Youth at Saint John
What are we about?
At Saint John we are about lifelong faith formation for people of all ages. Faith formation starts at infancy and continues throughout the journey of life. Because 90% of faith formation takes place in the home, we are committed to providing resources and support to families and households that are useful and effective. Common concerns among parents often focus around "How do I pray with my child?", "How do I read the Bible with my child?", "What happens if my child asks questions and I don't know the answer?", "How can I help my child connect with God?" These are all great questions and your faith community is here to support you! We provide opportunities both for you and your family to grow spiritually.
We engage in relationships so that you can gain ideas from other families with kids or who have been in your shoes. We provide opportunities to learn and practice these skills so you have the tools to share and pass on faith with your child. Some of the support comes through programming such as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Confirmation. Other support comes through small groups, conversations, hands-on resources (i.e. Taking Faith Home, Faith Talk Cards, Faith Talk App), and interactions with the pastors and leaders in the church. We encourage participation of children and youth in all areas of worship and the life of the church.
Education
Sunday School
Sunday School currently runs in between the two Sunday morning worship services from 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Classes are offered for all kids ages 3 years through High School. Through Sunday School the children are prepared for First Communion and Confirmation. There is also fellowship opportunity with programs such as Good News Bearers, and Youth Group.
Our Sunday School children open each week with choir, and once a month they sing their songs for the congregation at the 8:30 worship service. We also involve all children in a wonderful Christmas program in December. The door is also open for adults and parents to come help out in Sunday School classes and for special occasions like getting props and costumes ready for our Christmas Program.
We take an offering every week at the beginning of choir. Children are encouraged to bring some money they have earned to the Church to share. With this money, we do various community service projects throughout the year.... Gifts for a needy family at Christmas, Easter Baskets for the Micah House, collecting for our Lutheran Lakeside Camp in the summer.
Confirmation
Confirmation typically starts in 7th grade and is a two year education time that provides tools for lifelong faith. Wednesday night gatherings work through Martin Luther's Small Catechism, the Lutheran Confessions, and Spiritual Practices. Teaching is done with the intent to be hands on and interactive so that confirmands experience faith formation and gain ways to see the intersection of their faith in daily life.
Mentoring
Mentoring is an important part of the confirmation program. We value the relationships between the adults and youth in the church. Each confirmand is paired with an adult mentor who can walk with them on their faith journey and be authentic, available, and affirming. The mentors and mentees meet once a month together on a Wednesday night.
Links to resources:
Taking Faith Home is a weekly take-home lectionary based resource supporting Vibrant Faith Ministries' Four Keys for Nurturing Faith in Home and Congregation".
Worship Activities
Children's message
Acolytes and Crucifers
Acolytes and Crucifers are an important part of the worship service.
Confirmands and high school youth can serve as crucifers. Their duties include carrying the processional cross and leading the acolytes, the choir and the Pastors in the processional and recessional of the worship service.
Confirmands and all youth from the fifth grade up can serve as Acolytes. Their duties include lighting candles at the beginning of each service and extinguishing those candles. Special duties are also performed during special holidays such as Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Thanksgiving Eve, Advent and Christmas.
The music ensembles of Saint John offer music ministry opportunities for all ages.
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Cherub Choir
A choir for children pre-school age through 2nd grade. Meeting on Sunday mornings, they singfor services generally once a month, and participate in the Sunday School Christmas Pageant.
Choir on Fire
A choir for children 3rd through 6th grades. Meeting on Sunday mornings, they sing for services generally once a month, and participate in the Sunday School Christmas Pageant.
Chimes Choir
A choir for students 3rd through 6th grades. Rehearsing on Wednesday evenings, they play for weekend services about seven times throughout the year.
Youth Jam
A group of Jr. High youth, begun in October. Meeting on Wednesday evenings, they form a Christian Band.
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