Confirmation Verse Options Handout

Confirmation students are often asked for a favorite verse, but that's kind of like asking for a favorite movie. So many options, it's hard to even remember all the options, let alone pick one. This handout isn't meant to be an exhaustive list of every important verse in the Bible (that would be far, far longer than 2 pages) but it can get students thinking about themes and stories that matter to them. And for the ones who are less Bible literate but don't want to make that obvious by asking for help, it can be very helpful indeed.

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With Grieving People

This is a handout with suggestions about what to say and do around grieving people, and what not to. I don't claim that this is entirely my original work, it's a compilation and distillation of several resources I've been provided with over the years, plus a few things of my own. I suggest combining it with Silk's Ring Theory ("comfort in, dump out").

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Readings & Hymns for Weddings Booklet

While the ELW has several suggested readings and hymns for weddings, I've often found that I need to expand on what the readings refer to, or why a hymn was appropriate for a wedding. And there were a few that I wanted to include which the ELW doesn't. So I created a handout. Please feel free to use this resource in your context, I hope it's helpful to you!

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My Neighbor Is Muslim Presentation

I have used and greatly appreciated the resource "My Neighbor Is Muslim," from Lutheran Social Services Minnesota. I believe it does a great job of furthering interfaith work. So I put together a presentation for sharing it with groups. I have added a few pieces of information here and there, as seemed useful. You are welcome to download and adapt this resource for your own use.

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By Heart Presentation: A Resource From Augsburg Fortress

I have greatly enjoyed using Augsburg Fortress's "By Heart" resource, but I was disappointed that it didn't come with a presentation to use with discussion groups. So, not meaning any copyright infringement but simply to make it easier for ministry settings to use this valuable resource, I have created a presentation to be used with it.

You'll notice that there is a slide in each "day" that is simply a link to a video. You'll have two choices for what to do with that slide- either download the presentation and change the link so that it links to the video on your hard drive, or use this slide as a cue to close the presentation and open the video. Either works, depending on your comfort with technology.

I hope you find this useful in your context! I am grateful that Augsburg Fortress has provided us with such a valuable resource.

If you find this resource helpful and would like to say thank you, feel free to buy me a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/kayrohloff! Thank you!

Microaggressions Presentation

If you follow this link, you'll be able to open a presentation on Microaggressions in Google Slides. This presentation gives some history behind the concept of Microaggressions, several illustrations of what they are, and provides for discussion of what they can sound like and how people may choose to react to them. I hope you find it useful in your context. You are welcome to adapt it as necessary- I understand that not everyone may want to use my Star Trek: Voyager reference, for example.

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Bible Scavenger Hunt

Prep: Not all the clues may apply to your setting, so check to see if you need to create some new ones. Print off several copies of the clues, each copy on a different color of paper, one color for each team you're going to have to participate. Cut the clues out, and arrange each set of clues in a different order, though I suggest having the first clue lead everyone to the same place, as practice. For example, everyone gets the same first clue that leads to the Fellowship Hall, but then the Blue team is lead off to the Lectern next and the Yellow team goes to the Vestibule. Everyone's last clue is the same as well- I suggest making that the Kitchen, and have snacks ready.

Game Time: Break the group up into teams, each team gets one NRSV Bible (won't work with different translations!) and at least 1 adult. Explain they won't have to go outside to find any of the clues, and there's no running, safety, etc. They won't be able to follow other teams after the first clue because they'll all go in different directions, and they will have to look up the Bible verse on each clue in order to figure out where they're going next. Put the first clues face down on a table in front of each team, and when you say, "Go!" they flip them over and they're off! First team to get to the end gets bragging rights, everybody gets snacks.

Matthew 5:40

Your next clue is in one of the two places we store these.

Matthew is one of the four Gospels that tell the story of Jesus' life.  Matthew wrote his Gospel for a Jewish audience, and spends a lot of time connecting Jesus to the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and Jewish tradition.

Luke 4:16-17

Your next clue is on the underside of the piece of furniture we do this at on Sundays.

