Children’s and Youth Ministry
Children’s Ministry
Mission:
At Abiding Love Lutheran Church, we celebrate God as the center of our lives and welcome all children, regardless of their family makeup, to experience the abiding love of Jesus. We walk together with our youngest members on their journey of faith.
Goals:
At Abiding Love Lutheran Church, our Children’s Ministry is dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where all families feel welcomed and supported. Our approach focuses on building meaningful relationships among children and families, fostering a strong sense of community life and spiritual formation, and reaching out to serve those in need.
Godly Play for Ages 0 – 3rd Grade
We utilize the Godly Play approach in our classrooms for children from birth to 3rd grade. This Montessori curriculum encourages children to explore their faith through biblically rich storytelling, wonder, art, and play, fostering spiritual growth in an imaginative and engaging way.
Submerge Sunday School for 4th & 5th Grade
For our older children in 4th and 5th grade, we offer a more traditional Sunday School approach. This program helps deepen their understanding of scripture and faith through structured lessons and activities, building a solid foundation for their spiritual journey as they prepare to enter our Confirmation program in their 6th grade year.
Schedule:
Godly Play and Submerge Sunday School kick off the second Sunday after Labor Day Weekend and usually wrap up mid-May. For a detailed schedule, check out our church calendar!
Safety and Policies:
At Abiding Love Lutheran Church, the safety and well-being of all children are our top priorities. We are committed to creating a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive community where every child can thrive. To uphold this commitment, we have implemented best practices and safety measures designed to protect children and provide peace of mind for parents and guardians. These practices include background checks and screening, training and education for volunteers, adherence to safe environment policies, a demonstrated commitment to inclusivity and support, and continued communication with parents and caregivers.
By implementing these best practices, children are able to grow in their faith and in this community. We take our responsibility seriously and are dedicated to continually improving our practices to meet the highest standards of safety and care. To learn more about the steps we take to ensure the safety of all children at Abiding Love, please reach out to us at your earliest convenience.
Contact Information
If you would like to learn how you can get involved in either our Godly Play or Submerge Classrooms, please contact Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry, Tyler Parks at (512) 892-4040 x 16 or [email protected].
Confirmation Ministry
Our Confirmation Ministry is a three-year journey designed to deepen faith, build meaningful relationships, and foster a sense of community among young people and their families. This program typically begins in the fall of the 6th grade year and concludes in the spring of the 8th grade year. However, we warmly welcome any student who has a desire and not yet participated in Confirmation.
Mission:
To nurture the faith and spiritual growth of young people, fostering a deeper understanding of their baptismal promises. We aim to create an inclusive and supportive community where all students, especially those from diverse family backgrounds, feel welcomed and valued. Through engaging experiences, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for service, we guide our youth in exploring and affirming their faith.
Goals:
We strive to provide opportunities for students to be engulfed in experiences that inspire them to live out the promises of their baptism in their daily life. We encourage students to ask questions, engage in discussions, and embrace their identity in the Christian community as beloved children of God.
We seek to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students feel accepted and supported. We promote strong relationships between peers, mentors, and families to create a cohesive and caring community.
We encourage students to participate in worship, prayer, and other spiritual practices while equipping them with the tools to continue growing in their faith beyond the Confirmation program.
We seek to embolden students to participate in services activities that teach compassion and empathy while encouraging active participation in the life and mission of the church, reinforcing the call to serve the broader community.
Curriculum:
Our Confirmation program is centered around the promises that are made at baptism and then affirmed upon the completion of the Confirmation program. Throughout the three years that a student participates in our Confirmation program, they will come to their own understandings of what it means to 1.) Live amongst God’s faithful people 2.) Hear the Word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper 3.) Proclaim the good new of God in Christ through word and deed 4.) Serve all people, following the example of Jesus 5.) Strive for justice and peace in all of the earth.
We accomplish this by offering weekly Confirmation classes on Sundays throughout the school year, as well as special retreats, service opportunities, fellowship events, and summer camp experiences.
Schedule:
Confirmation kicks off the second Sunday after Labor Day Weekend and usually wrap up mid-May. For a detailed schedule, check out our church calendar!
Requirements:
While not all Confirmation experiences will be the same, we do ask that students begin the process around the time that they begin their 6th grade year or later. To complete the program, students are encouraged to participate on a regular basis for the full three years. This includes regularly attending Confirmation classes, serving as an Acolyte in worship when scheduled, and participating in a variety of fellowship and service-oriented activities throughout the year. Finally, we ask students to participate in week-long summer camp at least once during their time in Confirmation. By actively participating in the program, students will come away from the experience with a much deeper understanding of the promises that they will affirm at Confirmation.
Contact Information
If you would like to learn how your student can participate in our Confirmation program, or would like further information about volunteering as a Confirmation Mentor, please contact Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry, Tyler Parks at (512) 892-4040 x 16 or [email protected].
High School Youth Group
Our High School Youth Group is a vibrant space where students can explore what it means to live out their faith every day. Through meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and a supportive community, we help high schoolers connect their beliefs with their actions. Whether they’re new to the church or lifelong participants, all students are invited to grow in their relationship with God, others, and the world around them.
Purpose
To empower high school students to live out their faith in their daily lives. By providing a welcoming and inclusive community, we guide students to explore their spiritual identity, deepen their connection to God, and discover how their faith can shape their choices, relationships, and purpose.
Our Goals
- Faith in Action: Equip students with practical tools and spiritual practices to integrate their faith into everyday decisions, relationships, and challenges.
- Authentic Community: Foster a sense of belonging by building strong, supportive relationships among students, mentors, and families.
- Personal Identity: Help students reflect on who they are as children of God, encouraging them to embrace their unique gifts and live with confidence in their faith.
- Serving with Purpose: Inspire students to make a difference through acts of service, showing love and compassion to their communities and beyond.
- Leadership and Worship: Empower students to actively participate in worship and take on leadership roles, encouraging them to lead by example and inspire others to live out their faith.
Schedule:
High School Youth meet most Sundays from 5:30PM – 7:00PM in the Upstairs Youth Room of our Main Building. For a detailed schedule, check out our church calendar!
If you would like to learn how your student can participate in our High School Youth Program, or would like further information about volunteering as a Youth Mentor, please contact Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry, Tyler Parks at (512) 892-4040 x 16 or [email protected].
Resources
Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteers are essential to the success of our ministries at Abiding Love Lutheran Church. They help create a welcoming environment, build a supportive community, and meet the needs of children and families. Those interested in volunteering should complete a volunteer application and submit to a background check. Your involvement makes a meaningful impact on our community.
Parent Resources:
While we provide a diverse range of resources, we recognize that not all may fit every family’s needs. We are committed to learning and exploring new resources to support families from all backgrounds. Your feedback in valuable as we strive to offer inclusive and relevant support.
For more information about parent resources, please contact Director of Children’s & Youth Ministry, Tyler Parks by phone (512) 892-4040 x 16, or email ([email protected])