Special Insert
The Confirmation Liturgy
The Introduction to the Service
Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.
Through confirmation, and through the reaffirmation of our faith, we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and affirm our commitment to Christ’s holy church.
The Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith
On behalf of the whole church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
Confirmands: I do.
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
Confirmands: I do.
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
Confirmands: I do.
According to the grace given to you, will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representative in the world?
Confirmands: I will.
Let us join together in professing the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
Do you believe in God the Father?
Confirmands and Congregation: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
Confirmands and Congregation: 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. On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father; and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
Confirmands and Congregation: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
The Laying On Of Hands and Confirmation
Remember your baptism and be thankful.
Confirmands and Congregation: Amen.
Holy Spirit work within you, that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
Confirmands and Congregation: Amen.
The Charge to the Confirmands
As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
Confirmands: I will.
Do you promise with God’s help to live by the three simple rules of Methodism: To do no harm, to do good, and to stay in love with God?
Confirmands: I do.
As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?
Confirmands and Congregation: We will.
The Commendation And Welcome
Members of the household of God, I commend to your love and care these persons whom we this day receive into the membership of this congregation. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
Congregational Response: We rejoice to recognize you as members of Christ’s holy church and bid you welcome to this congregation of The United Methodist Church. With you we renew our vows to uphold it with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ that, surrounded by steadfast love, you may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal. Amen.
The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit, that you may live in grace and peace. Amen.