A Liturgy For Confirmation

Many church traditions which practice infant baptism also celebrate confirmation, public profession of faith, or reception into the church—that is, a service in which those baptized at an early age publicly affirm their faith and declare their acceptance of the responsibilities entailed in baptism and church membership. The use of the term confirmation also implies a completion or fulfillment of baptism. At confirmation, the candidate is anointed with a seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The following service for confirmation is based on the text found in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

OPENING Leader: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen. Leader: There is one Body and one Spirit. People: There is one hope in God's call to us. Leader: One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism. People: One God and Father of all. Leader: The Lord be with you, People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray. Grant, Almighty God, that we, who have been redeemed from the old life of sin by our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, may be renewed in your Holy Spirit, and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. People: Amen. PROCLAMATION Leader: [A reading from Ephesians 2:19–22 or 1 Peter 2:9, followed by] Leader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God. Leader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ. Leader: [reading from Matthew 5:14–16] Leader: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ. PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES Leader: The following are now presented for Confirmation. The leader introduces each candidate to the congregation. Leader: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil? Candidate: I do. Leader: 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. Leader: Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ? People: We will. Leader: Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant. BAPTISMAL COVENANT Leader: Do you believe in God the Father? People: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ? People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. Leader: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Leader: Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer? People: I will, with God's help. Leader: 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. Leader: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? People: I will, with God's help. Leader: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? People: I will, with God's help. Leader: 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. PRAYERS FOR THE CANDIDATES Leader: Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ. Leader: Deliver, O Lord, these believers 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. 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. [time of silence] Leader: 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 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. People: Amen. Leader: [for each candidate] Strengthen, O Lord, your servant [Name] with your Holy Spirit, empower him/her for your service; and sustain him/her all the days of his/her life. People: Amen. Leader: Almighty and everliving 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. People: Amen. Leader: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: Amen. The service continues with the celebration of the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. COMMENTARY

In the past several decades, many church traditions have sought to downplay the dichotomy suggested by the rite of confirmation, that there are two classes of baptized Christians, both confirmed and unconfirmed. This liturgy of confirmation, while intended to stand as a separate liturgical rite from baptism, de-emphasizes any such dichotomy. Rather, it emphasizes a renewal of what happened at baptism, praying for God to "?renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their baptism.?" Likewise, when appropriate reference is made to the gift of the Holy Spirit, this liturgy does not assume that the gift of the Holy Spirit was not given until confirmation. Instead, prayers ask for a renewed measure of the Spirit's presence and strengthening power.

A second notable feature of this service is the important role that the congregation plays. This role is signaled by the question to the congregation regarding their support of the candidates. Then, during the section of the baptismal covenant, the congregation joins with the candidates to declare their faith and to pledge their continued allegiance to Christ. In this way, the service functions as a renewal of baptismal vows for the entire congregation. Also, the candidates for confirmation find important solidarity in their promises with the whole people of God. Suggestions for Planning. Lectors may be chosen from among those who have been spiritual mentors to candidates for confirmation, including godparents, church education instructors, or family members. Two hymns for confirmation, "?Lord, We Have Come at Your Own Invitation?" and "?Holy Spirit, Lord of Love,?" are included in the 1982 hymnal of the Episcopal Church; similar hymns are included in nearly every denominational hymnbook. These particular hymns are prayers that should precede the confirmation. They may be sung by the congregation or choir to conclude the collect in the opening section of the liturgy. Following the question addressed to the congregation regarding their support of the candidates, a hymn may be sung which emphasizes the unity and fellowship of the church of Christ, such as "?In Christ There Is No East or West.?" The occasion of confirmation can appropriately be followed by a congregational celebration after the service, extending the theme of solidarity in Christ found in the liturgy. Worship leaders should adapt the pronouns him, her, their, etc. throughout the service as would be appropriate for a given occasion. The various brief petitions included in the prayer for the candidates may each serve as a basis for longer, extemporaneous prayers offered by various members of the congregation. All such prayers should end with a common refrain, such as "?through Jesus Christ,?" so that the congregation may appropriately respond with their refrain, "?Lord, hear our prayer.?" The prayer which begins "?strengthen, O Lord, your servant …?" is the prayer for confirmation proper. This may be accompanied by the laying on of hands or the anointing with the oil of chrism, as may be appropriate in a given congregation. Each of these acts has been historically associated with the gift of the Holy Spirit at confirmation.