One of the ministry areas of high priority in our congregation is youth. Youth ministry is seen as part of the baptismal promises parents make:
faithfully bring them to the services of God’s house, and teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments. As they grow in years, you should place in their hands the Holy Scriptures and provide for their instruction in the Christian faith, that, living in the covenant of their Baptism and in communion with the Church, they may lead godly lives until the day of Jesus Christ. (Order for Holy Baptism).
This is a promise to make disciples of our children, to help them come to call Jesus Christ their Lord.
It begins with parents. Children do what children see. Parents are their models for their life and faith. Your responsibility—and joy—is to bring children to worship, to attend with them, and to carry on your responsibility with your children at home. This includes teaching them to read the Bible, pray, and learn the creeds and the commandments.
It is the responsibility of Cross of Hope to create an environment that fosters your children’s discipleship. We do this, by our modeling of the Christian resurrection lifestyle and by taking responsibility as adults to develop and lead programs that support the growth of faith. Our children’s and Youth Ministries at Cross of Hope include:
Youth & Family Documents
1. Kidz for Christ.
Our Sunday-morning education, Kidz for Christ (KFC) (9:20 – 10:30 a.m.) provides classes for youth from preschool through high school. The curriculum is based on sharing the great Bible stories of our faith, developing discipleship and our personal relationship with Christ. Children and youth gather for worship and sharing time and then go to individual classes and helping each person move to new levels of faith.
2. TNT (Triumphant News Together)
TNT is for students entering grades 3 through 12. Discover what this exciting midweek program can offer your son or daughter.
Wednesday evenings from 5:20-8:30 pm, your child will be able to experience God's love through relationships that are built on biblical principles. We model our evening from the earliest churches. Acts 2:42 reads: "They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers." This simple verse gives us the foundation for the LOGOS program. We will start the evening breaking bread together as we enjoy a homemade meal prepared by wonderful chefs from our congregation.
After dinner, students will participate in a variety of worship activities. They will have several options each block (usually 4-6 weeks) to choose from, including: praise team, sign language, chimes/bell choir, drama, and guitar class. By participating, the students will deepen their own relationship with God, as well as renew and nurture their personal relationship with fellow students.Following worship will be Recreational Time, during which students will choose between different options, and will participate in that option for 1 block. There will be at least two activities to choose from; a large motor skill activity (sports type game) and the other a fine motor skill activity (arts/crafts type option). This is an important time for your child because they will be able to experience new things without the risk of being judged. It will enable them to have great fun and deepen relationships with others that enjoy similar interests.
We will end each evening with Bible study. During this time children in grades 6 through 8th will attend Confirmation classes. All other students will have a LOGOS curriculum appropriate to their grade level.
We are able to bring this wonderful program to you because of the commitment of our amazing volunteers. However, we need your help as well. As a parent of a child in the LOGOS program you are asked to join us 2 times each semester as well as pay a fee of $80.00 per semester ($160.00 per year). Since LOGOS is a self sustaining program, the fees go toward the cost of food and other supplies needed to make each night memorable for your child. Imagine, for $5.71 a night your child can enjoy a home cooked meal with all the trimmings, play in a band, act in a drama, all the while deepening their relationship with God as they try something new. All this for the price of an extra value meal! Discounts are available for families with multiple children participating in the program.
If you are interested in having your child participate in this awesome program, mark August 23 on your calendar and plan on attending the annual LOGOS Parents Meeting. Plus, keep checking Hope filled Happenings for more information. Until then, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at 867- 3862.
