What’s Happening the Week of 5/19-

Sunday School -

This Sunday is the last week of classes for the summer. It all starts at 9am in the usual locations.

Spring Fling

This is our end of the year event and it all happens from 5-8pm on Sunday, May 19th. It’s gonna be a potluck meal and contra dancing in Brooktondale. Middle School families, please bring a generous main dish and salad to share and High School families, please bring a generous main dish and dessert to share. If you have a child in both groups you get to choose! Drinks and table service will be provided. After the meal we will recognize our Youth Staff and then enjoy some dancing for all. This event is for all youth ministry families; friends are invited so bring someone along and come join us for this great end of the year celebration!

The event takes place at the Brooktondale Community Center (524 Valley Road, Brooktondale). We will have a band play for the dancing. Please consider bringing a small contribution of $3-$5 per family to offset the cost for the musicians.

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What’s Happening the Week of 5/12-

Sunday School -

Classes are on today and will meet at 9 a.m. in the usual locations. Next week will be our final class before the summer break.

Youth Group Meeting!

No meeting tonight as it is Mother’s Day. Enjoy the day celebrating with your family!

Famine Funds

Your Famine Funds are due today! Please get them to Eric and be sure to fill out your t-shirt size if you have earned enough for one.

Spring Fling

The event takes place at the Brooktondale Community Center (524 Valley Road, Brooktondale). We will have a band play for the dancing. Please consider bringing a small contribution of $3-$5 per family to offset the cost.

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What’s Happening the Week of 5/05-

Sunday School -

No classes this Sunday because of the church breakfast at 9 am. We will see you next week at the regular times and regular locations.

Youth Group Meeting!

We are on tonight for our regular meeting. This will be the last “regular” meeting for some time so come and join us from 5-7:30 pm in the Youth Room.

Spring Fling

This is our end of the year event. More details to come but be sure to set aside 5-8pm on Sunday, May 19th. It’s gonna be a potluck meal and contra dancing in Brooktondale so plan to join us!

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What’s Happening the Week of 4/21-

Sunday School -

Classes meet this Sunday at our regular time and place.

Youth Group Meeting!

We are on tonight for our regular meeting. This will be the last “regular” meeting for some time so come and join us from 5-7:30 pm in the Youth Room.

30 Hour Famine -

We are just over a week away from our 2013 Famine Event! You will need to stop eating at noon on Friday the 26th and then you can plan to join us in the youth room between 6-7pm. Please do not come any earlier as we will be doing much to set up for the event. You should bring with you the following items when you come:

something to sleep in (pajamas),
something to sleep on(air mattress, etc),
a sleeping bag/blankets
a pillow
a change of clothes for Saturday
tooth brush / paste / etc.
a coat in case it is cold outside
2 cans of frozen juice or 2 bottles of juice
Your Famine Packet – only if you have collected all your money!

You will get an email next week with the final details. Be collecting and asking everyone you see to help support you!

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What’s Happening the Week of 4/7 -

Sunday School -

Classes resume this Sunday at the regular time and place.

Youth Group Meeting!

No meeting this week or next because of the Children’s Musical. So enjoy the next 2 weeks off and we will see you on the 21st!

30 Hour Famine -

Packets are available this Sunday morning from Sandy Sorenson. If you have not picked yours up, please see her before the 2nd service or after. She will be hanging around to pass them out. Also, remember to read up on setting up an online account. This is a great way to get support from friends and family who are out of the area! Famine dates are April 26-27.

Concert at Cornell -

The following link will take you to information on a pretty exciting concert taking place at Cornell on April 6th. https://www.facebook.com/events/349997301777322/?fref=ts

United Pursuit is an up-and-coming Christian band. I don’t much about the concert overall than what you will find at the link above. Unfortunately I am out of town on vacation that day or else I would definitely be there. Just wanted to pass it along to you as we don’t get many opportunities like this in Ithaca.

The Day of Dialogue

Below is a link sent to me by a parent who thought it should be on the screens of parents and students alike. This is an interesting “event” that might be worth talking about and seeing if there is a way to implement. So check out the link and give me your feedback.

http://www.citizenlink.com/2013/03/26/citizenlink-report-students-share-christian-worldview/

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What’s Happening the Week of 3/31-

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Sunday School -

No classes this Sunday for Easter but we will return next week at our regular time and place.

Youth Group Meeting!

No meeting this week or next because of Easter and Spring break. So plan to join us on the 14th for a Photo Scavenger Hunt. More details to come but we will meet following the 2nd service for a lunch in the youth room (you provide) and then we will head out in the community for some photo fun!

30 Hour Famine -

Concert at Cornell -

The following link will take you to information on a pretty exciting concert taking place at Cornell on April 6th. https://www.facebook.com/events/349997301777322/?fref=ts

The Day of Dialogue

http://www.citizenlink.com/2013/03/26/citizenlink-report-students-share-christian-worldview/

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What’s Happening the Week of 3/17-

Sunday School -

Please join us at 9am sharp in the youth room for our class. We will continue in our study of Hebrews and it would be very helpful for you to read the first 3 chapters of Hebrews.

Youth Group Meeting!

Happy St. Patty’s Day! So plan to join us this Sunday and wear some green to commemorate the day. We will have a variety of things we will do with a green twist on them! It all begins in the Youth Room at 5pm with some awesome interactive activities and then we will move into our lesson/discussion time. Come join and see what’s happening at youth group this week! We will finish at 7:30pm.

Band Rehearsal -

There will be no band rehearsal for the next 3 weeks but we will see you on April 11.

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What’s Happening the Week of 3/03-

Sunday School -

Please join us at 9am sharp in the youth room for our class. We will continue in our study of Hebrews and it would be very helpful for you to read the first 3 chapters of Hebrews.

Youth Group Meeting!

We are on for our regular youth group meeting this Sunday. It all begins in the Youth Room at 5pm with some awesome interactive activities and then we will move into our lesson/discussion time. Come join and see what’s happening at youth group this week! We will finish at 7:30pm.

