Youth Ministries:Because "Faith Matters"

Schedules, forms and fun for the school year 2007-2008:

Stage 1: "Laying the Foundation of our Faith" (Grades 6-8)


We have all seen many examples recently of the hunger people have to find meaning in their lives. Self-help books, movies and talk shows are filled with one method or another on how we can save ourselves. Youth are no different; they are bombarded by glitzy advertisements that imply happiness and meaning can be bought.

Jesus meets us with an altogether different message. Jesus comes into our world, embraces us and says, "I love you just as you are. You are my child and I want you to walk with me." "God has saved us by grace through faith and by no work of our own doing."God's love saves lives. God's love frees people from having to earn their salvation. Believing this message comes through the gift of faith. This is a message the world needs to hear.

Our process of formation in faith at Gethsemane Lutheran Church is designed to equip young people with the tools to hear this message and share it with the world. One of the greatest joys of being a pastor is being allowed to journey together with people in their walk with Jesus Christ. Youth ministry is a special and unique opportunity to work together with youth and young adults who are hungry to experience God's love for them.

Our vision at Gethsemane Lutheran Church is to create a culture which develops vital, active, living faith in Jesus Christ in every child, youth, young adult and adult in our congregation. Our youth have asked for this ministry to be relevant, meaningful and authentic. Our youth want to experience the love of God in Jesus Christ and if they are to walk with him as disciples, they first need to understand what this means.

"Faith Matters" is the name of our Middle School and Senior High youth ministry at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. This ministry has been designed based upon the Biblical principles of experiencing God's love in Jesus and journeying together as his disciples. Faith Matters is built around two major components using the imagery of house building. In grades six through eight we will lay the foundation upon which our Christian faith is built. We will gather Wednesday evenings and learn about the matters of our faith: the Bible, the Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments, worship and "What it Means to be Lutheran" are just some of the topics we will experience. These students will also be invited two grade-specific retreats and one synod Middle School Gathering or summer camp experience each year.

Stage 2 - "Building the House of Your Faith" (Grades 9-11)


The youth will build the house of their Christian faith in grades nine through eleven through our weekly senior high gatherings called "Faith Lens" and attending two retreats each year. The most significant way our faith is formed is through experiencing our faith in action.

Retreats can be life-changing experiences. Some of the possible retreats we have planned include: the synod Senior High Youth Retreat; "Urban Plunge" in Minneapolis, MN; Sonshine music festival; summer camp; TEC; National Youth Gathering; "Peer Ministry" training; backpacking; canoeing; etc.

Faith Matters will assist the youth in the formation of their faith. Through the work of the Holy Spirit we will study, play and journey together as disciples of Jesus Christ. Designed to lift up our God-given gifts as understood from this discipling process, this journey of faith will be celebrated with Confirmation as an Affirmation of Baptism and Sending Into Service on Reformation Sunday of the 11th grade. (This is held on Reformation Sunday, the last Sunday in October of each year.) I encourage you to share any questions you have with Pastor Darin via email here or call the church office (218) 741-4961.