Sunday School

Middle and High school students meet in the Youth classroom at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays mornings for fellowship and Bible Study. They remain in the worship service during the sermon to receive further teaching during the sermon.

Confirmation

What is Confirmation?

Definition of Confirmation from BCP 1979:

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.

The Catechism 1979 on Confirmation

Q What is Confirmation?

A Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.

Q What is required of those to be confirmed?

A It is required of those to be confirmed that they have been baptized, are sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith, are penitent for their sins, and are ready to affirm their confession of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The Catechism: An Anglican Prayer Book

To be learned by every person baptized as a child, before being presented for Confirmation.

The young person who is a candidate for Confirmation should be tested in this instruction by the Minister or by a Catechist appointed by the Minister. It is advisable that the candidate learn the answers by heart and have a basic understanding of them, with a clear commitment to their moral and doctrinal content.

Content of the Course

APOSTOLIC CHRISTIANITY:

• A Way to Believe - The Apostles' Creed as an essential summary of biblical Christianity
• A Way to Live - The Ten Commandments as the basis for a godly standard of living
• A Way to Pray - The Lord's Prayer as a window into the power of prayer and the ordered spirituality of the sacramental tradition

Theology of Confirmation

• 1979 - Public affirmation of faith and commitment to the responsibilities of your Baptism
• 1929 and earlier - Your ordination by the power of the Holy Spirit to the ministry of the laity

Biblical Basis for Confirmation

From Acts, Chapter 8

¹⁴Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, ¹⁵who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Making Disciples is our real goal.

Marks of a Growing Disciple

In Church of the Holy Cross, we believe that a growing disciple is someone who:

• Has established a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and promised to follow him as Lord
• Has been baptized with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit
• Has an awareness of having been empowered by the Holy Spirit for Christian life and service
• Has received the laying on of hands by a Bishop in apostolic succession
• Is regular and faithful in worship unless for good reason prevented
• Is growing spiritually through the study of God's Word and ongoing participation in the fellowship of the church
• Is serving others in obedience to the Great Commission and the Great Commandment