Here at First we are committed to the faith development and nurturing of our children and youth. We believe that they are a vital and important part of our church family and it's mission within this community and world.
SPARK - "Special Place About God for Our Kids".
Grades K through 5th
Our church is a safe and welcoming place and we want our children to know and experience that here at First. We care deeply about them and we see their faith development as a priority. It's our continual goal to teach our children about God; and we do this by sharing in opportunities for service in His name.
SPARK meets various times and occasions through out the scheduled program year. Most of their time is spent around service opportunities and fellowship events. They love making Ginger Bread Houses, baking for our outgoing food baskets, and sharing greetings with those who are in need around our world.
Download SPARK Schedule
BLAST - "Belonging, Learning, and Serving Together."
Grades 6th - 8th
Grades 6th - 8th is an important time in the lives of our youth. In addition to the challenges that they face in school, within sports, and socially; we are also tyring to get them to engage in confirmation instruction. This is a faith maturing time, an opportunity for them to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Therefore, we work hard to keep this time filled with a balance of Biblical/Small Catechism knowledge, fellowship events, and service opportunities.
BLAST events are held around the confirmation schedule and offer a variety of opportunities for our students to get engaged in the life of our congregation.
Download BLAST Schedule
FUEL - "Faith Used in Everday Living."
Grades 9th - 12th
We have a very active High School age youth group. This group meets a minimum of once a month; as well as weekly for Bible study/Sunday school. Our senior high youth take responsibility in the day to day functioning of our Board of Youth, and the programing that we offer to all age groups. We are very blessed here at First to have so many youth with strong leadership skills.
Our older youth serve First Church and our community with this in their hearts:
1John 2:5-6 "But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."
FUEL events are offered as a balanced approach. We work hard to give equal time to service, study, and fellowship.
Download FUEL Schedule
Youth Outreach
National Youth Gathering
Every three years our high school age youth participate in a ELCA National Youth Gathering. In June of 2018 we will traveled to Houston, Texas.
In 2021 the National Gathering was cancelled due to the COVID Pandemic, however, we are now back to planning and participting in National Gatherings beginning in 2024.
In 2024, Youth in 8th Grade thru 12th Grade will be traveling to New Orleans, Lousiana for
the opportunity to share in worship, study, fellowship, and serve. It is an awesome opportunity to connect and share in relationship as together we serve our Lord and His people.
