Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 ESV)
Behold! Take notice! Look now! See! All of these attention getting phrases point to the new and exciting
things that God is doing and will do because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Take notice
and see how God takes our brokenness, our sinful nature, and makes new in the light of Easter morning.
Realize and embrace the future and hope because Jesus lives. This is good news this is the heart of the
Gospel that we now share with our neighbors, family, friends and certainly the world.
April will mark for us new beginnings in the life of the church. We will witness the affirmation of faith of
two young people at Samhold Lutheran. I am very proud of Jackie Lynn Taflin and Johnny Hamnes. One
of the many joys of being a parish pastor is to witness the faith development of young people and see how
they take on Word, believe on the very power of God revealed in the sacraments, and become members of
the church.
Yet I am concerned about the future our post confirmation students face. We share a mutual challenge to
keep both Jackie Lynn and Johnny active in the life of the church. The task of worship, study of God's
Word, and active membership in the life of the church is a duty we share together. We hold things in
common and we are accountable to each other. That mutual accountability will sustain our youth post
confirmation. Will we invite these two young persons into areas of leadership? What can and should we
do to insure their continued growth and development as children of God?
Confirmation is not a single event but a daily task of returning to our baptism and re-affirming the work
God did at baptism. It is recalling the saving acts of God throughout scripture and how God works to
break our bondage to sin giving us a hope that is certain!
God will make a way in the wilderness and a river of life in the deserts of our lives. When others
disappoint us, when challenges come we know that we can trust God and His holy Word. As we hold
confirmation students and those affirming their faith accountable let us all return to the promises we made
before God and the congregation on our day of confirmation. For me it was October 1991 at Brooklyn
Park Lutheran Church. What did I promise to do? Why does this day remain in my heart?
Hear these words anew from the affirmation of Baptism service in the Lutheran Book of Worship: You
have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with
you in Holy Baptism: to live among God's faithful people, to hear his Word, and share in His
supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, and to strive for
justice and peace in all the earth?
To continue in the covenant means that we embrace the promises God poured over us lavishly on the day
of our baptism. To hear our name spoken by the very God who created the heavens and the earth. Living
among God's faithful people calls us to be faithful in worship attendance hearing the Word preached and
shared and being active participants in meal Jesus offers through communion. Finally we are called to be
active in the leadership and active ministers in the work God is doing in the Word.
Let us boldly recommit our ways to the Lord as we stand together with Jackie Lynn and Johnny this
month!
Pastor Kris Snyder