Affirming our Faith 4
This week is confirmation.
Confirmation begins on Page 413 in the Book of Common Prayer under the Pastoral offices
www.bcponline.org/PastoralOffices/confirmation.htm
Explanation in BCP
In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.
Those baptized as adults, unless baptized with laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands.
Confirmation is done when the Bishop Comes.
Originally Bishop did baptism only – priest did not do it. During the Reformation when Luther stressed the importance of baptism.
Baptism is the main act recognizing you have received the Holy Spirit. In more radical churches you baptize only when you choose the Holy Spirit which is not the result of someone else’s actions. Baptism is the planting of the mark of Christ’s own forever.
Baptism reminder families to bring up the child in the Christian faith and the church will help
As the church grew, Bishops began to only do confirmation. Confirmation is accepting the baptismal vows. “Yes, I have grown in to faith. I want to live in my baptism. Confirmation is making commitment to actually doing it
In the early church, once you were baptized the Eucharist was available. Then confirmation was required for a period but is not the case today. It has lost some of it significance theologically
Confirmation is one of the 7 sacraments. It is a great opportunity for the Bishop to reminder the congregation of the larger church when he lays his hands on you.
Distinction Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation
Confirmation – You have never been confirmed at another church
Reception – Baptism and confirmation already done through at another church. In this case the Bishop receives you into the Episcopal Church
Reaffirmation – used as a way people for reaffirm their vows and get more involved. Really mean for people been away from the church
Page 413. The service. Comments are in bracket and italicized
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
The Bishop says
The Candidate(s) will now be presented.
[Johnny will be the presenter for Rob and Marsha]
Presenters
I present these persons for Confirmation.
or I present these persons to be received into this
Communion.
or I present these persons who desire to reaffirm
their baptismal vows.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidate I do.
Bishop
Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidate
I do, and with God’s grace I will follow him as my Savior
and Lord.
Confirmation 415
After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to
support these persons in their life in Christ?
People We will.
The Bishop then says these or similar words
Let us join with those who are committing themselves
to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant
[ We repeat this the 1st Service after Epiphany to renew our Baptismal vows . It is a reminder of what we are promising]
[3 basic beliefs and 5 promises]
1. Do you believe in God the Father?
2. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
3. Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit
1. Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers]
2. Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord
3. Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
4. Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
5. Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?]
Bishop Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Bishop Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Bishop Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
416 Confirmation
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Bishop Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you strive for justice and peace among all
people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
[Also used for Baptism]
The Bishop then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their
commitment to Christ.
The petitions on pages 305-306 may be used.
[Here they are on Page 305]
Prayers for the Candidates
The Celebrant then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who are to receive the
Sacrament of new birth [and for those (this person) who
have renewed their commitment to Christ.]
A Person appointed leads the following petitions
Leader Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and
death.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy
Church.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Holy Baptism 305
Leader Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
The Celebrant says
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death
of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his
resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who
lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.
]Back to Page 417]
A period of silence follows.
Confirmation 417
Then the Bishop says
[This the Bishop’s prayer which was written for the BCP 1982. He is praying for all]
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and
resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin
and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your
Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in
these your servants the covenant you have made with them at their
Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to
perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Confirmation
The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit;
empower him for your service; and sustain him all the days
of his life. Amen.
or this
Defend, O Lord, your servant N. with your heavenly grace,
that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in
your Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to your
everlasting kingdom. Amen.
[Bishop concludes with this prayer. – Central action is laying of hands. It is symbolic of God the father’s hands stretching over these servants. The order is to “ go and serve God.”]
For Reception
N., we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic
and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship
of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.
418 Confirmation
For Reaffirmation
N., may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you,
direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his
kingdom. Amen.
The Bishop concludes with this prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, let your fatherly hand ever be
over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with
them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of
your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell
with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Peace is then exchanged
Bishop The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
[Then the peace is said and then we continue to communion]