Dear Parents,
I hope you and your family are doing well! We are excited about the remainder of the fall and hope you will take time to read through this newsletter.
Please take note that there is a parent meeting on Wednesday, October 18th, in the Foundation at 7:45pm. This will be your opportunity to give feedback for the youth ministry as well as help cast vision for the future as the Lord guides us.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
In Christ,
Jeremy Beggs
Director of Youth Ministries
October 18th
On Wednesday, October 18th, Pastor Ron will give an exciting lesson on world religions. There is much curiosity about various world religions and how they compare to Christianity. Please join us for this meaningful lesson and discussion.
October 25th
This Wednesday, October 25th, we will have game night. So bring a friend and come ready to enjoy a fun and relaxing evening.
On Wednesday, October 11th, we will continue our series called "Stuck".
In this series, we’ll discover that God’s heart is for us to live free from the things that keep us stuck. We’ll see that God has the power to get us unstuck and move us forward in the story He’s writing for our lives.
October 11th- This isn’t as forever as it feels.
Sometimes feelings seem like they’ll last forever. When we’re stressed out, upset, angry, or sad, it’s hard to believe we’ll ever be able to feel differently. This week Solomon—the wisest guy who ever lived—reminds us that with God’s help, we have the power to get our minds and emotions unstuck.
November 1st- Ask God to change your mind in the moment.
A bad habit or negative pattern of behavior can impact your life in ways you might not even realize. But how do we break free from the habits we’re stuck in? This week we’ll discover that changing our behavior and breaking bad habits starts by asking God to change our minds.
After Church on October 15th, we will eat lunch together at Fuzzy's Tacos. Meet us there or ride the van with us. We will leave following the 11am worship service.
This year, we will be joined by Ferris Heights UMC, El Bethel Baptist, Central Presbyterian, What's Happening Now, and Connect 4 Life. Breakfast will start at 8am, followed by a mini worship service in the FLC, before heading to our WOW sites. Click here to sign up. There are a couple of youth only projects.
Confirmation Sunday is November 12th!
What: Mid-Winter is an amazing weekend as Central Texas Conference Youth in grades 6-12 join together for worship, small groups, games, music, and fellowship.
When: February 16-18, 2018
Where: Glen Lake Camp in Glen Rose, Texas
More info to come next month. Be sure to put this event on your calendar!
HSO (High School Only) is a High School Bible study that takes place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month.
Where: Houses Rotate
When: 6:00pm-7:30pm
A meal will be provided.
JHO (Junior High Only) is a Junior High Bible study that takes place on the 3rd Sunday of each month.
However...
*Due to many of our Jr. High students attending confirmation on Sunday nights this fall, we will not have regularly scheduled JHO. Instead we will plan other opportunities for Jr. High to come together during the next couple of months. This month we will have lunch together on Sunday, October 15th.
Normal JHO Bible Study will resume in December.
Sunday School is a great time of fellowship and learning the Scriptures. There are always way too many donuts.
We meet on the 2nd floor at 9:45 AM.
Jr. High
Study: LinC from Cokesbury
This curriculum is a fresh, timely, and biblically based resource, LinC helps you help your teens examine relevant faith and life issues using the latest music, movies, news, and current events. Through engaging Bible study, you'll equip them to evaluate their world from a biblical perspective.
Teachers: Melissa Ballard and Douglas Buhrer
High School
The High School class goes by the sermon calendar of the church to determine study and discussion.
Teacher: Mike Fenton
Wednesday Night Youth- 6:00pm We serve a meal at 6:00 and activities start at 6:30. We normally do a game, a lesson, and small group discussion. Location: Foundation (Basement).
Sunday School- 9:45am (Youth meet upstairs)
Sunday Morning Worship-
8:30 Traditional (Sanctuary)
11:00 Traditional (Sanctuary)
11:00 Contemporary (Family Life Center)
October 15- Lunch at Fuzzy's Tacos (JH and HS)
October 18- Guest speaker: Pastor Ron
October 18- Parent Meeting
October 22- HSO
October 22- Worship Outside the Walls (WOW)
October 27- 5th Quarter
October 31- Trunk or Treat (Church Wide)
November 12- Confirmation Sunday
November 12- HSO
November 19- Mini WOW
November 22- No Youth (Thanksgiving Break)
November 26- HSO
February 16-18, 2018- Mid-Winter at Glen Lake (Save the Date!)
Although we are not professional parents or counselors, we can connect you with the right people and/or resources. We just want you to know that we care about you and your family.
Also, if you are looking to connect with a church, we would be happy to have you visit us. For more information on youth and/or adult programs you can contact the church office at (972)937-4400 or contact Jeremy directly at (903)388-2633
As adults, we know that forgiving someone who has hurt us can be extremely difficult. Kids are no different. They struggle with forgiveness too. Yet God calls us to forgive others, as a way of life; forgiving others just as He has forgiven us. Parents are key to the process of teaching kids about what forgiveness means and looks like.
Modeling forgiveness for your kids is an important place to start. You can be sure that your kids are watching you to see how you handle situations when you are hurt---and when you hurt others. What messages are you sending your kids about forgiveness?
Additionally, your kids need to know that forgiveness is more than saying the words, "I forgive you."
Here are five things your kids need to know about forgiveness:
1. Forgiveness means letting go of real hurts inflicted by others. We like to say, "forgive and forget." But while the "forget" part sounds nice, forgiving does not primarily mean forgetting. It means letting go of the past hurt that someone has inflicted on you. Forgiveness does not make the offense against you okay, but it transfers the weight of dealing with the offense from you to God.
2. God forgives unconditionally. 1 John 1:9 reads, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins..." Notice it doesn't read, "If we confess our sins, get our act together, and never sin again, He will forgive our sins." God forgives completely through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. His offer to forgive extends to everyone, every sin, every time.
3. God makes the first move toward us in forgiving. God doesn't wait around until we are sorry. Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Now that's good news!
4. God wants us to forgive others just as He has forgiven us. God freely grants us forgiveness through Jesus Christ---and we are to follow God's example and extend forgiveness to others. Colossians 3:13 reads, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
5. Forgiveness is a choice. God commands us to forgive. Forgiveness is an act of the will. We can choose to forgive. When we do, we leave the past behind, choose not to be bitter, give up seeking revenge, allow God to deal with the offender, and do our best to let go of the pain and consequences of the hurt we've suffered.
Jeremy Beggs, Director of Youth Ministries
(903)388-2633
Douglas Buhrer, Youth Ministry Associate