Creation God is the Creator of the universe with all its beauty, and He sustains it with His almighty power.

Sin Adam and Eve, whom God created, doubted and rebelled against Him. They sinned, and their natures became evil. Now every human being is born with a tendency for evil. Attempts to change Human nature or to please God with our own good are doomed to fail.

Forgiveness Through Christ God out of pure love gives people forgiveness of sins and thus reconciles them to Himself. He does this even though He punishes sin because His own Son, Jesus Christ, took the punishment for all sins when He died on the cross. God raised Him from the dead and showed the world that Christ's death has been accepted and man's sin is forgiven.

Faith and the Holy Spirit People receive the forgiveness through faith. Faith is created by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel that tells of God's love in Christ. Infant baptism is the means by which a child is given a new life and received into God's kingdom.

Bible The Bible is the source of knowledge about God and His love and is also the way in which He speaks to us today. The Bible was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and so is without error.

Church The church is the fellowship of all those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Sacraments God has given two special acts along with the Word to build His church. Baptism creates faith, and Holy Communion nurtures our faith. We receive the Holy Spirit and forgiveness in Baptism. In Holy Communion Jesus give us His physical presence and the promise of the forgiveness of sins.

Eternal Life The fellowship that God established with His believers on earth will continue after death as believers live with Him eternally in Heaven.

Profession of Faith Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Hymn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 3

Students will answer and discuss questions in the following categories as taught in the catechism: Ten Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Sacraments

Jonn Audrain, II,  Kortney Hogan,  Dustin Simpson, Laura Barnes,  Jessica Holten,  Lindsey Smith, Ashley Boatman,  Joshua Hurford,  Jennifer Spatola , Brittany Boatman,  Evan Jones,  Ashley Storm ,Andrew Cluck,  Daniel Kober,  Edward Szakacsi, II, Adam Coombs,  Lyndi Kuhlman,  Jeffrey Teichgraeber, James Curtis,  Ann Meredith,  Jill Terry Ashley Daniels,  Anthony Rampold,  Joshua Villhard, Sarah Farias,  Joseph Rincker,  Paul Walther, Krista Frey, Jacob Scribner,  Ian Wilson, Lindsey Gardner,  Jessica Sidener,  Hannah Wooley

A Reception follows in the Lower Level sponsored by the LWML Prayer Partners and Aid Association for Lutherans. All confirmands and families are invited for refreshments.

Concerning the Custom of Catechism Instruction . . .

In our circles the pastors and ministers of the church are required to instruct and examine the youth publically, a custom which produced good results. (Apology to the Augsburg Confession XV:41)

No other book apart from the Bible has a deep and abiding influence upon the Christians of the Lutheran faith. You might be interested in the following facts:

Teaching with a catechism is the oldest and longest continuing way to introduce people to the Christian faith. The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest confession used with baptism. There were many catechisms before Luther’s. They often included other sections such as "The Seven Deadly Sins," "The Beatitudes," or "Prayers to the Saints."

The catechism has always included three sections: The Ten Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, and Lord’s Prayer. Luther added two sections for Baptism and the Sacrament of the Altar. Later Lutherans added a section for Confession and Absolution.

The catechism consists of the simple texts of the Ten Commandments etc. and simple explanations. The 306 questions in our hardbound editions were not written by Luther. They were added as an explanation.

More than 70% of the Small Catechism is taken from Scripture.

Originally Luther wrote his catechism in the form of posters that could be hung on the wall in the home. Luther wanted the catechism taught in the home. Before each section of the Small Catechism we find these words of Luther: As the Head of the Family Should Teach Them in a Simple Way to His Household