YF Games and Leadership Retreat this Weekend (1-2)
It's the end of an awesome year, I'm certainly thankful for you guys and the year that we've had together. Everyone involved from the adults and the youth, you've taught me something (even if you don't know it). I hope and pray that you are closer to Christ and I know the journey isn't over. My prayer is that 2010 is a year that will be marked by the Lord working in our families, our fellowship, our church and our city. We can't do that without each of you praying and discovering how you can be a part of the Lord's plan.
With that said, our leadership retreat is this weekend, we still haven't heard from everybody that we think are attending but there is already a good number of you. Even if you do not consider yourself a leader, please come because we believe everyone is capable of leading in different ways. Please let us know if you are coming right away because Rae-Anne and Shelly are purchasing the food for you all. Please pray in advance this week and brainstorm some ideas you have for YF, we want you to take ownership because we (as adults) trust in your knowledge and wisdom about high school students (the challenges they face and the care they need). For the leadership retreat, the form is attached again and you will NEED to fill that out and bring it to the retreat if you have not handed it in already. Please bring $5 to help offset the costs of food. Bibles, writing utensils, paper, toiletries, towel, sleeping bags and games. As leaders and prospective leaders of the YF, we will discuss our ideas (come having thought of some), vision, look into Scripture and discover the roles you can play while working together to plan student run teams and events. YF starts at 7:30pm on Friday night and those who are staying for leadership retreat may stay until 5:30pm on Saturday. For the Friday night you can bring your board games, wiimotes, wii games etc.
Our brother Eric Pan wants youth to gather on New Year's Eve at the church to pray for the leadership retreat, maybe you can get together for dinner and then pray together in the evening. I think it's an awesome idea for you to get together and the adults see that youth took the initiative to get together and pray. It would be an encouragement to them to pray with you too. If you have any questions about when and where to meet ask Eric.
Let us know how we can pray for you,
Hope you've had an awesome Christmas, reflecting on Christ with your families
YF Christmas party this Friday (18th) with AWANA, Pure Energy and h2o
There is a lot to be joyful about this week (beyond getting time off school soon). This week we'll be witnessing some brothers and sisters getting baptized and publicly declaring their faith in Christ (AWESOME!). Winston, Jocelyn, Luke, Eugenia and Sam Lee will be identifying themselves as new creations in Christ this Sunday, so come out to encourage them, write them, give them high fives, hugs and welcome them into Christ's family as well as our church family.
This Friday (18th) will be our Christmas gathering with AWANA, Pure Energy and H2o. The main purpose of the event is to realize that although we make up different age groups, we're all one family in the body of Christ, the younger siblings are ours to care for, the older brothers and sisters look out for us and we are to be one in Spirit, united in Christ. That's what it's all about - we'll be having some team games where we will have to work together, we'll have lots of snacks to eat, sing together and share gifts with each other.
Remember to bring ONE $10 gift for your age and gender, so if you are a dude - get something for a guy, ditto for the girls :)The next Friday is Christmas day (25th) so everyone spend time with your family, don't go to a friends house or something like that (unless your whole family is going). Treasure the time with your family and reflect on Christ!
The following week (1st-2nd of January 2010) will be YF Leadership retreat at our house, bring your Bibles and notebooks, sleeping bags, pens etc. For the Friday night, bring your board games, cards, wiimotes etc.
YF Christmas movie this Friday (11th) in the youth room
BEST YOUTH EVER!
Once again we want to thank all of you for the awesome Baby Shower on Saturday! In my talks with other pastors, I feel like we are blessed to have the most thoughtful and awesome youth ever :) Special thanks to everyone who put so much time and effort into preparing, I know it's rough to plan events like this, we'll never know everything you guys put into it but we want to thank you from the depths of our hearts :) And thanks for all the awesome gifts!!! Shell is excited that there is some stuff to put in the closet of the baby room now :) It was also a good discussion we had on shells last week, identifying the few things that God desires that we focus on in our life. Will the ONE thing in your life that the Lord has called you to do, continually evaluate and discern how you are living your life, it's something we can all learn daily.
This Friday, we will be watching a Christmas movie (11th) on the big screen in the youth room by special request, although it's a celebratory time of year, it's also extremely busy - so it'll be a good chance for everyone to unwind and enjoy some snacks together too.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks too! I plan to bring a few movies to vote on in case we need to veto ;)
Next week`s Christmas gathering (18th) requires some preparation on your behalf because we are exchanging gifts :) Bring one present for your gender/age that is roughly $10. Each person that brings a gift will receive a same gendered/age gift. We will have an evening of games, food and fellowship with the church family from AWANA, PE and YF. So start thinking of the gift you want to give if you haven't done so already!
YF Leadership retreat is on January 1st to January 2nd. Its a good time to fellowship, read Scripture, pray together and plan for the upcoming year, retreats, events and outreach (specifically the coffeehouse). This is advance notice just in case families can arrange Christmas vacation a day or two early to accomodate for the retreat. We'll talk about the YF coffeehouse, Getaway retreat teams, Engage high school initiative etc. It's always fun too because it's an overnight event with meals together, movie, hangout etc.
YF "Best" discussion this Friday (4th)
I'm thankful that so many of you were actively participating as we worked through Romans 7 and 8 together last Friday. It's a tough meaty section of the book and it is okay if some of you felt as though you didn't quite understand everything. I pray that we would learn to live and walk by the Spirit. Our sunday school discussion classes are encouraging - nice to see that you are all passionate and inquisitive about difficult issues and that we can hear each other out and try to understand things together. it shows a lot of maturity on your part.
This Friday (4th), bring your Bibles and 4c pens as we will discuss another nooma video that was recommended by a brother. it's an important lesson that we need to learn as we navigate life as it gets increasingly "busy". What really matters when we are always saying "I'm so busy," "I don't have time for..." Let's try to understand more about life through the perspective of Christ. For those who are getting baptized, we'll have our last baptism class after service on the (6th).
Next Friday (11th), by special request we will use our underused big tv to watch a Christmas movie together so maybe make some suggestions this friday for that... maybe some egg nog and hot apple cider or something too :) the following Friday (18th) we'll have a warm Christmas get together with AWANA, and Pure Energy.
For those that expressed interest or are hearing about it for the first time, there is training provided for Engage your World by the Billy Graham Association for students who are passionate about reaching other students.
ONLY one of these needs to be attended.
6 of you expressed interest in Sunday December 6th from 7-8:30PM at the Life Centre and3 of you in Monday December 7th from 7-8:30PM at the Bridalwood Community Church.
