Well, we served 210 hamburgers last night + a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches as well! It was a great turn out for our the beginning of our F4 night. F4 stands for Food, Fellowship, Family, and Fun! There are many different classes being offered after the dinner. For our Middle Schoolers, after we feasted on hamburgers, tator tots, and ice cream, we went into the gym to play a game. They were divided into two teams of @ 35 kids each. (We were a little short, so there were probably only @ 65 kids there) They had to take a slip of paper out of the basket and then work together sentence by sentence to tell the story. It was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It took a looonnnggg time, but eventually, they did get the idea. After that, we went into the Youth Center and split into girls on one side, boys on the other. I wanted to give all of the Youth Leaders a chance to see everyone and start to put a name with the face!! So, we played the story game, where you write down: a who, what they did, where they did it, when they did it, and why they did it. Passing the paper to the person next to you after each entry. We came up with some crazy stories in the girls area! Then, we just took time to share random stories with the group. It was a fun night to begin to get to know the kids a little better.
Next week if the weather is decent, we're going to have another bon fire outside, sing some songs around the campfire, roast hotdogs and s'mores, and then go inside to help stuff the College Care Packages. We are still accepting donations for those packages. Flat soups, drink mixes, candy, etc...are good ideas that can be donated.
Thanks!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Welcome Back!!
Well, it was a busy summer of Bible Studies, swimming, basketball tournaments, beach days, and out of town vacations. It finally feels like a routine may be coming--now that we're two weeks into school for some and a month into it for others!!
Middle School Youth Group starts up this coming Wednesday. We'll have a bonfire, play some football and a couple of mixer type games, too.
Beginning in October, we encourage all parents of Middle Schoolers to join us for dinner ($2) and some social time from 5:45 to 6:30. From 6:30 to 7:30, there will be a variety of activities to choose from. Our goal is to get to know all of you better, and provide opportunity to fellowship with each other!!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Last Youth Group Night!
Our last Youth Group consisted of a wiffle ball game and just some fun hanging out time! I hope everyone has a great summer! Here's what's coming up for May, June, July, and August.
Sunday, May 31 9:15 am to 10:30 am. Help serve coffee, tea, and bus dishes for the senior members of our congregation at church in celebration of older adults month. Please contact Leslie if you want to help!
Monday, June 29--Middle School Pool Party at the Russell's house! 13992 Fox Trail Dr. 3-8 pm Please bring a swimsuit, towel, clothes to change into for a bonfire, and snack to share!
Wednesdays on the Water 1-3 pm Every Wednesday--beginning July 1, ladies ages 11 to adult are invited to come to the Russell's for a Bible Study by the pool. All you need to bring is a swimsuit, towel, and your Bible!
Wednesday, July 15--MS Boys Lock In!! 8 pm Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, snack to share, and a nerf gun if you have one!!
Friday, July 24--Beach Day! Meet at Tunnel Park from 1pm to 5 pm. Please bring a towel, swim suit, and a copy of an emergency phone number with your name on it, also!
Wednesday, July 29--MS Girls Lock In!! 8 pm Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, snack to share, and a flash light!
Wednesday, August 5--9--Wyld Life Camp at Timberwolf Lake Lodge!
Wednesday, August 19 MS Last Hoorah Dance Party! 6 pm to 10 pm in the Gym!
Sunday, May 31 9:15 am to 10:30 am. Help serve coffee, tea, and bus dishes for the senior members of our congregation at church in celebration of older adults month. Please contact Leslie if you want to help!
Monday, June 29--Middle School Pool Party at the Russell's house! 13992 Fox Trail Dr. 3-8 pm Please bring a swimsuit, towel, clothes to change into for a bonfire, and snack to share!
Wednesdays on the Water 1-3 pm Every Wednesday--beginning July 1, ladies ages 11 to adult are invited to come to the Russell's for a Bible Study by the pool. All you need to bring is a swimsuit, towel, and your Bible!
Wednesday, July 15--MS Boys Lock In!! 8 pm Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, snack to share, and a nerf gun if you have one!!
Friday, July 24--Beach Day! Meet at Tunnel Park from 1pm to 5 pm. Please bring a towel, swim suit, and a copy of an emergency phone number with your name on it, also!
Wednesday, July 29--MS Girls Lock In!! 8 pm Bring a sleeping bag, pillow, snack to share, and a flash light!
Wednesday, August 5--9--Wyld Life Camp at Timberwolf Lake Lodge!
