First Service
Rite of Confirmation
May 4, 2025
AS WE GATHER
Family, friends and guests: Today is a special day in the lives of those who have prepared themselves for the Rite of Confirmation. Today they will profess their faith in Jesus Christ and embark upon a special journey in the Church for the remainder of their lives. As important as this day is for them, this day can be a day of reflection for all of us. We can take this opportunity to reflect upon the meaning of our own confirmation experience and how the Holy Spirit has guided us toward a fuller understanding of the Scriptures and how He has guided us toward a more complete participation in this congregation and the Church at large.
+ PREPARATION +
SONG We Are God’s People CH 399 vs 1 & 4
We are God’s people, the chosen of the Lord, Born of His Spirit, established by His Word.
Our cornerstone is Christ alone, and strong in Him we stand;
O let us live transparently and walk heart to heart and hand in hand.
We are the Body of which the Lord is Head, Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead.
He wills us be a family diverse, yet truly one; O let us give our gifts to God
and so shall His work on earth be done.
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen
CONFESSION and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
(Drawn from the Six Chief Parts; Exodus 20)
Pastor: For the times we have had other gods in our lives . . .
People: and for the times we have trusted in things other than You, forgive us, good Lord.
Pastor: For the times we have misused the name of the Lord . . .
People: and for the times we have failed to call upon You in prayer, forgive us, good Lord.
Pastor: For the times we have forgotten the Sabbath day . . .
People: and for the times we have despised the preaching of Your word, forgive us, good Lord.
Pastor: For the times we have not honored father or mother . . .
People: and for the times we have failed to respect others in authority, forgive us good Lord.
Pastor: For the times we have murdered . . .
People: by hurting people in thought, word, and deed, forgive us, good Lord.
Pastor: For the times we have committed adultery . . .
People: with thoughts and actions unbecoming to Your design for love and marriage, forgive us, good Lord.
Pastor: For the times we have stolen . . .
People: and for the times we have hurt someone’s good name, forgive us, good Lord.
Pastor: For the times we have coveted our neighbors’ possessions or family members..
People: and for the times we have tried to acquire things not belonging to us, forgive us, good Lord.
ABSOLUTION and THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS
(Drawn from the Six Chief Parts)
Pastor: Upon this, your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord, Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SONG Ancient Words
Holy words, long preserved, for our walk in this world.
They resound with God’s own heart, O let the ancient words impart.
Words of life, words of hope, give us strength, help us cope.
In this world where e’er we roam, ancient words will guide us home.
Refrain: Ancient words, ever true, changing me and changing you.
We have come with open hearts, O let the ancient words impart.
Holy words of our faith handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice, O heed the faithful words of Christ.
Ancient words, long preserved, for our walk in this world.
They resound with God’s own heart,
O let the ancient words impart. (Refrain)
COLLECT
Pastor: Gracious Lord, through water and the Spirit You have made us your own. You have forgiven us all our sins and brought us to newness of life. Continue to strengthen us with the Holy Spirit, and daily increase in us Your gifts of grace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen
FIRST READING Acts 9:1–22 (“Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”)
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
EPISTLE Revelation 5:1–14 (“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.”)
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
HOLY GOSPEL John 21:1–19 (After directing the disciples to a great catch of fish, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him.)
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
HYMN In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light my strength my song
This cornerstone this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Till on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life no fear in death This is the pow’r of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final death Jesus commands my destiny
No pow’r of hell no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Till He returns or calls me home Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand
SERMON
CREED and AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM
(Drawn from the Six Chief Parts)
Pastor: What is Baptism?
Confirmands: Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word.
People: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19
Pastor: What benefits does Baptism give?
Confirmands: It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this.
People: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
Pastor: What does such baptizing with water indicate?
Confirmands: The Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
People: We were therefore buried with Him through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4
Pastor: In Holy Baptism we are forgiven our sins and granted a new life in Christ, our Lord. We solemnly renounce the devil and all his works and ways; we confess the gift of faith in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I ask you anew: Do you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways?
Confirmands: I do renounce them.
Pastor: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?
All: Yes, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
Pastor: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son?
All: Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
Pastor: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
All: Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. For those whom we name in our hearts who have recently come to faith, that You would nurture them through the Word, let us pray to the Lord,
People: Lord, have mercy.
Pastor: For those whom we name in our hearts who have had faith in Jesus from their day of Baptism, that You would guide them to fuller service in the Church,
People: Lord, have mercy.
Pastor: For those whom we name in our hearts who are weary of life’s hardships, that You would bring them strength; let us pray to the Lord,
People: Lord have mercy.
Pastor: For those whom we name in our hearts who are worried, that they would put their trust in you; let us pray to the Lord,
People: Lord have mercy.
Pastor: For those whom we name in our hearts who are sick, that You would bring to them healing; let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Pastor: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
People: Amen