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CONFIRMATION
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General Instructions
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The Order of Service presupposes teamwork between the priest, assistants and confirmation candidates. Preferably, some representatives for the parents may be present when the service is arranged.
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The examination of the candidates is the teaching moment of this service. The Creed, the prayer with the laying on of hands and the Sending mark its climax. The meaning of this should be discussed within the group of candidates prior to the Confirmation Service.
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Confirmation within a Eucharist
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When the Service of Confirmation takes places within the celebration of the Eucharist it is integrated in the following way:
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1.The Order for the Service of Confirmation from the Procession to the Intercession inclusive.
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2.The Order of Service for the Eucharist from the Offertory onwards.
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THE SERVICE OF CONFIRMATION
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The candidates enter the church in procession while a hymn is sung or music is played.
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Hymn
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Introduction and Prayer
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P
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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This is the day that the Lord has made
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
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The priest or a lay person continues on his own or in the following words:
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(P)
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Today we are gathered around you, candidates for confirmation,
in your homes and here in church.
We want to support you, and we now pray with you
in the name of Jesus
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The following prayer, or an informally worded prayer, is used. If possible the prayer is said by the candidates all together.
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(P)
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Lord our God, we thank you for this day.
Thank you for the preparation period, for friendship and fellowship,
for conversations about life and about the faith.
We have been looking forward to this service.
Help us now to open our minds
and to receive what you want to give us today.
Come close to us by the power of your Holy Spirit
and help us to live by faith in you.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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C
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Amen.
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Bible Reading
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P
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Let us listen to the word of God about baptism and the faith.
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(P)
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The eleven disciples made their way to Galilee,
to the mountain where Jesus had told them to meet him.
When they saw him, they knelt in worship,
though some were doubtful.
Jesus then came near and said to them:
“Full authority in heaven and on earth has been committed to me.
Go forth therefore to all nations and make them my disciples;
baptise them in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit,
and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.
I will be with you always, to the end of time.”
(Matt 28:16--20 RSV)
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The reader may end:
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This is the Gospel of the Lord.
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C
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Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ
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Other biblical readings may be read here or alternatively be integrated
in the following examination.
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Examination
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A short address directed to the candidates may conclude the examination.
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Hymn
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A collection may be taken during the hymn.
The candidates gather round the altar.
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The Creed
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The following introduction may be used.
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P
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Let us now, together with the congregation, profess
our Christian faith
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The Creed
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C
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We believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
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We believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We 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. Amen.
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Additions may be made, using one of the following or similar words.
If the first alternative is used, the priest, the assistants and the candidates say together:
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This is the faith in which we have been baptised.
In this faith we may live and die
and rise to eternal life.
Amen.
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or
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P
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May God give you strength to grow in this faith together with the church.
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or
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This is the faith in which you have been baptised.
Will you, with the help of God, live according to this faith
and profess it in love towards God and you neighbours?
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The candidates answer:
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Yes.
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Prayer with the laying on of hands
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P
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Let us pray
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The candidates kneel.
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P
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God, we thank you, that in baptism
you have called us to follow you.
Send your Holy Spirit,
and help these candidates for confirmation.
Give them strength and courage
to live as Christians.
Lead them in your ways.
Be close to them
Fill them with confidence and joy.
Amen.
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The priest and assistants lay their hands on the head of every candidate.
An assistant may say
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P
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NN, may God's Holy Spirit be with you now and always.
Amen.
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or
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NN, may God's Holy Spirit guide you in all your ways.
Amen.
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The candidates rise
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Words of Commission
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P
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Dear friends, you belong to Jesus Christ.
You have been given the great calling
of making his love and justice known in the world.
He will never abandon you.
He is with you in the word of God, in holy communion and in prayer.
Go forth, surrounded by the peace of God
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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or
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P
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Dear friends. You belong to Jesus Christ.
He has called you to be workers for the Kingdom of God
and to make his will visible throughout the world.
Although the future is unknown, you are surrounded
by the love of Christ and the intercessions of the church.
God never abandons anyone.
In the word of God, in prayer and holy communion
you may find support for you journey through life.
Live in openness to the Spirit of God,
so that every day,
whatever your circumstances,
you may receive his guidance and are filled with hope.
Amen.
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Hymn
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The candidates return to their places. Music or singing may be performed
or a hymn may be sung.
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Prayers of intercession
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If possible the intercessions should be prepared by the candidates. Otherwise one of the following prayers may be used. The first alternative may be said together by the candidates.
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P
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Let us pray.
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(P)
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God our Father, you are with us,
at school and at work
at home and in the church,
in everything that awaits us.
Help us to understand and to respect one another
and teach us to serve one another with our various gifts.
Help us to care for everything that is vulnerable
and helpless.
Give us the will and the insight
not to abuse your creation.
Let peace and justice become a reality
and give us a future and a hope.
Lord, show us your way,
for in baptism you have promised
to be with us every day till the end of time.
Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
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Amen.
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or
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(P)
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We turn to you with confidence, Lord our God,
and give you thanks for our lives.
You have wonderfully created everything on earth
and entrusted it into the care of human hands.
We pray that the earth may be a place
where all people may live without fear,
in harmony with one another and with the whole of creation.
We pray especially for our candidates for confirmation:
Stay with them with your Holy Spirit,
and keep them in your love.
Give them grace to be a light in a dark world,
and to be people who radiate peace and goodness.
Lead them to meaningful tasks,
so that their lives may bring joy to themselves and to others.
Let them find support and friendship in the church
and make our congregation become what you have intended us to be:
a community to return to,
where we all feel at home
and where we may meet you in one another,
in the word and in the singing,
in prayer and in the sacraments.
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C
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Amen.
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The Lord's Prayer
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The priest may say:
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Let us say together the Lord's Prayer
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Our Father,
who is in heaven.
Let your name be kept holy.
Let your kingdom come.
Let your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our bread
for the day to come.
And forgive us our sins
as we have forgiven those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom.
the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
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Our Father,
who art in heaven.
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
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Hymn of Praise
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The Blessing
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The priest may say:
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Receive the Blessing of the Lord.
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The Lord bless you and watch over you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord look kindly on you and give you peace.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
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C
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Amen.
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The Dismissal
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P
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Go in peace and joy to serve the Lord.
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or
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Let us go in peace
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in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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The newly confirmed proceed together with the priest and assistants while a hymn is sung and/or organ music. is played
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