Youth

We welcome you to learn about the variety of ways your family can be involved and spiritually nurtured here at Grace. Grace is a multi-generational congregation with at least 3 four-generation families and several three-generation families. Twenty percent of the congregation is under the age of 18.

We celebrates families of all types and knows that God speaks to us in and through our children. The youth and children of Grace have a special place in this family. The Junior and Senior High youth programs have a Biblical focus while maintaining a fun fellowship atmosphere. We participate in many retreats, trips, and camps throughout the year as well as service and fellowship events for families. There are elementary events as well as family events scheduled to encourage participation by younger children.

First Communion

Children are invited to participate in the Lord’s Supper. The First Communion class is for children and their parents to help them understand the gift of sharing the body and blood of Christ. It is usually 2-3 sessions and includes a Seder Meal. more information …

Acolytes

Being an acolyte is significant in a child’s faith journey. As she or he takes an active role in the worship service a youth learns about liturgy, service and responsibility. Elementary aged children around the fourth grade may take training to become an acolyte. It is the eighth stepping stone. When a child completes the training he or she will receive a cross necklace and a blessing during the worship the Sunday following the training. Responsibilities of the acolyte are to light and extinguish the candles, carry the cross for worship, assist with communion and offering and assist with baptisms.

Confirmation

Grace Lutheran Church has a confirmation program for those youth enrolled in grades 7 and 8. It is a period of instruction in the Christian faith as confessed in the teachings of the Lutheran Church. During this time of instruction the Confirmation Student will learn about the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments, the two Sacraments and other Lutheran theological points of interest. This is a time for the Confirmation Student to embrace his or her own personal faith and beliefs. Grace is using the Here We Stand materials from Augsburg. Students log onto the Here We Stand interactive website to complete additional readings and assignments between their weekly classes. For more information visit www.herewestandconfirmation.org.

Worship

Grace welcomes and encourages children to attend worship with their families. We believe children are essential to our worshiping community and we support and encourage children’s participation from the earliest ages. Please note that a nursery is provided for ages birth to 3 years for those who wish to use it.

Children’s Sermons

During worship, we have a children’s sermon especially for those young individuals attending our worship services. The children are encouraged to come to the front of the sanctuary for a special time of learning which focuses on the Gospel of the day.

Activity Bags

We know that keeping children occupied during worship can be a challenge. We have an answer! There is a children’s table located in the narthex where activity bags filled with age-appropriate activities are available to keep children engaged during worship.

Sunday School

Join us with Sunday School for ages two years old and up. This ministry begins with a musical opening for all children at 9:00am followed by a 45 minute class focusing on Bible and faith stories.

Nursery

Children are always welcome at Grace’s worship services. The nursery is for your convenience if you choose to use it. It is always available for newborns through age three on Sunday mornings and special events.

Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones is a wonderful ministry experience for the members of Grace to help nurture and encourage youth and parents of all ages, helping to incorporate spiritual development into the life of their children. At a child’s baptism a promise is made by parents and sponsors. Grace Lutheran Church, through the Stepping Stones Ministry, wishes to bless the child and gift the family by calling parents to the promise of baptism and equipping them to keep those promises. At various stages of a child’s faith life from Baptism to graduation from high school, Grace Lutheran provides blessings, gifts and opportunities for families to participate in the faith development of their child.