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What’s Happening the Week of 2/24-

Sunday School -

Please join us at 9am sharp in the youth room for our class. We will continue in our study of Hebrews and it would be very helpful for you to read the first 3 chapters of Hebrews.

Youth Group Meeting!

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What’s Happening the Week of 2/17-

Sunday School -

Please join us at 9am sharp in the usual places I hope you can join us!

Parent Night at Youth Group – This Sunday!

All 6-12 grade students and parents are invited to join us for a follow-up of the Communication Class we had in January. Attendance of this previous class is not necessary to come and be a part of our time on the 17th. This will be a dish to pass meal followed by some discussion. Please plan to bring a generous main dish or salad. Drinks and table service will be provided. We will meet from 5-7:30 pm that night. We will provide childcare for children under 6th grade. Please RSVP if you are going to use the childcare so we have an idea of how many to expect. See you there!

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What’s Happening the Week of 2/10-

Sunday School -

Regular classes resume this Sunday. Please join us at 9am sharp in the regular class locations

Middle School Youth Group

We are on for this Sunday night, 5-7:30 pm in the Youth Room. Let’s do this!

Parent Night at Youth Group – February 17th

All 6-12 grade students are parents are invited to join us for a follow-up of the Communication Class we had in January. Attendance of this previous class is not necessary to come and be a part of our time on the 17th. This will be a dish to pass meal followed by some discussion. Please plan to bring a generous main dish or salad. Drinks and table service will be provided. We will meet from 5-7:30 pm that night. We will provide childcare for children under 6th grade. See you there!

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What’s Happening the Week of 2/3-

Sunday School -

Classes resume this Sunday at 9am sharp in the usual locations.

Youth Group

No meeting this week but we are back on next Sunday for our regular youth group meeting in our regular youth group location!

Nerf Wars -

All middle school students are invited to join us for nerf gun wars. We are doing this on February 2nd from 12:00-5:30pm. You needed to preregister with Alan Pauling and Clark Young to be a part of this event.

Teen Parent Youth Event – February 17th

All 6-12 grade students are parents are invited to join us for a follow-up of the Communication Class we had in January. This will be a dish to pass meal followed by some discussion. Please plan to bring a generous main dish or salad. Drinks and table service will be provided. We will meet from 5-7:30 pm that night. See you there!

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What’s Happening the Week of 1/27-

Sunday School -

Classes resume this Sunday at 9am sharp in the usual locations.

Youth Group

Come and join us this Sunday evening from 5-7:30 in the youth room for our regular meeting. It will be good to be together again for the first time in this New Year.

Nerf Wars -

All middle school students are invited to join us for nerf gun wars. We are doing this on February 2nd in the early afternoon so make sure you let Alan Pauling or Clark Young know if you are want to play. The cost will be $5 to cover ammo. You will need to get the money to Eric this Sunday, the 27th and that will serve as your registration. If you do not preregister, then you will not be able to join us on the 2nd.

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What’s Happening the Week of 1/20-

Sunday School -

Plan to join us for the Teen-Parent class! See the info below.

No Youth Group this Week because of the Basketball Game

Cornell Basketball Game and Dinner -

On Saturday the 19th, come and hang out with us as we watch the Cornell Basketball game and enjoy a dinner provided by the University. The best part is that it is all FREE!!! We have 30 tickets so they are on a first-come, first-serve basis. So that means you need to sign up with Eric ASAP! We will meet in the parking lot of the synchrotron at 2:30pm. Alan can show us the short walk to Newman from there. It will be much easier to get in and out as far as parking goes. Email me, Facebook me, call me, or text me to let me know if you are coming.

January Teen-Parent Class -

“Can You Here Me Now?” - Do you feel at times like you are in a Verizon commercial when talking with your parents? Does it seem that your home is a giant cell hole when trying to connect with your teenager: dropped calls that simply don’t go through? Let’s see if we can’t improve the coverage and thus the communication during this three week course. Our specific target audience is all students in grades 6-12 and their parents, However, if you are the parent of a “‘tween” (ages 9-12) then this could be helpful for you as well; the teenage years are just around the corner!

This is going to be a fun, humorous helpful, and engaging course on family communication so I hope all of you can make it a priority to be there. If you missed the first one, no problem, come and join us this week!

Nerf Wars -

All middle school students are invited to join us for nerf gun wars. We are doing this on February 2nd in the early afternoon so make sure you let Eric know if you are want to play. The cost will be $5 to cover ammo. You will need to get the money to Eric before the 26th and that will serve as your registration. If you do not preregister, then you will not be able to join us on the 26th. Check with Alan Pauling or Clark Young for more details.

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What’s Happening the Week of 1/13-

Sunday School -

Plan to join us for the Teen-Parent class! See the info below.

All Youth Group Game Day

Because of the lack of snow, we will have to postpone sledding until Rice Hill fills in. However, we will still meet this Sunday following the service for a couple of hours to play some board games together. So bring your lunch and your favorite group game to church and meet us in the youth room following the second service. We will eat lunch, hang out together and enjoy the afternoon. You can be picked up at 3pm to head home. See you then!

January Teen-Parent Class -

Cornell Basketball Game and Dinner -

Nerf Wars -

All middle school students are invited to join us on the 26th for nerf gun wars. You will get more info about details but we need to get an idea of who is interested. The cost will be $5 to cover ammo. You will need to get the money to Eric before the 26th and that will serve as your registration. If you do not preregister, then you will not be able to join us on the 26th. Check with Alan Pauling or Clark Young for more details.

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/30-

Sunday School -

No classes this but plan to join us next week for the Teen-Parent class!

No Youth Group This Week! -

We will not be meeting through the Christmas and New Year’s. Our next scheduled meeting is January 13 so we will see you then!

January Teen-Parent Class -

This is going to be a fun, humorous helpful, and engaging course on family communication so I hope all of you can make it a priority to be there.

