Youth Ministries
St. Stephen offers a variety of programs for children and youth of all ages. If you have questions regarding youth ministry, please call the church office at 330-492-4591.
Confirmation
St. Stephen’s 4 year confirmation program is for all students in 5-8 grade. Our confirmation program helps our students learn more about the Bible, Luther’s small catechism, the basics of Christianity, faith and God while building relationships with their peers, pastors, and leaders. Confirmation students serve as acolytes and crucifers. They also participate in various youth service and fellowship activities, including lock-ins.
Sunday School
The Sunday School program at St. Stephen Martyr is designed to familiarize children with the wonderful story of God’s faithfulness centered in the good news of the gospel. Our Sunday school program follows the school year and runs August- May. It is open to children age 3 (and potty trained) through grade 4. Our average attendance is around 40 children. Each classroom has 2 teachers and 2 teacher assistants who trade weeks teaching your children about God. For the safety of your children our teachers have voluntarily been background checked. We follow the Whirl curriculum from Augsburg Fortress. A biblically based, child-centered and age-appropriate curriculum. Each week we include a Bible lesson, the Lord’s Prayer, music time, crafts or snacks and a take home lesson. Sunday school begins at 9:10 am and ends around 10:15. We would love for you and your children to get involved! For more information about Sunday school please contact our director, Mary Stewart.
We are very proud of our Sunday school students who decided to give part of their allowance each week to purchase chicks, pigs, goats and other farm animals to support the ELCA global barnyard mission. Our Sunday School students also participate in Operation Christmas Child by filling a shoe box with small gifts and toys to be sent to children all over the world. Our Sunday School Children work with their teachers to present a Christmas Program each December which they share at the 9:15 Gathering Service. This is always a popular event.
Youth Group
Youth Group is for all students in Grade 9 - Grade 12 who want to learn about God and the Bible and are interested in fellowship, games, Bible study, and a great time! Youth Group participates in service projects, mission trips and much more! They meet on Sunday evenings from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. For more information, please contact our Director of Family Ministry, Lydia Brooks.
Vacation Bible School
June is the month for Vacation Bible School. We have a strong leadership team that organizes an exceptional week-long program. The program runs from 9 am to noon Monday through Friday and all children are invited to attend our Gathering Service (contemporary worship) on the Sunday following the conclusion of VBS, to showcase what they have learned for the congregation. The children gather each morning in our Family Life Center where they learn songs, Bible verses and meet the Bible buddy of the day. Following that time, they move in small groups to experience a Bible story, crafts (which include some awesome science!), games and snacks. They conclude their day back in the Family Life Center for more music and dancing! For a nominal fee, the children experience all this fun and get their very own t-shirt and music CD that they will enjoy for many weeks! Registration begins in May.
Vacation Bible School is always full of fun, music and memories
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