Skip to main content

Children and Youth

We love kids and youth! Most of the time our world teaches young people that they need to be more adult-like, but Jesus taught that what adults really need is to be more child-like. Children are humble, curious, joyful, and trusting. At Immanuel we don't believe that “children are the future of the church” - we believe that children are members of our community now, and that they already have gifts and skills and passions that can glorify God and build up others.

"But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

~ Luke 18:16-17

Our church also believes that children are one of God’s most precious gifts and one of life’s most important responsibilities. That’s why we provide so many opportunities for young ones to learn and grow, and have a comprehensive Safe Church policy to ensure every child can thrive in a place that is safe and supportive.

Children's Word

Each week during the 9:00am service, children age 2 to grade 5 are invited to join us for Children’s Word. After a special time together up front with a pastor, our young people head down near the gym, where they play, hear that week’s story from the Bible, and pray together. This gives children a chance to worship in age-appropriate ways, while also providing parents an opportunity to be fully present in worship. All our children return to worship in the sanctuary in time for families to receive communion together.

Godly Play

(for children through grade 4)

Based on the power of storytelling and asking questions, Godly Play is a widely used and incredibly rich learning curriculum for young children. Each week, our young ones get the chance to explore biblical stories through drama, props, and the all-important question: "I wonder...?" Play and imagination are powerful tools to help nurture and grow a lifelong faith.

Godly Play is our Sunday School curriculum for young children, and is best suited for children through grade 1. We meet every Sunday 10:30am-11:15am. Come join us as we wonder together!

Families of Lutheran Youth (FLY!)

We have a growing group of young families at Immanuel, and we're exploring the best ways to provide fellowship and service opportunites! In early 2025, a group of parents came together to form FLY - Famlies of Lutheran Youth. They're working together to plans events and gatherings, and also brainstorming how to make every ministry at Immanuel more family-friendly. In the past year we've gathered for a summer party, Friendsgiving, and our Annual Meal Packaging Event. 

Confirmation

When you’re a young child, faith is mostly about your parents, but as we grow older, each of us has to grapple with what we believe and claim our faith for ourselves. Confirmation is a two-year process that helps students in grades 8 and 9 do exactly that. Over the course of those two years, we study the major narratives of the Old and New Testaments and learn about how Lutherans understand and practice faith. Along the way we discuss how to read the Bible, debate how to reconcile faith and science, talk about whether violence is ever justified, and learn about other faith traditions. During our class sessions students are encouraged to question, doubt, debate, and be honest. Life and faith both involve a lot of questions. This is a safe place to explore them together.

Youth Group

Church is a safe place for youth to belong, a safe place to ask and struggle with deep questions, a safe place to feel supported and loved. While we always seek to involve youth in every part of our community's life, we know there's value in gathering together with other young people too. Right now we're in the process of dreaming something new for our youth group, and hope to share more soon.