Big Weekend

...Coming Up. This weekend, the 6th & 7th Graders will experience the excitement, the drama, the exhiliration of a no-holds-barred Church Lock-In!!! The Matts and I are busy prepping all kinds of games and other assorted stuff to occupy us until the wee hours.

Here's what you need to know:

Arrive at church at 7:30 pm. Bring modest PJ's, a change of clothes, sleeping stuff (bag and pillow) and $3 for breakfast. Parents, rest assured - we will get some sleep. In the morning we'll eat breakfast, and then you'll head to your Sunday School classes as usual (or have your parents pick you up at church at 9:00 am).

Then, on Sunday afternoon (yes, I'm a masochist), it's what you've all been waiting for. The return of the... Whirlyball!!!

This is an all-ages event. Meet up at church at 3pm. Bring $10 - this covers your admission, as well as pizza dinner. Rides will be provided from church to the HollyDell Ice Arena. We'll have the court from 4-5, then eat pizza from 5-5:30 or so. Plan on getting picked up back here at church at about 6:30pm. This is a great chance to bring new friends to youth group.

Questions - you know how to reach me. I hope to see all of you this weekend!!

Inside the Beach Ball

My apologies to anyone whose clothes got ruined Sunday night, either with fizzy Alka Seltzer or with neon paint...

Let me just say that you guys did an amazing job on the room, and with a little extra help from Danielle and Maria Watson, we got the place looking like the inside of a huge beach ball! It's better in person, but check it out:

Now that the fumes have settled, let's try the place out!! Same gameplan for this Sunday... remember to bring your $3 for pizza, and we'll have games, good times and other surprises ready to go.

On another note, anyone who didn't go on the South Dakota trip but wants to hear the group share about it, come out to church on Saturday night at 7pm. I'm told donuts will be served, and we will share some pictures, music and memories from our trip. Everyone is invited!! For a mini version of our slideshow, check out this link.

See you soon...

Back in the Swing

Thanks to everyone who came out and made our Softball Kickoff a rousing success! Not exactly a competetive game of softball, but just right for the occasion. And the hot dogs were yummy! Check out these pics...

This week, get ready for the all new, streamlined, 2007 model Youth Group!! Our first regular gathering is this Sunday night. Here's how it will go:

5:30 - 6th & 7th-graders show up for an hour of crazy good times with Matt, Matt and Jeremy.

6:30 - 8th-12th-graders show up - everyone eats pizza and hangs out together for half an hour.

7:00 - 6th & 7th-graders head home. 8th-12th-graders get their own hour of crazy good times.

8:00 - Everyone heads home to finish (start?) their Monday homework...

If you haven't been a regular youth group attender, give us a shot this Sunday - I think you'll have fun.

See you then.

Kick-Off!!

Fall is back, school is in session, and youth group is up and running!! By now you should have received your mailing, with a calendar of fall events, and information about the new Sunday schedule.

This Sunday, we start things off in true American style, with a good ol'fashioned softball game and barbecue!! We're talking slow lobs, everyone on-base, all the time, high scores, low stress, all-ages softball (with a side order of badminton for those not interested).

Here are the details:

When: Sunday Sep. 9th, 4-6:30 pm

Where: Challenge Grove Ballfield, Cherry Hill (click here for directions)

What to bring: baseball glove, side dish or dessert

Who: the whole family!!

Rain Location: Fellowship Hall (we'll play kickball instead!!)

This is going to be a very fun, laid-back, last-hurrah-of-summer kind of event, and I hope everyone come out for it!

Here's looking forward to an awesome new year of youth group...

Jeremy