The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
YOUTH AT LCGS
Children of all ages are welcomed and are a very important part of the life of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.   
Our vision is for them  to grow in their relationships with God and one another … to be active and faithful Christians.
There is a place here for  youth of all ages.  View our youth opportunities below.
​We always welcome adult members as leaders, teachers, and chaperones.  What a blessing to have our children surrounded by a community of loving adults who are dedicated to following Jesus!
PRESCHOOL AGE
Meets Sundays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. 
​Kids Connect for Prek and Kindergarten age, Room 204
KIDS CONNECT - A fun time of learning about God's love and grace while building relationships! The Connect Hour runs Sundays from early Sept - mid June  from 9:45 - 10:45 am.  Your child can join a class at any time during the year, and there is no fee to attend.  Register Here!
Kids in Worship  - Start the good habit of weekly worship participation with your preschooler!  We believe that it is important for families to worship together and so, children are welcomed in worship!  Young children usually like to listen to the music, watch the acolyte light the candles,  and watch the crucifer bring the cross down the aisle.   Sharing the peace, helping pass the offering plate and, coming to communion for a blessing are also fun for young children.  Children who have not yet participated in communion instruction are welcome to receive communion at LCGS as you see fit.  If you think they may need more to do, visit our "Worship Tools Bar" (located in the Narthex) which provides items meant to help our young friends participate in worship on their own level. However, if you should feel the need to step out of the service to calm a little one, we have a Family Room just outside of the sanctuary at the rear, where you can see and hear the service.
Vacation Bible School (VBS) - offered for children who have completed preschool 3's  through grade five for a week in the summer, usually in late June.  VBS is a week-long, morning program.   Registration takes place in early spring, and there is a nominal fee for VBS to help offset the cost of the program materials. 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool - established in 1977 as a service to parents of young children of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and the community.  We offer a developmentally appropriate program for young children, in a warm and loving environment, that provides exceptional readiness for kindergarten. Christian values of love, kindness, sharing and gratefulness are incorporated into our curriculum.   The Preschool is licensed and accredited by the Maryland Department of Human Resources/Child Care Administration and has classes for 3-year-olds, 4-year- olds, and transitional kindergartners.  To arrange a tour, contact the Preschool Director or visit the  Preschool's website.   ​
GRADE SCHOOL AGE
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Meets Sundays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. 
​Kids Connect 1st - 6th grade, Room 206
KIDS CONNECT - A fun time of learning about God's love and grace while building relationships! The Connect Hour runs Sundays from early Sept - mid June  from 9:45 - 10:45 am.  Your child can join a class at any time during the year, and there is no fee to attend.  Register Here! 
Children in Worship  -   We believe that it is important for families to worship together and so, children are welcomed in worship!  But,  we do understand that an hour can be a long time for them.  Grade school age kids usually like to follow along with the service in the bulletin and help to look up the hymns in the hymnal.  Sharing the peace, helping pass the offering plate and, coming to communion  are ways that grade schoolers can actively participate in worship.  If you think they may need more to do, please visit the worship tools bar in the Narthex, where they can get a children's bulletin and fill a bag with items to encourage them to participate during worship at their age level.   Don't worry if you  need to step out of the sanctuary with your grade schooler from time to time. 
Communion Instruction- Usually in the fall of second grade, children receive communion instruction at a Saturday Family Workshop led by Pastor along with members of the Altar Guild.  Children learn about the sacrament, make their own communion bread, tour the Sacristy where communion elements are prepared for worship and make banners to celebrate the occasion of their first communion.  Older students who are not yet communing are welcome to participate.   ​
Vacation Bible School (VBS) - offered for children who have completed preschool 3's  through grade five for a week in the summer, usually in late June.  Our VBS is a week long  morning program.   Registration takes place in early spring, and there is a nominal fee for VBS to help offset the cost of the program materials.   ​
MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE
Meets Sundays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. 
​Kids Connect 6th - 8th grade, Room 202
Confirmation Instruction - 6th through 8th grade (and older who haven't yet been confirmed). Our confirmation instruction is a three-year program utilizing the Curriculum, Colaborate from Sparkhouse.  Colaborate digs deep into Old Testament, Lutheran Living (Justification by Faith, Law and Gospel, Grace, the Cross, etc.),  New Testament and  Lutheran History and Catechism (like Baptism, the Lord’s Prayer, the 10 Commandments, etc.).  Service and Fellowship opportunities are also planned throughout the program year.  Following instruction, youth affirm their baptism during worship. While some believe confirmation to be a "graduation", it is anything but!  Faith formation is a life-long process. Confirmed youth are full members of the congregation, eligible to serve on ministry teams or church council and to vote in congregational meetings.  Register Here!  ​
Serving in Worship - Middle School youth are encouraged to begin serving during worship. (if they haven't already) They may choose to serve as acolytes and crucifers who carry the cross and  lead the procession, light the altar candles, and assist with the offering.  Middle School students may also like serving as part of an usher or Altar team, communion assistant, lector or greeter.  We encourage you to explore the various roles to find what suits your middle schooler.   For more information on what is involved in these roles, please contact the church office or see the descriptions on the home page.
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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 just as they are!  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 12:15 - 1:45pm in the Youth Room (Room 205).  Lunch is provided.
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Retreat  - Our synod-sponsored retreat for Middle School and High School occurs in November.  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. DE-MD synod website. ​
Vacation Bible School - Middle school youth can serve as volunteers for Vacation Bible School, held for one week in the summer, typically in late June.  Youth serve as leaders in all areas including small groups,  crafts, snack volunteers,  and music, science and games and story telling.  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 scripture lesson and 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, 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!
HIGH SCHOOL AGE
​Meets Sundays from 9:45-10:45 a.m. 
​Kids Connect High School, Youth Room 205
TEENS CONNECT - A fun time of learning about God's love and grace while building relationships! The Connect Hour runs Sundays from early Sept - mid June from 9:45 - 10:45 am.  Your child can join a class at any time during the year, and there is no fee to attend.  Register Here! 
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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 through SignUp Genius (link is on our home page).
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 ​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 just as they are!  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 12:15 - 1:45pm in the Youth Room (Room 205). Lunch is provided.
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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  leaders in all areas including small groups, crafts, snack volunteers,  music, science/games, and story telling.  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 scripture lesson and 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!
Retreat  - Our synod-sponsored retreat for High School and Middle school occurs in November.  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. DE-MD synod website.  
Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) - is the high school youth leadership program for the Delaware-Maryland  and DC Metro 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.   ​
ELCA Youth Gathering - Every three years, thousands of 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, accompaniment and fellowship, young people grow in faith and are challenged and inspired to live their faith in their daily lives. 2027 Youth Gathering will be held in Minneapolis June 28- July 2, Youth Gathering Website
The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd