YOUTH AT LCGS: High School Age
Serving in Worship - High School youth are encouraged to serve in all areas of worship. This is a great way to use your gifts to serve God and your congregation.  Ushers, greeters, communion assistants, acolyte, crucifer, lay readers and assisting ministers are all roles that High Schoolers may enjoy.   Position descriptions are available at the Welcome Desk in the narthex to help give a better idea of what is involved, and training is available.    Worship assistants sign up for the dates and service times that work best for them.   

Sunday School -  High School Sunday school uses various resources to explore their faith.  This year, they will be doing character studies of people  of the Bible.  Sunday School runs from Rally Day (in early September) through mid-June from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.  Your student can join a class at any time during the year, and there is no fee to attend.  

Youth Group - is for youth in sixth through twelfth grades.  The Youth Group believes it offers something youth cannot get anywhere else: that rare blend of spiritual, social and service opportunities in a safe  environment where everyone is welcome.  The Youth Group has been spotted taking trips, going camping, watching movies, serving at the Sharing Table,  Christmas caroling, playing the most wacky games and generally having fun together.  There is no formal "joining" of youth group and all youth are welcome to attend whenever they are able!  Youth group meets the first and third Sunday of the month at 12:15 in the Youth Room (Room 205).

RoadTrip - is the synod-sponsored retreat for High School and generally occurs in the Winter in Ocean City, MD.   The weekend includes small group studies, large group activities, high-energy worship and lots of fun!   Retreats are a great way for youth to connect with others who share their faith and begin to recognize their part in the larger church.  

Vacation Bible School - High school youth can serve as volunteers for Vacation Bible School, held for one week in the summer, typically in late June.  Youth serve as  teacher's aids, craft helpers, snack volunteers,  and music helpers.  Registration is in the spring.  Service hours are available for volunteers who need them. 

Youth Sunday - one Sunday a year, the youth take over planning and leading the worship service.  You can believe it is nothing like you've ever experienced before.  Planning begins with the youth choosing a theme and then developing teams to plan out each part of the service.  The teams handle everything from choosing the texts to creating a sermon drama, choreographing a liturgical dance, crafting a children's message,  writing the prayers, providing music and serving as ushers and communion assistants.   It is always a touching and high-energy experience! 

Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) - is the high school youth leadership program for the Delaware-Maryland Synod.  High school youth are organized into one of five teams to discover their God-given gifts and sharpen their skills for service in the Synod, their own congregation, and surrounding community.   Each team is mentored by at least two adults.   LYO members help facilitate both the middle school and high school retreats.  Applications for the upcoming program year are accepted the spring and summer prior on the DE-MD synod website. 

Mission Trip - high school youth have the opportunity to participate in a mission trip most summers.   Service activities vary depending on the trip chosen.  Past trips have included volunteering with the elderly, working at a kid's camp, home repair, and working in a soup kitchen.   

German American Exchange (GAX) -  began in 2000 to give high school-age youth of Good Shepherd the opportunity to learn about their Lutheran heritage through inter-congregational fellowship and immersion in German culture. This ministry is also about opening our homes and hearts to our German brothers and sisters in Christ and proudly sharing our American heritage.  For two weeks each summer, we either travel to Germany or host our German visitors.   Chaperone costs and some of the youth's airfare is offset by fundraising.

ELCA Youth Gathering - Every three years, 30,000 high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation known as the ELCA Youth Gathering. Through days spent in interactive learning, worship, Bible study, service and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives.  2024 Youth Gathering will be held in New Orleans July 16 - 20.