Youth Programs
Ministries for Children
Sunday Morning Programs
Every Sunday, during the 9:45 service, nursery is provided for infants through preschoolers. All children in kindergarten through seventh grade are welcome to join us for Sunday School. Lessons for Sunday School will coincide with the theme for service and provide a fun way for children to learn about God. All children start out in the worship service and then, after children’s time, go down to the nursery and Sunday School for the rest of service. Children are always welcome to stay in service if they or their families prefer. We have a “Prayground” in the front of the sanctuary with activities for children to do during the service and also a Family Resource Room in the back of the sanctuary.
Kid’s Faith Fellowship
Join us for our free children’s program on some Sunday evenings throughout the school year from 6:30-7:30pm. All dates and activities will be announced in advance in the church newsletter and bulletin. Children preschool through fifth grade will learn Bible stories through many different activities including crafts and games. Please drop off your children in the Christian Community Center.
VOLUNTEERS are always welcome to help with this church ministry. Without you there isn’t an opportunity for young children to learn the word of God. Please contact Amanda Herman, Director of Children’s Ministries, at children@stjohnsmokena.org.
Vacation Bible School
Every summer St. John’s hosts an evening Vacation Bible School (VBS). Children will learn Bible truths, play games, have snacks, sing songs, and participate in other fun activities while learning about God. Children of St. John’s families and children from the community are welcome to attend.
Older Youth
St. John’s youth programs are open to students from 6th grade through 12th. St. John’s believes God is still speaking, and so do our youth! Our program allows students to participate in meetings, activities, events, and service projects to encourage both personal and spiritual growth.
We meet every other Sunday during the school year from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – share a lesson or activity, and have a lot of fun along the way! We do all sorts of different things – we discuss the basics of life and how it ties into the Bible; go out to lunch; help with the various ministries within the church; volunteer for area mission organizations; or just do fun things the kids want to do. We really try to listen to what the students want from our Youth program. If you have a student who wants to come check us out, please contact Pastor Rocky at pastor@stjohnsmokena.org for dates and times of the meetings!
Our Director of Children’s Ministries – Amanda Knittel Herman
Amanda lives in Mokena with her husband Mark and three kids – Sam, Alex, and Mary. Amanda has a BA of Sociology from Northern Illinois University and has worked in early childhood education for many years. Amanda believes children should be seen, heard, and cherished and should be at the center of everything we do at St. John’s. When she is not working at St. John’s she can be found volunteering with BSA Troop 40, Mokena Girl Scouts, driving her kids around, or making music in choir or playing clarinet.