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Confirmation Class

Who Are We?
Confirmation is a rite whereby our youth are called upon to accept their baptism through a public service of affirmation and celebration. In preparation for confirmation, 8th grade students spend a year exploring their faith, learning about Christianity and the Bible, and participating in the life of the church.

Affirming Faith is the United Church of Christ curriculum for confirmation that will guide the classes. It is based on the UCC "Statement of Faith." Throughout the year the confirmation class participates in various forms of church life by regularly attending worship, assisting in teaching, ushering, and other service projects that are fundamental to our lives as Christians. In addition to exploring basic church and biblical history, the program encourages our 8th graders to become familiar with the many ministries of our own congregation.

Confirmation Class meets regularly on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Youth Room (L15). Students will be confirmed at a special service of Confirmation during the 10:45 AM worship service on Sunday, May 2, 2010.
Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2010
Click to view full sizeSara Anne Crain
Michael Joseph Enwiya
William Charles Kenneth Gadd
James Edward Gooding
Sarah Anne Gooding
Abigail Kay Hough
Christopher Lawrence Ivers
Nicole Christine Kirchberg
Jonathan Scott Lindahl
Ashleigh Marie Mauro
Steven Thomas Napholz
Drew Joseph Perry
Kalvin August Peterson
Mitchell Jay Ramirez
Rachel Lee Rasmussen
Patricia Pauline Rueff
Lindsey Jo Walker
Ryan Bradley Wilson
Statement of Faith of the 2010 Confirmation Class of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Crystal Lake, Illinois
I believe that God has created all life and existence, not only on our planet, but throughout the universe. I believe that God is all around us, and God exists in everything and everyone. God is our Father and I think to believe in Him you have to have trust and faith in Him. I believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and I believe that they are all different sides of God. The Father is the one who guides us and helps us on our journey in life. Through guilt, sadness, and happiness He shows us what is good and evil. You can always tell God something that you wouldn't say to anyone else, and you know that He will always be nonjudgmental.

God is there to watch over us as we go through life, and He struggles along with us through the tough decisions and rejoices with us in our triumphs. He gives us hope, love, and most of all forgiveness. He is a healer and inspiration that makes life more enjoyable when you live with Him. Without Him, our world would be a very frantic place of worry and fear. I believe that God is the greatest thing of all. He loves you no matter what, and just wants to see you do well.

I believe that Jesus was a great man. Jesus is my Brother, my Father, and my Savior. The Son is the one who is like your best friend. Jesus died for my sins. Therefore, in my eyes, he is a hero. I believe that since Jesus died for us, we shall live for him. I believe that Jesus loves us as compassionately as God does and that he has tried as much as he could to get us to follow God's path.

Through Jesus Christ, God has come to us in a familiar form and delivered his word. Not only did Jesus teach us life lessons and important morals to follow, but he gave up his own life so we could have our sins forgiven. Jesus will forgive those who are willing to give their time to speak to him, to repent their sins. All things are possible through the love of Christ. I will try to be more obedient to Christ.

The Holy Spirit is that goodness that fills you. The Holy Spirit will always be there, especially during the time when sin is haunting me. I believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in all of us and that is what makes me a better person. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes bonds between people. When a family member has died, the Holy Spirit is that presence you feel as if their spirit has come back.

I believe that God created the earth and everything in it, and that He has loved us all from before we were born and shall love us even after we die. God created me and has a plan for my life on Earth. I believe that I was created in God's image and I am a reflection of God. Being created by God, then, ties us together, even those of different race, age, or language, because we all tie back to God. God created us in His image, not just looks but personality. He gave us the power to act in our own will, to make our own choices.

To be created in God's image means to be yourself, not what others want you to be. I am a reflection of God because I stick up for what I believe in and do not lie about who I am. Another way God wants me to live my life is to forgive people. It is awesome to be created in His image. I will live my life the way He wants me to live. God cares about each and every one of us so much that He gives us a beautiful place to live during our life on earth. He even gives us a place to rest in heaven when our life here on Earth is finished.

Praying brings me closer to God and He will always help me if I need Him. When we pray for courage, God does not give us courage but gives us the chance to be courageous; when we pray for bravery, God gives us an opportunity to be brave.

Sin, to me, is the things in your life that you have to work on. By believing that there is something good and great and forgiving we can work to become better people, and that is what we are supposed to be doing every day.

I believe that all creatures - animals, fish, and humans - must contribute somehow and give back to the earth. It is very important to me that people understand that giving back to the earth is key; because without nature, we wouldn't even have to think about God because there would be no human life.

It's hard sometimes to believe in God when you can't actually see and talk to Him. I think that is our test and we're supposed to learn how to strengthen our trust and faith in Him. To have faith you must take a risk to believe in something that may or may not be real. One of my favorite quotes in the Bible is "we walk by faith not by sight." This means that you never know what God has in store for us, but if we have faith we know we will endure. No matter what day it is or where you are or where you are in your life, He's always there for you; He'll never leave.

God accepts me as I am. I know this because I feel Him always with me and I think He cheers me on. Our bond with God and the Holy Spirit needs to expand until nothing from the power of man can take away our sacred bond. With faith in God people can do extraordinary things. I think it's vital to have faith no matter the situation.

I believe our church acts together as one. We help each other no matter how hard it might be. I love First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake. I believe that what the church does is amazing. The projects that help the homeless, and all that has been offered to help just about everyone, are why I want to be a part of this church.

I believe that God has allowed me to become a strong person who is kind to others, and caring of the world around me. I want to honor His trust in me, and continue to grow with His help. I love God for all that He has done and given to me in my life.
Confirmation Leaders
April Knobloch
Mike Chakoian
Jan Altman

Rev. Dave Inglis (815) 459-6010 Email