Youth Ministry
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church is making a very determined effort to include the youth of our congregation in our worship services. In addition, we are trying to build a solid learning environment in which youth can come and feel safe in whatever activity that they choose to become involved in, whether sacred traditions or social events. Children and teens can spread their wings, try new things, have fun, and choose from a variety of selections to showcase and develop their particular talents. Please do not pass up this opportunity to volunteer your time and strengthen your values.
WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Banner Making
What: Make banners for the seasons of the church year and special occasions. Create new ideas or help with the hands-on work. You would be working with the adults for this activity.
Christmas Program
What: The Sunday School’s presentation of the glorious Christmas season. All children and teens are encouraged to take part in this event. High School students may join us as well.
How often: Practices take place during Sunday School’s time slot in November and December. One outside practice after the second service may be needed.
Communion Presenters
What: Two people are needed to carry the wine and wafers forward during the service (just prior to Holy Communion being celebrated) on the first Sunday of the month or for the service having communion that week. Open to 3rd-8th graders.
How often: Once a year. Please check whether you prefer the first or second service.
Readers
What: The reader stands in front of the congregation and reads the Bible lessons during worship service. Open to 7th or 8th graders.
How often: About every two months. Please check the first or second service.
Instrumentalist
Who: Anyone who wishes to share their musical ability at services when the adult choir does not sing. Also, you could play when the Sunday School students sing or for special services like Souper Bowl Sunday, Christmas, and Easter. Please specify what instrument you play.
Ushers
What: Duties include handing out the bulletins, counting attendance, collecting offerings, and directing worshippers during communion. Open to 7th and 8th graders.
How Often: Every two months. Please check the first or second service.
Vocal Soloist or Small Group
Who: Anyone who wants to share their musical ability at services when the choir or children are not singing. You may perform as a small group with an instrumentalist or on your own. There is a pianist available at every service.
Souper Bowl Sunday
What: An event sponsored by the youth which takes place on Super Bowl Sunday, children/teens participate in the whole service from readings to singing to skits and conducting the children’s sermon. There is no age limit as every age group does something for this event. This is coordinated during Sunday School time but may involve one outside practice.
How Often: Once a year at the end of January.
Bell Choir
What: Play in the Bell Choir, a multi-age group that plays once a month at a morning worship service.
How often: Practice is on Wednesdays, September-May, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Worship Greeters
What: Individuals or families greet worshippers at the west and two south building entrances.
How often: You would greet two or three times a year. Please indicate a preference for the first or second service.
SOCIAL MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry
What: Periodically 3rd – 8th-grade youth serve at the soup kitchen and bring groceries that the congregation has collected down to the food pantry run by Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
How often: Twice a year.
PROPERTY OPPORTUNITIES
Work Days
What: Assist the Property Committee with cleaning and yard work.
How often: One day in the spring and one day in the fall.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Easter Breakfast
What: A breakfast is provided for the congregation between the two Easter services. Help is needed to make food, set up, and clean up.
How often: Once a year on Easter Sunday.
Church Picnic Committee
What: During the summer, a church picnic is provided at an area forest preserve. Help is needed to plan the meal and activities to be offered at the picnic. Setting up, running the event, and cleaning up is also part of the committee’s responsibilities.
How often: Once a year during the summer, with at least one planning meeting.
Lenten Supper
What: Assist with a supper that happens prior to a Wednesday night Lenten Service during the season of Lent. Help is needed to make food, setting up, serving, and cleaning up.
How often: Once a year during the season of Lent.
YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Library Consultant
What: Youth is needed to help the Library Committee in selecting appropriate materials for the church library that interest them.
How Often: Any time of the year.
Vacation Bible School Volunteer
What: A week-long learning experience for those in Pre-school through sixth grade. Volunteers are needed for skits, food, recreation, music, classroom aides, and much more. Please fill out the volunteer form found in the narthex. Those who will be entering seventh grade in the fall may sign up for this activity.
When: You may volunteer for any portion of the week or the whole week.
YOUTH MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Junior/Senior Youth Group
What: Those students in junior and senior high school are in this group. Teens get together for fellowship, conducting mission projects, going on retreats, and having fun during social activities. Sometimes events are scheduled with high school students, and other times junior high students participate in separate activities. Junior high students in 7th and 8th grade fill out this Time and Talent Sheet. High school students mark this group on the Adult Time and Talent Sheet.
Youth Committee
What: The Youth Committee consists of youth in the Junior/Senior Youth Group who meet to plan activities for the year. These events are both mission and recreationally focused activities.
How Often: Twice a year.
