Busy Week Ahead

Lots going on this week (most weeks this summer, actually, which explains the fact that I haven't been posting as often as I'd like... sorry.) I just finished an e-mail to our Ignite students and parents about what's coming up this week. Here are some highlights:

Our weekly youth group will meet Wednesday night (as usual) for a fun time of games, worship, fellowship, food, and learning. We’ve got a great time planned for tomorrow so you won’t want to miss it. Invite your friends! Junior high is at 5:30 for X-Factor and senior high 7 is at 7:00.

Jr Hi small group won’t be meeting this week as almost everyone had schedule conflicts, but we’ll get back together next week on FRIDAY (not Thursday this one time).

Friday we’ll head to Rush City for The Big Bad Musical: A Howling Courtroom Comedy - Come see what happens with fairy tale characters try to "get even" by putting the Big Bad Wolf on TRIAL! Little Red, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and of course the Three Pigs all try to exact revenge on mean ol' Mr. Wolf. Innocent or guilty? --- the audience decides the ending! This hilarious children's musical is clever, fun, and perfect for kids of all ages. Plus it features three of our own Ignite students: Kendra Severson, Sarah Nisley and Courtnie Blazek! All students are admitted FREE and adult admission is only $5. Bring a few bucks and maybe we’ll stop for dessert afterward!

This Sunday afternoon we’re headed over to the Bloomquist home for a cookout picnic and sand volleyball. Bring a snack to share (chips, etc.) and we’ll provide the rest. Let me know if you’re planning to attend so that we can plan for enough food! We'll be done around 8 p.m.

Finally our senior high small group will meet again next Tuesday, 9:30 – 11 a.m., at my house.

Sr Hi Small Group Recap - Last Tuesday

(I had this post ready to go on Tuesday but never got it posted. So here it is a little late. The title would have been appropriate had I posted it as scheduled, but now it is ironic...)

"Today"

We had our second senior high small group this morning - yes they decided that they liked meeting in the mornings rather than the afternoons (I think Rosalie’s semi-homemade cinnamon rolls helped seal the deal today!) We had a great time sharing together and discussing how we need to celebrate and honor the past but not live in it.

We used Rob Bell’s Nooma video Today as jumping off point for the discussion. It was a great video but not as applicable to this age group as it would have been to an older group. Most of our students aren’t too caught up in living in the past. We modified the discussion a bit to talk about living each day for what God brings rather than living in the future (“when I get a car, when I graduate, when I have a job” etc.).

All in all another great time sharing and growing together.

Y Worship

Had a great time at our youth groups last night. We launched our new Jr Hi group, X-Factor, at 5:30 and followed with the senior high group, 7, from 7-8:30 (which really went until 9 before we can get everything cleaned up and student cleared out). Had almost all of our junior highers there which was fun. I think we'll grow that group quickly as that age is usually great about inviting friends. Senior high bumped up against summer basketball but still had a great turnout, which was fun. New students again this week (and every week for the past month or so!) Plus some great new sponsors who have joined in to begin investing in these kids' lives.

Our theme for the evening was "Y Worship" and we talked about why and how we worship, wrapping up the night with a time of corporate worship together in song. All in all a great evening (if a bit long and somewhat exhausting!) Thanks to all who helped out and those who have been remembering us in prayer! God continues to do great things among these students.

Sr Hi Small Groups Kick Off the Summer Schedule

Well, we just finished up with our first "program/event" of the summer - our first senior high small group! We had a small group (ironic? maybe.) but I know of a few more that will be joining us as the summer progresses. Nevertheless we had a lot of fun, good food, and great discussion.

This week we talked about names and identity, keying of Rob Bell's Nooma video, "Name", as our discussion starter. It was a great jumping off point for some talk about who we are compared with other people and why we shouldn't be comparing ourselves with others in the first place! We also talked about the 'names' or labels that describe us and how we each have a unique path to walk.

The group is excited about continuing with the video/discussion format. Several expressed interest in moving to a morning meeting! (Of course "morning" for high school students means bright an early at 9:30 a.m.!) We'll talk some more about that and let everyone know if we end up moving times. Tuesday mornings is the current preferred time. That would keep us from bumping up against summer sports or work schedules.

All in all, a great start to the summer.