Project 412

Just look at that picture…doesn’t it make you just want to grab a comfy blanket and get cozy? Well, that is the theme of our Christmas Party this year. Coziness. Here are the details

When – during youth group at youth group, December 20th 7pm-9pm

What to bring:
… – wear something cozy. For example, Pjs (keep things appropriate), slippers, a comfy bathrobe to wear over your pjs, a snuggie, etc..when you think Christmas Cozy, what do you think?
- Bring your favorite Hot Cocoa mug. We’ll have the regular disposable coffee cups here, but if you have a mug, a mug is just so much cozier, don’t you think?
- Bring something tasty to share. We’ll provide the main course, but you guys bring the other delicious goodies. Snacks, side dishes, etc…whatever you’d like to bring.
- White Elephant gift – Please watch the video for the White Elephant Rules. This video is pretty old, and we’ve collectively decided that the present can be under $10.00 if you feel so inclined. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-m1Yx5oh1M&feature=g-upl

Let me know if you’ll be there! It’s going to be cool, Christmas-y, and most importantly, COZY!

This Tuesday we are beginning a brand new series that I am so excited about.  I sincerely feel like we’ve lost sight of the fact that we live in a city…filled with people.  People that at times are hurting.  At times could use a little help.  At times could use a little encouragement.  Could use a little love.  So what we are going to do is spend the rest of the year taking a look at what God’s Word says about our response to those needs as Christians.  We’re calling it “Love Our City”.  Each week, we’ll spend some time in prayer, in the Word, and doing something for the city we live in.  We’ve got some great ideas, some are big, some are simple, but all are coated in love.

Join us every Tuesday at 7pm as we look at what it means to “Love Our City”

Last night’s sermon on Hell is officially live.  You can listen to it here on the blog (by clicking here) or you can check it out on our iTunes podcast.

We are beginning a brand new series, now months in the making.  There is a lot of talk lately about Hell and Heaven.  If I were to go to people on the street and ask them what the thought either may look like or be like, you’d get a million different answers.  So we want to throw out our “pre-conceived” and look at the “God-Breathed”.  We are going to spend the next 3 weeks looking at what the Bible says about Heaven and Hell.  Do they both exist?  If so, what is it going to be like, look like? Who goes where?

Invite your friends.  This is an incredibly important series, because if there is one thing we can all agree on…we’re all gonna die. So…what’s next?

There is still time to submit your questions for our Dating and Relationship Q&A session next Tuesday. Have you asked anything yet? We’ll give you till Sunday. Remember it is totally anonymous.   http://ow.ly/6IXbg

Here is a poem we read to the students last night.  Seemed to really hit home with a lot of them.

Because…

            I made you…You are different.  You are unique.  With love I formed you in your mother’s womb.  I fashioned you with great joy.  I remember with great pleasure the days I created you.  To me, you are beautiful…I love you.  I love your smile.  I love your ways.  I love to hear you laugh and the silly things you do and say (Psalm 139:13-17).  You are yourself, and no one else…this is how I made you.  I made you in such a way that you would need me.  I made you a little more lonesome than you would like to be…only because I want you to lean on me and depend on me.  I know your heart.  I know that if I had not made you like this, you would go about your chosen way and forget Me…your Creator (Psalm 62:5-8).  I have given many good and happy things…because I love you (Psalm 84:11, 8:32).  I have seen your broken heart, and the tears you have cried all alone.  I have been with you and have had a broken heart too (Psalm 56:8).  Many times you have stumbled and fallen alone only because you would not take my hand.  So many lessons you have learned the hard way, because you would not listen to my voice (Isaiah 53:6).  So many times I have sat back and sadly watched you go your own way alone, only to watch you return to My arms, sad and broken (Psalm34:18).  And now you are mine again.  I made you and then I bought you.  I paid a high price for you, because I love you (Romans 5:8).  I had to reshape you and remold you…to renew you to what I had planned for you to be.  It has not been easy for you…or for Me (Jeremiah 29:11).  I want you to be conformed to My image.  This high goal I have set for you, because I LOVE YOU (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Well, we have been trucking along in our series on dating and relationships called “Happily Ever After”.  I apologize that we have not been able to record it.  We’ve had a few technical difficulties with our recording process.  I look forward to getting that back sooner than later.

