Affirm: Connecting to Faith through Baptism

What is Affirm and who is it for?

Affirm is a six-week gathering that brings together those who seek to commit themselves to the Christian faith and life, and to the life of faith in this congregation.

Affirm is for anyone of any age, and participants will generally fall into one of three categories:

  • Individuals/families preparing for baptism
  • Individuals/families seeking membership at FLC
  • Individuals/families seeking to affirm their baptisms

For those seeking baptism, Affirm is an opportunity to think deeply about the promises that you will make in baptism and the promises that God makes to you.

For those who have been baptized, Affirm prepares you to affirm your baptism as lovely way to commemorate a transition in your life or a new season in your faith journey.

For those seeking church membership, Affirm is a place to connect or reconnect yourself to Lutheran theology, and to understand yourself as not merely a member of FLC, but as a member of the body of Christ and as a valued part of the mission and ministry shared by all people of faith.

Affirm is currently offered two times a year, leading up to All Saints Sunday in the fall and Easter in the spring.

For more information, contact Adrian Walter (563-382-2638).

Meeting times

Next session – TBD

Affirmation of Baptism

TBD

Registration Information

Contact us with any questions  

Schedule & Requirements

The purpose of our weekly gatherings is to reflect on our own lives and to talk about the ways that God is calling us to live our faith in the world. Participants will meet together for intentional times of teaching, reflection, discernment, and faith conversation in a safe and grace-filled space.

We ask that participants commit to at least five of the six sessions.
 

  • Session 1 – Affirmation of Faith: Our first session will focus on what we believe as Christians and especially as Lutheran Christians. We will consider the creeds of the church and how they relate to what we know and believe about God.
  • Session 2 – Baptismal Promise Spotlight – To live among God’s faithful people: This session will focus on the ways that we are connected to the community of faith. We will consider our own spiritual gifts and the ministries and calling of the church.
  • Session 3 – Baptismal Promise Spotlight – To hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper: This session will consider the ways that we read and use the Bible in our own lives of faith, the ways that we understand and experience communion, and the ways that we connect to God and to one another through worship.
  • Session 4 – Baptismal Promise Spotlight – To share the good news of God in Christ in word and deed: This session will invite us to consider how we are (or are not!) living out God’s hope and grace in a public and identifiable way. How does the world know that we are people of faith? What are others learning or observing about who God is through our words and our actions?
  • Session 5 – Baptismal Promise Spotlight – To serve all people, following the example of Jesus; to strive for justice and peace in all the world: This session will focus on these final two baptismal promises, which challenge us to follow Jesus in living our lives for the good of others and or the building up of God’s kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven.
  • Session 6 – Faith Statement Sharing: Inspired by our conversations and by individual reflection, each participant will write a personal statement of faith, to be shared with other group members at this final session.
  • Affirmation of Baptism
Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
 
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.