Activities for Youth and Adults
We welcome you to explore the many ways that people
of all ages can become involved in the life of the church.
Click on a button to go to your area of interest or scroll down to browse them all.
Worship & Music
We have Ushers, Deacons, Altar Guild, a Prayer Chain, and individuals who visit the sick and shut-in. A prayer partner is available to pray with people, confidentially, after the worship service.
Our choir sings many styles of music to enhance the service.
At times, we have a small bell choir that plays songs or accompanies the choir. If you are interested in being a guest musician, please talk to the organist / choir director. He can accompany you on the piano or the pipe organ.
We look for ways to involve children in the church service:
-
As acolytes, they carry the cross and light altar candles
-
Kids sing in front of the congregation
-
Those who take music lessons may play their instrument with the choir
-
We sometimes are spontaneous and hand out rhythm instruments during a hymn!
-
About twice a year we have special Children's Day services, in which kids take on adult roles of their choice.
Sunday School
Sunday School is for children ages 3+ and takes place immediately after the church service at 10:30 during the school year.
We use a bible-based curriculum that includes fun, interactive
age-appropriate lesson, activities, crafts and songs.
Class is about 30 minutes long. Children attend any weeks that work with their family's schedule. Parents are always welcome to sit in on the classes. Visitors are invited every week.
Parents enjoy a cup of coffee in an adjacent room during Sunday School, and then their children / grandchildren join them for juice and a snack when Sunday School is finished.
For the 2019 - 2020 school year, class will be held weekly from September15 through May 24, except there is no class on these dates: Oct. 27, Dec. 29, Jan. 5 and April 12.
Youth Activities
Young people of all ages have many ways to be involved at Augustana. We have a flexible approach and like to create activities around the interests and talents of the youth. Click here for a printable pdf summarizing all of our youth activities.
Pictured are a recent family game night (not pictured is the delicious take-out food!) a trip to see a live performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas, and our annual Santa Lucia pageant. This is a popular annual event for families that honors the Swedish heritage of the church. Children act out the Lucia story, the audience sings familiar Christmas carols, and there is always the possibility of a visitor from the North Pole.
On Fridays in the summer, Augustana runs a community Play Group.
You can read about the play group in the next section.
Augustana Youth are invited to participate in programming run by Organic Youth and Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center (LCLC). See sections below for information on these activities.
Play Group
On Friday mornings in the summer, Augustana hosts an indoor playgroup for young children and their caregivers. It is open to the community and includes toys, games, songs, stories and snacks in a safe, caring environment.
Organic Youth
Children of Augustana and other area ELCA churches participate in ORGANIC YOUTH, which runs programs for youth in grades 1-12, and family programming. The programs vary by age level (Elementary, Gr. 6-12 and Senior High) and include age-appropriate service opportunities, retreats, and faith-centered fun events. Their mission is “Growing, Living, Reaching & Serving in God’s Love.”
LCLC
LAKE CHAUTAUQUA LUTHERAN CENTER, INC. is a ministry of the Upstate New York Synod of the ELCA. It is a year-round center for outdoor ministry for children and adults. They are especially known for their residential summer camps for youth in grades 1-12.
Bible Study
Pastor Kopp leads bible study classes at various times during the year. In the spring of 2018, he led a series of classes on Key Passages in the Bible. In 2017, classes were on The Bible and Handel's Messiah and the book of Psalms.
The classes are both informative and discussion-oriented, and are open to all. Bibles are provided.
The next Bible study series will be posted on the Home Page under Upcoming Events when the information becomes available.
WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
This active group is divided further into 4 smaller ‘Circles,’ each with its own focus. WELCA supports Augustana, the community, and the wider church in many ways, including organizing the winter clothing drive, making and delivering cookies for the sick and shut-ins at Christmastime, and fundraising for charities. Many especially look forward to their chicken chowder and bake sales.
The men do work in the church, such as cooking Easter brunch, and they support charities and plan activities, for example an evening at the Bisons in the summer.
Men's Club
Sociables
This busy group runs social activities year round – going to plays and concerts, visiting sites in the community, and more. All are welcome to join in. See the Upcoming Events section on the home page for the current list.
Coffee Hour
Groups or individuals take turns hosting coffee hour weekly. Coffee hour is a great time to get to know people better and learn more about Augustana. Perhaps the conversation will help you think about what kinds of outreach and activities interest you, and maybe you have an idea you want to share.
