Youth Program
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:12
Our youth are not the future of the church – They are the church! At First we provide many opportunities for youth to come together not only with each other but also with others in our church community. Faith grows through relationships with others. Our hope is that all the activities that we do build relationships with the faithful and help youth grow in to healthy adults.
Confirmation
Confirmation is a 3-year program starting in the seventh grade. During the three years, they study the small catechism and the Old and New Testaments. Class is taught in a large group-small group format. Confirmation meets on Sunday from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. Youth also participate in retreats, youth events, and service projects. As part of the Confirmation program, our youth also participate in youth group from 6:30 to 8 PM on Wednesday evenings. Sunday school classes for middle school are held from 9:45 to 10:45 AM each Sunday.
Middle School youth group
This group meets on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8 PM. Everyone is invited to the church-wide dinner at 6:00 PM. Youth group is the time where youth build relationships with the other youth in the group. Having fun with fellow Christians as well as participating in service projects is an important part of faith development.
High school group
Wednesday nights 7:00-8:30. High school youth group consists of games service projects and small group bible study. Activities that we have done in the past include, Fear factor night, Bunko, making soup for a teen shelter, Family Feud bowling and much more. Faith grows through At the end of each night the youth break into small groups, read a bible passage, and have a discussion that is either relevant to the activity they just participated in our something going on in the world or at church. This is a great time for youth to continue to have a place in the congregation that is theirs.
Mission trips/Youth events
Each summer, both the middle school and the high school youth have opportunities to participate in a mission trip. The middle school youth serve somewhere in our region. The high school youth alternate between a mission trip within the USA and one out of the country.
Throughout the year, all the youth have opportunities to participate in youth events. These events range from retreats and lock-in put on by our church to events put on by other organizations. These events offer opportunities for the youth to bond with each other the adult’s sponsors and other Christian youth.
