Questions?

Parent Resource: Axis Culture Translator

When parenting our youth, sometimes there is a culture deficit in what parents understand about current culture trends. One resource option for parents of teens is Axis Culture Translator. Each week, Axis will send an email for parents to stay up to date on the music, movies, TV shows, and social media trends impacting their kid’s world. Explore past editions and sign up to receive the weekly Culture Translator email for free. 

Family Summer Camp Ideas

We take high school students every summer to LVR in Colorado and Confirmation students to a retreat, but a lot of our Lutheran camps also offer opportunities for the whole family to experience a little bit of camp together! It’s a great way to use summer breaks to get away, have fun, in a Christian environment. If you have been curious about what our youth get to do, or you want an intentional week with your whole family, maybe check out these options below! If finances might prohibit your family from participating, please reach out and ask about scholarships!

On May 11 we will be celebrating all those seniors who are graduating from high school. This will take place in  8:30am worship at the Mission campus and in 11am worship at the Shawnee campus. Students and their families will be invited to come forward to receive a gift and a blessing.

If you are a graduate, we want to celebrate you!
Fill out a form with the link below and tell us about your plans!
Deadline is May 1.

Heart of God:  What does God say about himself? 

March 23, 30
April 6 – No Youth Group
April 13
April 20 – No Youth Group
April 27
May 4, 11 

Six weeks to dive into God’s Holiness, Mercy, Grace, Love, Justice, and Faithfulness.  

What God Says About Himself 

What thoughts come to mind when you think of God? Do you wonder what he’s like, what he thinks about you, or what he wants for you? The good news is that we don’t have to go far to find answers. God tells us all we need to know about who he is and what he’s like—about his heart—and why that matters for our lives. In this six-session series, author Francis Chan takes students on a journey of discovery to the heart of God. Students will walk away knowing God better and loving him more. 

Saturday, April 12, from 9:00am-11:30am
Mission campus
For Fifth through Eighth Grade Students 
Register by Thursday, April 3.

Trinity has had an early communion practice for many years. During this class you and your youth (at least one parent must accompany your child) will have a chance to take an in-depth look at what the Sacrament of Holy Communion means and how it nourishes our faith life.

While some churches wait until a child is confirmed to begin taking communion, we believe that this great gift of our Lord’s body and blood strengthens and encourages our students’ faith lives as they are going through their intense study of the Bible and Catechism during Confirmation.

At the class, your student will not only learn what Lutherans believe about Holy Communion and how Christ comes to us in his body and blood, they will also get to taste the wine and the wafers. The class offers this learning through several different experiences – a pre-class study for parents and youth, explanations and Q & A with leaders, and hands-on, experiential learning. The pre-class study will be emailed prior to the class.

Please let us know if you will be coming to the class by Thursday, April 3, with the RSVP link below.

If you have questions please contact Rhonda Synovec, rhonda@tlcms.org, or Pastor Luke.

Confirmation Day

The rite of Confirmation will take place at the 8:30 and 11am services on April 27 and May 4. You will be able to choose which service you prefer. We will confirm up to four students per service. We are asking that you choose your service as soon as possible and are passing around a signup sheet to do so. Students will sit with their families for the service. During this service each confirmand will read his or her essay (see below for details about the essay). Students will also receive a red Confirmation stole they have designed and decorated (information below). Note: We do not use Confirmation robes as one way to get away from the idea that Confirmation means “graduation” from learning about Jesus. Confirmation is only the beginning of lifelong learning and growing in faith. Appropriate attire would be a dress for the girls and a dress shirt and slacks for the boys. Sport coats and ties are optional. Please wear dress shoes if you have them. Both students and parents should arrive 30 minutes before the service. I will show everyone their seats, walk through the Rite, and give students a chance to practice their essay at the microphone.

The Essay:
What My Faith Means to Me

This is your opportunity to make a public confession of what you believe.  It is the public confession of your faith life and should be the important things you take away from your time in Confirmation class.

In your planning of this confession look back through your notes and use the Small Catechism to help you articulate what you want to say.  Also try to answer these questions:

• Why is your faith important?
• What do you plan to do now after confirmation class?
• What (or who) do you believe in?
• What have you learned in class?

Requirements:

• You must make mention of Jesus.
• The essay should be at least 3-4 paragraphs in length. It can certainly be longer.
• The rough draft is due March 19. Once submitted I will review it and return it with notes, comments, and critiques.
• This essay will not be graded, but you should put forth your best effort. Remember that you will be up in front of the congregation, family, and friends reading this. You will want it to be well thought out and well written.

The essays will be compiled into a booklet and distributed to the congregation and to you as a keepsake.

April 4-5, 2025
Rock Springs 4-H Ranch
Junction City, KS

Join us for the 2025 Middle School Huddle (MSH) taking place April 4-5 at Rock Springs 4-H Ranch, located south of Junction City (1168 K157, Junction City, KS 66441). This gathering will encourage middle school students from the Kansas District in their faith by fostering community and spiritual growth as we study God’s Word.

The theme for this year’s Middle School Huddle is “The Armor of God,” based on Ephesians 6:10-18. Together, we will explore how to stand strong in faith, equipped with the spiritual armor that God provides. We will dive into how each piece of the armor – from the belt of truth to the sword of the Spirit – prepares us to face life’s challenges with courage and conviction.

The keynote speaker this year will be Rev. Quentin Nuttmann, senior pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He will guide us in understanding what it is to put on the armor of God. The approximate cost of the Middle School Huddle is $90.

The Middle School Huddle is a Kansas District youth event that happens annually during the month of April. It is specifically designed for youth who are currently in grades 5-8 and aims to foster faith in Jesus Christ through time of worship, learning, and fellowship with one another. This event takes place at a retreat center, where kids gather over the course of Friday evening and into Saturday afternoon for spiritual growth.

The event is organized by a dedicated team of youth leaders who develop a theme centered around God’s Word that addresses God’s answer to a specific life issue that the youth are currently struggling with. The spiritual goals of the Middle School Huddle are to promote discipleship, practical faith application, and community fellowship as they gather together as one within the body of Christ.

Held every 3 years since 1980, the LCMS Youth Gathering provides thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to be encouraged in their walk with Jesus Christ and learn about the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity.

The Gathering is more than the five days of the event. The preparation process for the Gathering brings together young people and supportive adults to encourage each other in their baptismal identity. The Gathering provides young people a vision for the vastness of Christ’s Church and equips them for vocational service as they continue their walk with Jesus.

This event is organized by LCMS Youth Ministry in Saint Louis, MO. For additional ways to connect to LCMS Youth Ministry, please visit www.lcms.org/youth. Bring a parent with you and learn more about our upcoming trip this summer.