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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