Youth & Families
All Children and Youth
GLOW (Grace Lutheran on Wednesdays)
5:30 pm: Dinner
6:30 pm: Bible Study (for adults), Drama Workshop (for children & youth)
Following dinner each Wednesday, children and youth are encouraged to attend the drama workshop in the basement, including throughout the season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday, children and youth are encouraged to attend Ash Wednesday worship in the sanctuary. The drama workshop will lead to a presentation in worship of Bible stories and themes.
Junior High/High School Youth
Mission Trip 2013
June 2-8, 2013, junior high and senior high youth from Grace will be going on a mission trip to Lake Havasu City to join Mount Olive Lutheran Church in putting on Vacation Bible School. For the past two years, youth from Mount Olive have come to Grace to help us with our VBS, and we are grateful to serve with them in their home setting this year! Youth from Mount Olive will join us for VBS at Grace the week of June 10.
Mission Team Building
To prepare for our mission trip to Lake Havasu City, we meet once a month to study Scripture, plan fundraisers, and learn how to work together as a team. Our next mission team building will be Sunday, May 12 at 12:30 pm.
Service Projects
Our Junior and Senior High Youth hold service projects at various times throughout the year.
Confirmation
Students typically begin confirmation in 6th grade though the start time is flexible; please speak with Pastor Sarah. 1st & 2nd year confirmation students meet together each week. 3rd year students meet with their mentors only.
Topics of Study: Faith in Daily Life, Bible, Ten Commandments, Holy Communion, Holy Baptism, Apostles' Creed
Campfirmation: Sunday, June 30-Friday, July 5
Students at any point in their confirmation experience and/or in 6th-8th grade are welcome to participate in this week of worship and fun while growing in faith! Campfirmation is a Bible camp experience that includes Lutheran youth from throughout the valley. Campfirmation 2013 registration deadline: May 15. To register, go to gcsynodyouth.org.
Worship Leadership
Junior & Senior High Youth have opportunities to participate and lead worship during both services.
During the Contemporary Service, they can participate in the Worship Band, as an Usher, or as a Scripture Reader.
During the Traditional Worship, they can serve as a Scripture Reader, Communion Assistant, Acolyte, Crucifer, and in the Choir
Next Youth Worship Service: Sunday, May 19 @ 8:30 am--Youth will lead every portion of the service, including the sermon.
Sunday School
Every Sunday, September through May, 9:45-10:45 am
Fundraising Events
Junior & Senior High Youth are encouraged to help with fundraising events throughout the year to help with the costs of youth events.
Fun Events
We gather together for fun and fellowship!
Children in Preschool through 5th Grade
Sunday School
Each Sunday (except during the summer months), Grace offers an hour of Sunday School with music, crafts and learning about the Bible. Join us between services, from 9:45am to 10:45am. During the summer, the traditional service moves to 10:00 am.
Vacation Bible School
Each Summer, Grace provides a week full of music, games, crafts and opportunites to learn and service. In 2013, Vacation Bible School will be Monday, June 10-Friday, June 14. Call the church office (602-258-3787) or email our Administrative Assistant at officemanager@graceinthecity.com to register.
First Communion Instruction
Pastor Sarah welcomes any parent whose child appears to be ready to receive Holy Communion to talk with her. Even if a child is not developmentally ready to receive First Communion Instruction, the child may be ready to receive the sacrament.
As Lutherans, we understand Holy Communion to be a sacrament, a means of grace in which God is the active agent. Though education about the sacraments are undoubtedly helpful to us as we grow in faith, we will not ever completely understand the mystery of Christ's body and blood in the bread and wine. Despite the mystery of Holy Communion, this sacrament nonetheless provides "forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation" according to Martin Luther, reformer of the church.
If your child is ready to receive First Communion Instruction, please talk with Pastor Sarah.
Christmas Program & Spring Play
Our Annual Christmas Youth Program is presented each year in December, during Advent.
2013 is the first year of a new tradition: a spring play! This year, the children and youth presented the story of the Call of Saul/Paul in worship on Sunday, April 14.
Worship Participation
Contemporary: 8:30 am--Weekly Children's Message, Holy Communion offered to all ages, Music Participation
Traditional: 11:00 am--Weekly Children's Message, Holy Communion offered to all ages
Safeguarding God’s Children
Our children and youth are precious gifts of God, and we want to make Grace a safe place for our children and youth to grow in faith. Unfortunately, we live in a time when we must ensure the safety of our children and youth through the use of impersonal and comprehensive procedure—such as outlined in our policy Safeguarding God’s Children. Our goal is to prevent any type of abuse or harassment of minors while participating in Grace programming. Anyone who regularly volunteers with our children and youth is required to either go through a background check or provide results of a background check or fingerprint card completed within the last 5 years.
All volunteers of Grace, whether directly ministering with minors or not, are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct. Possession of weapons, physically or psychologically abusive behavior, consumption of alcohol on church property, visible intoxication, and other types of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.