Wednesday, August 19 MS Last Hoorah Dance Party! 6 pm to 10 pm in the Gym!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Last Wednesday, we talked about identity. Who do others say you are? What words would describe you? Who does God say you are? We all had great discussions around this topic. We also played balloon volleyball, with many balloons!
We are getting ready for Youth Sunday coming up on April 26! Youth will do everything from leading the message to playing in the praise band. We also have a string ensemble playing Amazing Grace. Our Youth Are Awesome!
We are getting ready for Youth Sunday coming up on April 26! Youth will do everything from leading the message to playing in the praise band. We also have a string ensemble playing Amazing Grace. Our Youth Are Awesome!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Happy Spring Break!
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are having a wonderful spring break! I'm praying for you!
Next Wednesday, April 15, we will be talking about identity. In Middle School we seem to try on all sorts of different "outfits" if you will....I remember dressing "punk" for a week, and really freaking my parents out! Then, the next week, I was preppy with my collar turned up, and only wore pink and green, and desperately wanted Izod shirts only. Oh, my wonderful parents! How they rode those waves! With my own daughters, we've ridden the waves, too. As they turn 18, they are still stretching, growing, changing, defining....Even at 44, I know God still isn't done with me! He continues to show me new blessings, new ideas, and new mercies every day. What a thing to celebrate! Peace, Friends!
I hope you are having a wonderful spring break! I'm praying for you!
Next Wednesday, April 15, we will be talking about identity. In Middle School we seem to try on all sorts of different "outfits" if you will....I remember dressing "punk" for a week, and really freaking my parents out! Then, the next week, I was preppy with my collar turned up, and only wore pink and green, and desperately wanted Izod shirts only. Oh, my wonderful parents! How they rode those waves! With my own daughters, we've ridden the waves, too. As they turn 18, they are still stretching, growing, changing, defining....Even at 44, I know God still isn't done with me! He continues to show me new blessings, new ideas, and new mercies every day. What a thing to celebrate! Peace, Friends!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Competetiveness
Last night, we talked about Competetiveness. We had @ 45 kids here. Some were gone because of the West Ottawa District Basketball game. (GO WO!) Others had homework--(get that done Jared?) or were sick. (Get Better Megan!!)
We had a blind wheelchair obstacle course, a dance off and a sing off! The boys won 2 out of three--thanks to Parker Kohl and Danny Schurman!! Eye of the Tiger was excellent!
Genesis 4: 1-8 says: The Lord accepted Abel's offering, but he did not accept Cain's. This made Cain very angry and dejected...Cain attacked and killed his brother." Woah! Wait a minute--killed because he lost the competition? Or killed because of God's reaction?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Properly focused competetive drives can produce great results."
Why do some people find it difficult to lose or be wrong about something?
Why do some people always have to win or be right--even with their friends?
Why do we always have to "one-up" someone when they're sharing struggles?
Does it ever pay to be competetive?
How much is too much and when does it turn to just being rude or mean?
Should Christians avoid all competition?
We talked about these questions in our small groups. As I was surfing from group to group I overheard conversations about whether girls should be allowed to play football on a boys team. Interesting.... and how someone described parents as being the driven force of a child's competetive nature....
We only had two kids sign up for the Believe Conference. Unless I hear from more by next week, we won't be going.
Peace for your weekend!
We had a blind wheelchair obstacle course, a dance off and a sing off! The boys won 2 out of three--thanks to Parker Kohl and Danny Schurman!! Eye of the Tiger was excellent!
Genesis 4: 1-8 says: The Lord accepted Abel's offering, but he did not accept Cain's. This made Cain very angry and dejected...Cain attacked and killed his brother." Woah! Wait a minute--killed because he lost the competition? Or killed because of God's reaction?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Properly focused competetive drives can produce great results."
Why do some people find it difficult to lose or be wrong about something?
Why do some people always have to win or be right--even with their friends?
Why do we always have to "one-up" someone when they're sharing struggles?
Does it ever pay to be competetive?
How much is too much and when does it turn to just being rude or mean?
Should Christians avoid all competition?
We talked about these questions in our small groups. As I was surfing from group to group I overheard conversations about whether girls should be allowed to play football on a boys team. Interesting.... and how someone described parents as being the driven force of a child's competetive nature....
We only had two kids sign up for the Believe Conference. Unless I hear from more by next week, we won't be going.
Peace for your weekend!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Wed. March 4
Hello My Friends!
Announcements:
Tshirts have been ordered and processed! They should be here some time next week!
Wyld Life--Black River this week will be helping at the BR Rat Race! 8:30 am Meet in the lyceum! W.O. at the Anchor 3 to 4:30!
