weekend. A wedding on Saturday and then Divine Service as usual. This morning, Baptisms at both Divine Services (for Lindsay Ray, early; and Henry Charles, late), with reception for Henry Charles afterwards. This afternoon, the very last Catechism Service in this series, and time for the youth to sign up for private examination and absolution. They will be publicly examined at Matins on Palm Sunday, and then confirmed at the 10 o'clock Divine Service. Next weekend we will have the public recognition of Clair's Baptism at early and after late the Baptism of Bryce Henry. What joy to have the baptismal floodgates opened wide, drowning us in divine mercy and love!
With all those Baptisms at St. Paul
ReplyDeletecongregation, their water bill will
go up. Nice problem to have.
A wedding in Lent?!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm an LSB stickler and IT says "no wedding during Holy Week." Agenda, page 64 (General Note 3)
ReplyDeleteAnon, we have had a nice spate of them lately. And one is still due shortly - and she's also got two of the young folk being confirmed this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about your confirmation practices. Could you briefly explain what you do when they get toward the end, how you determine who will be confirmed, etc.? I do a private examination with them as well (with their parents present actually), but not private confession. I'd like to hear more if you would please. Sounds like you have a good system. What are your bare minimum requirements for someone to be admitted to the altar/confirmed?
ReplyDeleteWell, the sine qua non is the primary texts, of course. But I also use a public examination where they memorize the answers to over 100 basic questions and I call on any child to answer any question. The private examination checks up on the primary texts (as in the Pastoral Care Companion - I do it right out of there), and provides opportunity for confession and absolution (as the Confirmation rite specifies has happened - just as our Symbols say). I do remind the children that the Sunday public examination isn't for me to check up on them, it is for congregation that they might at least once a year hear a recitation of our faith and be strengthened in it. And I do sometimes turn to the congregation and put a question or two as well. Oh, and I threaten the parents that if their child misses an answer, I will ask THEM the question. Have never had to do it yet, but I think it puts the fear of the Lord into them and gets them working hard with their kids!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation.
ReplyDelete