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!
Mentor Ministry- Family Form
We are excited again to continue our Mentor Ministry with all of our Confirmation youth this Lent. Below you will find the important information which will need to be completed in the coming weeks.
1. Families ask First Lutheran Member to be a mentor for youth. (Optional)
2. Families fill out Parent/Guardian Affirmation with youth and mentor information and submit online by February 4. If you need a mentor, use the form below to let us know!
3. First Lutheran contacts mentors with information about the Mentor Ministry.
2026 Youth Lock-In
Get ready for an unforgettable night at the Youth Lock-In 2026 on Friday, January 23, from 7–10 PM in the brand-new Youth Space at First Lutheran Church! This lock-in of epic proportions is open to current 5th–8th graders and friends and will be packed with games, pizza, drinks, and prizes you won’t want to miss. The cost is $5 per person, with online registration only, and the deadline to register is January 21. Bringing a friend? That’s great—just be sure they register separately so we have parent/guardian permission from their family.
High school students are invited to be part of the fun by volunteering at the Youth Lock-In 2026! Help lead games, welcome middle schoolers, and make the night an awesome experience for everyone. All high school volunteers need to register in advance so we know you’re coming and can assign roles—registration is required even though there’s no cost. Thanks for sharing your time, energy, and leadership to make this a great night!
OPEN DOOR HOUR
Our new youth room is almost ready to open! Come hang out during Open Door Hour before ECHO Worship—play games, relax, and grab some pizza with friends. We need adult or parent volunteers to help host this fun time and make everyone feel welcome! If you are interested in hosting this week, please let me know!
Summer Trip Meeting
☀️ Join us for a Youth Summer Trip Interest Meeting on Sunday, January 18 at 5 pm to share ideas and explore options for intermediate/middle & high school trips—possibly even two trips, depending on interest. 👉 No commitment—just come hear what we are looking at. High School Ministry Sunday Nights follows the meeting.
Summer 2026- Camperships
We invite your child to come along this summer for an exciting experience of living in Christian community with a camp counselor and other youth. The community of First Lutheran Church is committed to our children and youth attending camp, and so we offer Camperships for those attending a Christian camp this summer.
To ensure that everyone’s registration forms get turned in on time and meet early registration deadlines, we ask that you register directly on the camp website and pay the full deposit amount. First Lutheran will work with the camp to get the campership amount to the camp in a timely fashion.
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!
