Children, Youth & Family Ministry (CYF)

Faith Formation is an important part of Elk River Lutheran Church. Our ministries, from preschool through high school, nurture students and their families in their faith journey by providing:
  • Bible studies
  • Service projects
  • Fun events
  • Incorporating them into the overall life of the church
Please scroll through this page, or click on the links to the left, to see what some of those offerings look like.
Reach out with any questions (contact form at the bottom of this page).
All are welcomed, celebrated, and loved, and you do not need to be a member of ERLC to participate.

FUTURE 2025 DATES

3rd Grade Bibles
February 23
Fundraiser for Youth Mission Trip
March 28
First Communion
April 9
Palm Sunday Program
April 13
Varty’s Greenhouse Shopping Event
May 4
End of CYF programming for grades 6-12
May 7
End of Kids Connect for the program year
May 11
Youth Mission Trip
June 22-28
Summer Festival High School week
July 13-16
Summer Festival Middle School week
July 20-23
Vacation Bible School
August 4-7

CYF NIGHT

Fellowship - Learning - Fun for All Ages
Join Us for CYF Night -  End of Year Party
A night of fellowship, learning, and fun for all ages. The evening includes:
  • Dinner: Enjoy a delicious meal together.
  • Large Group Gathering: Start the night with an engaging and interactive session.
  • Small Groups: Dive deeper into the theme of the night in age-specific groups.
📅 Wednesday, May 7
🕕 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm
Everyone is welcome—bring the whole family

MILESTONES

Third Grade Bibles

First Communion

We invite all children who are ready to receive their First Communion to participate in our First Communion Instruction and Celebration of First Communion this spring.

First Communion Instruction – Lunch & LearnEach child and at least one parent/guardian should attend one of the following sessions:
📅 Sunday, March 30 at 11:45 AM (Lunch & Learn)
📅 Sunday, April 6 at 11:45 AM (Lunch & Learn)

Celebration of First Communion📅 Wednesday, April 9 at 6:00 PM
📍 During Dinner Church

To register or if you have any questions, please contact Pastor Anne at [email protected].
​
We look forward to celebrating this special faith milestone with you!

KIDS CONNECT

A New Spin on Sunday School!

Learning about God in a fun and interactive way!
👧🧒 Who is it for?
Kids PreK – 5th grade

⏳ When does it happen?
During the sermon at Sunday worship
📖 What do we do?
Kids begin worship with their families, then during the sermon, they are invited to a special lesson just for them! Each 15-minute small group includes:
✅ A Bible story 🏺
✅ Fun activities, crafts, and games 🎨🎲
✅ Prayer and discussion 🙏💬
✅ Making new friends! 👫

💡 No registration or cost—just come and join the fun! Listen for the invitation during worship, and kids can head to their lesson.
​Volunteer with Kids Connect and Share God's Love!

Kids Connect offers our younger students their own lesson time during services, helping them experience God’s love in a meaningful way. The curriculum is simple to follow, and all supplies are provided. We just need compassionate volunteers like you to help guide them!

Have questions? Contact Pastor Anne.
Find a volunteer slot that works for you

CLUB 4-5

Next Club 4-5 To Be Determined. Keep an eye on the weekly announcements.

CONFIRMATION 

What is Confirmation?
​In our Lutheran tradition many of us are baptized as babies, so Confirmation serves as an opportunity for students to learn and grow into a more mature faith, culminating in the fall of our student’s 9th grade year when they make public affirmation of their faith.
Pastor Nathan leads our weekly Wednesday gatherings of students grade 6-8, which include lessons from the Bible, application to daily life, and small group discussion. (AND we have a lot of FUN!) We want students to learn about the Bible, church, and faith, but one of our primary goals is to build relationships between our students to make Confirmation a safe, fun, learning environment.
Why include 6th graders in the Confirmation program now?
This year is the first year 6th graders are being invited to participate in Confirmation at Elk River Lutheran. Elk River schools follow a middle school model where 6th graders attend the same schools as 7th and 8th graders, so this change brings us in line with what Elk River and surrounding school districts are already doing. We also believe that developmentally 6th graders will benefit from the social and learning opportunities available with Confirmation.
What is the Confirmation schedule like?
​We meet most Wednesday nights during the school year from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm in the Community Room (lower level).
  • In most months we’ll have two to three “regular class nights” that include a lesson, fun interactive activity/game, and small group discussion. 
  • One Wednesday night per month we’ll have a special activity (service project, fun night, or outing)
  • Most months we’ll also have a CYF Night. CYF Nights go from 6:00pm-7:45pm and include a meal, large group learning (often with a special guest presenter), and then small group learning time. CYF Nights are designed for families to attend together. Only during the small group time do we intentionally divide into groups by age, including an adult group.

Confirmation Registration

​Parents, please register your students
​with form link below so we have the appropriate contact information.  There will be a meeting for both parents and the 6-9th graders on Wednesday, September 18th from 6:30-7:30pm.  We will discuss the curriculum and plans for a winter retreat!

Confirmation Forms

9TH GRADE STUDENTS

This is a momentous time for you as you make the final preparations to confirm your faith at the Confirmation Service on Sunday, October 27th. Please register on our website so that we know you are ready to affirm your baptismal promises and publicly declare your commitment to Jesus. Our first gathering is Parent Night on Wednesday, Sept 18th at 6:30. AT LEAST ONE PARENT needs to come with you to hear more details about the plans for this fall.

​For September 25-October 23rd, please plan to come to the weekly high school youth group (6:30-7:30), and then stay after to talk about writing a faith statement and other details regarding the Confirmation Service. We will wrap up by 8:30pm.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 9TH GRADE STUDENTS
​2024-25 School Year
  • Sept 18: Parent Night
  • Sept 25-Oct 23rd, Wednesday Nights 6:30-8:30pm
  • Oct 25 Trunk or Treat (service project for Confirmands)
  • Oct 27 Confirmation Service at 10:30am.
  • Feb 7-9 Winter Retreat!

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH​

Hey 9th - 12th graders! Come dive into your faith, the Church, and ourselves, and let’s figure out what discipleship means together. We’ll spend time talking about God and the Bible and how they apply to our real lives.Occasionally, we’ll have service projects or fun field trips to see how God is at work in the community around us.Your voice matters - come share it with us on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30pm!

​High School Youth Mission Trip: Colorado Springs

Calling all students in grades 9-12! Join us June 22-28 for an adventure that combines serving others, fun games, and an epic road trip. Grow in faith, make lifelong friends, and create unforgettable memories.  Seats are limited—register early! Cost and details available via the button below. Talk with Pastor Anne if you have questions!

SUMMER BIBLE CAMP

SUMMER FESTIVAL CAMP

​High School - July 13-16, 2025
Middle School - July 20-23, 2025

LUTHER CREST BIBLE CAMP

Luther Crest Bible Camp – Alexandria, MN
There are so many options for different experiences and age groups.  Full schedule is available on their website, which is where you could register as well. 

Located on the shores of Beautiful Lake Carlos near Alexandria, Luther Crest offers innovative, Christ-centered experiences that are fun, safe, spiritually filling and open to all! Visit their website for details on their programs and camps. www.luthercrest.org
​Elementary Camp:
 (must complete 3rd grade)
July 20-25, 2025.

Lots of dates and options are available, but we’re encouraging the week of July 20–25 so the most ERLC students can attend together!
Family Camp:
​August 1-3, 2025
​

 Check out some of the highlights from the past year:

    Have questions? Contact us today.