Children and Youth

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6"

Age-Group

Jr. High - 6th through 8th Grade Confirmation
High School - 8th through 12th Grade.

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation will be studying the Catechism with the curriculum from the Sola Confirmation Series. 
(Apostles' Creed, Ten Commandments, Lord's Prayer, & Sacraments) 
Classes are on Sundays at 4:00 pm dinner follows at 5:00 pm.

YOUTH GROUP
The Youth Group for 8th—12th Grade meets at 5:00 p.m. with dinner followed by Small Group Bible Study.
The fall topics are "The Holy Spirit" and "Prayer."
Through scripture, we will discover practical ways to understand more about the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer in our everyday lives.

Biblical Teaching

We Stand On The Word Of God.
The Bible is our authority and sole guide for life and faith.
We accept on faith that all of the Scripture is inspired and is without error

John 1:1, 1:14 (NRSV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NRSV)
16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Romans 15:4 (NRSV)
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  
2 Peter 3:18

God Time 

As disciples, we are called to walk closely with our Lord and to grow in His word. Daily devotions is an important part of discipleship.  As a congregation, we have been challenging each other with the 30 day Bible challenge of daily Bible readings which coincide with the  Sunday sermons and are the readings for  our  weekly connexus groups.

  We encourage you to  take 5 minutes of your day, using the 5 key elements below,  to grow in the knowledge of our Lord.

  • Read the suggested Bible reading from the monthly Bible Challenge. Monthly Bible Challenges
  • Spend a minute or two meditating or discussing what you understand from it.
  • Share one thing you are grateful for that happened today.
  • Share one thing you are looking forward to tomorrow.
  • Close with a prayer or the Lord's Prayer.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  1 Timothy 4:12

Youth Group

Our High Schoolers have a fun, safe space to gather, to be challenged, and to grow in God's Word. The youth group is for all the young people who are in grades 8 through 12. 

High School Small group meets every Sunday from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. They meet at the church, homes, & places around the community. 

They also have various activities that they participate in during the school year and the summer such as the Mission team, Vacation Bible School,  Christmas shopping for families in need, Caroling and so much more. They are also encouraged to be part of the Praise Team, and the Puppet/drama group.

    

                 

Root-Wilson-Kirkland Scholarship

The Mabel Root-Pat Wilson Scholarship Fund was instituted by two women who put money in a trust to be used for active members of First Lutheran Church who desire to pursue their education beyond the high school level.  The fund was started in 1954 by Oscar Root in memory of his sister, Mabel Clara Root.  When Patricia Wilson, an active member of First Lutheran Church, died in 1999, she added to that trust and committed that the income be used for scholarships for post-secondary education or post-secondary technical education of students who are active members of First Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, Iowa.  These women, through their established trusts and visions, have provided many young people a chance to further their education.

This Scholarship Fund was recently made a beneficiary by Pauline Kirkland in her Will.  Her generous gift of $100,000 was added to and invested with existing funds held in the Patricia Wilson Trust at the South Ottumwa Savings Bank.   On the recommendation of the Scholarship Committee, the Scholarship will reflect Pauline’s gift by adding her name  -  Root-Wilson-Kirkland. 

This scholarship is reserved for applicants who are active in First Lutheran Church, Ottumwa Iowa, and are limited to undergraduates & Seminary students. 

Applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available here and in the church office in January of 2025.

Gallery

Gallery kidsandyouth

Events with Children, Youth, and adults