Luke is one of the four Gospels that tell the story of Jesus' life.  Luke wrote his Gospel for a non-Jewish audience, so he tells more of the stories about Jesus talking to people who aren't Jewish than the other Gospels do.

Genesis 12:7

Your next clue is under the piece of furniture that Abraham builds in this verse.

Genesis is the first book of the Bible.  The first five books of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Scriptures, are the Torah (which means Law in the Hebrew language) and they are the scriptures the Jewish people value most.

Ezekiel 46:24

Your next clue is next to one of the doors in the room mentioned in this verse.

Ezekiel is one of the Major Prophets of the Bible, along with Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel.  They are the “Major” Prophets because their books in the Bible are so long. There are also a dozen Minor Prophets' books at the end of the Hebrew Scriptures, those books are much shorter.

Ecclesiastes 4:13

Your next clue is near the windows in the room we have set aside for people like the first person mentioned in this verse.

Ecclesiastes is an autobiography (a self-authored biography) of a teacher named Koheleth, who is passing on the wisdom he's learned over the years.  Some of his comments are so controversial many churches have not allowed children to read this book at all!

Mark 10:13

Your next clue is under a table in the room we have set aside for those like the people being brought to Jesus in this verse.

Mark is the shortest Gospel, and was the first to be written.  Because it's so short, it's also action-packed. Jesus and the disciples are constantly on the move in this Gospel; there isn't much talking or description.

Psalm 149:1

We have groups of people who enjoy doing this.  Your next clue is beneath where they sit on Sundays.

The Psalms are the prayer book of the Bible.  They are written by various people (we think many of them were written by King David) and are prayers about various things.  Some are happy, some sad, some angry, some confused.

2 Chronicles 8:12

Solomon built his altar in front of a place mentioned in this verse- our church has 2 of these places, your next clue is in the one further from the parking lot.

First and Second Chronicles re-tell the stories in the books of First and Second Kings.  The versions of the stories in Chronicles are the “cleaned up” versions. The good kings don't make mistakes in Chronicles- but in First and Second Kings, they do.

Esther 6:1

Your next clue is on a table where we keep what's brought to the king in this verse.

The Book of Esther is the story of a powerless teenager who goes on to not only become queen, but save thousands of lives by her bravery and determination.  Her adventures have inspired countless people to stand up for justice.

Acts 2:42

This verse talks about “the apostles' teaching and ____”- your next clue is in a cupboard in the room named after the blank!

The full name of the book of Acts is “Acts of the Apostles”.  It was written by the same author as the Gospel of Luke and tells the stories of the early church, and how the apostles went out and told the story of Easter with everyone they met.

USE WITH NRSV BIBLES!

Coat racks:  Matthew 5:40

Lectern:  Luke 4:16-17

Altar:  Genesis 12:7

Kitchen:  Ezekiel 46:24

Youth Room:  Ecclesiastes 4:13

Sunday School Room:  Mark 10:13

Choir: Psalm 149:1

Back Vestibule:  2 Chronicles 8:12

Library: Esther 6:1

Fellowship Hall:  Acts 2:42

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Women & Justice Handout on "Scary Texts"

What Does the Bible Say, and What Does It Mean?

Often when reading “scary texts” of the Bible, historical background can give us insight to what these words meant to the first people to read them, and that can help us understand what they can mean to us today. Reading the literary context – what’s going on before & after the passage – can help us understand as well.

1 Corinthians 11:6 – “For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil.”

Rules for appropriate dress vary from culture to culture. For example, in India it is perfectly appropriate for women, even into their 40s, to show their midriff.

Ephesians 5:22-23 – “Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior.”

Looking to the beginning of the chapter, we find Paul is talking about all Christians being subject to one another. This was an appropriate example to use for the time.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 – “[W]omen should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”

These two verses are widely believed to have been a scribal margin addition, that were added to the text by a copyist. They directly contradict 1 Corinthians 11:5 and are not present, or are present in different places, in the earliest manuscripts.

Exodus 22:16 – “When a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married, and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife.”

