Camp Hanes Middle School Retreat!

THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY!!

Worship Service THIS Sunday night!

Area wide Youth Worship Service @ First Pres.
Sunday, October 24th

Departure: Meet in the church parking lot by 5:15 p.m.
How are we getting there? Middle School will travel by church vans and possibly in an adult leader's car. Sr. Highs are allowed to drive if they wish. Please notify me if you do not want your sr. high to have any other youth in the car with them or would rather they ride in the van. Just playing it safe! We will have a church van for sr. highs who do not drive, and possibly a couple adult leaders will drive their cars as well. Still working on this part.
Back to the church: We should be back home by 8:00 p.m.

Middle School Youth Group - Defining "Neighbor"

Luke 10:25-37 (The Message)

Defining "Neighbor" 25 Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"

26He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"

27He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."

28"Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."

29Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"

30-32Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

33-35"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

36"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"

37"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.
Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

"Random Acts of Kindness" Group instructions

Below are the instructions that the sr. high small groups were given. This should help explain a bit of what when on last night and help you understand the pictures in prior postings.

You and your small group are to use downtown Greensboro as your area to spread kindness! When Jesus was present on earth, much of his teachings were in the form of action rather than just words. In addition, Jesus was creative in his teachings. So be creative!

Inside your bag are items you are to use to spread kindness. You must check off everything listed.

1. You are to give away 3 bottles of water any way you’d like. However, I don’t suggest you throw it at someone’s head and say, “Here’s some water!”

2. You are to use 6 pieces of paper and the markers to come up with some creative way to spread kindness. Please don’t give away the markers!!

3. You must use $3.00 in some creative fashion as a means to give to others.

4. Find 3 items on the ground that should have been thrown in the recycling bin and…well…throw it in the recycling bin.

5. Finally, look around you and decide as a group 2 acts of kindness you will do that is not listed above.

#2 Sr. High - "Random Acts of Kindness" Downtown G'boro

Sr. High - "Random Acts of Kindness" Downtown G'boro

Middle School Youth Group!

Last night the middle school participated in a mouse trip gauntlet blindfolded and barefooted! Of course they had a partner leading them from the other side, but it wasn't easy! The focus of the activity was ANXIETY in our daily lives. How do we deal with it and use one another for support. How do we use our faith to help?

Matthew 14:22-33
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Awesome Talent!

What an awesome runway show you guys put on! The way you worked so creatively and cooperatively together to make a fashion statement out of a few bits of clothing - it was amazing! Who knew Nathan had an inner male-model?! Can anyone doubt Jonathan and Walkerina's fashion style?? Were those red pants not MADE for Alexis?? Seriously, who taught Savannah to walk like Heidi Klum?!! What a fun night - thanks parents and youth for all you brought to it! Elaine/Group Green

FAMILY FUN!! #1

Last night parents and youth gathered for food, conversation and goofy fun. Thanks to all who came out. I especially enjoyed spending time with all the parents. Your caring attitude, enthusiasm and ideas are encouraging. I look forward to more gatherings like this in the near future. Until then, enjoy some pics of parents having some fun and youth strutting their stuff down the Brown Hall runway. You can find more pictures on our Facebook Group Page and our youth Webshots Page (http://community.webshots.com/user/AlamanceYouth). I hope to get them uploaded by today...takes awhile to upload. Have a great rainy day!

Marc Libertore!! Gotcha! Mick, where are you?

Work it!

THIS Sunday, September 26...
Parent / Youth Event @ the church...
Potluck dinner first...
Bring a side dish, main dish or dessert to share...
Program afterward...
Youth and parents will split up...
Scott will lead the parent group while other youth leaders get the youth ready for the Goodwill Fashion Show...

6:00 Potluck Dinner in Brown Hall...
6:45-8:15 p.m. Program...
Might end earlier than 8:15 p.m....
Hope to see you then!

Sr. Highs 9/19/10

This year both middle school and sr. high youth group are utilizing the small group model. Thoguh various activities, we let the Holy Spirit take control of choosing who would be in each small group. Each small group will remain the same until the end of December. Then we'll form new groups. Middle School has two small groups of around 9 youth, and sr. high have 4 small groups of around 8 youth in each. So if you are a youth, come join us!!

Youth Group STARTS this SUNDAY!!

I’ll Be Your Water – Keb’ Mo’

Do you ever get worried
And your load is hard to bear
And your life is like a sad sad story
No one nobody really cares

But if you ever need someone to talk to
And if you ever need a helping hand
I'll be your ship out on the ocean
I'll be your water in the desert sand

I've been there I've felt like you do
Feelin' like winter would never turn to spring
And everybody I know has got problems
But there's a solution to everything

And if you ever need someone to talk to
And if you ever need a helping hand
I'll be your ship out on the ocean
I'll be your water in the desert sand

And after you've found your way
You won't owe me nothin
''Cause you're gonna know that your well
Will never run dry, never run dry

If you ever need someone to talk to
And if you ever need a helping hand
I'll be your ship out, your ship out on the ocean
I'll be your water in the desert sand
I'll be your water
And I will give you shelter
I'll be your water
I will be there for you
I'll be your ship out on the ocean
I'll be your water in the desert sand

NEW FALL THEME!!!

One Adult Yth Leader Meeting Down!

The new youth season is just around the corner! Last night the adult leaders gathered at Elaine and Dale Kitchell's house for some laughing, sharing and brainstorming. What a great group of caring adults! Our church is blessed to have such people like this give of their time to help the growth of our youth.

