Get into the Rhythm this New Year

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about in our new series "Rhythm" to open the New Year. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

Rhythm:

Series Overview

Have you ever noticed how connected everything is? It’s almost as if there was some type of unseen structure to all of life, a rhythm. Many of us are oblivious to it until things are out of sync. We know something is wrong, and we can maybe pinpoint a few things around us that are culprits, but deep down we know there is something more going on. We are out of rhythm—with God, with ourselves or with others.

Session One (01/06/2011)

In the beginning, God created a song, a rhythm. Humanity existed in harmony with God, with ourselves and with each other. But then humankind settled for another song--a lesser one--and the rhythm started falling apart. Yet even then, God didn’t walk away, and because of that, we have a way to restore the rhythm with Him, with ourselves and with others.

Session One Parent Cue: The first week of the Rhythm series is designed to help students understand that in the beginning, God established a rhythm. They will unpack the story of creation and the harmony that existed between Adam and God, Adam and nature, and Adam and Eve. They will entertain the idea that from the start, everything worked together in perfect harmony like a beautiful song. But then Adam and Eve made a choice that destroyed the song and threw the rhythm off. They will also look at God’s response to Adam’s sin, and they'll see that God continues to seek relationship with us even after things have fallen apart. Talk with your teen about how he or she sees the brokenness in the rhythm around them. Feel free to share your observations as well.

Session Two (01/13/2011)

If you’ve been in church for a while, you’ve heard it all and seen it all. You know the stories. You know the songs. You know the words. Many of us even think we know all about God. We think we have Him figured out. We think we know everything about Him, and in our lives, He’s very small. But the reality is that we will never fully grasp how awesome and amazing He is. We can spend a lifetime in awe and wonder, and even an eternity, because He’s that big . . . and that good.

Session Two Parent Cue: This second week, students will be challenged to look at God in new ways. Many times we find that we are so familiar with “churchy” descriptions of God that we forget who He really is. And when we forget who God is, how awesome and surprising He can be, then we are tempted to turn our attention and affection to other things and our lives fall out of tune. In week two students will be challenged to discover a God who is bigger than our attempts to define Him. Discuss with your teen ways that God has surprised you and your family with how big He is.

Session Three (01/20/2010)

You’ve heard the words before--“love your neighbor as yourself”--but most of the time we don’t really hear the second half of that. We don’t love ourselves. Perhaps it’s because it just seems wrong. After all, as followers of Christ, we are supposed to become less as He becomes more. But for some of us, somewhere along the way we’ve confused humility with self-hatred. God wants us to be in rhythm with ourselves because when we aren’t, it throws off the rest of the song.

Session Three Parent Cue: This week students will explore the things that create tension in their own self-perception and learn the ugly truth: Being in rhythm with ourselves and being in rhythm with God go hand in hand. How we view God our Creator affects how we view His creation, ourselves. They will consider the masks they wear and the faults they try to cover up, and they'll receive a challenge to begin to shed those masks and be at peace with who they really are. Talk openly and candidly with your student this week about the things both of you have a hard time accepting when it comes to the faults you see in yourself. How can you better accept yourselves as you are?

Session Four (01/27/2010)

No person can have a life of rhythm unless he or she is at peace with other people. That’s easy to say but hard to live, isn’t it? But following Jesus means being passionate about what He is passionate about--and Jesus is passionate about people. So if we want to be in rhythm, we not only have to be in sync with God and ourselves, we also have to be in sync with others.

Session Four Parent Cue: No person can have a life in rhythm if they are not at peace with the people around them. In the final week of this series students will be challenged to be in rhythm with others, to be passionate about serving those they encounter and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation when needed. How can you work at making this a regular practice in your family?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Winter Camp Sign ups are done. Remember the full balance is due by Thursday, January 27th.

CARWASH FUNDRAISER: Saturday, January 22. 8-12 a.m. Presell tickets to earn money toward Winter Camp, Gleanings or Mexico. Pick up your tickets Thursday or Sunday at Church!

'Tis The Season _ Part 2

Here is a good reminder I came across for all of us parents as to the best gift we can give to our kids this season.

Make sure to read below for announcements.

Christmas Time

By Tim Walker

My mom called today. She needs the “Christmas list” from all three of my boys by tomorrow. She would have preferred to have had the list a month ago to avoid the holiday shopping chaos, but we slacked off. Actually since the Sears Christmas book is no longer in production, it makes the whole Christmas list idea a lot more complicated. Hopefully some of you know what I’m talking about.

I think she’s going to find a few surprises on that list, mostly coming from my middle schooler. Everything on his list is electronic—and expensive. On Christmas Eve, when we gather at my parent’s home to celebrate the holidays, he is the one who may be surprised. I’m not sure if I’m going to hit the mark on anything on his list this year either, but I have been thinking a lot about what I want to give my boys this Christmas.

I don’t want to buy them another video game that they’ll play for two weeks, beat every level, and then trade in for half the price I paid. I don’t want to buy another Lego set that will be assembled then sit on their dresser for months. So what can I give them that will last?