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/22-

Bell Ringing -

The youth ministry is signed up to ring the Salvation Army Bell in the mall just outside Target this Saturday the 22nd from 5-6pm. All 6-12 grade students are invited to join us. We will have songbooks and spend the hour singing carols and ringing the bell. This is a simple, yet effective way to encourage those passing by as they hear the carols and to help the Salvation Army raise some support so please make it a priority to join us for this. The more the merrier! Parents, we would love to have you join us as well!

Sunday School -

No classes this week or the next so enjoy the later mornings!

No Youth Group This Week! -

We will not be meeting through the Christmas and New Year’s. Our next scheduled meeting is January 13 so we will see you then!

January Teen-Parent Class -

This is going to be a fun, humorous helpful, and engaging course on family communication so I hope all of you can make it a priority to be there.

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/09-

Sunday School -

We are on for our regular class time beginning at 9am. Don’t miss it!

Christmas Party -

Be sure to check the calendar page for information regarding the M.S. party on the 9th. Be sure to bring 3 quality canned food items and a wrapped gift for the gift exchange. It is a dress up event so put on the festive duds!

Bell Ringing -

The youth ministry is signed up to ring the Salvation Army Bell in the mall just outside Target on Saturday the 22nd from 5-6pm. All 6-12 grade students are invited to join us. We will have songbooks and spend the hour singing carols and ringing the bell. This is a simple, yet effective way to encourage those passing by as they hear the carols and to help the Salvation Army rise some support so please make it a priority to join us for this. The more the merrier!

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/02-

Sunday School -

We are on for our regular class time beginning at 9am in the youth room. Don’t miss it!

Youth Group This Week! -

We will meet from 5-7:30 pm in the youth room this Sunday for our regular meeting. This is a great time of connecting, sharing, singing, learning, and growing so come and see what’s happening at youth group this week!

Shoe Boxes -

We still have about $40 to raise to cover costs for the shoe boxes. If you were not able to contribute but would like to help, please bring $3-$5 to youth group this week to be a part of the effort.

Christmas Party -

Be sure to check the calendar page for information regarding the M.S. party on the 9th. There is an important RSVP date for you to remember and as always, this is an excellent event to bring friends to so step out and invite someone to join you this year! I just heard that there is a Lego competition that same day involving a few students from BG. You are welcome to join us anytime during the evening so even if you are going to be late, we’d love to have you!

Bell Ringing -

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What’s Happening the Week of 11/18-

Sunday School -

We are on for our regular class time beginning at 9am in the youth room. Don’t miss it!

Youth Group This Week! -

Shoe Boxes-

The Youth Ministry filled 15 boxes last week! Thanks to all of you who were a part of putting that together and making it happen. If you were not able to contribute but would like to help, please bring $3-$5 to youth group this week to be a part of the effort. We have $70 that we would like to collect to cover all of the expenses.

NO Youth Group on the 25th! -

This is the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend so enjoy the Sunday recovering from your Turkey coma and get your homework done from the long weekend. We will see you on the 2nd!

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What’s Happening the Week of 11/11-

Sunday School -

We are on for our regular class time beginning at 9am in the youth room. Don’t miss it!

Youth Group -

No meeting this Sunday. We will be on next week for our regular meeting at 5pm in the youth room.

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What’s Happening the Week of 11/04-

Sunday School -

We are on for our regular class time beginning at 9am in the youth room. Don’t miss it!

Corn Mazing 2012! -

We are heading over to the Corn Maze at T-Burg Mini-Golf this Sunday! This is for all 6-12 grade students and friends. Cost is $6 plus any extra money for snacks or games that you would like to bring. You should dress warmly, bring a flashlight, and wear shoes that you won’t mind getting very muddy. We will meet at the church at 5 pm sharp and return around 7:45. You are welcome to meet us over at the maze at 5:45. Parents, I may need some help with transportation so please let me know if you are available.

Serving Sunday!

Next week, instead of our regular youth group meeting, we are going to spend a few hours serving our community. You will receive final details this coming week but plan on some leaf raking (which will most likely happen after church) and/or some time sorting clothing at Catholic Charities. More info to follow but let’s plan to spend some time serving others in big need!

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What’s Happening the Week of 11/04-

Sunday School -

We are on for our regular class time. Middle School girls, you will meet upstairs in the Family Center with Stacey Ives and boys will meet behind the pulpit area with Bill and Jerry. We start at 9am so do your best to be on time!

Candy Gathering 2012 -

Canceled for this year due to all the rain.

Corn Mazing 2012! -

We are still on for this tentatively. We will have to see how muddy the maze is towards the end of the week. Please check back here on Saturday for our final decision.

We are heading over to the Corn Maze at T-Burg Mini-Golf on Sunday Nov. 4^th. This is for all 6-12 grade students and friends. You will need to sign up with Eric by the 2^nd if you plan to come. Cost is $6 plus any extra money for snacks or games that you would like to bring. You should dress warmly, bring a flashlight, and wear shoes that you won’t mind getting muddy. We will meet at the church at 5 pm sharp and return around 7:45. Parents, I may need some help with transportation so please let me know if you are available.

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/28 -

Sunday School -

Youth Group this Sunday -

During our regular Youth Group meeting this Sunday we are going to head over to IC to spend some time praying for the city. This is part of the greater church Prayer Walk Week . This may be a new experience for many of you but let’s step out and trust God as we intercede for our community through prayer. We will meet during regular youth group time so join us at 5pm and we will be done at 7:30 pm.

Candy Gathering 2012 -

All 6-8 graders are invited to Mattie and Eric’s house (409 Hook Place) on Monday evening, the 31st, for an awesome night of gathering candy and a bonfire! You should come with something to gather candy in, a costume (this is optional) and warm clothes. If you can bring a camp chair for around the fire, that would be very helpful.Plan to arrive at our place around 5:30 and we will be gathering candy from around 5:45-7:30 and then will get around the fire for hot dogs, hot chocolate, hot cider, and some…well, candy! If you would rather not come for the candy gathering then please feel free to join us around 7:30 for the bonfire! If you would like to bring a snack to share, that would be great! I will supply the dogs, drinks, and fire. If it is raining hard, then we will not meet but if it is only drizzling, then I will put up the tarp and we will still be on. Check out the Facebook event and let us know if you are coming – as always, friends are welcome! Parents, you are welcome to relax around the fire while the kids are out or you can join us hot dogs later in the evening.