Basketball game tonight (Thursday, March 4) at MacBay. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
Youth Led Sunday!! Sign Up NOW! Everyone should participate on Sunday, April 26. Opportunities are available for all three services and all areas!
MISSION TRIP 2009! We will be traveling in June to that wonderful, far away land called Hope College! Join us June 20 to 25th as we embark on a fun filled week serving the people of Holland. We will be volunteering at the Mission, MacRec, Hospice, and doing some "Meet a Need" work in the community, as well as exploring some ethnic restaurants around town! Cost is $250.
BELIEVE! We watched a short video promo for the BELIEVE conference being held on April 24 and 25 at the DeVos Fieldhouse. Tickets are $49 for early registration before March 12.
We started our night with the Days of the Week game. Have your middle schooler explain how to play!
Our Scripture for last night was: John 4:23 "A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
Topic: Where Do You See God in Your Every Day Life?. At first, we brainstormed ideas of where we see God. Then, we watched a quick powerpoint of pictures showing different objects, places, people, etc…Then, we named some more places after watching the powerpoint. I showed them a wrapped box that I said I put God in. After I unwrapped the box, then I showed them what was inside. It was a mirror, and we talked about how we are a reflection of God, or that God is in us. Next, we broke up into guys and girls. Here's some questions to ponder with your youth :Where IS God at Harbor Lights, Mac Bay, Black River, and Holland East?Are there people who stand out in your mind that reflect God or Jesus? Who are they and what makes you feel like they represent God?Where IS God when you're riding in a car?Where IS God when your aunt, grandma, dad has cancer? We shared a stories about when we either really wanted to see God and didn't, or where we have seen God.
We ended the night with prayer for people on our hearts and minds, worries that we and our parents have, and named some things we were thankful for, also.
*Aaron said it was the best discussion this year with the boys! Way to go!
Peace~
Les
Announcements:
Tshirts have been ordered and processed! They should be here some time next week!
Wyld Life--Black River this week will be helping at the BR Rat Race! 8:30 am Meet in the lyceum! W.O. at the Anchor 3 to 4:30!
Basketball game tonight (Thursday, March 4) at MacBay. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.
Youth Led Sunday!! Sign Up NOW! Everyone should participate on Sunday, April 26. Opportunities are available for all three services and all areas!
MISSION TRIP 2009! We will be traveling in June to that wonderful, far away land called Hope College! Join us June 20 to 25th as we embark on a fun filled week serving the people of Holland. We will be volunteering at the Mission, MacRec, Hospice, and doing some "Meet a Need" work in the community, as well as exploring some ethnic restaurants around town! Cost is $250.
BELIEVE! We watched a short video promo for the BELIEVE conference being held on April 24 and 25 at the DeVos Fieldhouse. Tickets are $49 for early registration before March 12.
We started our night with the Days of the Week game. Have your middle schooler explain how to play!
Our Scripture for last night was: John 4:23 "A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
Topic: Where Do You See God in Your Every Day Life?. At first, we brainstormed ideas of where we see God. Then, we watched a quick powerpoint of pictures showing different objects, places, people, etc…Then, we named some more places after watching the powerpoint. I showed them a wrapped box that I said I put God in. After I unwrapped the box, then I showed them what was inside. It was a mirror, and we talked about how we are a reflection of God, or that God is in us. Next, we broke up into guys and girls. Here's some questions to ponder with your youth :Where IS God at Harbor Lights, Mac Bay, Black River, and Holland East?Are there people who stand out in your mind that reflect God or Jesus? Who are they and what makes you feel like they represent God?Where IS God when you're riding in a car?Where IS God when your aunt, grandma, dad has cancer? We shared a stories about when we either really wanted to see God and didn't, or where we have seen God.
We ended the night with prayer for people on our hearts and minds, worries that we and our parents have, and named some things we were thankful for, also.
*Aaron said it was the best discussion this year with the boys! Way to go!
Peace~
Les
WELCOME!!
Hey Everyone!
So glad you've found our blog! Each week I will write about what's been happening in our Middle School Youth Ministries, post some pics, and write some words of wisdom that I invite you to comment on, or even challenge! Let people know we're here, and would looovvveeee to have some great conversations about my fantastic friends! Peace! Leslie
So glad you've found our blog! Each week I will write about what's been happening in our Middle School Youth Ministries, post some pics, and write some words of wisdom that I invite you to comment on, or even challenge! Let people know we're here, and would looovvveeee to have some great conversations about my fantastic friends! Peace! Leslie
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