After a missing last year’s in-person VBS and a whole year of junior and senior high youth events, June 2021 turned out to be a great month for our youth here at Saint John’s!

Thanks to those who volunteered their time and talents, we were able to host a three day Vacation Bible School in early June. Our theme this year was “God’s Wonder Lab” where Jesus does the impossible. 31 children joined us for those three days as we focused on the marvelous, wonderful and amazing things our God has done and continues to do for us in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

On June 20, six youth accompanied me to the Catechism Retreat hosted at Lutheran Valley Ranch & Retreat near Woodland Park, Colorado. We joined fifteen other Lutheran churches, fourteen pastors and 130-plus youth in studying the various petitions of the Lord’s Prayer and God’s desire to give us all the wonderful and good things we pray for in this blessed prayer. Youth also spent the week participating in various activities lead by the LVR staff such as rock climbing, horseback riding, archery, fishing, climbing the high ropes course and going down the zip line!

The Catechism Retreat was a great and eventful week of growing in faith, connecting with the larger body of Christ and having a lot of fun! Dates for next year’s Catechism Retreat are June 20–23. Youth confirmation age through high school are welcome to go with us next year!

The psalmist proclaims, “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds” (Psalm 72:17). Thanks be to God and this congregation for providing our youth the wonderful opportunities this summer to be instructed in the faith, grow in Christ and fellowship with His body of believers in the Church.

Serving with you in Christ,
Pastor Nettleton

Rev. Shawn Nettleton is Senior Pastor at Saint John’s Lutheran Church. You can reach him in the church office, by email at nettleton@StJohnsFC.org or at 970-305-2420.