To recap:

• Week 1 -8/23 – we started off looking at what God’s Word even says about dating. Is He for it? Is He against it?  What is the point of it all?
• Week 2 – 8/30 – Once inside of a relationship, are there physical and emotional boundaries we need to be aware of?  How far is too far?
• Week 3 – 9/06 -A talk directed at the young men in our group.  Who does God call you to be inside of a relationship?  How are you supposed to treat girls? (We had the girls sit in on this talk because I thought it would be good for them to hear)
• Week 4 – 9/20 (TONIGHT) – we are talking to the girls.  We’ll be focusing on modesty, purity and who God has called them to be.  We are also going to have the guys sit in on this discussion so they can hear what God’s standard is.
• Week 5 – 9/27 -We’ll look at marriage.  What is the point?  What does God’s Word say about it?
• Week 6 – 10/04 – Open Q&A time. (details below)

I know that you are going to have some questions about dating that I may may have not addressed or you want more clarity.  “Can I date a non-christian” “how far is too far” “Is God against dating”?  So to help you out, I’ve created a Formspring account so that you can ask ANY question you want about the topic and we’ll do our best to answer them on October 4th.  No question is dumb or off-limits.  I believe God’s Word has the answers.

So check out http://formspring.me/Project412  and ask your question or questions.  Don’t be embarrassed, you’ll remain completely anonymous (even I won’t know who’s asking).  If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for a free one.  We’ll investigate every question and give you biblical answers, because it doesn’t matter what I think, it matters what God thinks.

I’m really excited to see what God is going to do through this series.

It’s that time of year again!  The 4th annual Chuck Norris Water Sports Day at O’neill Forbay.

As we say goodbye to a fantastic summer, we kick off the fall season with one last hoorah on the water with an Xtreme watersports day.  Mr. Rickel has graciously donated his time and his boat for us to use out on O’Neill Forebay.  Due to limited space we are only inviting High School Students this year (Jr Highers have a whole bunch of upcoming events)

We’ll have  Wake Boarding, Water Skiing, Knee Boarding, Inner Tubes and
XTREME TUBE WARS

Since we only have the one boat, we’ll be going out in groups.  But don’t worry, everyone will get their turn.  If you are stuck on land for a bit we’ll have plenty for you to do.  Volleyball, Frisbee, Football, Sand Castle competition (if you’re lucky) or just plain old swimming.

When
September 10th
9:00am – 6:00pm

Where
O’Neill Forebay

What to bring
Medical Release Form
Sack Lunch
Bathing Suit
Towel
Dry Clothes to change in to after

Space is limited so sign up fast.

Also, we are VERY limited on transportation space.  So if you are able to get a ride from your parents or your friend’s parents or your friend’s parent’s friend’s parents…please do.  Let me know if you have extra space in your vehicles so we can all carpool.

Here is a video of our 1st ever XTREME NORRIS WATER SPORTS DAY 2008

What would the summer be without a beach trip?  We are headed to Manresa State Beach next Monday a (July 25th)t 2pm.  Unfortunately we only have a couple of free spaces for rides, so that means YOU are responsible for your own ride (driving yourself, riding with friends, or begging your parents).  We are meeting at the church at 2pm and caravanning over to the beach.  We are planning on packing up and leaving the beach by 9pm.  Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, etc.  We’ll have a bonfire and hot dogs and snacks, and please bring something to share so the beach feast will be even more epic.  Sun, Ocean, Sand, Worship, Bonfire, Snacks, how could you miss this?

Oh, and because of the beach day, there will be NO youth group Tuesday night.

If you need to come late or need to give directions, here is a map of where we are going.

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