Corn Mazing 2012! -

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/21 –

Sunday School -

Youth Group Meeting!

We are meeting this Sunday evening so come and hang out for a bit. It all begins this Sunday @ 5 pm down in the youth room at church. We are discussing our theme for the year – “He Make All Things Glorious.” We have some great things planned so don’t miss it!

Prayer Walk – Sunday the 28th

During our regular Youth Group meeting on this Sunday we are going to head over to IC to spend some time praying over the city. This is part of the greater church Prayer Walk Week . This may be new to many of you but let’s step out and trust God as we intercede for our community through prayer. We will meet during regular youth group time so join us at 5pm and we will be done at 7:30 pm.

Corn Mazing 2012! -

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/14 –

Sunday School -

Classes are back on for this Sunday. Middle School girls, you will meet upstairs in the Family Center with Stacey Ives and boys will meet behind the pulpit area with Bill and Jerry. We start at 9am so do your best to be on time!

Youth Group Meeting this Sunday!

This Sunday is our first youth group meeting of the year so don’t miss it! We will start at 5 pm down in the youth room and then it all ends up at 7:30 upstairs in the Family Center. We will play some games, sings some songs, meet some new friends and new Youth Staff. It will be a great time had by all so I hope to see you all there!

Kick-Off Photos are Up!

You can check them out here.

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/07 –

Sunday School -

No Classes this week as we only have one service at 10:45. See you next week when we are back to our regular schedule.

Youth Group Meeting this Sunday!

Kick-Off Photos are Up!

You can check them out here.

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What’s Happening the Week of 9/30 –

Sunday School -

Classes continue this week at 9 am. Middle School boys (grades 6-8) meeting in the room behind the stage in the church. Middle School girls (grades 6-8) you will meet in the Family Center upstairs in the small room to the right of the main room as you go in through the front door.

Classes begin at 9 AM so please make every effort to make it there on time.

Fall Family Kick-Off 2012

On September 30th, all Youth Ministry families are invited to join us for our annual Kick-Off event. This year’s theme is: Scottish Highland Games! Drinks, and table service will be provided but we are asking each M.S. family to bring a main dish and salad to share and each H.S. family to bring a main dish and dessert to share. We will have lots of games and activities for the whole family! So plan to come dressed accordingly and enjoy a great time with about 100 other folks as we begin the new Youth Ministry year. We will begin right at 4pm and will wrap it up at 7pm followed by a bonfire for those interested in staying around for that.

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What’s Happening the Week of 9/16 –

Sunday School -

Classes continue this week at 9 am. Middle School boys (grades 6-8) you will be meeting in the room behind the stage in the church. You can take the spiral staircase to make your way up there. Bill Schlobohm and Jerry Sincock will be teaching that class again this year so look for them. Middle School girls (grades 6-8) will be meeting in the Family Center upstairs in the small room to the right of the main room as you go in through the front door. Stacey Ives is teaching your class.

Classes begin at 9 AM so please make every effort to make it there on time.

Clean Up in Shindagin

We are planning a clean up date in Shindagin Forest this Saturday, September 22nd. We will meet at the church at 9 am and head into the forest, in the van and other vehicles, where we will clean up trash dumped off the side of the road. Each person should bring gloves that can handle damp/wet material, a water bottle, shoes that can get muddy, and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. This is open to all students and parents in the youth ministry. We will finish at noon and head back to the church where you can be picked up around 12:30. Contact Eric for more info! Parents, I really would like to encourage you to join us. This is a great memory for you and your child to have: working alongside each other. So consider join us!

Fall Family Kick-Off 2012

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What’s Happening the Week of 9/16 –

Happy Fall –

I hope you all had a great summer! I know school started this week and that often carries with it both excitement and sadness as you say goodbye to summer. However, there is a season for everything as we read in Ecclesiastes 3. So as we head into the fall season, we are gearing up for a new year in the Youth Ministry and much planning is in the works. We are doing Staff training over the next few weeks so that is why we will not have any youth group meetings until the Kick-Off on September 30th. Check out below what is coming up and we hope to meet you if you are new and reconnect of you’ve been around for a while!

Sunday School -

Classes begin at 9 AM so please make every effort to make it there on time.

Fall Family Kick-Off 2012

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What’s Happening the Week of 7/29 –

Summer Calendars

Below is the link the to the calendars. Please download them and check out all that is going on this summer. Click here…

Summer Newsletter & Calendar 2012

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What’s Happening the Week of 7/15 –

Summer Calendars

Below is the link the to the calendars. Please download them and check out all that is going on this summer. Click here…

Summer Newsletter & Calendar 2012

No meetings this week -

Please pray for the team traveling to and working in Red Lake, MN. We will return to Ithaca on the 23rd.

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What’s Happening the Week of 7/08 –

Summer Calendars

Below is the link the to the calendars. Please download them and check out all that is going on this summer. Click here…

Summer Newsletter & Calendar 2012

Middle School Bike Ride

This Saturday, July 7, we will meet at the church at 8:45 am to travel together to take a ride on the Keuka Outlet Trail in Dresden, NY. The trail is a an easy, scenic ride through the countryside along a canal and river. All 6-8 grade students, their friends and families are invited. Bring a bike to ride and either lunch or money for lunch at the snack shop at the end of the trail. Parents who are willing to participate and help haul bikes and riders would be appreciated. We should return to the church by 2:30pm. Contact Alan Pauling (277-5056, akp3@cornell.edu) for details.

M.S. Drop-In -

We meet this Sunday over at Stewart Park from 5-8pm. Please bring a generous side dish to share. Drinks, burgers and hot dogs will be provided. We will meet near the small pavilion which is being renovated so look for us near there!

