the privileges and responsibilities of church membership.
Confirmation is open to 7th graders and up. Confirmation gives the student a chance to make their own decision to follow Jesus Christ, to be baptized and to join your local church.
The period of study in confirmation classes is a time for the student to learn and know the tenets of the church they are in so that they can make an informed decision about joining the church as an adult.
Confirmation Sunday is May 31, 2015.
Did you attend Confirmation classes when you were young? And do you know why we confirm young people in the church? Chuck tries to confirm his reservation and talk about Confirmation.
Christianity, confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant made in Holy Baptism. On this second part of a two-part episode, Chuck gives his own testimony as to why he is a Christian.
From a historical perspective, Christianity didn’t start with Jesus’ birth, his death or even his storied ascension to heaven. It started with Pentecost — the day the “Holy Spirit” entered a room holding Jesus’ apostles and entered each of them, an event which — as my minister uncle tells me — “makes the church the church.”
Although Pentecost is chock full of religious significance, it is a holiday not widely celebrated. Sort of the opposite of Hanukkah, which is widely celebrated but not religiously important. My uncle says Pentecost is a bigger deal in liturgical churches, which follow a formal, standardized order of events (like Catholics). “Non-liturgical” refers to churches whose services are unscripted (like Baptists).
Back Story: At his Last Supper, Jesus legendarily instructed his 12 disciples to go out into the world to minister and heal the sick on their own. It was at that point that they became “apostles.” Fifty days after Jesus’ death, as the story goes, the Holy Spirit (part of the Holy Trinitity — God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit ) descended onto the apostles, making them speak in foreign tongues. This “Pentecostal” experience allowed the apostles direct communication with God, which signaled a major shift in the religious landscape and laid the foundation for what would become Christianity. You’ll notice that the disciples are always depicted in artwork as regular-looking men while the apostles are depicted with halos around their heads. (Several other apostles came later — namely the famous Paul who is credited with writing much of the New Testament.)
Although all the original 12 apostles are important, some get top billing. Here’s why:
Peter (also called Simon Peter) established the first church in Antioch and is regarded as the founding pope of the Catholic church. Instrumental in the spread of early Christianity, Peter was said to have walked on water, witnessed the “Transfiguration of Jesus” and denied Jesus (for which he repented and was forgiven.) The Gospel of Mark is ascribed to Peter, as Mark was Peter’s disciple and interpreter.
John also is said to have witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus and went on to pen the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John and Book of Revelation. He died at age 94, having outlived the other apostles — all of whom, according to legend/history/whatever, were martyred. John is often described as “Jesus’ favorite” and depicted as the disciple sitting to Jesus’ right at the Last Supper.
Thomas (“Doubting Thomas”) is best known for questioning Jesus’ resurrection when first told of it. According to the Bible, Thomas saw Jesus himself several days later and proclaimed “My Lord and my God,” to which Jesus famously responded: “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:28.)
Please join us this Sunday, May 24, in worship at the 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 Services.
Sermon Series: STORIES
May 24 – Pentecost – The Power of Understanding A Story – Acts 2:1-1-41
“Each one heard in his own language.” The true art of story telling is do people hear what you are really saying. The joy of sharing the stories of Jesus is that the Holy Spirit makes sure everyone hears. That is the reminder of Pentecost today, “Everyone can hear in his own language’ if we will only be used.
Stories always engage and captivate. They have a power all their own. Jesus’ story really carries a punch. When told, it is so unbelievable that it makes you want to believe. It causes you to believe. It makes you into a believer. Let’s learn from Peter and John and tell the story.
“But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)
For more information about our upcoming sermons, click here.
May 17: Items of the week needed for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries to distribute to the needy in our area:
Canned Meats & Boxed Meals
46 oz. bottles of oil, fruit juices, plastic bags and egg cartons are always needed and welcome too!
Donations can be left in the blue grocery cart in the coat rack section.
May 17: The Pender Podcast is available in the iTunes Podcast series. There is no charge to subscribe or listen to past sermons. There are currently 214 sermons available. More information
May 17-31: Online VBS Registration. VBS will run from July 6-10, 2015. Some grades are already full so act quickly to assure a spot.
May 17-July 3: Music Camp Registration is open until we reach 60 campers.
May 17: New Directions Sunday School Class. Mark Batterson’s book entitled “The Circle Maker – Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears”. We meet in Rooms 218-220 at 9:30 AM. If any questions, feel free to contact Carol Wilson If any questions, feel free to contact Carol Wilson by email or at (703) 815-1744.
May 17: Sunday School Class: The Truth Project (began September 21) This Focus on the Family’s DVD series, with 26 one-half hour lessons taught by Dr. Del Tackett, is the starting point for looking at life from a Biblical perspective. lesson discusses the relevance and importance of living the Christian worldview in daily life.
May 17: Sunday School Class: The Good and Beautiful God (began September 21) (Room 205 – Library) A new Sunday School course immediately after the 9:30 am worship service led by Brian and Angie Green will be reading and discussing this book. To sign up or find out more information, please sign up on the Connection Card in the bulletin on Sunday.
May 17: Sunday School II for adults. New Study: The Good and Beautiful Community 10:45 am-noon
Stories always engage and captivate. They have a power all their own. Jesus’ story really carries a punch. When told, it is so unbelievable that it makes you want to believe. It causes you to believe. It makes you into a believer. Let’s learn from Peter and John and tell the story.
“But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)
For more information about our upcoming sermons, click here.
May 17: Items of the week needed for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries to distribute to the needy in our area:
Canned Meats & Boxed Meals
46 oz. bottles of oil, fruit juices, plastic bags and egg cartons are always needed and welcome too!
Donations can be left in the blue grocery cart in the coat rack section.
May 17: The Pender Podcast is available in the iTunes Podcast series. There is no charge to subscribe or listen to past sermons. There are currently 214 sermons available. More information
May 17-31: Online VBS Registration. VBS will run from July 6-10, 2015. Some grades are already full so act quickly to assure a spot.
May 17-July 3: Music Camp Registration is open until we reach 60 campers.
May 17: New Directions Sunday School Class. Mark Batterson’s book entitled “The Circle Maker – Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears”. We meet in Rooms 218-220 at 9:30 AM. If any questions, feel free to contact Carol Wilson If any questions, feel free to contact Carol Wilson by email or at (703) 815-1744.
May 17: Sunday School Class: The Truth Project (began September 21) This Focus on the Family’s DVD series, with 26 one-half hour lessons taught by Dr. Del Tackett, is the starting point for looking at life from a Biblical perspective. lesson discusses the relevance and importance of living the Christian worldview in daily life.
May 17: Sunday School Class: The Good and Beautiful God (began September 21) (Room 205 – Library) A new Sunday School course immediately after the 9:30 am worship service led by Brian and Angie Green will be reading and discussing this book. To sign up or find out more information, please sign up on the Connection Card in the bulletin on Sunday.
May 17: Sunday School II for adults. New Study: The Good and Beautiful Community 10:45 am-noon
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