First Communion – March 26, 2023
The Youth Group or Luther League as it is affectionately called by many has been an important part of Lyster’s history. The first “Young People’s Society” at Lyster was organized by Pastor Kirkeberg in 1902. All programs were conducted in Norwegian and consisted of lectures, recitations, readings, debates, and music. Even the minutes were recorded in Norwegian until 1916, when English became the “official” language, and the name of the organization was changed to “Luther League.”
The first officers were: President, Pastor O. Kirkeberg and T. T. Thompson; Vice President, Tom Quale; Secretaries, Gudrun Kirkeberg and Gertie Ness (Mrs. Tom A. Thompson); and Treasurer, Martin Thompson.
The Luther League, like the other organizations at Lyster, has contributed much to local projects and other objectives. Together with the W/ELCA, the league has helped to finance youth attendance at Bible Camp and conventions.
The work in the local Luther League and that of the Bible Camp movement have played a vital part in the development of church leadership. This is an important factor, because the youth of this generation will be the leaders of the church in tomorrow’s world.
The Lyster Youth Group divides their time between fundraisers, service projects, educational opportunities, and group activities that help us grow in Christ. Each year the Youth Gorup puts on an Easter breakfast which many attend. The Youth Group also decorates the church and parish hall for Christmas and also helps to take down the Christmas decorations. Usually, after decorating is done, they go for bowling and pizza. To raise funds the Youth Group also serves lunch after the Lenten services. In the past several years, they have held spaghetti dinners and bake sales.
Some past activities of the Youth Group include a food booth and garage sale at the 100-mile Thrift Sale and a food booth at the Flood Run. They have served the congregation and the community by raking leaves for shut-ins, working at the Lutefisk Dinner, and teaching Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. Through a Youth Service Grant from AAL, the youth group was able to ravel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to work at Central Lutheran’s Clothes Closet and Soup Kitchen. They have also participated in retreats at Luther Park summer camp, Youth Fest at Luther College, and have hosted a lock in with Augsburg College. The Youth Group and Lyster congregation have also been active with Feed My Starving Children through the years. Many of our youth have also attended the National Youth Gatherings in different cities across the United States.
We have an active Youth Group at Lyster Lutheran Church of all ages. With any questions, please contact Pastor Mike or Angie Vetsch.
Several of our youth and adults helped decorate Lyster Lutheran Church for the 2017 Christmas Season!
Lyster Lutheran Church 