SeaBreeze Deadline -

If you are planning to join us for our trip on July 27th, then you need to let Eric know by the 11th. Just an RSVP would be fine. Cost is $20 if we get a group of 15 or else it is $25. I will let you know the final cost after the 11th. Friends are welcome but I need to know by the deadline.

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What’s Happening the Week of 6/24 –

Summer Calendars

Below is the link the to the calendars. Please download them and check out all that is going on this summer. There are many activities planned, thanks in large part to Zac Adams and Natalie Eckroth being in Ithaca this summer. Having said that, please don’t feel obligated to do it all, just what fits for you. Click here – Summer Newsletter & Calendar 2012

Taughannock Campout -

This Sunday is the final day to register for the M.S. camp out. Cost is $10 and will include camping and food. We will leave from the church at 4 pm on Friday or you can meet us at the park anytime after 4:30. We are in sites 46,47,48. Bring something to sleep in, sleep on, and a change of clothes for Saturday. If you have a 4 person or larger tent, please bring that with you as well. You can be picked up from the park on Saturday at 10 am or at the church at 11 am. Each of you will need to bring a health form and Parent Release Form which you can get from Zac Adams.

Middle School Bike Ride

On Saturday, July 7, we will meet at the church at 8:45 am to travel together to take a ride on the Keuka Outlet Trail in Dresden, NY. The trail is a an easy, scenic ride through the countryside along a canal and river. All 6-8 grade students, their friends and families are invited. Bring a bike to ride and either lunch or money for lunch at the snack shop at the end of the trail. Parents who are willing to participate and help haul bikes and riders would be appreciated. We should return to the church by 2:30pm. Contact Alan Pauling (277-5056, akp3@cornell.edu) for details.

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What’s Happening the Week of 6/17 –

Summer Calendars

Gladiator Games -

On Saturday the 16th, all M.S. and H.S. students are invited to join us for a great event. Family Life is bringing the Gladiator Games to Trumansburg, NY at the Trumansburg Fair Grounds in partnership with Alive Between the Lakes from 4-8 pm. Come for 4 hours of intense and high adrenaline fun as you compete against other youth groups to become the 2012 Gladiator Games Champion! The games include: air mattress relay, tug of war, tennis ball assault, obstacle courses and much more! We are planning on having more than one team of 10, so come out for the fun.

I am willing to take the van from the church but it only holds 12 and most of the other leaders are gone so I will mostly likely need some parents to drive. You can meet at the church at 3:15 on Saturday andwe will be back around 8:30 pm.

Taughannock Campout -

Register now for the M.S. camp out. Cost is $10 and will include camping and food. We will leave from the church at 4 pm on Friday or you can meet us at the park anytime after 4:30. We are in sites 46,47,48. Bring something to sleep in, sleep on, and a change of clothes for Saturday. If you have a 4 person or larger tent, please bring that with you as well. You can be picked up from the park on Saturday at 10 am or at the church at 11 am.

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What’s Happening the Week of 5/20 –

Summer Calendars

FLN Gladiator Games

Check out this event on the 16th and plan to join us over at the T-Burg Fairgrounds. Please click this link for more info on this event. You need to register on their site, not with Eric. However, we will probably take a van full of students over from the church as a group. More info next week but check the website for details. www.fln.org/games

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What’s Happening the Week of 5/20 –

Sunday School -

Classes are on this week and meet at 9 am in the regular locations. This is the last week before the summer!

Spring Fling

OK folks, here are all the details you should need to join us for the awesome event.

Who: All 6-12 grade Youth Ministry students and Families

What: Our end-of-the-year shindig/get together/ho down

Where: The Brooktondale Community Center right in downtown Brooktondale! See the map below

When: May 20th – 5:00 – 8: pm

Other details: This is a dish to-to-pass meal beginning @ 5pm. Middle School families are asked to bring a main dish and salad, per family, to share. High School families are asked to bring a main dish and dessert, per family, to share. Table service and drinks will be provided. Then at around 6:30 pm we will begin some square dancing with a real band and caller. Things will wrap up at 8pm. We really hope that all of the youth ministry families will come and share in this great time together as we wrap up the year!

An RSVP would be very helpful as we aren’t sure just how many we need to plan for. You can email me or let me know via Facebook. Speaking of Facebook, the youth ministry has a Facebook page which we use quite often to get info from and to send out evites to events. Please consider searching for BG Youth Ministry and then like the page. You will then get announcements and info from there.

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What’s Happening the Week of 5/13 –

Sunday School -

Classes are on this week and meet at 9 am in the regular locations. Only 1 more week left!

Youth Group -

No meetings this week because it is Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms out there. I pray it is a nice day filled with special things just for you!

Spring Fling

OK folks, here are all the details you should need to join us for the awesome event.

Who: All 6-12 grade Youth Ministry students and Families

What: Our end-of-the-year shindig/get together/ho down

Where: The Brooktondale Community Center right in downtown Brooktondale! See the map below

When: May 20th – 5:00 – 8: pm

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What’s Happening the Week of 5/6 –

Sunday School -

Classes are on this week and meet at 9 am in the regular locations. Only 2 more weeks left!

Youth Group -

We are on this week for our regular meeting so plan to meet us in the youth room from 5-7:30 pm. See you there!

Spring Fling

All youth ministry students and families are invited to join us May 20th for this end of the year party! Location is still being determined but we will begin with a dish-to-pass meal @ 5pm. Middle School families are asked to bring a main dish and salad, per family, to share. High School families are asked to bring a main dish and dessert, per family, to share. Table service and drinks will be provided. Then at around 6:30 pm we will begin some square dancing with a real band and caller. Things will wrap up at 8pm. We really hope that all of the youth ministry families will come and share in this great time together as we wrap up the year!

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What’s Happening the Week of 4/29 –

Sunday School -

Classes are on this week and meet at 9 am in the regular locations.

Youth Group -

No Meeting because of the Famine – take the time to recover!