I have an idea—what if I gave them each time? What if I gave them each six days, anytime during this year, in which they each could choose what they want to want to do with mom, dad, or both of us. No siblings. Just one-on-one time.

The opportunities to spend time with them individually are hard to come by. But this year, I want to be more intentional about it. As a dad, I can sense that my boys really want that, but it never seems to just happen, does it? There’s always something on the schedule, something left to be done from the workday, some event. I don’t need to go on any further. I know you get this.

So this year, among the presents I will give my sons will be a small coupon book, filled with coupons that can be redeemed for just a day with dad, or just a day with mom, or just a day with both mom and dad. No other siblings are allowed.

I know, it seems kind of cheesy. But this year, I am going to be intentional about pursuing relationship with my boys. I know they may forget about the coupons, so at first, I may need to redeem them until they get how this works and see that this isn’t just a lame cop-out for a gift.

I’ve got to prove to them that my desire to spend time with each of them is more than just words or an empty promise. I get that. And in a way, I want to prove it to myself too. My heart’s desire is to stay connected with my kids. If this coupon serves as a tool to do it, then great. If it doesn’t, then I’ll find another way.

But that’s what I want this Christmas, and whether my kids would put it on their wish list or not, I think it’s what they really want as well.

© 2010 Orange. All rights reserved.

Get connected to a wider community of parents at www.orangeparents.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

THIS THURSDAY: December 16th we are doing a WHITE ELEPHANT gift exchange. So have your students bring something fun from around the house to exchange! Also, bring a snack to share.

NO GROUP on Thursday December 23rd or Thursday December 30th for the Christmas holidays, have a great holidays with your children and we'll start again on Thursday January 6th.

Winter Camp: Just a reminder we're going to Winter Camp February 11-13 at Hartland Christian Camp. Total cost is $132 - a $30 deposit is due by December 23.

Winter Camp 2011

February 11-13

Cost: $132
Deposit: $30 due by December 23
Remaining Balance: $102 by January 28

Leave @ 12:00 p.m. on Friday, February 11
Return @ 6:00 p.m on Sunday, February 13

Sign up ASAP!

'Tis the Season

Head's up!!! We will not be having youth group this Thursday, November 25 because it is Thanksgiving. We do hope to see everyone at the Thanksgiving dinner at 10:00 a.m. to serve our community though!

Starting the next week, December 2, we'll be diving into a new series called 'Tis the Season in which we'll be looking at how Jesus came to bring us Faith, Hope, and Love. These are also a part of our church's mission statement which is to be "A community of Christ followers extending the faith, hope, and love of Jesus Christ."

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

TIS THE SEASON:

Series Overview

This Christmas, probably more than any other in recent years, we are hoping that life will get better. We are hoping that life will look differently next year, even if we’re not sure how. We realize that no one person or institution holds a solution, but we’re expecting something different, even if we’re not sure how that is going to work out. Words like hope, peace and love have a new meaning this year, don’t they? We’re waiting to have hope, peace and love in our lives, in our communities, in our world. Even if we’re not sure how it will all work out. And just like thousands of years ago, Jesus is the one who came to bring hope, peace and love to our lives then . . . and now. Jesus taught us how to find hope, bring peace and initiate love even when our circumstances are less than ideal.

Session One: Hope (12/2)

Christmas is a time filled with great expectations. (Just ask Clark Griswald.) We expect snow to fall on Christmas morning. We expect that Martha Stewart-esque gathering. We expect a gift from that special someone. And for many of us, we expect our lives to look a certain way. But what happens when life doesn’t meet our expectations? How can we have hope in something bigger than what we want or dream? And how can that hope in something bigger really affect our lives—for the better?

Session One Parent Cue: What are some of our family’s expectations around the holidays? Are they usually met or not?

Session Two: Peace (12/9)

Why is it that Christmas is one of the least peaceful times of the year? Whether it’s the long lines at the stores or the stress of even how to make the holidays happen in this economy, Christmas can easily become something we just want to get through and survive. But peace, true peace, has little to do with what is going on around us. In fact, Jesus came to bring peace to our lives in a way that defies logic, and He also invites us to participate with Him in bringing peace to those around us as well.

Session Two Parent Cue: What makes the holidays not peaceful? What can we do to be intentional about creating “peace” in our home?

Session Three: Love (12/16)

Love is a word that we hear a lot. People love Christmas time. People love carols. People love casseroles, cookies and candy canes. But when it comes to loving other people, sometimes we are all talk. The word “love” is easy for us to say, but really hard to back up with action. Sometimes loving other people is hard, whether that person is within our family, or living half way around the world. It’s why we needed an example, a living breathing visual for what love in action looks like—and that’s the heart of the Christmas story.

Session Three Parent Cue: When it comes to loving other people, what is your biggest obstacle? What can be done to remove that obstacle?

