Children & Youth Ministries: "Growing in God's Grace"

Grace (Greek: charis) -- the spontaneous, unmerited gift of divine favor.

For all who are led by the spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14)
Children are a vital part of our congregation, and our Children's Ministry is dedicated to their nurture and spiritual formation! As United Methodists, we see God's grace active in different ways during our lives. These types of grace -- prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying -- may be experienced in children's levels of development.

Prevenient grace --  “God is active in our lives, even when we don’t realize it.” 
For our preschoolers and elementary students (K-5) God's grace is found in the experience of feeling loved, protected, and inspired to learn. In Children's Church, the message is presented through songs and puppet shows. Both younger and older children may work on related crafts, while older children begin to directly engage with scripture and storytelling.

Justifying grace -- “We respond to God’s loving invitation to relationship.”  
Our middle school youth begin to explore the confirmation curriculum (“Christianity 101”), and what it means to choose the path of discipleship — to confirm the baptismal promises once made on their behalf by godparents or sponsors. High schoolers who are seeking baptism or confirmation may join us in this study.

Sanctifying grace --  “We continue our walk towards perfection, guided by the Holy Spirit”
The foundation for future discipleship is laid as senior high students participate in ministries under adult supervision (music, audio/visual, Children’s Church) or
worship with their parents. 

 

So how does this play out on Sunday mornings?  Keep reading --

Sundays for Children @ LUMC

On first Sundays, children stay with their parents to worship and receive communion in the Sanctuary. Activity bags are available at the check-in desk.
On 2nd, 3rd, 4th (and 5th) Sundays, our offerings are as follows:

Preschool and Elementary (K-5)

 After the Children's Sermon, elementary students (K-5) may stay with their parents or go to Children's Church,
where they engage with the message through song, story, games, and crafts. 

Junior High School 

During our 10 am Sunday worship service, the Junior High (6th - 8th graders) have three choices:
1) Attend Confirmation Sunday School by walking up the stairs to the Youth Booth.
2) Assist teachers in leading K-5th graders in Sunday school: songs, puppets, crafts, skits, etc.
3) Enjoy worship with parent(s) in the sanctuary.

Senior  High School

During  our  10 am  Sunday  worship  service the Senior High (9th - 12th  graders) have four options:
1) Enjoy worship with parent(s) in the sanctuary
2) Sit with other youth in the balcony where Mr. Keith will give a sermon outline for your notes and questions about the sermon.
3) Walk upstairs to the balcony for worship to participate in audio-visual training for the live production of the worship service. And yes, you will also fill out a sermon note outline.
4) Assist teachers in leading K-5th graders in Sunday school: songs, puppets, crafts, skits etc.  

Camping

Camping opportunities at Camp Wrightwood and other local camps may be found at https://www.calpacumc.org/summercamp (registration closes June 15th!)
 
Plus, Winter Camping 2024:
Wrightwood Winter Camp - February 18-20
Lancaster UMC Winter Tent Camping - TBA