Confirmation Sunday

We have a double header this month. Last Sunday, Baptism Sunday. This Sunday, Confirmation Sunday.

Last Sunday, as a church, as the body of Christ, we welcomed three new members into our family - a wonderful celebration. Praise God. This Sunday, we celebrate, too, but for different reasons. We join together to confirm seven members. Confirmation is a service of prayer and laying on of hands that goes back to the Apostles (Acts 6:6; 8:17; 1 Timothy 4:14). This service has three aspects. The believer stands up publicly to confirm their faith, where we celebrate God’s faithfulness to the promises made at the believer’s baptism. God is faithful and good. But as a church, through the Bishop (nothing magical, but certainly spiritual), we as a church strengthen in this process and in prayer. Prayer thus points us to the third aspect, which is giving thanks to God not only for being faithful but for growing faith in these believers. Prayer is also for continued growth in maturity in the faith, as following Christ is the greatest good, but it is hard and long, and we all need prayer. It has been an incredible blessing to journey with these confirmees as we explore the riches of the faith passed down for us through the apostles, through the Anglican Church, and particularly through the saints' present and past of Dapto Anglican. As a prayer that will be used in the service, ‘Strengthen Lord your servants with your Holy Spirit. Empower and sustain them for your service.’ Can I hear an AMEN?