Youth Groups at Immanuel Crystal Lake
At Immanuel Crystal Lake Youth Minsitry, we’re all about helping students build a real, life-long relationship with Jesus.
Not just “church stuff”… but the kind of faith that actually shapes your life, gives you hope, and helps you shine His light wherever you go.We believe students aren’t just the future of the Church—you’re the “City on a Hill” right now.
Life is loud—and not everything you hear out there is true.
Youth Group is your space to breathe, reset, and hear God’s truth.
A place where you don’t have to pretend.
A place where you know: “I’m not doing this alone.”We’re building a community that’s fun, welcoming, honest, and rooted in God’s Word.
Contact Joe Ferwerda, Director of Youth Ministry at jferwerda@immanuelcl.org for more information
Connect with Us:
Instagram: @icl_youth
Facebook: IL Youth Ministry
Band App:
Middle School — https://band.us/n/a6a9b2pfH6J8b
High School — https://band.us/n/a7a4b4p5HcJ7y
FAQs about Immanuel Crystal Lake Youth Group
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Anyone in 6th grade through 12th grade is welcome to join Youth Group at Immanuel Crystal Lake!
We have two groups so everyone has a place that fits:Middle School Youth Group (6th –8th grade)
High School Youth Group (9th –12th grade)
Bring your friends—seriously, they don’t have to go to Immanuel to be part of this.
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Middle School Youth group: 1st & 3rd Sundays each month, 5 to 7 p.m.
High School Youth Group: 2nd & 4th Sundays each month, 5 to 7 p.m.300 S Pathway Court, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
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When you come to Youth, you can look forward to:
• Fun games that actually connect to what we’re learning
• Friends from tons of different schools
• Devotions and Bible studies that help you live out your faith
• Ways to serve God and others throughout the year
• A place to ask questions, be yourself, and grow -
Faith isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we DO.
Serve with us through:
Fall Clean-Up
Operation Christmas Child
Sunday of Service
Helping at VBS
Serving in worship (AV, Ushering, Praise Team, and more)
You’ll grow, help others, and make an actual impact.
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Summer Pool Party (August)
Christmas Party (December)
Fast-Food Progressive Dinner (February)
Spring Lock-In
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Summer Retreat — Lake Geneva (2026)
Mission Trip (2027)
LCMS Youth Gathering — San Antonio (2028!)
Education Hour is taking a break for the Summer and will resume on Sunday, August 24 at 9:30 a.m.
Additional Youth and Children Groups at Immanuel Crystal Lake
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Youth Sunday School
Sundays 9:30-10:30am | Immanuel Crystal Lake
Children preschool through 5th grade will have fun and learn about Jesus’ love through hands-on fun and active lessons. Teachers will use visual aids to help kids learn the Word of God and develop a lasting relationship with Jesus. Sunday School at Immanuel Crystal Lake meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30am beginning August 24.
A parent must be in the building while their children are in Sunday School.
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Verge Bible Study
Sundays 9:30-10:30am | Immanuel Crystal Lake
Sixth graders are invited to explore the Bible and how it relates to their lives. This is a high-energy class where Scripture and how to use the Bible is taught through games, service projects, video, and interactive activities. First communion instruction is also included in this class on the 1st Sunday of the months of January through April.
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Forge Bible Study
Sundays 9:30-10:30am | Immanuel Crystal Lake
High School - 9th-12th Grade
By using different media (YouTube, videos, music, etc.), we dive into current topics and issues, facing high school age youth and how they can share their faith and be a Christian in the ever changing and challenging world that we live in.
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Confirmation Bible Study
Sundays 9:30-10:30am | Immanuel Crystal Lake
The Bible and Luther’s Small Catechism guide Confirmation Students through this two-year opportunity to grow in their faith and gain a deeper understanding of the Lutheran Teachings. We cover the topics of the 10 Commandments, Creeds, Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and how they can apply them to their everyday lives.