We mainly dreamed last night. We dreamed about what the perfect youth ministry would look like for Alamance and the surrounding community. Hey, there's nothing wrong with dreaming! It's fun to dream! Our next step is to focus in on some of the dreams and possibly implement ideas that just might get us there. Secondly we took some time to chat about our new church focus in Missional Theology. Not a new concept, and honestly not new to APC, but more like new in discussion and understanding that we've actually been do this, and how we can implement this even more.

Our next meeting is Monday, August 9th. The focus of this meeting is to narrow our dreams, hash out what is working and what needs help, how to include the youth in the dreaming part, and talk about the use of technology and how we can use this to strengthen our youth ministry.

More to come!

MONTREAT PICS: Monday, July 19th

MONTREAT SUBTHEMES

Tuesday: "Storms Will Come" - Today's topic could possibly bring up some difficult memories or questions. Today in small group youth are looking at the art of "lamenting" to God, taking your troubles to God. Storms in our lives are going on all the time and will always be there. Death, divorce, injury, depression, brokenness happens...and we always ask why. When those questions aren't answered quickly or not at all, then we begin to make up answers ourselves. But out of chaos is hope! Who better to give our anger and frustrations but to God! Today's topic is pretty deep for youth and adults alike. We all look forward to what is to come in worship tonight and what God has in store for us when we join back together as one family in our house tonight.

FYI - If my entries begin to be really random thoughts, it's because there's a lot to soak in this week. That's when I resort to sharing through photos.

MONTREAT PICS: Monday, July 19th

MONTREAT PICS: Sunday, July 18th

We made it to MONTREAT!

Isaiah 43:2a states 'I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.'

Montreat has officially started as of last night! This year's theme is "In These Waters." It is a theme of movement and activity. Unlike Isaiah, we are not just passing through the waters we are caught living in these waters.

I think our youth, and the 1000 other youth attending this week, are really going to grasp this theme. Water is all around us! Creation was started with water and out of those waters came everything that is and will continue to be! It is important while we are here that we (youth & adult leaders) remember who we are and where we came from. Water is one of the only constant connection between us all.

So we are just flouting on the surface, but we are bound to dive deep and grow in our faith as our week continues. So more to come! Stay tuned!

If you'd like to also see pictures and read what other groups have to say during our week, check out Montreat's Facebook page. CLICK HERE

Opening night in Anderson Auditorium

MONTREAT IS HERE!

If you lost the final information that was sent out to you about Montreat, CLICK HERE to get the PDF version. It will take you to the church sr. high website. Follow from there!

See all on Saturday in Brown Hall at 12 p.m.!!!

D.C. Senior High Mission Trip FINAL PHOTOS

Well, tomorrow we head back to Greensboro. Just in time before July 4th! I know that sounds unpatriotic, but D.C. is going to be BUZZIN' with people! You can already feel it. It's been a great 3 days and we hate to leave this fine city and The Pilgrimage.

Our final pictures are from where we worked today. Today we volunteered at "A Wider Circle." Here's some quick info, but check out their website when you get a chance. www.awidercircle.org

The mission of A Wider Circle is simple: to help

children and adults lift themselves out of poverty.

Each day, A Wider Circle provides basic need items to families transitioning out of shelters or simply living without life’s necessities. We furnish the homes of more than 1,000 children and adults every single month, all free of charge. We also go into low-income schools and shelters to lead educational workshops on topics ranging from healthy self-esteem and stress management to resume writing and financial planning. We go where the needs are greatest and do what is most needed.

A Wider Circle says no to nobody! Anyone in need of help can find it here. In addition to all of the individuals and families that call us, more than 240 social service agencies regularly contact us for help in serving their clients.

Playing with children while parents get their furniture.

Andrew's job was to steam the outside of the mattresses to kill off any bedbugs.

This was one stack of mattresses donated from a university. Our job was to sift through them, steam clean them up and get them to people who need them.

Some of us sorted personal care items and made personal care bags that are given out to people who need them.

D.C. Senior High Mission Photos

Morning to all! Thought I'd upload some more pics of our walk all over D.C. last night. Our feet hurt this morning, but all well worth it. Today we volunteer at "A Wider Circle." This is an organization that provides basic need items for people transitioning out of shelters, living in neglected neighborhoods, or who are victims of crime or disasters.

It's late, so just some more fun pics!

Well, it's 12:18 a.m. so I'm just uploading some pics and going bed! I think we walked the whole city today and then some. So enjoy the photos and I hope to get some deeper input tomorrow from people.

Outside Obama's house

Kinda fun having a good lens. Took a picture of someone in the White House working.

Our NEW Youth Ministry Building! You like?

The best playground EVER!

D.C. Mission Photos

Here are some great photos to hold you all over. Amy Raab's recap of the day is coming later tonight. Enjoy!

SR. HIGH MISSION TRIP - The Pilgrimage

Well, we made it to D.C.! Not much to say about today other than it went pretty smooth until we hit D.C. roads. Go right on "H" then left on 17th St., then a quick round-about, then right onto "Q" and then onto Constitution St. and finally a slight right into the Potomac River!!! Hello? D.C. roads are nuts! Thanks for letting me vent! Other than the roads, we all had a great evening hanging out on "The Hill" steps listening to the U.S. Marine Band.

Tomorrow we will head out into the city to do some random acts of kindness for people! We did an awesome job in Greensboro, so we're going bigger this time! In the afternoon we will volunteer at the Christian Community Group Homes. This is a place for low-income seniors in D.C. In the evening we plan on visiting the White House for some evening tea! More photos to come!

Middle School Mission Trip - FINAL PHOTOS