A couple of weeks ago we celebrated the Affirmation of Baptism for this year’s confirmation students. Pastor Jan shared excerpts from each student’s individual Statement of Faith, allowing all of us a small glimpse into the minds and hearts of the newest members of our congregation. Some of our students have agreed to share their entire Statements of Faith; as we read them, let’s thank the Lord for their curiosity, sincerity, and faithfulness. May it always be so!
FAITH STATEMENT
Nicholas Wimberley
I believe in God, in fact you would have to be stupid not to, just look around. I believe that God is the creator of our planet. That means he created each of us and our souls, all other living things such as animals and plants. God is so powerful he could create and does create anything he wants to and if he wanted to he could control the weather, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis anything.
We are God’s children, his prized possession and he wants a full and abundant life for us. He has given us this planet to live on and care for. He cares for us by providing food, all the necessities required for life, as well as providing rain and sun to nourish the plants. I know he loves me and everyone else because of all the wonderful things he does for us, the way he cares for us.
I like St. Mark’s. I feel the people are accepting and friendly and the donuts are really good. I am ready to affirm my baptism and ready to accept the promises.
I believe that God is a heavenly being on his throne who is the supreme ruler of the world. He is in his glory and represents all that is good. He is at war with the underworld which represents all of the evil that is around us and in the world.
My relationship with God is a natural thing. I believe that God and I are connected. To maintain this relationship I go to church and I pray. I don’t talk to God much but I know if he wanted to talk to me it would be very important.
I believe in a heaven with all kinds of people and God who is the bright light; the light of the world.
I wonder what the purpose of me being here is. We are all his children with different purposes. What is my purpose? I am a good artist. I try to be a good son. I like playing games and making my own game levels. I like making people laugh but somehow my jokes are just no good. The problem is I don’t know what to think. I still wonder what I really want to do.
I believe that God loves me. And that he is Good News. “Who wouldn’t think it is Good News when Jesus, Gods son leaves heaven and comes to earth.” So what was good about that? “He helped many people; he gave them wisdom, and taught them about God. He also healed many people, showed us how to live, and fed them.”
Some people didn’t like Jesus so they killed him on the cross. He died for all of us, for our sins. They buried him in a tomb, but then he was resurrected by God all because he loves us.
I like the John 3:16 bible verse. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. It’s a good verse like the highest mountain. I’m there and the gates of heaven open up. I’m glad God loves me and all the people of the world. I don’t know if I would ever be able to give up my son if I had one.
I know I can trust God because of all the things he provides and does for us. I can trust God with my life.
Thank you, Nicholas!
Below are the words of a refrain to a song that was popular in the latter part of the last century; but, like many songs, the lyrics sing a truth that is timeless. The verses of the song tell about a young man’s dilemma in trying to decide whether to pursue either a certain young lady or to make a move towards her older sister; the refrain, however, carries a wider application for us all.
When I was working at Fort Lewis, there always seemed to be a large plate of glass on my desk, underneath of which I would place reminders of one sort or another.
About six years ago, my good friend encouraged me to attend a meeting in Tacoma for RESULTS. I had never heard of RESULTS prior to this, but my friend explained to me that it was a “political action group” that writes letters to local political leaders in the House of Representatives and the Congress. That is why and how I got to my first meeting.
I absolutely loved the ELCA youth gathering in new Orleans this year. I wanted to go to New Orleans for this so that I could learn more about the Lord while in a different setting than I am usually exposed to.
Once, when I arrived, I found that the puzzle’s four outside edges had been completely framed and the interior of the picture was about half finished. The cover of the puzzle’s box, propped up on the table, showed a picture of Virginia’s Governor’s Mansion and, of course, was meant to be a guide in the completion of the puzzle. Alas, the sky was cloudless and evenly blue, the elm trees were dressed in the same shade of green, even the architectural features of the mansion (the plain brown roof, the uniformity of the red brick façade, the white shutters at every window) offered few clues as to which particular piece went where.





Russ and Ann Hillman, members at St. Mark’s from 2004 until their deaths in May and December of 2011, provide one such portrait of faithfulness grounded in love for one another, their four children, and for and the countless men and women they encountered in their 40 years of formal ministry in the ELCA.
