Fellowship Middle School Youth Booyah! Blog

2011-01-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

Wow...how time flies. I was thinking about deleting this blog, but going back and rereading some of the fun things we've done in Youth Group, makes me want to continue!

So I should catch everyone up on what's happening within Middle School Youth Ministries first.

We're still averaging @ 60 kids, and I have some FANTASTIC High School and adult leaders. Thanks Terah for dressing up like a Yeti and playing Sardines! Sorry Travis and Keegan that we had to abandon looking for you because we ran out of time! I think the next time we do this, it would be more fun for the youth if we let them hide by grade and then go find them.

Our topic was: "If people spend so much time and money trying to prove that things like the Yeti and the Loch Ness Monster....why is it so hard for people to admit they're looking for God?

I posed the question of what if someone says to you they don't believe in God...a couple of them responded back..."then you ask them a question back--like "How do you know He's not real?"

I then read a couple of passages:

God’s word: Deuteronomy 4:29: Talking about worshipping other things than God and finding no comfort in those “things”….

“From there you will search for Him with all your heart and soul, and you will find Him.”

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “Plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.”

Matthew 7:7 (Jesus speaking): Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

One of our MS girls--Jenny said to me, "I get it. I see how the Yeti and God are kind of alike. He's kind of mysterious and hidden and we need to search for Him to find Him in our lives."

God know we all have questions. He knows we're all seeking. The great thing about the Bible is that throughout the whole book--old testament and new testament--it's cohesive...even though there's mystery--there are guiding answers as well. I think God needs to have some mysteriousness to keep us wondering, keep us searching, and keep us interested. If He gave us all of the answers and everything we wanted, we just might not need Him. And I'm pretty sure I need him--a lot.

Peace!!

Wed. Oct 7, 2009

2009-10-08T10:04:00.000-07:00

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!

Welcome Back!!

2009-09-21T06:42:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-05-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Last Youth Group Night!

2009-05-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

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!

Happy Spring Break!

2009-04-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-03-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Competetiveness

2009-03-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-03-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

Go Mac Bay Girls! On our "Peace" night, Emma Schippers, Elizabeth Topp, Taylor Overman, Megan Kenny, Katie VanderZwaag, and Holly Kenny came up with a peace pyramid!

2009-03-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

Scott Patchin is one of our adult small group leaders. Scott works in Grand Rapids and is married to Jenny, dad to Ben, Ana, Mia, and Aubrey. Scott is a published author of the book: "So You Want To Be A Dad".

2009-03-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Meg Russell leading a small group. Meg is a senior at Black River. She enjoys choir, band, and volleyball. She will be going to Ball State next year for Theatre Education. Meg will also be running our next few youth groups for her "Senior Project".

2009-03-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

Matthew Thorsby leading a small group discussion. Matthew attends West Ottawa, plays soccer, and is also in the orchestra.

Wed. March 4

2009-03-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

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

WELCOME!!

2009-03-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

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