Youth & Family
At GSLC we strive to nurture youth from birth through high school both with traditional rituals like baptism and confirmation discipleship, to celebrating milestones such as honoring our new drivers and high school graduates. Check out our weekly lessons and activities for K-6th graders!
Growing up Lutheran
Sunday School
Join us for Online Sunday School! We’ll post weekly story and exploration times for kids and families to watch together and learn the stories of the Bible. Kindergarten – 3rd Grade In Sunday School kids from PreK through 8th grade engage in creative ways to learn about the Bible. PreK-First graders meet to actively learn through… Continue reading Sunday School
Middle School
Confirmation Discipleship is the journey our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students go on to decide if they are going to affirm their baptismal vows and later be commissioned by our congregation for service in the world in Jesus’ name. If a student has not been baptized then this process will culminate in that sacrament.… Continue reading Middle School
High School
Relationships are the curriculum as we learn what it means to live out our baptismal promises: To live among God’s faithful people To attend to the word of God and the holy supper To learn the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments To proclaim Christ through word and deed To care for others… Continue reading High School
Parents Night Out
This event occurs one Friday a month from 5-8pm and is a ministry for parents who have kids 5 months – 5th grade and just need a night away. We provide food and games for the children while you get some time to yourself. There is no cost to drop children off and any donations… Continue reading Parents Night Out
Leadership Lab
The annual Leadership Lab is a joint ministry of the three ELCA synods in Illinois and has grown to become a hub for students nationwide to become deeper followers of Jesus. It is a laboratory for youth to experiment and practice church leadership while at the same time an intense and transformational faith experience. This… Continue reading Leadership Lab
Baptism
Our baptism sets us out on a lifelong journey that is characterized by our relationship to God, our relationship to our faith community, our relationships in our community and the wider world. Living our baptismal covenant means living a life of growth in the faith practices of discipleship.
First Communion
Baptized children begin to commune on a regular basis at a time determined through mutual conversation that includes the pastor, the child, and the parents or sponsors involved, within the accepted practices of the congregation. Ordinarily this beginning will occur only when children can eat and drink, and can start to respond to the gift… Continue reading First Communion
Virtual VBS
Join the fun! Join us each Thursday in July at 3pm to ZOOM IN on Bible stories to help us remember our baptism. We’ll share together the crafts we have made during the week, read the Bible together, and pray together. ZOOM link Week 1 – Noah’s Ark Week 2 – Jonah & the Big… Continue reading Virtual VBS
Crossways Confirmation Camp
Crossways Confirmation Camp For one week in June the Holy Spirit gathers ELCA youth from around the state into one, beautiful community. Middle School Campers have the opportunity to grow in faith and discipleship through engaging lessons, sermons, and Bible stories each day. Each year we visit the home of a faith tradition different than… Continue reading Crossways Confirmation Camp