The 30 Hour Famine -

We are meeting this Friday between 6-7 pm in the youth room. Be sure to stop eating as close to 12 noon as possible in order get all 30 hours in. Make sure for the Famine that you bring the following with you or you will be bummed!

2 bottles or frozen cans of juice to share
WARM WARM WARM sleeping gear (sleeping bag, mattress, pillow)
WARM cloths for working outside on Saturday
As much cardboard as you can carry!
Your donations – only if you have it all collected. (You have until May 13 to turn it in)
Some weeding tools for our service project on Saturday.

????? Done Forget These Items ?????

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What’s Happening the Week of 4/22 –

Sunday School -

Classes are on this week and meet at 9 am in the regular locations.

Youth Group -

We meet this Sunday in the youth room from 5-7:30 pm. Come join us and maybe invite someone to come with you!

30 Hour Famine -

Our Famine event is April 27-28 this year and we have a huge group of folks participating! Remember to keep praying for an amazing weekend but also keep collecting donations! The more we raise, the more kids we help!

Don’t forget your cardboard for our Shanty Town huts. Bring all the cardboard you can on the day of the event!

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What’s Happening the Week of 4/08 –

Good Friday Service -

I want to strongly encourage all youth ministry families to be a part of our Good Friday service at 7:30 pm this Friday. If you do not typically come, why not do so this year and watch how much more powerful Easter morning is!

Sunday School -

No classes this morning. But we will see you next week at 9 am in the regular locations.

Youth Group

No meeting this week but plan to join us next week at 5 pm in the youth room!

30 Hour Famine -

Our Famine event is April 27-28 this year. Packets will be available from Eric or at Youth Group this week so see him to sign up. You will be getting more details soon but get your packet today and being collecting donations so we can help out as many kids as possible!

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What’s Happening the Week of 3/25 –

Sunday School -

Classes for all middle school students meet this Sunday from 9-10:20 in the regular locations. See you there!

Youth Group

We are meeting this Sunday from 5-7:30 in the youth room. We will be loading up the van and heading over to Ithaca College for the service that BG is putting on there in the chapel. We will be back to the church by 7:30 for pick-up.

30 Hour Famine -

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What’s Happening the Week of 3/18 –

Sunday School -

Classes for all middle school students meet this Sunday from 9-10:20 in the regular locations. See you there!

Youth Group

We are meeting this Sunday from 5-7:30 in the youth room. Looks like we might even be outside for some of our time together so come and join us!

30 Hour Famine -

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What’s Happening the Week of 3/11 –

Sunday School -

Class for all high school students meets this Sunday from 9-10:20 in the youth room. See you there!

Bowling This Week!

The M.S. group is going bowling down at the Ithaca Bowl-O-Drome. We will leave from the church at 12:45. You can meet us down there at 1pm or bring your lunch with you on Sunday and eat in the youth room after the 2nd service and then we will head over from there. They do have food available if you’d rather eat there. Friends are welcome to join us BUT — I NEED YOUR RSVP BY Wednesday the 8th! Cost will be $10 for 2 games and shoe rentals. See you then!

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What’s Happening the Week of 3/04 –

Sunday School -

Class for all high school students meets this Sunday from 9-10:20 in the youth room. See you there!

BeechTree Visit –

All Middle School students are invited to meet as at the church at 1:40 this Sunday to head to BeechTree Nursing home downtown. We will spend about an hour and a half visiting with residents and joining in a Sunday service that happens there weekly. We will return to the church at 3:30 when students can be picked up. This is a great way to serve and encourage others so plan to be a part of this time!

Bowling Next Week!

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What’s Happening the Week of 2/19 –

Youth Group -

Middle School meets tonight in the youth room for our regular youth group meeting. At all starts at 5pm and wraps up at 7:30. See you there!

Snack Schedule

Parents, there will be a snack sign-up available which covers all the youth group meetings for the reminder of the school year. If you have yet to provide a snack for youth group this year, please plan to sign up for one day this spring. The kids really appreciate it! If you have already provided a snack this year but just can’t wait to do it again, then you are welcome to sign up as well. Thank you for your support!

Sledding Day -

We are supposed to go sledding at Rice Hill on the 26th after church. However, we need something to make that happen. So, next week all the details will be posted here. Obviously if there is no snow then we are not going. However, just to be sure, check back here on Saturday afternoon for the update! If we do not go sledding, then we will have a regular youth group night that evening. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY…

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What’s Happening the Week of 2/12 –

Youth Group -

Middle School meets tonight in the youth room for our regular youth group meeting. At all starts at 5pm and wraps up at 7:30. See you there!

Snack Schedule

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What’s Happening the Week of 1/28 –

This Saturday!!! -Alive Between The Lakes Local Youth Outreach Event -

Wacky Winter Games! 2012

See the full flyer a couple of posts back for what you can expect. We have been really praying about this event and I see it as a great opportunity to expose students from all over the Ithaca area to the Gospel. So don’t give up on inviting people to join you – it’s free and there are cash prizes!Are you kidding me?

We will have a group meeting at the church and heading over. If you plan to join us, please be at the church before 5pm. The vehicles will leave promptly at that time. I will need to be there very early doing set up so we will have the church van and some leaders driving over. I may very well need parents to drive as well. It looks like we have a potential of 25 kids to go from the BG parking lot. Right now, I have room for 22. That means I will need a parent or 2 to help with transportation. Please let Eric know ASAP if you are able to help in this way. You can come on Saturday and if we don’t need you then you are free for the evening.Vehicles will leave Trumansburg right around 8pm and should be back at the church sometime around 8:30 so they will need to be picked up at that point.

Youth Group -

No meetings this week or next week but we will be back on the 12th in full force!!!

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/22 –

Middle School Youth Group

We are on this Sunday for a regular youth group meeting from 5-7:30 pm in the youth room. Come and join us as we hear from a special guest share about her work in missions.

