Youth Ministry

Sunday School is available for children and youth age 4 through grade 12.

Sunday School, September 24

• Parable of  Two Builders – taught by Jan Russell
• Following Children’s Time in Worship
• Pre-K – 2^nd Grade in Room 200
• 3^rd-6^th Grade in Room 201
• Youth are encouraged to stay with their family in worship or help in the Nursery or with Sunday School

Jan is looking for volunteers to help teach Sunday School this fall.
The commitment is one Sunday a month. You will receive the lesson plan on Wednesday before your Sunday class. Let Jan know if you are willing to help and what age level you are interested in teaching.

• W.I.L.D. Ones, Buzz, and High School Youth
  Wednesdays: Tonight – Obstacle course in the Gym!
• Confirmation Class 2024
  This Sunday, meet under the Portico (upper parking lot) at 2:30 p.m. to go to Hennepin Avenue UMC to hear Jen Hatmaker speak.

Upcoming Events:

• • Bible Sunday – October 8, 10 a.m. Worship
  • Social Justice Family Academy – Saturdays, October 14, November 11, and December 9 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. (with optional discussion from 1:30 to 2:30) RSVP required @ https://tinyurl.com/SocialJusticeFamilyAcademy
  • Drive-Thru Mini Boo – Tuesday, October 31, 4 to 6 p.m. Drive through the portico for a goodie bag
  • Hanging of the Greens – Sunday, November 26, 4 p.m., STEP Toy Drive
  • Advent Pageant – Sunday, December 17, 10 a.m. Worship
  • Family Christmas Eve Service – Sunday, December 24, 4 p.m.
  • 2^nd Annual Family Movie Night – Wednesday, December 27, 5 p.m. Light supper followed by The Muppets Christmas Carol in the Sanctuary. Bring your pillow, blanket, and stuffed animal!  We will take donations of socks and/or canned soup for our shelter and food shelf partners.

W.I.L.D. Ones, Buzz, and High School Youth Group

• Youth Group Kickoff! (Grades 6-12)
  • August 26 – meet at Good Sam at 10:00am to go to the Mall of America. Play mini-golf, ride rides, have lunch, and do a scavenger hunt!  We will be back at Good Sam around 5:00 pm.

2023 will mark Good Samaritan’s 42nd year of participation in ASP. The need in the Appalachia area has not diminished and neither has our commitment to serving the wonderful people in that area.

According to the ASP website, “each year, more than 15,000 volunteers serve with ASP, providing critical repairs for more than 350 families.” Projects can include roofing, flooring, shoring up foundations, digging drainage ditches, making rooms or homes wheel-chair accessible, or other projects that help make homes warmer, safer, and drier. In addition to building and improving homes, ASP is also a relational ministry for both the families we serve as well as those serving.

This ministry is about lifting the spirits of Appalachian families and reminding them that God’s love knows no boundaries. In the process of putting your faith in action, God acts in your heart. And when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.

All students who have completed the 9th grade or higher are invited to serve with families in Central Appalachia. Students who are not members of or otherwise affiliated with Good Samaritan church are also invited to participate in the ASP trip. Bring a friend.

For more information contact Amy Manolis at AMANOLIS@MAC.COM or  Jan Russell at JAN@GOOD.ORG.

Confirmation Class 2024

• Historically Confirmation was for students in 9th grade. We are now going to open it up to anyone 8th grade and older. When a student enters 8th grade they will be eligible to register for Confirmation, and they will remain eligible all the way through High school. This way you can choose when the right time for your family is to participate in Confirmation. Maybe that means waiting in order to allow siblings to attend together, maybe that means waiting for an academic year that is less demanding, maybe your student isn’t interested as an 8th grader but will become interested as they get older. Whatever the case may be, we want to make this program more accessible! Jan will be calling families this week to check in. If you know of a family that would be interested in this program, let Jan know!