Youth:
On Sunday mornings, the Middle School Class (7th and 8th grade) meets downstairs in room 108, and the High School Class meets in the Youth Lounge (Room 100) at 9:45 AM.

Confirmation Class (7th and 8th grade):

 What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is the time set aside for youth to 1) explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and 2) learn how that commitment can be expressed through active membership in the Church.  This class is offered in the spring every other year (2008, 2010, 2012, etc.) and includes the current seventh and eighth graders.

During Confirmation youth are given the opportunity to study the basics of the Christian life and faith, with emphasis on Bible study, prayer, discussion of issues, and questions of faith. Basic aspects of our Presbyterian denomination and theology will also be explored.

Youth who complete the program still reserve the right to choose whether or not they feel ready to be confirmed.  Those who decide they are ready will make a public profession of faith and declare their intention to be an active member of the church during a worship service.  Youth who have not yet been baptized may be baptized during this service.  Confirmation is an opportunity for youth to examine their faith within a community of peers and adults, all of whom are on a journey of faith together.

What is the format of the class?

The Confirmation Journey lasts one year and involves a retreat, and a meeting with Session.  The main teachers will be Pastor Adam and Pastor Michael.  Class members are also expected to attend worship at First Presbyterian after class.  In addition to the material covered in class, an at-home journal reflection on what we have been talking about in class will be an important part of the journey.   Participants will keep a journal of their weekly scripture readings and reflections.  Towards the end of the Confirmation Journey, those who choose to be confirmed will write a statement expressing their faith in their own words.  They will also make a Commitment to Ministry that will mark them as an active member of Christ’s Church.

What is an Elder Friend?

An important component to our program is the Elder-Friend.   An Elder-Friend is someone from our governing body, the Session, who will serve as a sponsor to those in the Confirmation program. The elder-friends will meet with us a couple of times on Sunday mornings, and each confirmand will also meet with their elder-friend sometime outside of class (to be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time).

What is My Commitment to the Program?

This program can only work with the commitment of each of the participants.  There are many demands and pressures on our time with school, sports, and other extracurriculars.  We would ask, however, that if you choose to participate in this program for those 12 sessions you make it a priority among the other demands on your time.  This means we expect participants to attend the class sessions, worship, the retreat, and other class activities.  The more you are there, the more you will receive from the experience.  Make-up work and extra-ordinary circumstances will be handled on an individual basis.

What is the Church’s Commitment?

First Presbyterian Church is committed to providing for the education and nurture of young people seeking to confirm and express their faith in Jesus Christ.  That is why the

Confirmation Class is offered to youth.  We take our commitment seriously and hope you will, too.
If, for some reason you decide you are not ready to take part in Confirmation this year, you will have an opportunity to participate in another Confirmation program in the future.

A Word About Worship

Worship is a human response to the divine.  It is giving “worth,” “honor,” or “praise’” to what is greater than we are.  These aspects of worship have special significance in Christian faith, where worship is offered to God alone.  Presbyterians take worship very seriously because we recognize that worship is the most important thing we do.  Here the Holy Spirit calls people together to respond to the God revealed in the Old and New Testaments and supremely in Jesus Christ.  We ascribe worth, praise, and honor to God.  We Proclaim God’s greatness for who God is.  We worship for what God has done, in the history of Israel and in sending Jesus Christ for our salvation.  We proclaim our allegiance to God, the One of highest value in our lives.

Worship is marked by praise, proclamation, remembrance, and prayer.  It is our most essential human activity.  It is not an option, but an absolute necessity.  Worship is the service of God’s glory.  We commit our lives to furthering the ministry of Jesus Christ, to living for God’s glory, and following as the Holy Spirit guides us in the community of faith.  That being said, attendance at weekly morning worship will be considered a part of the confirmation experience.

If you have any questions about the confirmation program, please contact Pastor Adam at revabowling@bellsouth.net.

YOUTH GROUP:
	The youth program allows the young people of our congregation and this community to explore the wonders of God's kingdom through study, fellowship, service, worship, and family. The youth have ownership in the program and are enabled to develop their leadership and servanthood abilities through youth program activities.  For more information and a calendar of youth events please click here!