Children's sermons start again - Fall 2009

The Confirmation Class of 2009

This morning, we have the privilege of welcoming the members of our 2009 confirmation class into adult membership. They will share their faith statements with you, and as they do that, I want to share a charge with each of the members of the class.

Stephanie: You have been showered by God with so many blessings. You have been blessed with a quiet strength that gives people confidence about life and your integrity and faith shines through in all that you do. I charge you to trust the one who provides those blessings in the first place. Know that you always have a home here at Heritage and trust the solid presence of God in your life.

Scott: God has walked with you everyday of your life, although like all of us, you may not have seen that. I love your faith sentence that God through the Holy Spirit “is persistent and prodding and leads us along the path that God hopes we follow.” Here’s the truth for your life, Scott, as it is the truth for all of our lives: God is with you as you work out your life. As you say: God is always present, all the time, everywhere. Scott, I charge you to open yourself and your spirit to that presence and to explore the path down which in faith, you are led.

Emily: There has been no better moment for me in confirmation this year, than to see you explode in a hearty laugh. It makes me feel so good. You are beautiful in that moment! I love your statement that God is good and just and mysterious, and I charge you to move deeply into your exploration of these attributes of God. Bring them to bear on your journey in life. I think that in a very real way, you understand God’s grace… help the world understand that grace in a new way.

Ryan: From trombone lessons to violin lessons to soccer to simply playing basketball on the beat up hoop in our driveway, you are on the move. You have dreams and you have the ability to make your dreams come true. In the midst of a world where you are pulled in so many different ways, I charge you to remember that God will also exert a never ending pull on your life. God has called you as God’s own, Ryan. As you grow into the man God wants you to be, remember that there is no place you can go where the Great Shepherd does not care for the sheep.

Sam: People feel good around you. Why? Because you have a laugh and a sense of humor that makes real the community of God that you believe in and invites others to experience it too. God is a part of your life and people see it, Sam. I charge you to take that welcome from God that you feel and to make it real for others. I guarantee Sam, that as you do that, you will feel joy.

Marissa: I know that it is never easy to leave one place and to continue your life’s journey in another place… but you are doing it with grace and with humor and with hope. And I truly appreciate that, Marissa. It models for me how life changes and how that change affects all of us, but does not conquer us. I charge you to follow God in this changing time in your life and to know that as you do that, you are helping others to understand that God is with them too, no matter what they are experiencing. And remember always that you have a home here at Heritage. We’ll miss you.

Jessica: Your smile lights up our face, and it lights us up too! We want to hear you sing your faith forever. Never be afraid of doing that Jessica. You know the tune that God has placed in your heart and your statement of faith puts words to that tune… so sing it, girl, sing it! As you do that, I charge you to remember, Jess, that as nice as it is to be a soloist, none of us lives or dies to ourselves. We are in this together and the music we make as we join our faith and voices together is one fine piece of music!

For you, and most of us gathered here, your life journey began many years ago at this baptismal font or one like it.

Yesterday, your parents placed you in the arms of a pastor and promised that they would raise you in the church and give you the knowledge you needed to decide on your own to be part of the life and mission of Heritage church.

Today, YOU make that decision real.

As you do that, remember the cross that was traced upon your forehead in baptismal water.

In that instant you became God's child.
Which means you will never, ever be alone.
You belong to God, and now as an adult member, you stand beside us as we make real the ministry of Heritage Presbyterian Church.

Tomorrow, the task goes on, as you take seriously the commitment you make this morning.

Your yesterdays, todays and tomorrows are sealed within the greatest "hug" God can give.

We are rightly proud and thankful this day.
Congratulations!
God's blessings!

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