St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Youth Ministries

St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church

Youth Ministries

St. Mark's is a place that values children and responds to Jesus' call to bring the little children to Him. Bringing children to Jesus is more than just entertaining them; it is helping them see Jesus so they know the hope and joy of His Presence in their lives.

We bring little children to Jesus every Sunday when we have children's message in worship so that they can hear about Jesus in their own terms.

We bring little children to Jesus by staffing a nursery during worship so children can have an enjoyable experience coming to St. Mark's.

We bring little children to Jesus when we have Sunday School. Our Sunday School classes are small and we have a wonderful group of caring adults who know and treasure their students. These teachers and students, together, learn about God's Love. Sunday School takes place Sunday mornings at 10:10 am from September through May.

 

 

 

 

We bring little children to Jesus when we have Vacation Bible School. In early August, our church opens it's doors to children from the whole community to learn about the love of God through Jesus. The church building is transformed into a themed environment that takes us on a journey of faith. So many people volunteer to help that we have 1 volunteer for every 2 to 3 participants.

We bring slightly older youth to Jesus in Confirmation. Confirmation is a long standing tradition in the Lutheran Church where youth have transitioned into adult membership. We have transformed this traditional program so that it is life-changing and faith-impacting. We have the expectation that parents will participate as they are able, with more parents than youth attending most weeks. Classes begin in the fall of 8th grade and end with Confirmation in the fall of 10th grade.

Social and retreat activities are planned monthly for our Middle School Youth Group. A few of our activities have included lock-ins at church, bowling, swimming, Christmas caroling, and concerts. In the fall they have the opportunity to go to the Eastern North Dakota Synod Middle School Youth Gathering held at Young Life's Castaway Club on Pelican Lake in Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

 

Our Senior High Youth Group students have become very active in all aspects of the life of the congregation. Our youth activities include F.O.G. (Fans of God) where we watch a current release movie and discuss it in relation to our faith. We plan a trip each summer; either to the ELCA Youth Gathering once every three years or a mission trip to different locations. Our activities during the year revolve around preparations for our trip.

We welcome little children by partnering and providing space in our building for Sunflake Preschool and Boy Scouts of America.