Children, Youth & Families

At St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, we are excited to partner with families as their children grow in their faith through Ministry Stepping Stones, Sunday morning lessons, and service based activities. It is our hope that through these, children and youth will develop and nurture their love for Jesus.

Join us during the program year on Sunday mornings as we come together to hear and experience God through story, music, play, prayer, acts of service, and other activities.

The program year begins on Sunday, September 10, 2023! Classes for all ages run from 9:20 am to 10:20 am.

Scholarships are available for all activities and events. Please talk to our Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries, Connie Yerigan if scholarships are needed. No one will be excluded from any opportunity due to financial reasons.

 

Ministry Stepping Stones

Ministry Stepping Stones are milestone markers in a child’s faith journey. From a young child receiving their first Bible when they join Sunday School through youth standing up and affirming their faith through Confirmation in the fall of their 9th grade year, Ministry Stepping Stones will provide the framework to help your child grow in their faith.

At St. Philip’s, we have seven Ministry Stepping Stones:

Receive their Spark Story Bible 

At St. Philip’s, children are invited to participate in Sunday School beginning at age 2 ½ years old. It is here in their first Sunday School class that they will receive their Spark Story Bible. With meaningful Bible stories, colorful pages, and everyone’s favorite little caterpillar Squiggles, your child will love their first Bible.

First Communion

Children vary in their readiness for communion.  Around the age of 7-8 years old, your child may be asking the following questions:

  • Is the child asking questions about Holy Communion?
  • Is there a verbal desire being expressed to receive communion?
  • Does the child participate in the worship service? (sings along in worship, says the Lord’s prayer, and the Apostles Creed…)
  • Does the child talk about feeling left out when other family members commune?
  • Does the child understand being wrong and being forgiven?

At St. Philip’s when your child is in 2nd grade, they will attend our First Communion Classes. Classes this year will be on Thursday evenings, March 7th and March 14th.  Beginning at 6:30 pm in the Youth Room.  

Children will receive their First Communion on Maundy Thursday, March 28th at the 6 pm worship service.

Receive their Spark Bible 

Children in third grade will receive their next Bible, the Spark Bible. This Bible features stickers that introduce Bible marking methods to help connect kids with the Bible. It also includes kid-friendly introductions to the books of the Bible, along with definitions, facts, trivia, and questions to help kids think about their faith. 

Receive The Small Catechism 

Children in fifth grade will receive a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism. Martin Luther wrote the catechism as a teaching tool of Christian doctrine and faith for individuals and families. The Small Catechism sums up Christian doctrine by dividing it into six chief parts: the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession, and the Sacrament of the Altar. Children will learn about the catechism in their Middle School program years.

Join the Youth Program/Receive their Colaborate Student Bible 

Youth will receive their Student Bible in 6th Grade. The Student Bible features interactive graphics, interesting facts, and insightful commentary. This NRSV Bible is designed to bring the story of God to life for students. It’s smart, it’s fun, and it’s a Bible your youth will hang on to for years.

Attend the Youth Retreat

In the fall of your child’s 8th grade year, they will attend a Youth Retreat. We will spend a day at camp working on service projects and enjoying some favorite camp activities, while also getting a chance to meet together with other confirmands and also spend time learning with our church group. 

Retreat date will be announced at the start of the program year. 

Confirmation

Youth participate in group activities and learning during their 6th Grade through 8th Grade years.  They will be Confirmed during the Fall of their 9th Grade year.  

Requirements and expectations for Confirmation are important as we are helping to guide and form the youth into active members of our congregation.  

St. Philip’s Confirmation requirements and expectations include: (each year of the program)   

  • Regular worship attendance
  • 12 worship notes
  • 12 service/worship involvement opportunities; which include, but are not limited to…
    • prep/serve Wednesday evening Community Suppers
    • reading during worship
    • special music during worship
    • helping in the Food & Clothing Shelf
  • Regular participation in Sunday morning and Wednesday evening ministry activities and opportunities
  • Engage with a mentor during the Lenten season (more info below)
  • Attend Middle School Retreats/Lock-ins
  • Complete a Faith Expression project prior to your Confirmation

**Each program year consists of roughly 30 weeks **

Children & Youth Discipleship (Sunday Morning)

For children & youth 2 1/2 years old through grade 12. Click to learn more.

Children & Youth Discipleship programming is offered for children 2 1/2 years old through grade 12. Sunday mornings from 9:20 am to 10:20 am.

