Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri — Confirmation Day — On May 3, 2026, the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church gathered for one of the most joyful services of the church year: the Rite of Confirmation. Eight young members of our congregation publicly confessed the faith into which they were baptized. Pastor Christopher Ramstad preached on Acts 6–7, the story of Stephen — the first Christian martyr — challenging our confirmands and congregation to live out their Christian vocation even when the world pushes back.
Fifth Sunday of Easter in Joplin Missouri: Confirmation Sunday and the Witness of Stephen
The 10:30 AM Divine Service on this Fifth Sunday of Easter was also a celebration of Lutheran Confirmation at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri. Before the service even began, DCE Jason Glaskey shared exciting news: Martin Luther School had received its accreditation results — fully accredited with eight strengths, one exceptional practice to be shared nationally with all Lutheran schools, and zero deficiencies. Pastor Ramstad was also nominated for the national School Shepherd award for outstanding pastoral leadership in Lutheran schools.
Mr. Glaskey’s children’s talk opened with a fun challenge: “Give me directions from here to Walmart.” After the kids offered everything from “you drive to Walmart” to “turn left,” Mr. Glaskey pointed to the day’s theme from John 14:6 — Jesus doesn’t give us a map to heaven; He takes us there Himself because He is the Way. He connected Stephen’s story to the confirmands: even on Stephen’s hardest day, he looked up and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And from 1 Peter 2:9, Mr. Glaskey reminded the children and the confirmands that they are God’s chosen people, called out of darkness into His marvelous light — a calling that began at their baptism.
“But 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.”
1 Peter 2:9, ESV
Scripture Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
The readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter spoke powerfully to Confirmation Day. In Acts 6–7, Stephen was chosen as one of seven men of good repute to serve the early church, and his faithful witness before the Jewish council — even unto death — became a model for every Christian called to stand on the name of Jesus. In 1 Peter 2:2–10, Peter reminded believers that they are living stones being built into a spiritual house, a chosen people called to proclaim God’s excellencies. And in John 14:1–14, Jesus spoke the words that anchored the entire service: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Theological Reflection: Living Out Our Vocation Even When Stones Are Thrown
Pastor Ramstad’s sermon traced Stephen’s story from Acts 6–7, drawing a direct line from the early church’s struggles to the lives of our confirmands today. Stephen was described as “full of grace and power,” his face shining “like an angel” as he lived out his calling. But when the world pushed back, Stephen didn’t flinch. He gave the longest recorded speech in Acts — a bold, law-heavy address to the Jewish council that held up a mirror to their own unfaithfulness. His accusers charged him with not keeping the law; Stephen showed them they were the ones who hadn’t kept it.
Pastor Ramstad brought the sermon directly to the confirmands: “It can be really hard to live out our vocation, to live out our calling in our world today.” He named the challenges they’ll face — professors questioning Scripture, friends dismissing the Bible as outdated, cultural pressures to discount the Creator. And he offered a memorable image: “Sheep bite. Sometimes they bite the shepherd. Sometimes they bite the other sheep.” Yet even in death, Stephen pointed to Jesus — “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” — echoing his Savior’s own words from the cross.
In a moving moment, Pastor Ramstad had the confirmands stand and face the congregation, then asked the church family to pledge their ongoing support: “These confirmands need you now more than ever. They need your prayers. They need your encouragement. They need your occasional nudging.” The congregation responded together: “We will, with the help of God.” Then each confirmand received an individual blessing with a personal confirmation verse as DCE Jason Glaskey presented their certificates.
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory His army shall He lead till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.”
“Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” LSB 660, st. 1
The 2026 Confirmation Class at Immanuel Lutheran Church
Eight young members of Immanuel Lutheran Church confirmed their baptismal faith on May 3, 2026. Each received a personal confirmation verse from Pastor Ramstad: Freya Elizabeth Elsif Clark (Genesis 17:1), Nariah Altha Eloise Clark (1 Peter 5:7), Ella Grace Dixon (Colossians 3:17), Christopher Anton Keskinburke (Ephesians 6:18–19), Kylin Michael Kilibru (Psalm 23:1–2), Kelly Marie Mucuda (John 3:16), Katherine Marie Ramstad (Joshua 1:9), and Ariel Chago Ulibri (1 Peter 1:5). The confirmands also received the Lord’s Supper for the first time, joining the full communion of the congregation.
About Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. We gather for worship every Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Martin Luther School serves children from preschool through 8th grade, and Curiosity Camps runs all summer. Sunday School and Youth Group meet weekly for all ages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lutheran Confirmation?
Lutheran Confirmation is the public confession of faith by young Christians who were baptized as infants. After studying the Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, and the core teachings of the Christian faith, confirmands stand before the congregation and affirm the vows made on their behalf at baptism. They also receive the Lord’s Supper for the first time.
Who was Stephen in the Bible?
Stephen was one of seven men chosen by the early church in Acts 6 to serve the community. He was described as full of faith, grace, and power. He became the first Christian martyr when he was stoned to death after boldly proclaiming Christ before the Jewish council. Even in death, he pointed to Jesus, praying “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
What does “I am the way, the truth, and the life” mean?
In John 14:6, Jesus declares that He is the only way to the Father. Lutherans confess that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone — not through our own works or efforts. Jesus doesn’t just show us the way; He is the Way, carrying us to the Father through His death and resurrection.
What does 1 Peter 2:9 mean by “a chosen race, a royal priesthood”?
Peter tells baptized Christians that they are God’s chosen people — set apart not for their own merit, but to proclaim the good news of Christ who called them from darkness into light. This is the foundation of the Lutheran understanding of the priesthood of all believers: every Christian is called to share the gospel in their daily vocation.
Where is Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri?
Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. Sunday worship is at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. All are welcome.