Contact: Pastor Nico 897-0047 or revnma@crossofhope.org
Fall Semester
| Sept. 6 | Camp Out |
| Sept. 13 | Surfs Up |
| Sept. 20 | Pajama Jammy Jam |
| Sept. 27 | Homecoming/ Tailgate |
| Oct. 4 | Disco Fever |
| Oct. 11 | Up, Up and Away |
| Oct. 18 | Mexican Fiesta |
| Oct. 25 | Favorite Character |
| Nov 1 | Toga Night |
| Nov. 8 | All American Night |
| Nov. 15 | Lets Be Thankful |
| Nov. 22 | NO LOGOS |
| Nov. 29 | Tacky T Night |
| Dec. 6 | Winter Beach Bash |
| Dec 13 | The Night Before Xmas |
| Dec 20 | NO LOGOS |
| Dec 27 | NO LOGOS |
Spring Semester
| Jan 3 | Fear Factor |
| Jan 10 | Inside Out/Backward Night |
| Jan 17 | Holy Hoedown |
| Jan 24 | Awesome 80's Big Hair Night |
| Jan 31 | Souper Bowl Party |
| Feb 7 | Super Hero Night |
| Feb 14 | Barbie and Ken go to Mardi Gras for Valentines Day |
| Feb 21 | NO LOGOS |
| Feb 28 | Under the Sea |
| Mar. 7 | Circus Night |
| Mar. 14 | Crazy Leprechaun Night |
| Mar. 21 | We've Got Talent |
| Mar. 28 | NO LOGOS |
| Apr. 4 | NO LOGOS |
| Apr. 11 | Tacky Tourist Night |
| Apr. 18 | Jungle Night |
| Apr. 25 | LAST SPLASH BLAST |
With all kinds of pressures working to shape the minds of our youth and children, the challenge to the church is immense to effectively influence our youth and children to live lives consistent with the Christian faith. The LOGOS weekly ministry is proven in achieving this goal. The LOGOS format provides an arena where Christian relationships will be formed and nurtured and Christian discipleship will be understood and practiced.
I have never seen a ministry, or even heard of one, with a record as effective as LOGOS. I will be actively participating in LOGOS during the coming fall along with many fine Christian adults. I earnestly hope you will enroll your youth and children for this exceptionally enriching experience. We have struggled long and hard in making our plans for the coming year. The schedules I have listed and the days we have designated for each segment of LOGOS have been arrived at after careful consideration of many factors.
3. Confirmation Ministry.
This is the formal training youth receive to become adult members of the congregation. Using a variety of teaching resources, the core teaching is the Bible and the Small Catechism: the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confession. Other requirements help youth realize the importance of serving others in the church and the community. Confirmation ministry is part of Triumphant News for Teens.
4. Welcome to Lord’s Table.
On Wednesday evenings during the Spring Semester, children in the fifth grade receive instruction on the Lord’s Supper. They participate in the four parts of TNT, and their Bible study consists of Lord’s Supper instruction. The fifth graders share their first Holy Communion with their families on Maundy Thursday, during Holy Week.
5. Senior High Youth (SHY).
Youth in grades 9-12 meet weekly on Sunday evenings for Bible study, fellowship, fun, and service projects. They participate in annual events such as the Rocky Mountain Synod Youth Gathering. Other activities include retreats, parties, lock-ins, concerts, and sports. Some youth also participate in Casas Por Cristo, an annual trip to Juarez, Mexico to build a home for an impoverished family.
6. Mid High Youth (MHY).
Youth in grades 6 through 8 meet weekly during the summer and monthly during the school year. They participate in lock-ins, parties, game nights, day trips, service projects, Bible studies/discussions, and an annual Rocky Mountain Synod Youth Gathering.
7. Rainbow Trail Day Camp.
Elementary school children gather for a week of day camp activities led by Rainbow Trail Camp counselors. Activities include Bible stories, crafts, camp praise songs, games, “Water Day”, and lots more.
8. Preschool Vacation Bible School.
Preschoolers have their own special week of half-day Vacation Bible School. They participate in Bible story time, crafts, song & dance, games and lots more.
9. Special Needs Vacation Bible School.
Children with special needs and their siblings have an opportunity to learn about God in a setting that meets their special needs. With an adult (child ratio of about 1:1) children learn about God, play, sing and enjoy music, make craft items, and enjoy the love of caring people.
10. Summer Son-Days.
During the summer, children age 3 through fifth grade can join in a very special summer Sunday School. Activities include crafts, Bible stories, games and more – much like a VBS, but on Sunday mornings.
11. Adult Education.
Courses offered year round at 9:20 a.m. such as; Experiencing God, Purpose Driven Life, Parents of Adolescents Support Group, and Walk Through the Bible.