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	Our Children and Youth are precious to us at Our Redeemer. Our Lord, Jesus Christ commanded his disciples: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14. These, and many other teachings lead us to understand just how important these young ones are in God's sight. They are the future of His kingdom, the future of His church on earth, the future of Mankind, and the future of Our Redeemer. That is why we devote such resources to their welfare.
	Our Children and Youth Ministries: Our young people's ministries revolve around five essential concepts necessary to their growth, development, and well-being within the Body of Christ: Nurture, Education, Worship, Fellowship, and Outreach. Everything we do is founded in these areas and co-ordinated to inter-relate and re-inforce each other in order to encourage full growth in the Kingdom of God. We are blessed to have a wonderful and loving Director of Christian Education and many active and dedicated parents, officers, and other members who devote much of their available time and effort toward developing, managing, and guiding the day-to-day implementation of these programs.
		Nurture: Nurturing is an important part of all our programs and is a key ingredient in all our programs, not just those listed below:
		Cradle Roll: From the moment of Baptism, when Pastor introduces and welcomes the infant to our congregation, the child is enfolded in the love of our whole family. Our programs for the very young emphasize play, songs, stories, and nurture, exposing them to the simple wonder and earliest precepts of Christ's love for them. Mentoring: We have recently started a Mentoring Program where devout, loving, and responsible adults serve as role models, guides, and above all, friends outside the usual bond of family and godparents. The progam started with last year's graduating confirmands and will be extending to cover other groups among our children.
		Education: For our children to grow in the Lord and develop as christians, education is essential and is not just limited to these programs. A little thought will show that education and growth in our faith is an underlying ingredient in every activity we have for our youth and children.
		Sunday School: Sunday School begins with a general gathering of devotion, prayer, praise hymns, fellowship, and celebration of individual special events and milestones followed by classes for all ages every Sunday. Click here for Times. We have age-grouped classes from nursery through elementary grades, along with Junior and Senior High youth classes. Inter-generational classes (with adults, too) have on occaision been worthwhile and are held from time to time. Confirmation: We have two years of Confirmation Classes for our Junior High youth, weekly during the school year. Each class meets separately, although they are together in Sunday School. We allow Early Communion, if desired, with pastoral and parental approval, after suitable training. Our children are well-grounded in the Lutheran faith and eagerly await that second most important day in their life after Baptism: Confirmation Day! You can tell by their faces. And we're pretty sure it is not just the confirmation trip they anticipate. Vacation Bible School: VBS is held every summer for the whole neighborhood. It is an exciting time with classes for all ages, praise, singing, crafts, games, goodies, and food, and this summer, a new fenced playground to help them use up their energy! The Youth are essential additions to the adult staff, which provides opportunities for their growth as christians, and as role models for the little ones, enfolding them even more into the family that is Our Redeemer. Kids Adventure Night: During much of the summer except during VBS, one night a week is devoted to K.A.N. It is similar to Bible School for one night with the same kind of activities. In this case, however, it helps our children better remember what they have learned, keep in touch with each other throughout the summer, and grow closer to each other. It also serves as a major outreach tool for neighborhood kids, helping to bring them into Sunday School, often along with their parents!
		Worship: Our children and youth are active in every service, and in some, such as the Easter Sunrise Service conduct the entire service. In regular services they often read, proclaim the Verse of the Month, and provide special music and drama in addition to the usual service as acolytes and cross bearers.
		Services: In both the Traditional and Contemporary Services a Children's Sermon is featured on the Sundays that we do not have Communion. Communion Services are held the first and third Sundays each month. Click Here for Times. While we have a nursery for parents who so desire, we never ask parents to remove their children from the worship setting. We try to always remember Matthew 19:14, and too, our worship is more meaningful to us with the little ones always beside us. Praise: Our Youth leaders are forming Youth Praise Teams in both Drama and Music to foster interest, growth, and outreach among our young people and those of the area by providing the Christian message in a more accessible youth oriented idiom. It allows them to grow closer to each other, work together for common goals, and showcase their talents to others, as well as add praise and beauty to our services. X-Treme Laetare: The first Sunday of every month we have recently added a youth worship service for Youth, grades Five through Twelve led by the Youth themselves. They have named it X-Treme Laetare which means Extreme Joy! It is a service of Worship, Praise, and Prayer for and by the youth with adult mentors also leading age grouped discussion and devotional sessions and providing refreshments.
		Fellowship: Peer groups are primary motivators in our culture. Among youth, and even small children they often form a bond that can supercede even parents or church. An important goal of our children and youth program is to form peer groups of our children within our family so they do not have to look elsewhere for values and bonding. This is important to keep their lives focused on their families and their church. Fellowship is a start.
		Of course, all of the above programs in other areas create fellowship among our children and youth as well as those below under outreach. This is the synergy we were talking about among the five guiding precepts and all our children and youth programs. There are, however, several efforts devoted specifically toward increasing fellowship and a sense of oneness among our young people: Youth Groups: We have active youth groups for all ages above young children. They have Bible study, trips, recreational events, retreats, and lock-ins, besides all the projects they do together to raise money for all these activities. Pre-Teen ages: Grades 3-5 Junior High: Grades 6-8 High School: Grades 9-12 Youth Gatherings: Our youth attend synod, district, and other youth gatherings where they not only meet new friends, gather new excitement, and see new places, they also bond and grow closer with each other through shared memories and experiences. For our very youngest we have special events and parties so they can be with each other, learn to feel our closeness, and have fun in a Christian setting. Some activities include the Easter Egg Hunt, Harvest Festival, Sunday School Picnic, Christmas Program and Festivites and similar occasions.
		Outreach: An important part of our children's spiritual growth is to learn to reach out to others, helping those in need, and bringing the good news of Christ to those who most need it. Most of the other programs on this page help them experience it and develop this talent and many are the friends and unchurched they have brought into our fellowship as a result. But one other prime function of our youth program is directed specifically toward outreach and caring.
		Service Projects: Our youth are encouraged and guided through the Youth Groups to become involved in service projects designed to reach out to and help the community. This helps them develop a caring nature and a sense of self-worth as they learn first hand about the needs in the community and of those less fortunate. Some typical projects include Habitat For Humanity, Meals On Wheels, Holiday baskets, Stewpot, and the Jackson Zoo. This has immense value in their growth as caring and active Christians as well as the measurable social value to the community.
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