You Belong Here! That’s the message we hear in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” We want youth to see themselves as significant parts of the body of Christ, and we want to help them live into this reality. To do that, we gather youth in grades 7 – 12 in our Sunday morning small groups, monthly youth events, trips and retreats.
As a congregation we believe there are four key faith practices that help us to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ and each other:
Daily Discipleship: We encourage our youth to connect with Christ every day through scripture and prayer. That’s why we encourage our youth to download the You Version Bible App and follow the daily devotion plans synced with our Sunday series for their small groups.
Weekly Worship: Sunday worship at 8:30 am and 11:00 am is for the entire body of Christ, especially youth. In worship, Jesus speaks to us through the scriptures, and he feeds us with Holy Communion.
Regular Groups: These are our Sunday morning small groups for Middle School and High School youth. These groups also meet for monthly youth events, trips, and retreats.
Committed Serving: God has given youth gifts to contribute to God’s mission in the world. Some youth serve on the Ministry Team that coordinates LCR Youth Ministry. Others will serve through the mission opportunities we have as part of our monthly events.
Faith Milestones
Our friends at Milestones Ministry point out that milestones are a meaningful, memorable moments in the lives of individuals and communities. Our Faith Milestones ministry at LCR helps our youth and families to notice God’s presence in the important moments of life. We focus on five major faith milestones including: Baptism, First Grade Bible Celebration, Third Grade Communion Celebration, Affirmation of Baptism, and High School Graduation.
Our Youth Ministry builds on the first three Faith Milestones (Baptism, First Grade Bible Celebration, and Third Grade Communion Celebration) and develops two additional Faith Milestones:
Affirmation of Baptism
In the rite of Affirmation of Baptism there are two affirmations that take place. First, the church affirms to the baptized person the truth of who God is and what God has done for them in that sacrament. Second, the baptized person affirms this life with the Triune God as their way of life.
The Affirmation of Baptism Program typically begins in the fall of 7th or 8th grade leading them through a one year curriulum culminating in the rite of Affirmation of Baptism. This program is designed for students who are hungry to learn about their Lutheran faith and grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ and one another. We encourage these students to engage in community by involvement with LCR Youth Ministry.
High School Graduation
As youth graduate from High School we send them with God’s blessing to be about God’s mission in the places to which they will go. This is an opportunity to celebrate and to mark this transition in life as our graduates make their plans for how they will continue to live the baptized life in their next season of life.