Youth & Family Opportunities

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

  • Advent Wreath Workshop—an intergenerational preparation of Advent Wreaths for devotional use in homes
  • St. Nick Night—an early December gathering for families of younger children, with stories and crafts to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to encourage the spirit of giving
  • Good Friday Walk with Jesus—a parent/children walk through the church, with stops at various places to experience a re-enactment of the events leading to Jesus’ death
  • Easter Egg Hunt—a festive Easter celebration for parents and children
  • In Homes of Promise (IHOP)—a group of parents that plans activities for families of younger children



ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

10:30 a.m. – Sunday Church School:

  • Provides a Christian education of God’s love for children aged 3 through the 5th grade  (nursery care is also available for infants and toddlers)
  • Classes and groups range in number from the mid teens into the twenties of registered children and youth.

Please note:  registration for Sunday Church School is held in September, but new children are welcomed throughout the year.

Following the 9:30 a.m. service, an informal coffee and conversation group meets.  Parents of children who are in Sunday Church School classes are welcome to join this fellowship.

Upper Room—6th through 8th grades:
(meets during 10:30 a.m. Sunday School Hour)

  • A group that participates in learning by helping and caring for others
  • Activities include arts, crafts, biblical learning, singing and visits to nursing homes


Kids Fun in Christ (KFC)—3rd through 5th grades:

  • A group planned for the social and faith needs of children
  • Students explore biblical themes as they relate to their daily lives
  • Activities include arts, crafts and trips


Middle Ministries (M & M)—6th through 8th grades:

  • A relationship–oriented ministry for Confirmation aged youth that meets on Thursdays and on Sundays
  • Activities include conversations and trips


Youth Sunday People Spot—Senior High:

  • A program designed to help high schoolers relate biblical themes to their everyday lives
  • Activities include discussions and creative arts


YNOT Make a Difference—Senior High:

  • A group committed to working for social justice needs in the community


Souled Out in God’s Basement—Senior High:

  • An outreach program designed for teens interested in popular music
  • Young people and their bands periodically meet in the church social hall
  • Parents from the church and community host and oversee these events
  • An offering at the door and proceeds from the sale of refreshments provide money that is donated to local and worldwide charities


Youth Retreats:

  • Every September a retreat and fellowship weekend is held at a nearby Lutheran camp in Harriman State Park.
  • Our youth also join in Metropolitan Synod Retreats for junior and senior high youth.  These retreats are held at a Lutheran camp in upstate New York.


Summer Youth Activities:

  • Vacation Church School—a ministry that reaches out to children in our community.  Over 100 school children, teachers and youth assistants meet together for a week-long learning experience.  Through stories, crafts and other activities, children experience the wonderful news of God’s love in creation and in Jesus for all people. 
  • Lutheran Youth Convocations—Every four years, our youth participate in nationwide convocations of Lutheran youth.  These convocations provide an exciting experience of coming together with up to 40,000 youth under the banner of a living, growing faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Pinecrest Leadership Training for Senior High Youth—this program involves youth and adults in a week–long camping experience.  The experience addresses issues of applying the Christian faith to the many issues youth face.


College and Career Young People:

  • Young adults are invited in December and in June to “coming together” breakfasts, lunches and dinners.  Events include open discussions, poetry and music “jamming” sessions—all with the purpose of maintaining contacts with young adults in an exciting and challenging time of life.



SCOUTING GROUPS

  • Boy Scout Troop 36 meets on Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship–Social Hall
  • Cub Scout Pack 36 meets on Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the Franklin Avenue School, Pearl River and at the Church
  • Girl Scouts of the congregation gather together in March on Girl Scout Sunday during the 10:30 a.m. service

 

For further information on any of these groups and activities,
please call the church office: 845-735-2243

I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. – John 10:14