Worship: We invite all children to be a part of worship on Sunday mornings. To help enhance their experience, we have worship bags available in the narthex. Worship bags include children’s bulletins and other activities they can use during the service. We also have story bibles and other books available for them to read.
Nursery: If your child needs a break from worship, we do have our nursery available any time Sunday morning. Our nursery is staffed, so you are welcome to either drop off your child or stay in the nursery with them
Sunday School: Youth Sunday School is Sunday mornings 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. from September through May. We have grades K-5 together for Sunday school. We currently use the SparkHouse SPARK curriculum, which follows the lectionary. This means the lesson each Sunday correlates with the readings that are heard in worship. Each lesson includes readings, songs, crafts, and other activities.
Confirmation: Confirmation at Grace Lutheran Church is a three-year program for students in grades 6-8 that is designed to help each student to take ownership of their faith journey. We encourage them to grow and explore their faith through bible study, service, and fellowship. Confirmation classes meet Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 in the Rainbow Room. The material that we use is called coLABorate from Spark House (https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/teens/colaborate/). This curriculum includes lessons on Old Testament, New Testament, Lutheran History & Catechism, and Lutheran Living. Throughout each class, students will read their bible, have a video to explain the lesson, have a game, craft or other activity to incorporate a tactile connection to the lesson, and we always end with reviewing each persons Roses, Buds, and Thorns for the week (another version of highs and lows).
When the 3 years are complete, we ask our 9th grade students to create a Statement of Faith to present to the congregation in the fall. Then, on Reformation Sunday (typically the last Sunday in October) we hold an Affirmation of Baptism service to complete their confirmation.
Youth Group: Youth Group is open to students in grades 6-12 on Sunday nights from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A dinner is provided by youth families. This is a chance for the students to come together for fellowship, faith formation, and fun.
Youth in Grades 6-12 are also encouraged to participate in the Synod Youth Gathering in Carlinville. This normally takes place over a weekend in November. The weekend consists of worship, small group time, team building, service opportunities, and other fun fellowship time.
Grace also will take a summer trip with our youth. We currently have a 3 year rotation between attending the ELCA Youth Gathering, a camp trip to Expeditions Unlimited, and a service trip. For example, in 2017 had a white water rafting trip with Expeditions Unlimited. In 2018 our youth attended the ELCA youth gathering in Houston. Then, in 2019 we had a service trip with Serve Boldly in Philadephia.
Expeditions Unlimited 2017 
ELCA Youth Gathering 2018 
Philadelphia 2019