Alive Between The Lakes Local Youth Outreach Event -

Wacky Winter Games! 2012

See the full flyer in last week’s post below. Right below that is a link to a printable pdf. Our goal is to have each us print lots of these and hand them out to all our friends. You will find all the information you should need in last week’s post.

We will have a group meeting at the church and heading over that evening. I will need to be there very early doing set up so we will have the church van and some leaders driving over. I may very well need some parents to drive as well. Parents, can you let me know if you would be willing to transport students on that day?

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/11 –

No Youth Group Meeting this week but we are on for next week!

Alive Between The Lakes Local Youth Outreach Event -

Wacky Winter Games! 2012

This is our semi-annual area youth outreach event. We are planning to Rock the Trumansburg High gym this year and we are praying for a great showing! Put this event in your phones with reminders so you don’t plan anything else that evening! Below the flyer you will find a link to a pdf to pass out to your friends. Why not print a bunch of them and hand them out? Let God do the work on bringing students, you just get the info into their hands! This is for all 6-12 grade students. Let’s get the word out and being to pray that God would move hearts and lives toward HIM!

Print this PDF and hand out to everyone => Wacky Winter Games Flyer

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/18 -

Progressive Dinner -

We will meet at the church on Sunday afternoon at 5 pm sharp and then head out to three different homes to eat dinner. The Deets’ will serve our salad course, the Shelley’s our main dish course, and Alan Pauling the dessert course and where we will have the gift exchange. You can be picked up at Alan’s house (211 Wood Street in Downtown Ithaca) at 8 pm or back at the church at 8:15 pm.

This is a dress-up event please – guys: no t-shirts, shorts, or jeans. Ladies: an appropriate dress would be awesome! Each person will need to bring a wrapped gift of no greater than $5 for the gift exchange as well as 2 canned goods for our food drive. We have almost 30 planning to attend so let’s do it up right!

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/6 -

Youth Group

No meeting this week because we are doing the High School Christmas Party. But, be sure to check out the announcement below for the Middle School party next Sunday and RSVP to Eric by Wednesday. You can just click on the RSVP link below and send a quick email. Be sure to invite a friend!

Christmas Party!

We are having a progressive dinner this year which means we will meet at the church (at 5 pm) and then head out to three different homes to eat dinner. The first home will serve our salad course, the next our main dish course, and the third will be our dessert course and where we will have the gift exchange. We will arrive back at the church for pick-up at 8pm.

This is a dress-up event please – guys: no t-shirts, shorts, or jeans. Ladies: an appropriate dress would be awesome! Each person will need to bring a wrapped gift of no greater than $5 for the gift exchange as well as 2 canned goods for our food drive. Friends are welcome so invite away – the more the merrier! Please RSVP to Eric by Dec. 14th! This event is open to all 6th-8th grade students.

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What’s Happening the Week of 12/6 -

Youth Group

We are meeting this week at our regular time of 5pm on Sunday night. We are going to hear about another encounter someone in the Gospels had with Jesus. Come and hear what Danielle has to share with us. In addition, our evening will be filled with games, food, and discussion. We will wrap it up at 7:30 pm – I hope to see all of you there!

Christmas Party!

This is a dress-up event please – guys: no t-shirts, shorts, or jeans. Ladies: an appropriate dress would be awesome! Each person will need to bring a wrapped gift of no greater than $5 for the gift exchange as well as 2 canned goods for our food drive. Friends are welcome so invite away – the more the merrier! Please RSVP to Eric by Dec. 14th! This event is open to all 6th-8th grade students.

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What’s Happening the Week of 11/13 -

Youth Group

We are meeting this week at our regular time of 5pm on Sunday night. We will continue on in our series on Encounters with Jesus and will hear this week about another Gospel encounter. We will wrap up right around 7:30. See you there!

Losing Our Life In His – A Worship Night

On the 20th of November, we will meet in the church for our first worship night of the year. These are different from our regular meetings and are opportunities for you to do some reflection and listening for the voice of God. They are usually creative events using all of the senses to bring praise and adoration to our Creator. Please plan to join us at 5pm in the foyer of the church. Come prepared to focus on our theme for the year: Losing Our Life In His.

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What’s Happening the Week of 11/06 -

Middle School Youth Group

We are meeting this week at our regular time of 5pm on Sunday night. We are continuing on in our series on Encounters with Jesus. This week, Taryn is going to share about a Gospel encounter that has had a big impact on her. Come and hear which one it is! We will wrap up right around 7:30. See you there!

Snacks -

I will have a sign-up sheet for people to bring snacks so if you have not yet done so this year, please consider taking a week and helping out. If you are not going to be there this week but are willing to sign-up, then please drop Eric an email and he will fit you in…Thanks!

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/23 –

No Middle School Youth Group This Week!

See you next week on the 6th!

Candy Gathering w/ a Bonfire!

All 6-12 graders are invited to Mattie and Eric’s house (409 Hook Place) on Monday evening the 31st for an awesome night of gathering candy and a bonfire! You should come with something to gather candy in, a costume (this is optional) and warm clothes. If you can bring a camp chair for around the fire, that would be very helpful.

Plan to arrive at our place around 5:30 and we will be gathering candy from around 5:45-7:30 and then will get around the fire for hot dogs, hot chocolate, hot cider, and some…well, candy! If you would rather not come for the candy gathering then please join us around 7:30 for the bonfire! If you would like to bring a snack to share, that would be nice. I will supply the dogs, drinks, and fire. If it is raining hard, then we will not plan to meet but if it is only drizzling, then I will put up the tarp and we will still be one. Check out the Facebook event and let us know if you are coming – as always, friends are welcome! Parents, you are welcome to relax around the fire while the kids are out or you can join us during the food time.

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/23 –

Tackling The Corn Maze

We are heading over to the corn maze at T-Burg Mini Golf again this year.We will leave from the church this Sunday, the 23rd, sharply at 5:15pm and return by 7:45pm. Invite a friend to come along – cost will be $6.00. You are welcome to bring a little extra money for the game room or snacks if you’d like.

