Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you!
Last night was the last confirmation class for the 8th graders.
In one of the last lectures, I remind the students that confirmation does not mean graduation. Instead, confirmation means you need to live as the bride of Christ.
There are five aspects of congregational life, and I remember it by the acronym WIFE’S.
What are the WIFE’S responsibilities?
Worship (receiving forgiveness of sins and, in response, singing praises)
Instruction (studying the Word from God privately and with others in small and large groups)
Fellowship (sharing time and your faith with one another)
Evangelism (serving others in love and telling other the good news of salvation)
Stewardship (understanding that all you have is owned by God to be used in God pleasing ways)
It was important that the confirmands, and quite frankly you, know what everything we do here at Our Redeemer fits the WIFE’S responsibilities. Otherwise, we should not be doing it. We mean it when we say it – we are about EQUIPPING DISCIPLES TO MAKE DISCIPLES FOR JESUS. Everything we do here at Our Redeemer is about equipping you, so that you can say, “Here I am!”
I pray that you continue to grow in your faith and understanding of a WIFE’S responsibilities. Examine your life and find the area of WIFE’S where you are lacking. Then build it up. Get involved.
God be with you!
Pastor Hartwig