Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I love the holiday season. Make sure you check our schedule for this month, because it's a little wonky. Also, next season's calendar is up for all you planners!
Check out our facebook and instagram pages and make sure you're always in the loop!
Scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter for a parent article!
Hume Lake 2019 is OFFICIALLY CLOSED! Thank you to all who signed up. Hume is an incredible experience every year, and 2019 will be no different! Be on the lookout for updates in the coming months as camp gets closer!
If you missed your chance to sign up, let me know ([email protected]), and we can try to get you on our waiting list!
Dear High School Parents,
December was a great month together! This month, we were challenged to rethink how we approach Self-Harm and how we can begin to step into freedom if we're struggling with that, or how to help our friends if they're struggling with that: Hiding grows Harm and Honesty helps Heal. Then, we talked about Christmas and how so often the holidays can get away from us and pass by so quickly when our priorities are off. We were reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season and that, in a world flooded with distractions, there's only one thing worth our concern. We put our exclamation point on December with our Christmas Party! Complete with eggnog chugs, wrapping paper contests, cookie decorating, and a 6-foot burrito... yes, you read that right!
January will be an excited time as we look forward to next month! We'll begin a new series called The Greatest:
Sometimes following God feels a little complicated. With so many rules to remember, prayers to pray, and guidelines for how we’re supposed to live, it’s easy for it all to feel overwhelming. In this series, as we look at how Jesus kept faith simple, we’ll see that it’s really all about doing one thing—the greatest thing.
We'll also have a special night on January 20th as we join OCF church and listen to our God Talk: Mental Health Panel Discussion. We have Christian experts coming in to help us understand better and demystify things like Depression, Anxiety, and Addiction. Best part is, YOCF students are FREE!
Thank you for your continued prayer and partnership. As always, don't hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, feedback, or encouragement!
Check out this month's schedule below!
- Ryan
Sundays, 5p
TEACHING SCHEDULE:
1/6 - The Greatest (1/5)
1/13 - The Greatest (2/5)
1/20 - God Talk: Mental Health Panel Discussion
1/27 - The Greatest (3/5)
Life Groups will start back up in January. Enjoy your breaks and family time this holiday season!
Life Groups is where your relationship with God is going to take the next step. This is where discipleship, accountability, and fellowship will flourish! Don't miss it!
9th/10th Grade Boys
Leaders: Ryan Hiney & Zach Fields
When: Thursdays, 7pm
Place: Ron Dunatez's House - 219 W. Maple, El Segundo
Topic: James
11th/12th Grade Boys
Leaders: Ben Ho & Ben Foote
When: Wednesdays, 7p
Place: Ben's House - 1225 Madrid Ave., Torrance
Topic:
9th/10th Grade Girls
Leaders: Jaimee Brzechwa-White & Mindy Minkus
When: Wednesdays, 4pm
Place: Jaimee's House - 5169 W. 136th St., Hawthorne
Topic: Eternity - Francis Chan
11th Grade Girls
Leaders: Ellis Linehan & Kayli Baker
When: Wednesdays, 7pm
Place: OCF Church (Prayer Room)
Topic: 1 John
12th Grade Girls
Leaders: Kristine Ho & Paige Foote
When: Wednesdays, 7:30pm
Place:
Topic: 1 John
*details subject to changes!
Check out our 2019 calendar!On the outside, most young people seem happy-go-lucky, but inside each adolescent is a complex network of potentially explosive pressures. Adolescents with a strong parental and social support system are the least likely to experience the painful effects of the pressures they face. When parents become aware of the typical sources of pressure that kids face, they are better able to provide their kids encouragement and support. Here are five common pressures adolescents face:
1. The Pressure to be Perfect.
Teens repeatedly talk about their parents wanting them to be perfect, particularly in in the areas of behavior and school. No kid is perfect and when they fall short of their parents' expectations, they feel more pressure.
2. The Pressure to Succeed.
The pressure to succeed elicits the attitude that life is a perpetual performance. To fail is to feel stupid. When kids fail, they fear that others will reject them.
3. The Pressure to Conform.
Kids find it extremely uncomfortable to be different from their peers; so, they work hard to fit in and be accepted by one of the subcultures on their school campus.
4. The Pressure from Body Changes.
Since consistent change is part of the developing adolescent body, teenagers are in a continual state of stress over what's happening or what's not happening.
5. The Pressure from Emotions.
Adolescence is a time of emotional development. For many teens, the strength and frequency of their emotions is much like having new emotions altogether. They are often not sure where the emotions have come from, and they are equally unsure what to do with them.
Pressure is simply going to be part of the adolescent experience. Learning to process pressure and stress is actually an important part of preparing kids to face the pressures and stresses of adulthood. Rather than trying to eradicate all pressure, the wise course for parents is to help kids manage and moderate the pressures they face so that they do not become overwhelmed as they journey toward adulthood.