2016-2017 Confirmation Schedule, St. Paul’s UCC, Trexlertown

Dedication for 2016-2017 confirmands will be during the September 18^th worship service.

Curriculum Objectives:

• The Worship of the Church
• The Ten Commandments
• Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
• The Sacraments
• The History/Mission of the Church

By the conclusion of confirmation, each student will have written their own faith statement.
The confirmands will also plan and lead an entire worship service on Sunday, May 14^th, 2017.

Schedule: All classes are held (with noted exceptions) on 2^nd/4^th Sunday afternoons from 4 - 6 pm

1. Sunday, September 18^th             Pizza with Elders, getting to know each other, 11 am

Sunday, September 25^th                      Acolyte training / Pat Faust and Music/Jane Gibson

            Sunday, October 9^th                            Worship, Church / The Sacraments

2. Fri/Saturday, October 14^th-15^th Overnight Retreat

            Sunday, October 23^rd                          Breaking down the Bible / what it is/why it is important

3. Sunday, November 13^th             St George Greek (Syrian) Orthodox Church                                                                                                  1011 Catasauqua Road, Allentown, PA, 10 am
4. Sunday, November 20^th                      Understanding the Church Year

            Friday, December 2^nd                       Keneseth Israel, 2227 Chew Street, at 6:15 pm

Sunday, January 8^th, 2017                   What are symbols and what are Christian symbols?

Sunday, January 22^nd                          The Ten Commandments and The Beatitudes

            Sunday, February 12^th                         Attend meeting of the Church Council, 11 am

            Sunday, February 26^th                         What is Prayer / The Lord’s Prayer

Sunday, March 12^th                             The Apostle's Creed and the UCC Statement of Faith

            Sunday, March 26^th                             The Life of Jesus

5. Fri/Saturday, March 24-25             Overnight Retreat: Who Am I? / Why Be Confirmed?

Sunday, April 9^th                                 Holy Week

Sunday, April 23^rd                               History of the United Church of Christ / St Paul’s UCC

Sunday, May 14^th                                          Statement of Faith/Plan worship service

6. Sunday, May 28^th                                Lead worship; Pizza/Test with Elders; Photos/Practice     Sunday, June 4^th                                Confirmation service at 10:30 am                                           

                                                                        .

1. The September 18^th session will be from 11 am – 1 pm, including a pizza luncheon.
2. The Fall overnight Retreats begin on Friday at 7 pm and end at Noon on Saturday.
3. The confirmands will attend the Sunday worship service at the Greek Orthodox Church.
4. This is the only class that will meet the third week of the month, because of Thanksgiving.
5. The Spring Retreat begin on Friday at 7 pm and end at Noon on Saturday.
6. The May 28^th session will be from 11 am – 2 pm, including a pizza luncheon.

Confirmation Sunday: Confirmands are to report to the church basement promptly at 9 am.

Extra Events:

The Confirmands will engage in a service project. Date/specifics will be announced.

Confirmands will rotate serving during each worship service. One acolyte each week.

Electives: (Choose any 2)

1. Choir/Bell Choir
2. Youth Group
3. Nursery Attendants (twice during the year)
4. Host coffee hour between services (twice during the year)
5. Junior Youth Group helper
6. Individual Service Project (approved by the pastor)

Requirements for Confirmation:

            Attend Confirmation classes. More than 3 absences during year will not be acceptable.

Attend church every Sunday, September 18^th, 2016 – May 28^th, 2017. (Confirmands are allowed 2 excused absences and 2 unexcused, no other exceptions except under extreme emergency!) Confirmation is an experience that parents and children do together. At least one parent (or other responsible adult) is required to sit with the child in church weekly.

Each confirmand will be mentored by one of the Church Elders.

Write brief summary sermon, turned in to the Elder in charge at end of worship service.

Attend three of the following special church services:

• One of the Christmas Eve services, Saturday, December 24^th.
• Maundy Thursday, St. Paul's UCC, April 13^th, 2017, 7 pm
• Good Friday, St. Paul's UCC, April 14^th, 2017, 7 pm
• Easter, St. Paul's UCC, April 16^th, 2017

      Complete all paperwork prior to September 18^th:
      Confirmation Contract, Church Information Sheet, and Emergency Contact form

      Memory Work to be completed prior to confirmation:

• The Apostle's Creed, The Lord's Prayer, Psalm 23

      Complete – and turn in - their own one-two page faith statement by April 30^th.

      Year-end review by the Elders on Sunday, May 28^th.

            Bibles are presented/to the confirmands on Confirmation Sunday.

All electronic devices will be given to the Elder in charge before the worship service.  Pastor Al               will collect at the beginning of each confirmation class. The electronic devices/cell phones will be returned at the end of the worship service/confirmation class, respectively.