Our Peach Baby...I'm sorry for all of you who are finding out this news via the blogsite, but we announced yesterday in church the super awesome, fantastic, life-changing news that we're expecting our first child on May 14th! To the left you can see the size of our child at 13 weeks. We are so thrilled and excited for this blessing. Thank you for all the support you have been and will continue to be through these next few months, as well as for our family as it expands! :)
One Worship: From Consuming to Participating
It was more packed than our normal meetings, but the mood was very intimate as 4 local youth groups joined our group in the Youth Room last night for One Worship. (Due to the nature of our night, each group brought a smaller number of students, so don't worry, fire code was obeyed!)
The night was unlike anything they had experienced, and my guess, anything you've experienced. The powerpoint "led" or "prompted" the entire evening. There was no adult leader who got up and introduced the night or gave instruction: All the instruction was on the screen and every component of the night required students to step up and participate. For example, it asked 3 or 4 students to share a verse that centered our thoughts on Christ, or if anyone had an Ipod to come plug it in and share a song that directed our thoughts to God, or for examples of where God was moving...It was painfully awkward at times as kids sat staring at one another in silence, but as the evening progressed, participation improved. We even had two students get up and lead a couple worship songs. It was a beautiful time of community in which the students were challenged to participate, rather than simply consume.
What does your church experience look like? Are you simply taking it all in, or are you getting involved in the building up of the Body by using your time, talents, passions and personality to give to the community? Hm....Good question!
CLICK HERE TO READ FOR A RECAP AND PIX FROM OUR DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT!
Christmas Candy Sales:
Money seems to get shorter and shorter these days and we never want the cost of events to keep any teen from participating. This Christmas, the youth group is making and selling Christmas candy, and the majority of the proceeds will go directly back to you!! A fund will be set up in your child's name that can be drawn from just like a debit account to be used for ANY youth group event, retreat, or program. But we can't sell if we don't make, and we can't make a whole lot if we don't sell...So it's time to start cracking!
Candy Making Dates: Mon-Tue Nov 23 & 24 (after school til 5:15) Sunday Nov 29 (12:30-5:30) and Mon-Tue Nov 30 & Dec 1st (after school til 5:15). Order forms can be found in the Parent Email or at the Youth Bulletin board.
December Preview:
The Dream Team volunteer staff worked on our December calendar and it will be out soon. Highlights: Guy Girl Night (Dec 6), Christmas Caroling Outreach (Dec 13), our annual Christmas Party (Dec 20th), service project (TBD), and our always popular New Years Lock In on Friday January 1st.
Guy-Girl Night (Sunday November 15th, 6:30-8:30pm)
The guys will meet up in the gym for a time of competitive game before breaking into small groups in order to focus on what it means to be a man of God. Girls will meet in the youth room for activity, discussion and small group time to seek God's call for them as young women of God.
Fall Retreat: November 20-22nd
Our theme of the weekend is "Disciple" as we seek to understand what it means to live for Christ. The weekend is an incredible opportunity for your teen to take a break from their busy lives and care for their souls as we have great worship, community, rest, reflection, and fun. The weekend is an awesome chance to evaluate where the heart is and how to move towards Jesus. The cost for the retreat is $95.
Jr High All Night Bowling: November 27th, 11:45pm-6am
That's right, all night bowling with middle schoolers! We're meeting at Garden Spot Bowling in Strasburg for a night of snacks, bowling, games and great Christian music. Cost is $16 and includes unlimited bowling, snacks, and billiards!
