Confirmation Day — Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri — On May 3, 2026, the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church gathered for a truly special celebration. This Lord’s Day marked not only the Fifth Sunday of Easter but also the Rite of Confirmation, as eight young members of the congregation publicly confessed the faith into which they were baptized. Pastor Christopher Ramstad preached on the stoning of Stephen from Acts 6–7, proclaiming how the first Christian martyr looked to heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God — a powerful testimony to the hope we have in Christ even in the face of suffering and death.
Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri: Confirmation Day
The 10:30 AM Divine Service on this Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri celebrated as Immanuel Lutheran Church held the Rite of Confirmation. Eight young people stood before the congregation to confess the Christian faith and receive the Lord’s blessing as they were confirmed as communicant members. These confirmands have spent years studying Luther’s Small Catechism under the guidance of Rev. Christopher Ramstad and DCE Jason Glaskey, learning the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Each confirmand chose a Bible verse and wrote a personal faith statement sharing what Jesus means to them. During the ceremony, DCE Glaskey spoke each confirmand’s chosen verse over them as a personal word of blessing.
The 2026 Confirmation Class of Immanuel Lutheran Church includes:
- Christopher Anton K. (Ephesians 6:18–19)
- Freja Elizabeth Elsif C. (Genesis 17:1)
- Neriah A’letha Elouise C. (1 Peter 5:7)
- Ella Grace D. (Colossians 3:17)
- Kylen Michael K. (Psalm 23:1–2)
- Kelly Marie M. (John 3:16)
- Katheryne Marie R. (Joshua 1:9)
- Auriel Shigeno U. (1 Peter 1:5)
The Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri Confirmation celebration was a blessed day. We give thanks to God for their faith and pray that He would keep them steadfast in His Word and Sacraments throughout their lives.
Read more about our confirmands: Each of these young Christians wrote a personal faith statement sharing what Jesus means to them. Meet the 2026 Confirmation Class and read excerpts from their confirmation verses and faith statements.
Scripture Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
The appointed readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri congregation (Series A) proclaim the living hope we have in Christ Jesus. The Old Testament reading from Acts 6:1–9; 7:2a, 51–60 recounts the ministry and martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed Christ before the council and was stoned to death — yet even as the stones flew, he gazed into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he prayed for his persecutors.
The Epistle reading from 1 Peter 2:2–10 declares that believers are living stones being built into a spiritual house, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. The Holy Gospel from John 14:1–14 records Jesus’ precious words of comfort to His disciples: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus promises to prepare a place for us and assures us that whoever believes in Him will do the works that He does.
Theological Reflection: Witnesses to the Risen Christ
On the Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri heard a powerful message as Pastor Ramstad’s sermon drew the congregation into the account of Stephen’s martyrdom, showing how Stephen’s steadfast faith points us to Christ. Like Stephen, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and looked to Jesus even as he faced death, our confirmands now stand as witnesses to the risen Christ in their daily lives. The Rite of Confirmation is not a graduation from the faith but a bold public confession — these young Christians are declaring before God and His Church that they believe the teachings of Scripture as explained in Luther’s Small Catechism, and that with the help of God they intend to remain faithful unto death.
In a world that often rages against the Gospel, Stephen’s example reminds us that Jesus stands with His people. He stood for Stephen; He stands for each of these confirmands; He stands for all who call upon His name. As living stones built upon Christ the cornerstone, we are being shaped by God into a holy people — through Word and Sacrament, through suffering and joy, through confirmation classes and Sunday morning worship alike. This Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri service reminded us all of the steadfast courage that faith in Christ provides.
About Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. We gather each Sunday for Divine Service at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, with Sunday School and Bible Class at 9:15 AM. Our worship follows the historic Lutheran liturgy from the Lutheran Service Book, centered on the proclamation of God’s Word and the administration of His Sacraments. Immanuel is also home to Martin Luther School, a Christian day school serving students from age 3 through 8th grade. On this Fifth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri welcomed confirmands into full communicant membership. Whether you are new to the area, seeking a church home, or curious about the Lutheran faith, we warmly invite you to join us. Visit our Services and Sermons page to watch past worship services or learn more about our congregation.