MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH (GRADES 5 – 8)
Sunday Morning Education Hour
On Sunday mornings from 9:15 – 10:15am, we have a number of Bible studies for students in 5th through 8th grade! These classes will meet September 2025 – May 2026 and take a break over the summer
5th grade | Sunday School: 5th grade students dig into the stories of Scripture in Sunday School in our oldest classroom.
6th grade | Pre-Confirmation Class: 6th grade students attend our pre-confirmation class, which studies the life and work of Martin Luther and the origin story of our Lutheran faith.
7th & 8th grade | Middle School Bible Study: 7th & 8th grade students dig into Scripture, with a specific focus on standing strong & defending their faith.
First Communion | 5th Grade
Every year during Lent, students in 5th grade whose families feel they are ready to take Communion are invited to join us for a special First Communion class. Over the six weeks, they’ll learn what we as Lutherans believe about the Lord’s Supper, the gifts God gives us in this meal, and how the Bible teaches us to receive it.
Our next class will meet on Wednesday evenings at 6:15pm from February 18 – March 26, 2026. Students who complete the class will take their First Communion during our Maundy Thursday worship service, April 2nd, 2026 at 7pm.
Confirmation| 7-8th Grade
Instruction
Students in 7th and 8th grade participate in our confirmation program. This two-year program guides students as they affirm the faith given to them in baptism — and make their own public confession of faith as children of God.
Classes meet on Wednesday night throughout the school year. In alternating years, students will learn about God’s Word and our Lutheran beliefs. As part of the class, students will also learn various parts of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism by heart.
Year A (2026-2027): All about Confirmation, The Ten Commandments, The Apostle’s Creed
Year B (2025-2026): The Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Confession & Absolution, the Lord’s Supper, and Life within the Church
Worship
At St. John, we strongly encourage our families to come to worship together at all stages, and especially during confirmation.
Our confirmation students complete guided sermon notes throughout the year to help them engage more deeply with the worship service.
Service
Rooted in Jesus’ example, we call our students to lives of service — within our church and in the world. Our confirmation students serve in the worship as acolytes and projectionists. Additionally, they complete service hours over their time in confirmation.
Questions about confirmation? Contact Pastor Dave (pastor@stjohnwoodbury.org) or our Director of Christian Education, Samantha Davis (dce@stjohnwoodbury.org).
Yahweh Youth | 7-12th Grade
Starting in 7th grade, students are a part of our youth group, Yahweh Youth, which generally meets twice each month for time spent together and in God’s Word around a fun activity. It’s the goal of our youth program to form students in their identity in Christ, foster a sense of belonging within our Christian community, and encourage them to serve others through their vocations.
To receive our monthly email updates about everything our youth are doing, please contact DCE Samantha Davis (dce@stjohnwoodbury.org).
Middle School Mission Trip
Every year, Yahweh Youth go on a mission trip specifically for students who have just finished 6-8th grade. This trip allows students the opportunity to put their faith into action by serving a community in need, grow through prayer, devotions, and worship, and build lifelong friendships with other students at our church and churches around the country.
This year, the Middle School Mission Trip will be partnering with Youth Works to serve in Duluth from June 7-12, 2026.
If your student is interested in our Middle School Mission Trip, please contact DCE Samantha Davis (dce@stjohnwoodbury.org).
Faith Stepping Stones
As a church, we want to celebrate each student’s journey in their faith. We mark different milestones with special gifts, given during worship on Rally Sunday each September.
All students entering 6th grade will receive a copy of The NIV Study Bible.
All students entering 7th grade will receive a copy of Luther’s Small Catechism.