Conviction: Spread the Word
At St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rockford Illinois, we make disciples in the Words and Sacraments of Jesus Christ by empowering you to know what you believe and why you believe it. Beyond Sunday morning, Wednesday nights from September to May give youth, young adults and life-long learners the freedom to pause, pray, equip, question, answer, and stand firm in their faith.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. - St. Peter
Members and guests alike are invited to attend all or some of the evening, as time permits.
5:50p - The Office of Vespers **- The evening begins with the heritage of biblical worship, centering our prayers on the words of Scripture in order to help us enter the evening in preparation and peace.
6:05p - Inception: The Catechumenate - Whether young or old, all those who seek fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ are served well by basic instruction leading to a faithful reception of the Lord's Supper. This hour of discipleship will help attendees learn the foundations of the Christian faith, including central doctrines, the general meaning and story of the books of the Bible, answers to the most common questions for those who seek attendance at the Lord's Supper, and tactics for engaging the present world and culture with these unassailable truths.
This hour includes a homework curriculum that is expected to be completely by all 5th-8th grade attendees, as well as a homework curriculum to be completed by their parents.
7:00p - Evening Prayer - We return to the safety of the sanctuary to meet the growing darkness with the ancient Service of Light, letting the words of Psalm 142 remind us of our great hope as we attend to further biblical devotion and prayer.
7:25p - Conviction: Spread the Word - Confirmation in the faith is only the beginning of the journey. Youth and young adults hungry to move from the basics into the depths of the riches and wisdom of God gather to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Scriptures, as well as apply them to the mind-numbing darkness of the present evil age. All ages are welcome. The only limitation is your own hunger for the higher things of God.
Parents of youth who have children in the catechumenate or younger are welcome to bring those children to Conviction. It is only asked that, should they become rowdy, you distract them, or take them to the narthex for a brief moment of personalized instruction.
8:20p - Compline - We prepare for sleep in the faith with the marvelous rite of "completion," ending our studies and devotion with final prayers and readings, and recalling the faithful words of St. Simeon who, having seen the Christ, rejoiced to know even the sleep of death could never divide him from the resurrection which God provides.
8:35p - Brief Leave-Taking and Optional Tomfoolery - While most of us head back to a quiet night, young adults and their friends are free to chase down a late night snack together, or pursue whatever other good-natured "gemütlichkeit" their now-sanctified hearts desire.