Upcoming Children, Youth, & Family Events

Sunday Morning Programs

Learning Hour Activity Time — Sunday Mornings at 9 am

Every Sunday morning at 9 am (beginning April 27 through June 15), children and youth of all ages are invited to the Youth Room (in the lower level) for Activity Time! The focus will be on building relationships and creative play, more than education with a combination of free play, organized group activities, and time for conversation. It will be a lot of fun, and a great way to make new friends and develop lasting friendships at church!

Sunday School — Every other Sunday Morning during worship

Every other Sunday (beginning April 27 through June 15), all children grades K-6th will have the option to temporarily leave worship after the For All God’s Children Time for Sunday School in Room 114 with an interactive lesson on a story from the Bible. Children will return for worship during the Sermon Hymn. This is a way for children to encounter the Gospel appropriate to their energy level and interest. Send a message to katie@gsolympia.org for more information or questions about Sunday School.

Children’s Area

The Children’s Area is the front right of the sanctuary. We ask that care givers sit in the designated seating area to monitor their children.

For All God’s Children — Sunday Mornings during worship

For All God’s Children time takes place at the beginning of worship when we will call children to the front of the sanctuary for the Children’s Message, prayer, and blessing.

Nursery — Sunday Mornings

While we worship at St. John | San Juan, we will use their Nursery space. It will be staffed by the Nursery Attendants employed by Good Shepherd.

Spring Garden Party — Sunday, April 27 after worship

All are invited to a joyful Garden Party with gardening, crafts and snacks in the Good Shepherd Garden and Crary Hall. We’ll be planting seeds in the church garden and kids can plant their very own potato bucket to take home and watch grow. Planters should report to the area outside the church kitchen after the service dressed in play clothes and prepared for rain. Gardening invites us to care for God’s creation and reminds us that we get to be part of the new life God is always growing in the world. Produce from the garden serves our food bank and the Thurston County Food Bank.

South Sound Youth Group (11 - 18 years old) Every Third Sunday of the month through June from 5-8 pm

The South Sound Youth Group is a joint group of youth from Good Shepherd Lutheran and Gloria Dei Lutheran in West Olympia. These gatherings are a time of fun, community, play, and worship! We'll gather together for dinner (free of cost), before playing games like Vampire Tag in the church. Then we close the night with small group discussions and a time of contemplative worship.

We alternate gatherings each month at Good Shepherd and Gloria Dei. Youth are invited and encouraged to bring friends! (go to Youth Activity Night webpage for schedule.

Community Meal (All Ages!) Sunday, May 4 at 5:30 pm

All ages are invited to the Good Shepherd Community Meal on every first Sunday evening at 5:30 pm. We'll gather in Crary Hall and enjoy a simple but satisfying meal together. All meals are made to be vegetarian friendly and nourishing, and there will always be vegan options. A $1 donation is requested per person to sustain the Community Meal program. Visit the Community Meals webpage for more info and meal menu.

Confirmation Classes (7th Grade and Above) Every First Sunday Evening of the month (final class is May 4)

Good Shepherd’s Confirmation program intended for youth in 7th grade and above but is open to anyone! Confirmation classes take place on the first Sunday afternoon/evening of every month. Visit the Confirmation Class webpage for more information.