Faith Statements

Class of 2011

Sara Gengel

Over the past two years of confirmation I have learned so much. We learned about the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. Before confirmation, when I said the Lord’s Prayer or the Apostle’s Creed they didn’t really have much meaning. Now that I have learned what they mean, they have much more meaning to me.

To me, one of the most important parts of being a Christian is living out your faith every day. One of the ways I do this is by praying. Praying brings you closer to God, and lets him know what your thoughts and feelings are. One thing I learned during confirmation about praying is that you should talk to God like you are talking to one of your friends because God wants to be close to you like a friend.

The most important thing to me is my faith in God’s love. His love is forever and unconditional. I think that everyone should know about God’s unconditional love for them. Another thing that is important to me is my faith that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us even though we are sinners. That is what my Bible verse, Romans 5:8 says to me.

My faith has grown in many ways throughout confirmation. One way it has grown is by learning more about God and my religion. By doing this I can understand God better, and what he expects of me. Another way my faith has grown is through taking sermon notes. Sermon notes made me actually listen to the sermon, and get out of it what I needed to become closer to God A third way I have grown in my faith is through going to Camp Carol Joy Holling. When I go to camp I feel closer to God than ever because there are no distractions, and you learn so many new ways to worship him, and incorporate him into your life.

Abbie Perry

Remembering back to when I started confirmation class just two years ago, I realized how much I have transformed not only in my faith but how close I have become with God. Establishing countless memories and never-ending friendships throughout my unforgettable years of confirmation will remain with me for the rest of my lifetime. The one, most important thing I got out of spending two great years in confirmation is my everlasting connection with God.

If I had to pick, the one thing that really strengthened my bond with God is having the knowledge that he will be there for you no matter how many times you mess up. I recalled back to a time when Pastor told Sara, Diane, and I that just because you cannot see God doesn’t mean he’s not there. God is everywhere we want him to be; he’s there through the things and people we interact with. I learned that regardless of anything that gets in your way God will be there to help you through it. Just as my bible verse, Matthew 19:26, states: Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

St. Matthew Lutheran Church is unique, if anything compared to most churches. Though our church is small, the friendships and bonds made are a large part of what makes St. Matthew unlike anywhere else. One of the best parts of coming to church every week is seeing some of my best friends, and being able to spend time with them. A great accomplishment I have earned these past two years is the ability to make friendships with so many people and serve God in and outside of Church.

I’ve always been busy at church whether it’s writing worship notes, ushering, to being an acolyte, and I’m glad to able to serve God at church every Sunday morning. Conformation camp and Workcamp have been a huge part of serving God other than at church. Everyone told me that I would come back a completely different person after a mission trip, and I always doubted them. Nevertheless, after I had experienced it for myself self I had totally changed the way I looked at Jesus and my faith.

Lastly, I’m not quite sure yet what I want to do for Jesus in the future. Possibly become a counselor at Carol Joy Holling, or maybe even become a Pastor. Until then I hope to continue with service projects and participating in as much as I am able. Confirmation class definitely changed me as a person in faith, and I cannot wait to grow closer with Jesus in my years to come.

Diane Sherwin

Over the two years I’ve spent in confirmation class, I’ve undeniably changed. I’ve become more absorbed in church. You may have seen me as an acolyte, or an usher. I’ve rung Youth Bells, and I’ve performed on the trumpet at Christmas and Easter services. The most meaningful change I’ve seen in myself, however, is how I see God.

When Pastor stated that our faith would grow during the process of confirmation, inwardly, I scoffed. I guess I believed there wasn’t any way it could have a larger role in my life. I mean, I came to church almost every week and I prayed before my meals. I went to Sunday School. Maybe the change in my faith is most palpable in how I envision God. He was once a tall guy with a beard floating on top of a cloud. He had a loud voice and wore a white tunic. Now, God is everywhere. I see Him in everything I do, He is everywhere I go. This is the most important thing to me regarding my faith.

When I go to church, I usually sit down by my friends, eat a donut in the Fellowship Hall, and laugh about something or other. I never realized that sense of friendship and camaraderie was unique to this church until I went to a church activity with a friend at her church. No one besides my friend even talked to me or approached me. That was when I began to appreciate St. Matthew’s; and I found what I love most about my church. Everyone is just so kind, welcoming, and supportive. That is part of what makes me get out of bed early on Sunday mornings.

In my future, I don’t know how I will support God. I might become a camp counselor at Camp Carol Joy Holling; I might go on a “Group Workcamp” trip. I just hope to support God almost as well as He has supported me throughout the process of getting confirmed; and even before that.

To sum it up, I have learned more than I ever thought I could in the process of my confirmation. I have become able to recite passages of the Bible; including the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostle’s Creed. I know what those words mean, not just what order to say them in. I pay more attention to the sermons; and just to the overall details of the church service itself. I have learned a lot about my friends and other members of the church. My confirmation class has learned of obscure pieces in the Bible and we didn’t even know existed. Most of all, I know what it means to be a follower of God; and I am prouder than ever to follow Him along whatever path He leads me down.