Introducing Overflow Sr. High Ministries

We are excited to announce the official launch of Overflow Sr. High Ministries! Overflow is the new name, identity and purpose of the Sr. High youth program at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Our mission is to connect teens to Christ and each other through Fellowship, Learning, Outreach, and Worship. The concept (and name) of Overflow is pulled from God's word: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, TNIV); "I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding." (Philippians 1:9, NLT); "Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:7, NLT); and "Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." (James 3:17, The Message).

Ultimately, Overflow is community. And community is a response to loneliness and isolation. Ranking near the top of a teenager’s needs is a need to belong. Despite technology that allows us to connect to one another faster than ever, youth today are feeling more and more disconnected. Community is a way to connect. It is a concept that is both ideological and tangible. Overflow seeks to create a community that teens can take ownership of and accountability in. It utilizes a holistic approach to connect youth through time spent together in fun and fellowship, study and discussion, prayer and praise… not just as a youth group, but as community of believers. Teens are deep-down wanting to belong to something larger than themselves and this community will provide them with a family of peers and safe outlet to discuss and prepare for the challenges they face in an ever-changing world, but most of all, an environment to hear the message of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ.

Here's a look at some of the new opportunities that make up Overflow Sr. High Ministries...

Overflow— Overflow is a bi-monthly youth night for high school students (9th-12th grade) that incorporates four key components of a youth ministry program: fellowship, learning, outreach and worship. These nights consist of an ever-rotating and evolving mix of casual, come-as-you-are worship, relevant and affirming teaching, challenging small group discussion and study, and community through games, activities, and hang-out time. Overflow youth nights offer a laid-back, comfortable environment for students and their friends to connect and grow. Overflow meets in the Youth Room on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 7:00-8:30 PM.

Immerse— Immerse is a Sunday morning, large-group Bible Study for high school students (9th-12th grade). Immerse focuses on Scriptural, yet life-applicable topics that will challenge youth to grow in their faith and understanding of Christianity. These topics/series cover a wide variety of relevant issues dealing with faith, life, and youth culture. Here students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in sound teaching and deepen their knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a Christ-follower in today’s world. Immerse meets in the Youth Room every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 AM.

Quench— Quench is a monthly experiential worship service for high school students (9th-12th grade). These experiences incorporate informal and casual prayer and praise with outlets for unique, creative expressions of faith. Quench is characterized by the use of multi-sensory worship elements such as music, art, meditation as well as prayer stations and paths, lectio & vizio divina, and interactive worship experiences. This is not a church service, and therefore should not take the place of Sunday morning worship, however, it gives students an alternative way to express their devotion to God and quench their thirst for a meaningful relationship with Christ. Quench meets in the Day Chapel on the 4th Sunday of the month from 7:00-8:00 PM.

*A Note to Students: This is an exciting time for you and this new program depends greatly on your activity and involvement. You are the catalyst for making this a vibrant, meaningful, fun, and flourishing youth group. You are encouraged to take part in these new opportunities and to invite friends as well. Keep an eye out for a calendar which will include exact dates, times, and locations of upcoming Overflow events. Get connected and “go with the flow...”