At Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, we begin our confirmation program with a one-day retreat. In early October, our class of 10 confirmands met on a Saturday to begin this year-long journey together. We believe that confirmation is saying yes to faith, to a Christian future, and to being part of the church. Confirmation is not leaving the church, it is arriving.
There are two times during our retreat in which confirmands engage with Psalm 23. As an opening activity, we invite the confirmands to sit in the memorial garden. While in that peaceful space, we ask confirmands to read Psalm 23.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
After reading the Psalm, we ask the confirmands to reflect on the following questions. I invite you to take a few minutes to participate in the same reflection exercise. Come, Holy Spirit.
What are your biggest questions in life right now?
What picture of God comes to you through this Psalm?
If you were to write your own Psalm, what would it be?
The Lord is my ____________________________ I will ________________.
Prayer: God our shepherd, you have brought us through this day to a time of reflection and rest. Calm our souls, and refresh us with your peace. Keep us close to Christ and draw us closer to one another in the bonds of our Creator's wondrous love. Amen.
