For Parents…watch this promo

For students…watch this promo

Silver Ring Thing Comprehensive Promo from Jared Ott on Vimeo.

In January, we are finishing up a remodel of our classrooms for middle school and high school students. We meet separately on Sundays and together on Wednesday nights. Our third room will be a recreational room for games and snacks. We will have all ages of youth and their parents meeting on one floor “family style” very soon on Wednesday evenings. Come check it out.

Events wise, we have Sunday night growth groups along with our youth led service on Sunday evenings. The church service will be held at our building the last Sunday night in January and the groups meet every other Sunday all over and around our area. We are studying basic bible study methods on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and our family relationships on Wednesday nights at 7p.m. Our mission is to Individually Mold Passionate Active Christian Teens through all that we do as the church. You’re always welcome here.

        We have been really active in the month of December. We had a weekend lock in with the goofy gift game, indoor capture the flag with glowsticks, and we made goodie baskets for the needy the first weekend. Later in the month, we have taken on service projects by visiting the Boys and Girls club for games and toy delivery.

        We also plan to visit a rehab care center and pass out Christmas cards. We will have the holiday bake and take party right before Christmas on the 22nd. Beyond Christmas day, we will simply enjoy a night out to eat together at CiCis.

Please join us in our excitement as we share in the joy of this season. Remember always that Christ is first in your life, and your greatest gift is salvation! Nothing else compares to that under any tree. You also are valuable like the most expensive gift! Remember in December that God loved you enough to purchase you at a very high price. What does that mean for you? It means that you are worth being wrapped up, not in paper,but in love, forgiveness, and grace.

Enjoy singing, laughing, shopping, and unwrapping. Enjoy your time with family and your days off from work and school. But, don’t forget what you should be doing in December as well. Honor the Lord and thank him for Jesus. Thank Jesus with the way you live your life. For unto us a child was born, given, lived and died. That child became a man, a perfect sacrifice for you and me ,who rose from the grave. He did this for you. Merry Christmas!

One of the most common questions that new Christian teens have is if they can still have fun. There is a great misconception that Christians don’t have any fun. Many non-believers think that Christians need to feel guilty if they are having fun, and that God’s rules are designed to make Christian teens miserable. However, the Bible tells us that God meant for Christians to have fun in a number of ways. Being a believer means great celebration and joy, both in our lives here on Earth and after.

God’s Word on Having Fun

God meant for believers to have fun and celebrate. There are a number of examples throughout the Bible of great celebrations. David danced. The Jews celebrated upon their exodus from Egypt. Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding celebration. God meant for believers to celebrate and have fun because celebrations lift the spirit. He wants Christian teens and adults to have fun so they can see the beauty and meaning in the life He gave to us.

Matthew 25: 21 – “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (NLT)

When Having Fun Isn’t Very Godly

While God wants Christian teens to have fun, there are some limits to what kind of fun can be had. There are some activities that may seem fun but can have long-term physical and spiritual consequences. If the “fun” activity involves sin, then it isn’t something edifying to God. When your “fun” is self-involved or indulgent it takes away from your faith and your witness. Sinful activity does not need to be a part of an activity to make it fun. There is plenty of joy to be had without sin.

Proverbs 13:9 – “The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.” (NIV)

1 Peter 4:3 – “You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.” (NLT)

By Kelli Mahoney, About.com Guide

See You at the Pole day is coming! It’s an opportunity for you to go to your school, stand up for what you believe in, and PRAY publicly around your flag pole. This will take place nationwide on Wednesday, Sept. 28th. I hope you will join the crowd and the movement of students who are “not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Is that you? Will you set your alarm and show up early before school on this one day of the year.

That evening, we are planning and evening area wide celebration rally called “See You After the Pole.” Join us for that as well. Use this day for God’s glory. Join in and be blessed.