Tuesday, December 14, 2010

YF Christmas Caroling this Friday (17th) +LRetreat Form

Friday we started a series on the teachings of Christ beginning with the Beatitudes, thanks for your thoughtful participation and discussion. It's amazing how Christ calls us to see the world (and life) in a radical new way. In sunday school, we encountered Rahab the prostitute who was credited for her faith for sheltering the spies.

This Friday (17th) YF and Pure Energy have the opportunity to share the joy of Christmas with our neighbors at 100 Empress! Our children's ministry has prepared crafts to distribute and some of you have volunteered to bake cookies to distribute next week as we sing carols. If you are able to bake cookies, we need a few more people helping with that and even if there are leftovers I'm sure we can take care of it during our refreshment time :) Speaking of refreshments, we'll head to Rm. 202 after the caroling (9ish) for some refreshments/gift giving and Ugly Sweater judging.
Songs: Away in a Manger, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Joy to the World etc. I'll have the lyrics provided for each group.
Gift giving: We had people draw names last week to be a secret "gift giver" to others so remember to buy a gift $5-$10 limit. If you missed last week and would like to give/receive a gift, then let me know and maybe we can get even number matches ;)
Ugly Christmas Sweaters: Rae-Anne mentioned that Value Village has already sold out of ugly Christmas sweaters, so they are in HIGH demand.. if you have an ugly Christmas sweater you are extremely lucky! haha

I've also attached this year's Leadership Retreat form (in your e-mail) which will be held on January 7th and 8th at the Cheng residence! Please commit to serving on leadership and returning the form as soon as possible so that numbers can be prepared for food. Reminder: This Sunday's Christmas service is at 10am, praise the Lord that many children and youth will be baptized this Sunday! Come and support/encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ!

This is from the devotional that I really love for this week
PSALM (to read each morning): Ps 1
PRAYER (for the week): Use your prayer this week to affirm that your deepest desire is to know Him and to serve Him. Seek Him first and believe that all the other things that you need will be added to you.
Monday: (you can read for yesterday + today) Philippians 3:7-11
Tuesday: Ps 63:1-8
Wednesday: Luke 9:46-50
Thursday: John 12:1-8
Friday: 1 Pet 2:1-10
Saturday: Romans 8:18-25
Sunday: John 7:37-44

See you all on Friday!

posted by YF @ 12:42 PM

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

YF Christmas Caroling or Bible study this Friday (10th)

There is a lot of info in this e-mail (even video and devotional). Thanks for a great game night last Friday, it was nice to have some time to relax and build relationships after 10 weeks of discussion during Alpha. During Sunday school we focused on the depth of our inner being and life with Christ as we studied 2 Cor 4:7-18.

This Friday has two possibilities for YF (10th)! I spoke with the apartment building next door and they may be open to us coming door to door to carol this Friday (perhaps we can bake some cookies and drop them off at each residence). Maybe even make cards and cookies in advance to give to the residents. The administrator is waiting for a response from the apartment board and she will let us know as soon as possible :) I think this is a great way to bring some joy and encouragement in our church community! If they are not available, then we will begin a Bible study series in the gospels! Either way, we'll be in Rm 202 at the church at 7:20pm.

GETAWAY student leader meeting this Sunday (12th) at 1:30pm OCAC down the street, please make a commitment to be involved as we discuss themes and the roles for the student led retreat! Lunch will be provided!

I've shared in Sunday school about a devotional that Brad and I have been doing and it's been a great reminder of the riches of our faith in Christ and I thought... hey why can't I include this in our weekly YF e-mails. Please let me know if it's helpful to you and maybe I'll keep doing it! We can be on the same journey together!

PSALM (to read each morning): Ps 26
PRAYER (for the week): May your prayer this week lead you past bent knees and reverent spirit into the determining choices of your daily living. Let it bring your will to bear on all the things that lead you away from serving God.
Monday: (you can read for yesterday + today) John 3:25-36
Tuesday: Luke 12:35-48
Wednesday: Matthew 25:14-30
Thursday: Romans 12:1-2
Friday: Luke 2:41-49
Saturday: Deuteronomy 27: 1-8
Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Also a really encouraging video, this is amazing: Watch till the end :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=player_embedded

Merry Christmas and blessings,
see you all on Friday!

posted by YF @ 2:19 PM