Straight-up Student Ministries Confirmation Class starts January 2, 2008! Sign up today! It's not too late to sign up! For more information contact Phil Rayson, Director of Student Ministries at 537-7233 ext. 304 or straightupministry@sbcglobal.net The Purpose To Connect Youth to Jesus Christ by teaching the basics of Christianity and answer the ultimate question: "Why should I be a Christian?" This class fulfills the Biblical purpose of "Evangelism." "Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who don't yet have a personal relationship with him. God has chosen to use his people to help consummate his plan for salvation." (Doug Fields - PDYM, 1998) This is known as the great commission from Jesus Christ: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Sprit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20) In the United Methodist church, the purpose of confirmation was to give youth a chance to "Confirm their own infant baptism." Not all children in the Methodist church were baptized as babies, but most were. John Wesley believed in infant baptism to cleanse us from the "original sin" that we have inherited from Adam and Eve. This is the sin that separates us from the physical presence of God. John Wesley also believed that you should accept Christ by faith. A child that is baptized as a baby needs to "confirm" that baptism as a youth or adult to make it complete. By doing this they then become a full independent memebers of Christ's church. This is a personal decision between the individual and God. Not the church or to be earned by going through a church program. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2: 8-9) Like a Christmas gift, God's Grace can be either be received or exchanged. This is not a decision that we can make for the Youth. It has to be their decision to confirm their faith, (or have the opportunity to not be confirmed at this time). 86% of all active adult Christians can trace their decision to make Jesus Christ and the church as an important part of their life under the age of 14. Those 15 to age 30 represent 10% and those over the age of 30 make up the final 4%. The older you are, the harder it is to make a life changing decision. It's like planting a young tree. To help it grow, you need to provide guide wires until it's old enough to grow "Straight Up." Confirmation Class is the first step to cutting those wires so students can grow spiritually on their own. "... He (Jesus) said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14) Aldersgate United Methodist Church Confirmation Program of Ministry is for current 6-8th graders. Enrollment will start in December of 2007 and go till the end of January 2008. Sign up today by contacting Phil at the church office at 537-7233 2008 Schedule (Subject to change) Week 1 - Lesson 1: The Church & It's Buildings Week 2 - Lesson 4 & 5: In The Beginning God Created Week 3 -Lesson 6: God Chooses A People Week 4 - Lesson 7&8: Moses and The Exodus/Covenant Week 5 -Lesson 9: The Kingdom Week 6 - Lesson 10&11: Kingdom Divided & Hope? Week 7 - Lesson 12 &13: Jesus (birth, baptism, ministry) Week 8 - Lesson 14:The Message of Jesus * Confirmation Day with the Bishop (Lesson 2 & 3) Feb. 23 Week 9 - Lesson 15: Jesus Acts & People respond Week 10 - Lesson 16&17: Crucifixion & Resurrection Week 11 -Lesson 18: Ascension & Pentecost Week 12 - Lesson 19&20: The Church NT & UMC Week 13- Lesson 21 &22: Worship & Sacraments Week 14- Lesson 23 &24: Prayer & Bible Week 15 - Lesson 25&26 : Serving Jesus (Disciple) * Confirmation Retreat: Camp Wilderness: April 11 & 12 Week 16 - Wrap-up/Confirmation Sunday Planning * Confirmation Sunday: April 20, 11:00 a.m. service Classes will be held on Wednesday nights(7:00-8:30) starting January 2, 2008. We'll wrap up with our last class on April 16 with Confirmation Sunday (11:00 service)on April 20. Parent's - interested in helping out with this year's confirmation class? Contact Phil for more information at 537-7233 ext. 304