Today is the day that I personally confirm my faith to not only everyone sitting in this congregation, but also to my family, friends, and all Christian brothers and sisters. As I look back to December 24th, 1990, when I was baptized at St. Andrews Lutheran Church my mom and dad, along with the congregation, promised to teach me and help me learn the Ten Commandments, Lords Prayer, Apostle Creed, and the concept of Communion, for me to read and learn about the Bible, and to support me in the church. Over my past 15 years my mom and dad have helped me learn the Ten Commandments, Lords Prayer, Apostle Creed; I have learned the concept of Communion and continue to receive it, I have been taught about the Bible and continue to read it throughout Sunday school, and I have been supported by all my church family. Today I continue to come to Sunday School wanting to learn more and more about how Lutherans look at the bible each week. As I travel through my life I will always have the influence of God on my life, shaping me to become the person that he has planned out for me. I enjoy being a strong youth at our church, being part of the hand bells choir, serving in the service, participating in most church activities, and going to youth events held for youth. I enjoy going to ELCA youth activities for kids my age along with one for younger children and helping while getting to know other youth my age from other churches.
Over the past 15 years, as I have attended Sunday School, I have learned a parable that I can practically tell you from memory: John 2: 1-11, is about the Wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding. When all the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." Jesus answered, "Dear women, why come to me? My time has not come yet." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you to do." In that place there were six stone water jars that the Jews used in their washing ceremony. Each jar held about twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, " Fill the jars with water." So they filled the jars to the top. Then he said, "Now take some out and give it to the master of the feast." So they took the water to the master. When he tasted it, the water had become wine. He did not know where the wine came from, but the servants who had brought the water knew. The master of the wedding called the bride-groom over and said to him, "People always serve the best wine first. Later after the guests have been drinking awhile, they serve the cheaper wine. But you have saved the best wine until now." So in Cana of Galilee Jesus did his first miracle. There he showed his glory, and his followers believed him. Over the years I have learned more and more about this story and have continued to enjoy it. The miracle that Jesus performed at the wedding that day wasn't only amazing because he changed water into wine, but also because it was his first miracle. This was a start to Jesus' miracles to come just like today is the start of my faith to continue on.
Looking back into all the years of Sunday School I have had many teachers that have influenced my faith, but one especially that taught me something that I still use today. Even thought I have learned the books of the Bible of the Old Testament though Confirmation, I will always remember an acronym that Heather McFlea taught me. My 4th grade year in Sunday School, Heather was my teacher and she wanted to help us learn the books of the bible starting with the Old Testament, but we never got past the first seven, but hey 7 is better than none. We used this to remember the first seven books, Grama Exits Leaving Nana Down and J.J. ; believe it or not, it helped me. I have had many more teachers that influenced my faith but I will always remember my year with Heather.
Over the past weeks, I have been preparing this faith statement and have learned that it is a lot of work to know what you are talking about. When I was asking Pastor Tony about how to write a faith statement, he made the point to me, that confirming does not mean that I am graduating out of church. I am just stating my faith and what I believe in and becoming part of this congregation. I will continue to be part of the hand bell choir, occasionally sing with the adult choir, serve in the church service, be a strong youth in our youth group, continue to come to Sunday School, continue to be part of the church, continue to grow in faith and continue to learn to understand Gods love.
Almost every year I attend Lutheridge Camp, Arden, North Carolina, to learn about my faith and continue to make it stronger every time I go, I learn a new and better why to share my faith with others, in my denomination and not in my denomination. I learn how to make my own faith stronger without hurting anybody. I think one factor that also helps me at Lutheridge is that it is not only kids there but all ages from toddlers to adults. I will say that if you have never been to Lutheridge then you have missed out on a lot.
Another thing that I have learned over the course of my faith is that know matter how big your congregation is or where you are at, you always need to be spreading Gods word and having a strong faith. Over the past year, i have attended many other denominations with friends, and know matter where I am, I keep my faith strong. The size of your church should never determine how strong your faith is. About three months ago, I attended a church smaller than my home church and learned as I examined one special thing. Even though they are a small congregation, they had a strong faith. I really believe that visiting that church made a positive influence on my faith.
The last thing that I would like to talk about is the people that have had an influence on my faith. Both my mom and dad have always been an important part of the church, which has kept me there to. My dad's parents, go to the Lutheran Church that I was baptized at, so i enjoy going to the midnight Christmas Eve service to celebrate the day I was baptized. Both of my dad's parents attended Lenoir Rhyne College, so those activities are Christian related. My mom's parents always had a religious house and welcomed me to their church anytime. My friends always want me know how my church is, and what it is life, and would they like it. And last my church family, everyone is always supportive, in everything I do. And especially my pastor, Pastor Tony, who has been there for me and my faith and is a great Sunday school teacher along with teaching about any religious subjects. To all these people I would to share a warm thank you. May faith has and will continue to grow because of all of my Christian brothers and sisters.
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Dear Heavenly Father, you are amazing! I love you LORD Jesus! Praising you is something I love to do! :)