With historical background, we learn this was an attempt to give the seduced (or raped) woman a chance for a safe & respectable life, which she would not have had otherwise.

1 Corinthians 7:1-2 – “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is well for a man not to touch a woman.” But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.”

Paul encouraged Christians to wait patiently for Jesus’ soon return – including avoiding marriage if they could do so without the sin of lust.

Deuteronomy 25:5 – “When brothers reside together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, taking her in marriage, and performing the duty of a husband’s brother….”

Historically, this was a way to provide for widows, and to ensure the proper inheritance for a brother’s property.

1 Timothy 2:15 – “Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.”

The verses just before this contradict Paul in both 1 Corinthians 11:5 and Romans 5:12-14. For these & other reasons, this letter is not believed to have been written by Paul, and while it is useful to us, it has less authority than the passages written by Paul.

Litany For a Group Memorial Service

Readings from Isaiah 40 NRSV.

Leader:  “Comfort, comfort my people”, says our God.

All: Lord, we find love in remembering them.

Leader: “Speak tenderly to my people, and tell them that their hard service has been completed. “

All: Lord, we find strength in remembering them.

Leader: A voice calls: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.

All: Lord, we find guidance in remembering them.

Leader: Every valley will be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground will become level, the rugged places a plain.

All: Lord, we find hope in remembering them.

Leader: And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all humanity together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

All: Lord, we find you in remembering them.

Leader: A voice says, "Cry out." And we say, "What should we cry?" "All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

All: Lord, we need you when we remember them.

Leader: Surely the people are like the grass.  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

All: Lord, remember them.

Leader: You who bring good tidings to my people, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to my people, "Here is your God!"

All: Lord, remember us.  Amen.

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Easter Sunrise Annunciation Skit: Birth, Crucifixion, & Resurrection

Adapted by Rev. Katherine Rohloff, 2016, from Dennis Dewey, 1995 

Reader One: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

Reader Two: Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

One: And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Two: But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave sentence that their demand should be granted. He released Barabbas, the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, who they asked for, but Jesus he delivered up to their will.

One: The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.

Two: And when they came to the place which is called the skull, there they crucified him and two criminals—one on the right and one on the left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

One: He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Two: And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by watching.

One: Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”

Two: But the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his chosen One!"

One: The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.

Two: While the sun's light failed, the curtain of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit!"

One: …Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Two: Then Joseph of Arimathea took down the body of Jesus and wrapped it in a linen shroud....

One: Then the angel departed from her.

Two:... and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb.

[Pause, as the tellers switch stories.]

Two: … And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

One: The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid, and returned and prepared spices and ointments.

Two: “Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

One: And on the first day of the week at early dawn they went to the tomb.

Two: “His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”

One: And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body.

Two: “He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.”

One: While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember how they told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise."

Two: “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”

One: And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to the rest.

Two: “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

One: But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

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Affirmation of Association: An Adapted Service

Adapted Significantly from: Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Affirmation of Association (Leaders Edition)

Presentation

This service is for those Confirmation students who have decided that making the Confirmation promises for themselves would not be something they could do honestly.  At the conclusion of the hymn of the day, those making affirmation may gather with the ministers at the font. They may be joined by others from the assembly. The presiding minister may choose to introduce this part of the service with some added explanation.  One example is provided here.

The Confirmation service is an opportunity for a person baptized as an infant to take on the promises which their family and sponsors made for them at the time of their baptism.  Occasionally a student who has gone through the Confirmation process comes to the realization that these promises are not ones they can honestly make.  In these cases, rather than encouraging dishonesty, the best action a congregation can take is to continue to support and encourage the student as they continue the road to adulthood, as a demonstration of Christian love.

The presiding minister then addresses the assembly with these or similar words.

Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of community and for these people, our trusted friends, who are making public affirmation of their association with this congregation.

Those making affirmation are presented by a sponsor or another representative of the congregation:

I present name/s, who desire to make public affirmation of their association with _____ Church.

The presiding minister invites the congregation to pray:

Let us pray.

Merciful God, we thank you for these sisters and brothers,

your beloved creation, baptized in your name.