2 1/2 years old through Kindergarten will gather in Room 3

1st & 2nd grade will gather in Room 11

Grade 3 through grade 5 will gather in Room 12

Youth (grade 6 through grade 12) will gather in the Youth Room

These mornings will be a fun mix of exploring the Bible by listening, seeing, moving, and doing.

Vacation Bible School - Summer Fun!

For children ages 2.5 years old through completed grade 5. Click to learn more.

VBS 2024 will be June 17-21…right here at St. Philip’s!!!

We are excited for Vacation Bible School this summer!

Children ages 2.5 years old through completed 5th grade are invited to join us for a week of fun!

SCUBA! During the week, we will be diving into friendship with God. Your child will discover God is a real friend who loves them forever.

We hope your child will join us the week of June 17-21, 2024 from 9 am to 1 pm at St. Philip’s!

Registration will be open in the Spring of 2024. For questions, please contact our Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministries, Connie at ConnieY@splcmn.org

Lunch will be provided each day

**VBS at St. Philip’s is a free event**

VBS Volunteers Needed

All those with caring hearts and helping hands, please contact Connie Yerigan! ConnieY@splcmn.org.

Summer Camp

For youth who have completed grades 1 through 12. Click to learn more.

Summer camp is a wonderful opportunity for your child/youth to develop and build their relationship with Jesus.

Our summer camps are a part of Green Lake Lutheran Ministries. Registration is open each winter/spring for the summer, and links will be posted on our website when available.

Half Blast – Camp for completed grades 1-4
If you are new to camp or not ready to dig into a full week, Half Blast is for you! Camp begins on Sunday and concludes Tuesday evenings with an opportunity for campers to share their amazing experience with their parents. You will fully enjoy all that camp has to offer: swimming, quality cabin time, campfires, faith building, worship, and exciting games and activities.

Andy’s Gang – Camp for completed grades 2-5
Are you ready for a full week at camp? Join us in unforgettable experiences in faith, worship, and a variety of camp activities designed to embrace the full camp experience and encourage growth in relationship with God. Coupled with a beautiful setting and a variety of opportunities to learn, play, sing, and make new friends, this is the place to be for a first timer or a well seasoned camper. Prepare to be a part of a caring and encouraging community built on faith and fun times!

Trailblazers – Camp for completed grades 5-7
Come enjoy all that you have loved about camp and be ready to explore new grounds! Trailblazers have the opportunity to challenge themselves by blazing a trail on the rock wall and traversing trails in God’s creation outside the typical space by the lake at Shores. Trailblazers also experience more intentional small group building, worship, and Bible studies designed to stretch what you know about your faith and the amazing things you can accomplish on your own and with others in God’s community.

Fishing Camp – Camp for completed grades 5-9
For those looking for a true Midwest lake experience for their week at camp, here is the program for you. We partner with Fishing For Life to create a one-of-a-kind fishing experience on the waters of Lake Andrew and other local lakes. The knowledgeable guides teach fish identification, tricks to catching, and opportunity to try the skills you learn; along with some friendly competition. All fishing gear is provided, but don’t leave your lucky gear behind! When you are not honing your skills, your counselors lead cabins in Bible study, worships, and a variety of camp activities. This program is open to ALL, no matter your skill level.

Stargazers – Camp for completed grades 7-9
If staying up late and sleeping in sounds like a great way to spend a week at camp, Stargazers is right for you! As a Stargazer, you’ll build new friendships while swimming, boating, biking, doing crafts, singing around campfires, and engaging in Bible Studies – but with fun night games and a later bedtime. Stargazers spend a night at Homestead, roasting marshmallows over the fire! Experience the night sky in a way only Stargazers can.

High School Up North – Camp for completed grades 9-12
This week is specially planned for high schoolers who are looking for an unplugged and meaningful week of personal faith exploration, adventure, and growth. A combination of North Shore adventure trips, leadership training, and community building, you’ll come home refreshed, empowered, and excited to share God’s love in new ways at home, school, and your congregation. If you’ve never experienced Camp House, you don’t want to miss this! Sign up as a group or individually. Chaperones are also welcome.

Community Guides – Camp for completed grades 10-12
For those experienced campers and those looking to provide their unique skills to the camp community, become a Community Guide! This is a different experience from that of a camper. You have the opportunity to see what it means to be a pivotal community member at camp, and still enjoy some of the top notch programming you have come to love. You will stay in a cabin as a support for a counselor in the Half Blast program. During the day you will assist in leading Bible study and worship, as well as the background tasks that help keep camp running. After Half Blast goes home on Tuesday, your role turns over to complete community support and some off site adventures including a service afternoon and opportunities for high ropes elements!