ANNOUNCEMENT:

We are planning on going to Winter Camp at Hartland Camps in the Sequoia National Park February 11-13 2011! We need to begin to take sign ups. The Cost will be $150 - all inclusive for the weekend. We'll begin taking sign ups right after Thanksgiving with a $30 deposit needed to lock in your spot.

RESPOND:

Comment on this post and let me know: Would your child attend youth group on Thursday December 23 or should we cancel group that week? What is your opinion?

Godview - Recap

We just finished our Godview series and had an amazing time talking about how we viewed God, worshipping God, and just having fun together. I was amazed at how our student's Godview began to grow through just the four weeks we talked about. I am praying that as their Godview grows they will stretch themselves to do more for Him as they know they have a BIG GOD on their side.

Here are a few pictures of what we did!



This is Brenda wrapped up like a mummy. her team won by covering her up the most!


Dulce, Ian, and Michael took part in a contest in which they had to paint the Statue of Liberty. Little did they know it would be with their nose! That sure evened the playing field!


Ian after the contest.



Michael after the contest.



Dulce's winning picture!



ALSO, check out this video of a game we played the first week. We had a peanut butter and jelly eating contest. After the contest I showed them this video!



Also, check out my post about our upcoming series, "'Tis the Season"

Godview - How will we be defined

In the series we are doing with the youth we are talking about how our views of God, or our "Godview," determine our reality.

Each one of us is “about” something. Something is going to define your life and mine. It will. I know that when I die, my kids are going to stand around and say many things, but inevitably it will get reduced to a sentence or two that begins this way: "Dad was . . . "

You WILL be defined.

The reason I love to think about the now is because we still are able to change and influence what our lives will be about. The sad part is that too many people don't think about what their lives will be about. We just kind of live it, and in the end, we hope it will be good enough. And I know my drift (when I'm not intentional) is to make my life about things that matter less, not more.

So what's it going to be about for you? Who do you want to be?

Take some time this month to think about what you want your life to be about. Think big. Think small. And then be intentional about not letting this summer sneak by without your notice. Your life will be about something. So will mine.

What will define your life? You can either decide what your life is about, or your life can drift towards something. But either way, your life will be defined by something or someone.

Get connected to a wider community of parents at http://www.orangeparents.org/.

Message Series Mayhem

One of my favorite days we have around the office at Christian Life Center is when we sit down for a whole day and just brainstorm possible message series for the next season. Things are always tentative and subject to change here, but it is definitely helpful to have things scheduled far in advance so that we can begin to study, think of creative elements, and allow time of the Holy Spirit to change our minds.

Today we had one of those brainstorming days and came up for some fun ideas for series. Here is the tentative schedule from now until next September:

December 2010 - "Advent Conspiracy" -
With a focus on how Christmas has been celebrated throughout history as well as in different cultures. One of these messages will include the group from YWAM who is hosting our Haiti team sharing which will be fun.

December 29-January 10 - "Mission"
We'll talk about mission and have a send of for our Haiti team as well as welcome them back and hear of what God and we can continue to partner in mission with others.

January 2011 - "Extend"
This will be a three week vision series describing how we are "A Community of Christ-followers extending the faith, hope and love of Jesus Christ." The three messages will focus on 1. Faith 2. Hope and 3. Love.

February 2011- "Modern Family"
A relationship series in which we look at the functionality and "disfunctionality" of Jacob's family life in Genesis, including his son Joseph, and see how it parallels and speaks to our modern families.

March 2011 - "Stewardship (very working title!)"
We don't have a title for this series, but our heart is to empower people in their financial lives. It is not a giving series, but rather it will discuss how we can have financial freedom in our own lives by using God-given principles concerning money. We are hoping to have a financial expert come in and do a seminar as well as share on a Sunday morning. We are also hoping to have a Mission's on April 2 to raise money for the missionaries we support and spur us on to thinking beyond ourselves when it comes to our finances.

April 2011 - "The Telling"
We are going to look at the three times in the book of Matthew that Jesus foretells his death and resurrection and how these accounts are interestingly all connected with stories about who Christ is and how we are called to be servants of all like Christ. This will lead up to Easter Sunday where Christ's resurrection foretells our own hope and future resurrection.

May-June 2011 - "Genesis"
A ten week series going in depth into the first 12 chapters of the Bible and how the story of the first humans is really our story. It will cover topics like "The Genesis of Creation" "The Genesis of Sin" "The Genesis of Death" "The Genesis of Anger" and "The Genesis of a People"

July-August 2011
We are considering two series here, one is "One Prayer" in which we partner with LifeChurch.tv and churches all around the country around a certain theme. Last years theme was unstoppable, this years hasn't been announced yet. It is always fun to pick some messages to share from our congregation from some world famous pastors that we know they'll love.

We are also considering a series called "Party" in which we look at God's purpose for parties. We'll look at some of the different feasts and festivals that were instituted in the Bible such as Passover, Pentecost, Feast of Tabernacles, Day of Atonement and maybe talk a little about American party culture in the process.

That's as far as we got. Should be a fun Winter-Spring!