Youth Group
7-12th Grade

Youth Ministry News

Mission Trip News

There are more spots available for the Mission Trip. I don't know how long they will be available, but if you missed the deadline and still want to go, contact me ASAP. 

We will have a short Parent and Youth Meeting for anyone who is going on the mission trip right after church on May 1. If you are not available, please let me know and we can find another time to connect.

Communications
I have created a Facebook group for parents and youth group members. You can find that here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1676722212668154 
If you are friends on facebook with anyone who might want to join, feel free to invite them. 

I am also getting a mass text list put together. If you would like to be on the list, text or email your name and cell carrier (Verizon, at&t, etc.) 

Upcoming Events


Encounter continues on Sunday nights (6:30-8 @ Hy-Vee). On April 24th, we will be heading to Great Shots in Sioux Falls. More details TBA. I am hoping to get a youth worship team put together. Let me know if you would like to be a part of it. There is no experience necessary. I can teach you how to play instruments (guitar, keys, percussion, etc.) and vocals. We will be helping to lead the Wednesday night services through the summer. 
 
There is a calendar on the wall outside of the youth room that you can put school or other events (concerts, athletic events, etc.) if you would like the youth group to come and cheer you on.

Youth Calendar 
April 13 - No Confirmation or Youth Group for Holy Week 
April 14, 7 pm - Maundy Thursday Service 
April 15, 7 pm - Good Friday Service 
April 17 - No Encounter (Happy Easter!) 
April 20 - Confirmation @ 6:30 and Youth Group @ 7:30-8:15 
April 24, Noon-5 pm - Encounter Outing to Great Shots in Sioux Falls 
April 27 - Confirmation @ 6:30 and Youth Group @ 7:30-8:15 
May 1, After Church - Mission Trip Parent and Youth Meeting and 6:30 pm - Encounter @ Hy-Vee 
May 4 - 507 Youth Gathering @ Worthington Christian Church from 6:30-8:00 (meet there) 
May 8 - No Encounter (Happy Mother's Day!) 
May 11 5:30-7:30 pm - End of the Year Confirmation Picnic and Worship at Centennial Park (church wide event) 
May 15, 6:30 pm - Encounter @ Hy-Vee 
May 18, 6:30-8 pm - Youth Group
May 22, 12-5 pm - Encounter Outing to Thunder Road in Sioux Falls 
May 25, 6:30-8:45 pm - Youth Group and Baccalaureate (Youth group will not meet weekly through the summer)
May 29 - No Encounter (Encounter will not meet weekly through the summer)

Wednesday Evenings


Youth meet on Wednesday nights during the school year (September - May).  During this time, youth participate in Bible studies, team building activities, games, prayers, and service projects.  Youth take their knowledge from Confirmation, and begin to live out their baptismal promises in their own way.  The also discuss living out their faith in today's society, and what Christ asks of us as disciples. On Wedensdays through Lent, we will meet for worship at 6:00 and then head out for ice cream after the service!

Service Opportunities


First Lutheran Youth are encouraged to participate in many service opportunities as they live out their faith lives.  Here at First, youth can be seen helping with worship by ushering, reading, acolyting, and as communion assistants.  During the week, youth can be found helping with Vacation Bible School, Kids For Christ, Camp Counseling, Fundraisers, 507 events, the Banquet, Love Inc., and other service events put on by the church. 

Along with these opportunities, youth have plenty of time for fellowship through the monthly events.  Events such as lasertag, lock-ins, bowling, haunted houses, LifeLight, skiing, tubing, and many others.  Youth are also encouraged to participate in Youth Team (which meets on the second Tuesday of each month), where they will plan events for their fellow church members.

Summer Mission Trips

This year's mission trip will be to Kansas City with Youthworks. The trip will happen from July 24-29. For more information or to sign up, please click this link.

High School Youth (those finishing 7th-12th grades) have the opportunity to go on a service project during the summer.  Service projects pair the youth together with local organizations to be the hands and feet of Christ to those in need.  Youth will have experiences that will take them out of their comfort zones, and into the places that are in desperate need for Christ's love.  Previous trips have taken the youth to help those in Tennessee, Chicago, Michigan, South Dakota, and many more.

Every three years, the youth participate in the Tri-annual ELCA Youth Gathering.  This gathering is a chance for all youth throughout the world to come together as the body of Christ.  The youth learn about the hierarchy of the church, the plentiful opportunities to serve people in their communities as well as in the world, and get a chance to serve the host city of the gathering.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gather with 25,000 other youth their age.


For more information about any of the youth programs, contact Mark Richards, Youth and Family Director.

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