A Weekend of Growth

Pastor Nate & Pastor McDowell • October 21, 2024

Our 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat

This past weekend, our 8th-grade confirmation class embarked on a special retreat, and let me tell you, it was an incredible experience for all of us. We dedicated this time to focus on what truly matters—growing our faith and time set aside with God.


We all know how busy life can get, especially for our students. Between school, sports, and social activities, it’s easy to forget the importance of taking a step back to recharge. That’s why this retreat was so crucial. It gave us the chance to slow down, reflect, and really dive into what our faith means to us.


The weekend was packed with activities designed to foster growth. From prayer station building to devotions and moments in their homemade prayer corners, each student was given the physical, emotional, and mental space to connect with God and each other as young Christians. It was heartwarming to see them embrace this quiet time and reflect on their personal journeys. When they came together for group activities and games, the energy was contagious! They shared stories, laughed, and bonded in ways that only a retreat can foster. And let’s not forget about the food! Because what’s a retreat without some delicious camp food to fuel our spirits?


Here are some quotes from our confirmands:

  • "My favorite God moment was making the prayer stations."
  • "My favorite part of the retreat was all the games we played."
  • "I liked talking about cars with Pastor Nate."
  • "Sitting in actual prayer was relaxing."
  • "There were a lot of funny things that happened."


As they continue their confirmation journey, this retreat is a beautiful reminder of all the blessings God has given them. We hope this experience leaves a lasting impact as they continue to grow in their faith and prepare for the next steps in their spiritual lives.


A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this retreat possible! We can’t wait to see how our students carry these lessons with them as they continue their journey.

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News & Notes

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I want to share a story, actually several stories. I remember when I was young in Tulsa, Oklahoma and in Fredericktown, Missouri, of going up to the altar rail with my parents and receiving a blessing from my pastor. I remember sticking my head in between the posts on the altar rail and the pastor giving me a blessing. I don't exactly remember the words, but I knew it was important and I wanted that blessing. I remember in confirmation learning about what the pastor was actually saying, what those words actually meant. To understand what God was saying in his scriptures and growing in it. Overall, just being absolutely amazed at what my pastors, Pastor Sean and Pastor Beering were teaching me and knowing God better and just the joyfulness of it. And I remember Lyndi going through confirmation, adult confirmation, with Pastor Schueler in Rosenberg, Texas, and then seeing from her eyes what it meant to be Lutheran, to understand the faith. I had grown up in the Lutheran church, so it was all ordinary for me, but for her it was extraordinary to know and to understand and have that time with a pastor. And I'm so thankful for the pastors in my life and all of the other church workers that have been a part of my life who have helped me to understand who God is. I mentioned in this weekend’s sermon that there's an initiative, a program through the LCMS called Set Apart to Serve. It points out that we have a lack of pastors, teachers, and other church workers. Set Apart to Serve reminds us that the Lord asks us to pray for laborers for the harvest, and I encourage you to pray for laborers for the harvest. To pray for those that teach us who God is and to help us to understand how much we need him. If you happen to know some young people considering church work or being pastors, pray for them, encourage them. God has gifted them to us to answer our questions. Pray fervently that the Lord would send workers into his harvest so that we know him. Keep that in your prayers. I encourage you to look for people who would be good to take God's calling into his church. May the Lord provide workers for His harvest that we may know God and how richly He blesses us. Amen.
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