Consider bringing a flashlight, boots (it may be muddy) and warm clothing. If it is raining pretty good, we will simply have youth group at the church instead! Plan to sign up with Eric by the 20th! Parents, I might need some help with transportation, please contact me via email if you are able to help out!

Candy Gathering and a Bonfire!

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/23 –

Tackling The Corn Maze

Our Time In The Jungle

Monday was a very special day for me as we took our bags of items into the Jungle to encourage the residents there. Here are a few things that I wanted to share with you that touched me and I hope will touch you as well…

Carmen (who was our guide) shared a story about a guy who has recently gone into rehab. We heard how he came to be homeless and about his current addiction struggles. Addiction is a powerful thing. Carmen was clearly touched by this mans’ life and story and some of the kids were as well. I know I was.

In each bag we handed out we had placed a note, picture or card of encouragement. Penny, one of the residents, was there today. When she received her bag she was so touched it brought tears of joy to her eyes. When she opened her bag the first thing she grabbed was the letter. It was a poem written by one of the BG youth moms. She was holding it dearly and could not stop talking about how special it was. The title was something about…”For Someone I love whom I have never met.” Penny never looked at another thing in her bag, she just kept looking at her poem.

We met another man who is special to Carmen and we had the chance to pray with him. One of the students, Miss Quigley, was brave enough to step up and pray for this man on behalf of the group.

All in all we were welcomed with joy and thanksgiving. God has made each of those people for a special reason. They are pretty much cast off from society, but the reality is they too have feelings and desires to belong. They were touched to think that people, teenagers none the less, were thinking about them. Our hope is to figure out a way to be a further encouragement to these people so keep coming back here to see what is in the works!

Sandy

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What’s Happening the Week of 10/16 –

Into The Jungle!

An exciting ministry opportunity has come up, especially if you have a bent towards helping the homeless. From now until October 17th, we will be creating bags to hand out to residents of “The Jungle”, Ithaca’s fine homeless establishment. Here is what needs to be in each bag: toilet paper, bottled water, deodorant, disposable propane cylinder(s), pudding (yum!), batteries (AA & C) and a friendly, encouraging card/message.

I am working on this with 14 home school teens and we will be going into the Jungle on the 17th to hand these bags out. If you would like to participate you can either: (1) create a bag with the items above and deliver it to me (2) purchase one or several of the items and give them to me (3) Create cards to put into the bags and give them to me (4) Help create the bags with donated items.

Come early to youth group this Sunday, 4 pm, and bring any donated items with you and help us put them together to create bags. This is a real practical way to encourage others in the community.

Sandy Sorensen

Youth Group

Come and kick it with us in the Youth Room this Sunday at BG from 5-7:30pm. Both High School and Middle School are meeting so come and be a part of things! We just started a series on Encounters with Jesus. We are looking at interactions Jesus had with various people in the Gospels and how they were changed as a result. Come and hear about Jesus in a fresh and new way!

Tackling The Corn Maze

We are heading over to the corn maze at T-Burg Mini Golf again this year.We will leave from the church on the 23rd sharply at 5:15pm and return by 7:45pm. Invite a friend to come along – cost will be $6.00. You are welcome to bring a little extra money for the game room or snacks if you’d like.

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What’s Happening The Week of 10/9-

Hands of Christ – Folks are meeting at the Dryden Lake fishing dock from 9:30-12:00 on Saturday the 8th. On the agenda is sealing the dock and the play structure so you should bring clothes you don’t mind getting paint on. Also bring a paint brush with you if you have one along with a water bottle.

Youth Group – Come and kick it with us in the Youth Room this Sunday at BG from 5-7:30pm. Because of the day off from school on Monday, we will be having a BONFIRE after youth group. So feel free to join us for hot dogs and s’mores from 7:30-9 pm. It looks like it will be an amazing night for it so come and join us!

Tackling The Corn Maze – We are heading over the the corn maze at T-Burg Mini Golf again this this year. We will leave from the church on the 23rd at 5pm and return by 7:30pm. Invite a friend to come along – cost will be $6.00. Plan to sign up with Eric by the 20th!

Into The Jungle! - An exciting ministry opportunity has come up, especially if you have a bent towards helping the homeless. From now until October 17th, we will be creating bags to hand out to residents of “The Jungle”, Ithaca’s fine homeless establishment. Here is what needs to be in each bag: toilet paper, bottled water, deodorant, disposable propane cylinder(s), pudding (yum!), batteries (AA & C) and a friendly, encouraging card/message.

If there is enough interest in donating items and creating bags as a group we could meet before Youth group (1/2 hour) on the 16th to put the bags together. Let me know what you want to do!

Sandy Sorensen

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What’s Happening The Week of 10/1-

Hands of Christ – We are meeting at the Dryden Lake fishing dock from 9:30-12:00 on Saturday the 1st. We will be sealing the dock and the play structure so you should bring clothes you don’t mind getting paint on them. Also bring a paint brush with you if you have one and a water bottle.

No Youth Group – we are off this week but we will be back on the 9th. See you then!

If there is enough interest in donating items and creating bags as a group we could meet before Youth group (1/2 hour) on the 16th to put the bags together. Let me know what you want to do!

Sandy Sorensen

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What’s happening the week of 9/24 –

Youth Group - Our first meeting of the ’11-’12 school year happens this Sunday the 25th. All students in 6th-12th grades are invited to meet in the youth room starting at 5pm. The evening will be filled with games, music, discussion, and food so come and join us! It will all wrap up at 7:30 pm. Parents, please plan to pick up your middle school student upstairs in the Family Center. See you then!

Hands of Christ Service Day – All Middle School students and parents are invited to join us out at Dryden Lake on Saturday Oct. 1 as we paint a water seal on the dock and the playground there. Please plan to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting a little messy. Bring a water bottle and a paint brush if you can.

Kick-Off Pictures! Pictures of the Kick-Off are up on the BG Youth Ministry Facebook page – be sure to search for the page, like it, and then check them out or you can see them on the Media page. There are some great photos!

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