Youth & Family
Ministry
Youth & Family Ministry exists not only for the youth in your family, but also the adults!
Sure many of our faith formation opportunities are for youth, from ECHO Worship on Wednesday nights to High School Ministry on Sunday nights. But we also exist to bring families into faith formation, through conversation starters to book studies.
See what we have for your youth and find opportunities for you as a parent/guardian to form your own faith as well!
Forms and Volunteer Opportunities
Check out the list below for upcoming events and sign-ups!
Welcome to our Youth & Family Ministry! We’re excited to invite you and your family to join us in a variety of events and activities designed to build faith, foster community, and create lasting memories. Whether it’s through service projects, fun outings, or meaningful worship experiences, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and grow together in faith. Our ministry is all about bringing families closer to each other and to God, and we can’t wait to have you be a part of our vibrant and welcoming community!
Use the link above to register for the 2025-2026 Children, Youth & Family Ministry year! You can add children of all ages on one registration form and help us plan for the fall!
Boundary Waters Canoe Trip – Summer 2026
Imagine growing in faith while paddling the pristine border lakes of the Boundary Waters—hearing loons call across the water, breathing crisp northern air, and ending each day around a glowing campfire. This unforgettable adventure blends outdoor challenge, community, and faith in God’s creation through Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry.
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Graduation Profile 2026
Graduation Sunday is just around the corner! We're asking all graduating seniors to help us celebrate you by filling out the form below, uploading a picture, and letting us know how you would like us to share your profile!
Simply fill out the form below with the needed information and upload a photo to be added to the video and profiles in the Narthex.
Then join us on May 16th (Saturday) at 5 pm, or on May 17th at 9 am or 11 am, for worship and a special blessing and sending.
Please submit your profile by May 10th!
April 29 - Meal Packing 2026
We are asking each family of youth involved with ECHO Worship to donate $30 for the upcoming Meal Packing Event. This will help cover some of the costs for our youth to participate in the evening.
We are excited to once again partner with Meals from the Heartland and our Community for a one-day, 60,000 meal packing event on Wednesday, April 29, 2026!
NOW is the time to talk to your businesses and co-workers about forming a team and contributing to this massive goal! Beyond recruiting, there are a number of other ways you can support the event. See all the details and registration at firstlutherancr.org/meals.
Affirmation of Baptism
Confirmation
At First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Confirmation (Affirmation of Baptism) is a ministry rooted in faith, community, and worship. Each Wednesday night begins with a shared meal (optional), followed by ECHO Worship, where children, youth, and families gather together in worship and a short teaching.
After worship, 5th–8th graders meet in age-specific small groups to learn, ask questions, and grow in faith alongside their peers and caring adult leaders. Younger and older children are also welcomed into the life of this ministry, creating an intergenerational rhythm of faith formation.
There are no formal requirements—families are invited to engage in the ways that work best for them as their children deepen their understanding of baptismal promises and explore what it means to affirm their faith in daily life. Worship Notes and Worship Leadership/Participation are items we track but are not required; families determine their engagement with their youth.
This journey culminates in the Affirmation of Baptism Worship Service in the fall of 9th grade, where youth publicly affirm their faith and the promises made in baptism.
2025/26 Wednesday Schedule
We hope your whole family will join us for our new Wednesday Night Schedule, including a meal, children and youth faith formation, worship and adult ministries! See details below for more information!
Pre-K & Kindergarten faith formation, including music, has moved to Sunday mornings. Please register for more information. Register Here
5-5:30 p.m.
Junior Choir
Grades 1-4
Choir Room—301 (REHEARSAL STARTS AUG.)
5:35-6:05 p.m.
Echo Kids Wednesday Evening Learning
Grades 1-4
Room 312
(STARTS SEPT.)
7:30—8 p.m.
Supervised Activity Time
Grades 1-4
Room 312
(STARTS SEPT.)
5-5:30 p.m.
Youth Bells Grades 6-12
Bell Room—316
(REHEARSAL STARTS AUG.)
5:35-6:05 p.m.
Youth Choir
Grades 5-8
Choir Room—301
(REHEARSAL STARTS AUG.)
7:30—8 p.m.
Grade 5-12 Small Groups
Various Classrooms
(STARTS SEPT.)
5:15 p.m.—6:30 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Meal
Luther Fellowship Hall
Pizza, soup, salad
(STARTS SEPT. 11)
6:30 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Echo Worship
Sanctuary
(STARTS SEPT. 11)
7:30 p.m. —8 p.m.
Open Adult Small Group
Chapel—Room 217
(STARTS SEPT. 11)
7:15 p.m. —8:30 p.m.
Adult Choir Choir
Room—301
(REHEARSAL STARTS AUG. 28)
what people are saying...
about Youth Ministry
"I enjoy seeing kids grow and seeing and hearing that ‘a-ha’ moment with kids when they experience something spiritually or faith fulfilling.” – Michele Formanek
circleinstagram @FLCRYouth Instagram posts with scripture, upcoming events and reflections.
CAMP EWALU
Ministry Partner
Camp EWALU is a ministry partner with First Lutheran Church! We send campers during the summer to many of their programs and even have some young adults who are part of their summer staff! Click the picture to see what is available for your 6th-12th grader!
