HIGHLIGHTS...

UPDATE ON OUR SENIOR YOUTH GROUP - Our 8th-12th grade Sunday school class is finishing up their study of 2 Samuel and are looking forward to studying the early church in the Book of Acts.  A few times a year, we deviate from our studies and enjoy a VERY competitive and fun game of Bible trivia or Bible jeopardy.   We also meet the third Sunday of each month for lunch, games and a devotion.  Some of our favorite games include:  extreme spoons, table climbing (try climbing all the way around-top to bottom to top- a table without touching the ground), killer frog, ping pong, and sardines.  Pastor Skelton holds a Bible study with the youth usually on the first Sunday of each month on current issues that they face in life.  In all that we do, though, our most important goal is to share the love and forgiveness given to us on the cross and encourage the youth to dig into God's Word and let Jesus be their strength and guide.

MURAL COMPLETED - The 8th-12th grade Sunday School class has finished painting the beautiful mural on the wall of the youth room, downstairs. Thirteen youth worked with Christa S who designed the mural with ideas from the youth. Throughout the year, BIble verses were chosen from their Sunday School BIble study and weaved into the stained glass lines of the mural. At the center of the mural is a large cross surrounded by mountains, sky and a really cool tree. Our theme was. "Throughout our lives we ned to fix our eyes on Jesus and make Him the center of our world." Please stop in to see our awesome artwork!

GINGERBREAD HOUSES - In December, both the junior and senior youth groups had a pizza lunch, devotion, and decorated gingerbread houses. Yum-O!


                    
FALL GAMES - In September, Jr Youth invited Ascension Lutheran kids to join them for pizza, devotion, and some great games. The Sr High group played volleyball and had a devotion over over a lunch.

MINI GOLF- In August, our Jr Youth group went to Colorado Journey Mini Golf Park. They had their devotion plus the park taught them some interesting Colorado history.

WATER WORLD - This July, the high school group enjoyed a day of fun at the waterpark. It included a devotion and pizza lunch.

 

MURAL PAINTING -
In June, our seniors spent a Saturday morning painting a wall of their youth room. How great it looks!

 

SPRING GAMES DAY-
'Capture the Flag' is a favorite game. They also held a softball game this summer.

CRAFT PROJECT -
Before Ash Wednesday, our Jr Youth kids met up at a paint-your-own pottery shop to create individual crosses. Most kids put their baptismal date or favorite verse on theirs. Some of the kids that attended are pictured here.

MOVIE & MUNCHIES- "Amazing Grace" was shown to some of our Sr Youth Group members. It is a true story about doing what's right. William Wilberforce's courageous quest to pass a law to end the British slave trade. The youth were reminded that it is not always popular to do what God wants us to do, but that we need to be strong as Christians and take the stance that He would have us take. In the movie, John Newton, who can't forget the weight of his sins (taking all these Africans into slavery), proclaims that, "I am a great sinner, but I have an even greater Savior." Christ died for ALL sins and he offers forgiveness to each of us no matter how great our sin.

"LAUGHTER". To get rid of the winter blues, the Jr Youth Group learned about how laughter is good for us and God wants us to have joy in life.

"HOW SPECIAL WE ARE TO GOD" -- God knows everything about you, your thoughts, feelings, hopes, and fears.  He even knows the number of hairs on your head!  Feel comforted that God understands and loves you no matter what.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
The kids worked very hard on their lines, songs, and the staging of their Christmas program. Behind the scenes, there was also a great crew helping with costumes and the stage set. During Christmas Eve service our church enjoyed the wonderful performance of "The Grumpy Shepherd". Then, all enjoyed several chime performances by our older kids. The service ended with all singing Silent Night by candle light. Thanks for everyone's hard work!

BOWLING PIZZA PARTY - What a large group we had for this year's Christmas party! 'Welcome' to all the great guests we had come share the afternoon. There were quite a few strikes out there...do we have future pro-bowlers here?! Have a Merry Christmas kids!

CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD CASTLES - The 7th-12th grade group showed so much imagination in their creations. But we are wondering, how much of the candy actually got stuck to the gingerbread houses?

TEAM BUILDING One activity for our senior youth group was to use alphabet pasta letters to spell as many biblical words as possible. Great creativity, amazing speed, and wow! do they know their bible!

SERVICE PROJECT - RECYCLING - For America Recycles Day, church members, Early Learning Center families, and the community collected shoes to be ground up and recycled into play surfaces. Our junior youth counted, weighed and sorted the shoes. Together we collected 345 shoes and 253 pounds, plus two two extra large bags of still usable shoes to the Goodwill.  Thanks everyone for pitching in!

LINKS- The following links are provided for the enjoyment of children, youth, & teens. 

"2009 Best of Industry" *AWARD WINNING SITE* Christian Fun For Kids

	Children's Books		Youth & Teen
	learning materials		devotions, current Issues, & fiction