Very Merry Christmas Party

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy last night's party. A jolly time was had by all. Highlights included Santa's visit, a certain very-well-wrapped christmas gift, and a grove of human christmas trees. Pics below...

Have a merry Christmas everyone!!!

Summing it up

Once again I turn to Charles Schultz to say what needs to be said...



Don't forget about our Christmas/year-end shindig this Sunday night!
Details: all ages, 7-9pm, youth lounge, bring friends, good cheer, and a white elephant gift. see you then!

another one...

Speaking of a more meaningful Christmas celebration, here's another great video to check out(thanks to Sue for the link):

Christmas Plans

Three events to finish our year on a festive note...

THIS SUNDAY at 5pm is the all-church Candlelight Service - choirs, lessons, candles... Not to be missed!

Then, later that same evening at 7:30 (after you've grabbed some dinner) 8th-12th graders should meet me at the manse (the big house next to the church) for Christmas Caroling!! We'll wander through town with my guitar and some song sheets, bringing musical cheer wherever we go! By about 8:45 we'll end up back at my place for some cider and goodies, and you can plan to get picked up at 9pm.

Finally, mark your calendar now for Sunday Dec 21st, our year-end Christmas Party!! This is an all-ages event, 7-9pm, and you must bring a wrapped white elephant gift along. Be ready for a night of good times and christmas cheer!!

Muscles for Jesus

Anyone who thinks seminary is for sissies needs to meet my friend and former classmate Ryan. 'nuff said.

The Good Stuff #3

First of all, a newsbrief I came across that definitely qualifies as "good stuff":

Earl Stafford, a Virginia businessman, has given $1 million to create "the People's Inaugural Project," bringing hundreds of poor and disadvantaged americans to Washington DC, where they will have front row seats for Obama's inauguration parade. Read more here. What motivates Mr. Stafford's efforts? This from the front page of his foundation's website:

"The Stafford Foundation is a faith-based non-profit organization founded on promoting the principles of Jesus Christ..."
Cool.

Next up, two of the many, many ways you can make Christmas gift-giving a truly lifegiving experience. First, Toms Shoes. The video will give you the basic idea, and the website will show you how to order.


What if Toms became the next Uggs??!! Think of all the feet that would protect!! YOU could make it happen...

And don't forget about the world's coolest wish-list, World Vision's annual Must-Have Gifts. What could be cooler than buying someone a chicken, or a llama, or medical training??!!

Feel free to comment and send along other "good stuff" you come across - funny how this stuff tends to crop up during the Christmas season. I wonder why...

Advent

"In him was life, and the life was the light of all people..." John 1:5

We have now entered the season of Advent. For some, its a season of shopping, hectic activity and stress. For others, and hopefully for us, it can be a time to step back, to quiet down, and to prepare our hearts to receive the coming king.

How do we do that? There are a number of great ideas out there about doing Christmas differently. But you can get a good start this Sunday night right here at at youth group, as we enjoy some unusual advent activities. Come with an open mind and be prepared to relax and to think...

Usual time and place. See you then!