Middle School Ministry
Youth, with the support of their families, participate in our Middle School Ministry for two years, ideally beginning in 7th and completing in 8th grade. Exceptions can be made, so please speak with Pastor Dan if needed.
Materials to utilize: Bible, paper, writing utensil, an electronic device to attend zoom sessions
Attendance: 7th and 8th grade youth are expected to attend sessions that are offered through the Middle School Ministry and Christian Ed opportunities each month. They will be held on Wednesday nights and the schedule for such events will be communicated through our office and our church website, as they are not held on a weekly basis as year’s past due to our current pandemic. The program is offered starting in the fall and goes through mid-May of the following year.
In addition, youth will also be expected to meet monthly (safely or virtually) with their faith partners (in a public setting if in person). The curriculum will rotate subject matter every other year, so regardless when a youth begins the program, materials will not be duplicated for each attendee. Through our studies and sessions, we will expect our youth to learn about and use the following throughout their involvement in this ministry: The Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds, Sacraments, Ten Commandments, and the Bible, with the main goal of connecting faith to life. Note, as youth entering this phase of the ministry, they should already be familiar with the books of the bible and how to find them in their own bible when asked to read or assess assigned scripture.
Faith Partners – Youth are asked to seek out an adult (same sex, non-relative) Faith Partner to develop a positive relationship based in faith, to learn and grow together in faith, and to challenge one another. It is meant to be a time to intentionally develop our community of faith. Both youth and adult are to come as they are and develop a relationship centered around the love of Jesus Christ. Faith partners will meet once a month throughout the school year but can continue to grow their relationship as their faith journey continues outside of this program and through adulthood if they so choose. Materials to guide your time together will be provided.
Worship Notes: Youth are required to attend worship services on a regular basis and fill out our new online Worship notes throughout the 2 years they are involved in our middle school ministry. (See our website for the link.) 10 notes per year or 20 in all need to be completed by the end of the youth’s second year.
Service Projects: These, as a group, are on hold until we can be together in person again. However, youth are encouraged to safely help others as we all are experiencing hardships during this current situation. Sometimes all people need is someone to talk to. Reach out and call a member of Grace, a friend, or a relative; send someone a card, draw someone a picture, meet a friend on zoom and play a game, etc. Shovel someone’s driveway, rake someone’s leaves, donate your time to a non-profit in town that needs volunteers. (Or even do more chores around your house.) Giving of yourself and your talents is as much a gift for you as it can be for someone else. Be the example you want to see in the world. Show one another grace in this troubling time.
Acolyte/Worship Service Participation: In the meantime, youth should volunteer to read the lessons or help in other manners during our online worship services. Contact Pastor Dan for more details on how you can get involved. As life resumes some normalcy as time goes on, we will try to incorporate in person participation again when deemed safe to do so.
Affirmation of Faith: At the end of the two years, each youth is to turn in an essay, presentation, movie, sermon, or some other project of your choice. Regardless of what format you choose, it should illustrate where you are on your faith journey, exploring what makes you a disciple of Christ. Pastor Dan will be the only one reading or viewing your material unless you choose to do a sermon. If you need help deciding what to do or how to begin, you are encouraged to discuss this with him, your faith partner, or your family members. Consider working on or praying about what you will do over Christmas break, so it is not rushed to complete in the spring.
Youth traditionally affirm their baptism during a Sunday service in May in their second year of the program. A 2021 date is yet to be determined due to Covid-19.
Materials to utilize: Bible, paper, writing utensil, an electronic device to attend zoom sessions
Attendance: 7th and 8th grade youth are expected to attend sessions that are offered through the Middle School Ministry and Christian Ed opportunities each month. They will be held on Wednesday nights and the schedule for such events will be communicated through our office and our church website, as they are not held on a weekly basis as year’s past due to our current pandemic. The program is offered starting in the fall and goes through mid-May of the following year.
In addition, youth will also be expected to meet monthly (safely or virtually) with their faith partners (in a public setting if in person). The curriculum will rotate subject matter every other year, so regardless when a youth begins the program, materials will not be duplicated for each attendee. Through our studies and sessions, we will expect our youth to learn about and use the following throughout their involvement in this ministry: The Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds, Sacraments, Ten Commandments, and the Bible, with the main goal of connecting faith to life. Note, as youth entering this phase of the ministry, they should already be familiar with the books of the bible and how to find them in their own bible when asked to read or assess assigned scripture.
