Big Announcement!

Hey Senior High Folks. The senior high advisory board as decided to implement the book, "Purpose Driven Youth ministry" into our ministry. You will be hearing me talk about this all year long. We want to see this youth group continue to develop as a strong and healthy ministry that is purpose drive. (I will discuss more of what that means a later). Doug Fields the author of this book points out 5 essential purposes based on Matthew 22:19, and Matthew 28. Each purpose is: worship, serving, sharing our faith, connecting with other students, and spiritual growth.

The first purpose, worship, required us to reevaluate an aspect of the youth ministry. We have made strategic decisions to help us become stronger and healthier. Therefore, we will be asking that all Senior High students join the congregation on Sunday morning for worship, starting September 10th. We desire that the students are fully integrated into the service as members of this congregation. Consequently, we will not be having our Christian education programming on Sunday mornings, but that evening (read on!). However, to spur pre-worship fellowship, Senior High will have their own coffee house (for those of you who do not like coffee : ) we will have other drinks too) held in the Senior High room from 10:00-10:30am. (MAKE SURE YOU COME).

Spiritual growth and connecting students together are additional parts of the ministry. Sunday evening program will be designed to meet these two purposes. This will be located at the manse (1301 Shermer) across the street, which is Matthew and Melissa Hyder’s home, from 7:00 -9:00 pm. During this time we will have an evening filled with worship, games, teaching, and small groups.

IMPORTANT POINT: You can sit with your family if you like, but we will also be walking up as a group after coffee hour and you may sit together as a group also. We feel like this change will deepen our ministry and help us to grow in each purpose. I am so pumped to get this year started! If you have questions please contact me at church 847-272-0090 ext. 25.

Arnspong's House

The Arnspong's House was super fun this weekend. We played many different games. We went from volleyball, to nuke um, to knock out, to hot potato (which was my favorite) to big boody and more. It was awesome to get to know you all a little better. I am so pumped for the next time we meet which is September 8th for a Friday Night Live. Make sure to bring your friends for some fun fellowship. We will be meeting at the church at 7:00.

On another note, Sunday School was really fun too. We discussed what it looks like to grow in our relationship with the Lord. I know for me it is always good for me to set goals for myself. I have asked myself and a few close friends of mine, where would we like to be in a year from now on our faith journeys. It was interesting to hear their responses. I know in a year from now I want to be able to TRUST in the Lord when there is a situation that is difficult and hard to see where God is leading me. This is a huge area where I need growth. In service today Pastor Buell talked about having patience even when things don't seem like they are going to get better. I hope in a year from now that my patience and trust will expand as I continue to walk closer with God.

Where would you like to be in a year from now on your faith journey?

Money

“Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can” John Wesley

In Sunday School and Worship Service we talked about how God desires us to handle our wealth. We talked how wealth can come in many differnet form besides money such as our time, and our talents. How do you feel like you can responds to what we learned. Is money really hard for you to give up? Matthew 6:19 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What do you think that means? As we look a God's word we don't want to just talk about it and say what the good thing to do would be. But how are we really going to apply what we learned?

BBQ

BBQ this Friday!!!!!

Bring a Friend

Come ready to eat and
have a great time.

August 25, 2006
6:00-9:00 pm

Where: Arnspong’s House
at 1704 Shawnee Trail, Northbrook

Summer

What did you do this summer?

For me, I have had a very adventerous summer. One of the things I have done the most is camping. I went to the Michigan Warren Dunes, White Lake, Wisconsin, and Algona Wisconsin. I love camping. I love setting up the tent and having camp fires. In addition, my husband Matthew and I just celebrated our 1 year anniversary. Here is a picture of the night we went to Wildfire. Oh the food was awesome. I got steak and Matthew got Ribs.

Summer time

What did you do this summer?

I went on a few different camping trips this summer. This is a picture of one I went to at the Michigan Warren Dunes. I absolutely LOVE to go camping. There is something so exciting about building a camp fire, making s'mores, and sleeping in a tent. I love seeing new places and exploring God's beautiful creation. If you would, take a moment and share what you have been up to this summer.

Welcome

Welcome to the Junior High Blog! I'm Melissa Hyder and I am the new Youth Minister. I am really excited to get to know each of you this year. I am hoping that this blog can help us stay connected and get to know each other. Feel Free to post comments on topics we are discussing or just how things are going in your life. Make sure to check in once and awhile to hear of fun and exciting times going on here at The Village. Please share how your summer is going. What fun things have you done so far?

Welcome

Welcome to the Village Senior High blog! I hope that everybody has had an awesome summer so far. I am hoping that this blog site can be a great way for us to connect, share, and talk with each other. I want everybody to feel free to post comments on specific topics or just to give us an update on how you are doing.