Joyfully Connecting with Youth

  • Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that children and youth are the church of tomorrow. That could not be further from the truth.
    ◊ The child Samuel responds to God’s call, and responds “Here I am.”
    ◊The young lad David developed uses his slingshot skills protecting sheep; later he used those skills to slay the giant Goliath.
    ◊ Jesus tells the disciples not to prevent the children to come to him, but rather encourage and facilitate their presence.
  • Children and youth are leaders of this congregation in many ways – through their laughter, smiles, singing, worship participation, and their presence.
    We all can learn about God from their curiosity and wonder – and even their doubts.

JUNE 1, 2025 … 9:00 A.M. in room 127 (across from kitchen) … And Each week in June and July …  For all middle and high school youth.

Each week we’ll have conversation with Pastor John and/or another adult(s) about your questions of faith, life, Scripture, theology, or whatever … you bring the topic or question, and we’ll jump in and see where the Spirit leads us.

There’s only a couple of requirements –
1) We’ll have fun, but we’ll treat each topic with some seriousness;
2) We treat and trust each other with respect and openness;
3) We’ll probably pray a lot!

JUNE 7, 2025 – Saturday – ALMS House (5536 W Patterson St., Hope Mills)
We need at least 4-5 youth, and 2-3 adults.
We’ll meet at church at 10:30, and carpool to ALMS House by 11:15 (NLT). We’ll leave about 12:45, get our own lunch on the way back to the church. Arrive back to St. James, approx. 1:45.

To sign-up, please:
Call church office (910) 484-8052 and leave info, or
Text Sue Rink (910) 627-7579, or
Text Pr. John (704) 530-9969.

PLEASE SIGN UP BY JUN 4!!!

JULY 23, 2025 – Wednesday – Day trip to CAROLINA BEACH AND KURE BEACH …

9:00 AM meet at church. Carpool to Carolina Beach. Spend day in sun, fun, sand, and fellowship. We’ll take some food for the day.
Mid-afternoon we’ll close up beach activity, change clothes, grab some dinner, and make our way to Kure Beach (about 10 min. south) to lead worship for Kure Memorial Lutheran weekly beach worship.

Following worship, we’ll return to Fayetteville. Arrive 9:30-10:00 p.m.

**All those going will be invited to help plan the worship service and prepare to lead it. Planning session sometime in mid-July.

SIGN UP needed to plan for number of vehicles, adults, food, etc.
To sign up, please:
Call church office and leave info, or
Text Pr. John (704) 530-9969 and leave info,

Please, sign up by Wed. July 16!!!

  • Some photos of past activities!!