Faith Partners – Youth are asked to seek out an adult (same sex, non-relative) Faith Partner to develop a positive relationship based in faith, to learn and grow together in faith, and to challenge one another. It is meant to be a time to intentionally develop our community of faith. Both youth and adult are to come as they are and develop a relationship centered around the love of Jesus Christ. Faith partners will meet once a month throughout the school year but can continue to grow their relationship as their faith journey continues outside of this program and through adulthood if they so choose. Materials to guide your time together will be provided.
Worship Notes: Youth are required to attend worship services on a regular basis and fill out our new online Worship notes throughout the 2 years they are involved in our middle school ministry. (See our website for the link.) 10 notes per year or 20 in all need to be completed by the end of the youth’s second year.
Service Projects: These, as a group, are on hold until we can be together in person again. However, youth are encouraged to safely help others as we all are experiencing hardships during this current situation. Sometimes all people need is someone to talk to. Reach out and call a member of Grace, a friend, or a relative; send someone a card, draw someone a picture, meet a friend on zoom and play a game, etc. Shovel someone’s driveway, rake someone’s leaves, donate your time to a non-profit in town that needs volunteers. (Or even do more chores around your house.) Giving of yourself and your talents is as much a gift for you as it can be for someone else. Be the example you want to see in the world. Show one another grace in this troubling time.
Acolyte/Worship Service Participation: In the meantime, youth should volunteer to read the lessons or help in other manners during our online worship services. Contact Pastor Dan for more details on how you can get involved. As life resumes some normalcy as time goes on, we will try to incorporate in person participation again when deemed safe to do so.
Affirmation of Faith: At the end of the two years, each youth is to turn in an essay, presentation, movie, sermon, or some other project of your choice. Regardless of what format you choose, it should illustrate where you are on your faith journey, exploring what makes you a disciple of Christ. Pastor Dan will be the only one reading or viewing your material unless you choose to do a sermon. If you need help deciding what to do or how to begin, you are encouraged to discuss this with him, your faith partner, or your family members. Consider working on or praying about what you will do over Christmas break, so it is not rushed to complete in the spring.
Youth traditionally affirm their baptism during a Sunday service in May in their second year of the program. A 2021 date is yet to be determined due to Covid-19.
Worship Notes
Middle School Youth (7th and 8th graders) taking part of Grace Lutheran’s Faith Formation Education program will need to submit 10 worship notes per
school year–20 total by end of their second year.
Use the link below to fill in each of your worship notes after or during each worship service that is attended. (Hint: bookmark this link or save this
document to your device for future reference.)
Since worship notes will be online going forward, here is a brief outline of what feedback will be needed each time, so you can prepare yourself to listen
for the items below and take notes, if needed, during worship service.
Also, please remember to pre-register for each worship service through the church office so attendance can be taken for online services and is limited for in-person services. A phone call to the office or an email to glc@machlink.com is sufficient.
Youth are encouraged to discuss the above questions with their faith partner or parents/guardians as they fill in their answers. Feedback of each form will go directly to Pastor Dan and will only be viewed by him.
Additional details of the Faith Formation program are outlined in a separate document that will be distributed to families each year. If you need help accessing the link above, please contact the church office or Pastor Dan.
The information for worship notes, including the questions are available in the pdf on this page for download anytime.
Middle School Youth (7th and 8th graders) taking part of Grace Lutheran’s Faith Formation Education program will need to submit 10 worship notes per
school year–20 total by end of their second year.
Use the link below to fill in each of your worship notes after or during each worship service that is attended. (Hint: bookmark this link or save this
document to your device for future reference.)
Since worship notes will be online going forward, here is a brief outline of what feedback will be needed each time, so you can prepare yourself to listen
for the items below and take notes, if needed, during worship service.
Also, please remember to pre-register for each worship service through the church office so attendance can be taken for online services and is limited for in-person services. A phone call to the office or an email to glc@machlink.com is sufficient.
- Your full name & consistently used email address
- In person or Zoom & date of service
- Abundant Life or Amazing Grace Service
- What were the Bible readings in worship today?
- What part of worship meant the most for you today and why?
- What did you hear in the sermon that reminded you of our brokenness?
- What message of promise or good news did you hear in the sermon?
- How did the message apply to your own life?
Youth are encouraged to discuss the above questions with their faith partner or parents/guardians as they fill in their answers. Feedback of each form will go directly to Pastor Dan and will only be viewed by him.
Additional details of the Faith Formation program are outlined in a separate document that will be distributed to families each year. If you need help accessing the link above, please contact the church office or Pastor Dan.
The information for worship notes, including the questions are available in the pdf on this page for download anytime.