Our trust in the work of the Spirit remains unchanged,

as does our trust in their understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

We give you thanks for their life and presence in this congregation,

and how they have supported and taught each of us.

Uphold us in the gifts and promises of baptism,

and unite the hearts of all the baptized.

We ask this in the name of Christ.

Amen.

Profession of Faith

The presiding minister addresses those making their affirmation and the assembly, who may rise to join in their responses.

Assembly:

I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.

Student:

_____, I ask you to share with us your priorities, reject evil, and state your support of people of faith.

Assembly:

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?

Response:

I renounce them.

Student:

_______, do you renounce the forces of evil and all their empty promises?

Response:

I renounce them.

Assembly:

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?

Response:

I renounce them.

Student:

_______, do you renounce the powers of this world that work against justice and peace?

Response:

I renounce them.

Assembly:

Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?

Response:

I renounce them.

Student:

_______, do you renounce the evil temptations that keep you from living in harmony with all the world?

Response:

I renounce them.

Assembly:

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

            creator of heaven and earth.

Student:

What do you believe about the universe?

I believe the wonders of the cosmos are a testament to what we are called to reach for:

wisdom, as well as knowledge,

aspiration, as well as pragmatism,

careful stewardship of resources and care of the earth,

and appreciation for the abundant diversity around us.

Assembly:

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

            who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

            born of the virgin Mary,

            suffered under Pontius Pilate,

            was crucified, died, and was buried;

            he descended to the dead.*

            On the third day he rose again;

            he ascended into heaven,

            he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

            and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

*Or, "he descended into hell," another translation of this text in widespread use.

Student:

What do you believe about humanity?

I believe all people innately deserve respect,

            regardless of their characteristics at birth or in adulthood;

            and that all people should be treated equally under the law.

            The existence of violence and war

is a sign we have not achieved our full potential,

            and these are both always a tragedy and the last resort.

            Our true goals will always include

            peace, compassion, honesty, generosity,

            and to give the next generation a world better than we were given.

Assembly:

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

            the holy catholic church,

            the communion of saints,

            the forgiveness of sins,

            the resurrection of the body,

            and the life everlasting.

Student:

What do believe about those who share the Christian faith?

I believe they are fully my equals in all ways.

            I give thanks for their work together,

            their caring community,

            their tireless efforts for justice and peace,

their support and care of myself, 

            and their kindness and hospitality towards those who do not share their faith.

The presiding minister addresses those making public affirmation of association.

You have made public profession of your association and support of this congregation.

Do you intend to continue in the covenant you make here today:

            to live with respect and kindness towards God's faithful people;

            to treat religious ceremonies and worship spaces with respect;

            to be generous and compassionate in thought, word, and deed;

            to serve all people, following the example of Jesus in the scriptures you have studied;

            and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

Each person responds:

I do, and I ask all those here today to help and guide me.

The minister addresses the assembly.

People of God, do you promise to support these sisters and brothers and pray for them as you always have?

We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.

The presiding minister stands with those making affirmation, & prays for God's blessing.

Let us pray.

We give you thanks, O God, for the gift of _____ to know and love as they continue in their journey towards adulthood.  Our belief that you are at work in them continues unchanged, but we respect their choices.  Still, we will continue to pray for them as we always have.

The blessing may be repeated for each person. The minister may lay both hands on the shoulders of the person and say:

May you be blessed to be a blessing,

as your spirit continues to grow into:

a spirit of wisdom and understanding,

a spirit of counsel and might,

and a spirit of knowledge.

We hope that one day you may come to faith,

Yet our trust and respect for you remains unchanged.

Amen.

Those making public affirmation face the assembly. A representative of the congregation addresses the assembly.

Let us rejoice with these sisters and brothers.

We rejoice with you as you grow.

We welcome you as our equal and friend,

and promise to support you all the days of our lives.

A hymn, song, or psalm may be sung.

The service then continues with the prayers of intercession.

Adapted from SundaysAndSeasons.com by Rev. Katherine Rohloff, ELCA. Copyright of adapted source: Copyright 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #36358.

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