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SARDINES!!

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Junior High Lock-In

We had a great time playing basketball, floor hockey, blacklight volleyball, wall climbing and much more. Also, we learned that in life we tend to pick up alot of baggage and that we can ask Jesus to take that hurt and pain and heal us. Jesus wants to help us, we need to seek Him out for help.

In photo from Watseka: Sarah Davis, Eileen Perce, Billy Perce, Collin Clatterbuck, David Leitz, Mariah Carroll, Heather Orland.

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Sunday Night Alive -- Jan. 4
This means NO youth group this Sunday. We are back on schedule Jan. 11....be sure and join us for the 3 week series on dating and relationships. Also, check out this youtube video that Emily McCann pointed me to, enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE4FJL2IDEs

(you may need to copy and paste the link into a new window)

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Caroling & 'The Nativity Movie' Night

It was incredibly cold for our caroling night, but we had small and mighty group that went caroling. It was fun to see the reactions of those that we were able to share Christ's love and message to through song. Then a few of us stayed and watched 'The Nativity Story'. A great movie to get a better understanding of what Mary and Joseph may have went through and how Jesus came as a gift to all people. Watching the shepherds and wisemen worship Jesus makes me wonder how we respond to the gift of Jesus. So....what is your response to the gift of Jesus...will you worship Him and bring Him the gift of your heart? Have a Merry Christmas as you meditate on this question.

A Little Christmas Cheer, Part 1

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

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I came across this video and had to share it....this was a legit band in the 80s! Enjoy.

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What did everybody get at White Elephant gift exchange?

I am bummed that I missed out on the fun....but I do want to hear what kind of "great" finds everybody went home with. Thanks, Kristel

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SARDINES!

Tonight at MYF we played the game of sardines. This was a lot of fun. Also in junior high we learned about the story of Jesus healing the paralytic man and how we need to ask ourselves "what is keeping us from Jesus?" In high school, we talked about the Bible and how we need to read it for ourselves and allow it to change us from the inside out.

Remember, no MYF this coming Sunday (12/14). We are back on track for Dec. 21. Caroling from 5-6:30 and 'The Nativity Story' movie from 6:30-8:30pm. Let me know if you have any questions.

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Cranberry Crave: this was a great after-Thanksgiving game we played at Jr. High MYF. The kids had to work their way through a pile of cranberry sauce, find a Mentos and be the first one to eat it. Billy Perce was our big winner of the night!

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Happy Thanksgiving!!

God is the giver of ALL good things. What are you thankful for that God has provided?

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MYF Last Night...

Junior High--we talked about our final purpose as followers of Jesus in our series, we are to share the Good News of Jesus with people around us. We do this with our life, by inviting others and by sharing our story of how God has worked in our lives. We finished by watching a funny video of ways not to share our faith.

High School--the main discussion was how the church is not a building, but it is the big group of Jesus-followers. Here is a quote from the book we have been reading..."From very early on in the church, a striking thing happened: These Jesus Followers starting calling each other brother, sister, mother, father....The church is both a Kingdom and a family of Jesus Followers. There's something about doggedly pursuing Jesus, about living in his Kingdom, that transforms and draws together like nothing else."

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Cheese Puff faces from last night's MYF

The first photo is of Chris & Dakota, second photo is Matt & Blake.

The winners, with 48 cheese puffs vs. 41 was.....

Matt & Blake!

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MYF this last week:

Junior High--we are made to serve God...and we do this through serving in our church, our community, and our world. We need to keep our eyes open to see where God wants to use us.

Senior High--repentance is all about stopping in your tracks, admitting you're going the wrong way, believing that there is a better way.....turning from the kingdom of the world, the kingdom of sin, the kingdom on self....and walking straight into the open arms of God.

My prayer for us: God, thank you for giving us purpose and significance. I ask that you give us opportunities to serve, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Keep us open to putting others interests before our own. Thank you for forgiveness, help us see our complete need for you. Jesus, thank you for willingly giving of your life and for your victory over sin and death. It is because of you that we can repent and be made right in the eyes of God. We worship and honor you God. Amen.

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Looking for new music? Check out this website, it lets you listen to the whole cd of Christian artists, I like putting it on in the background while I do homework.

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/thedrop.php

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ICTC in Springfield!!
What were a couple of the high points for you on this trip? What did God reveal to you? Would you go again?

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GAMER GOBBLETIME

28 of us had a great time playing videogames and eating a great dinner (thanks Methodist Men!)

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ICTC Contact Info:

Ramada Inn
217-529-1410

Friday, Nov. 7
Meet at Wesley House at 1:30pm, leave Watseka by 2:30pm.

Returning Nov. 8 around 8pm.

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GAMER GOBBLETIME
NOV.9
5-8PM
CHURCH BASEMENT

Put your gamer face on and join us for a night of videogame tournaments and a turkey feast. We will be playing Madden Football, Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution and more. Come experience this for yourself and invite friends. For both junior high and high school.

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ICTC

This Friday and Saturday!! (Nov. 7-8)

Check out website to get an overview of the weekend:

http://www.ictc.org/

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Team150

Sunday, Nov.2

5-5:30 in church basement

Come check it out....we will be starting a new drama for the Switchfoot song "This is Your Life". Check out this video to get an idea of what we might do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkIcWsAgfms

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Great fun had at The Great Pumpkin Hunt! The winning team consisted of Sam Thomas, Collin Clatterbuck, Chris Canady, Matt Thomas and driver Pam Harms. Hope everyone had fun.

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The Great Pumpkin Hunt
Sunday, Oct. 26
5-6:30pm

Both junior high & high school.

Invite friends.

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TRIVIA QUESTION:

Give two bits of information that you find interesting about Mother Teresa. You will have to do a little bit of internet research for this one.

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This week at MYF....

Junior High: Here are three of the five purposes we have studied so far... (1) created to worship God, (2) created to be part of God's family, and (3) created to be like Jesus. Number 3 happens by commiting ourselves to God's ways, changing the way we think, developing Christ-like character, and reading the Bible. We do the possible and then God does the impossible in our lives. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him," -Philippians 2:13

High School: We talked about being people who are living in God's Kingdom...right now. When we are born-again (John 3:3); when we believe, trust and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus then we become dwellers of God's Kingdom. We have a NEW citizenship, NEW identity, NEW family, NEW allegiance, NEW King, NEW food (Bible), NEW constitution and bill of rights, NEW relationship with the Creator, NEW perspective on life, NEW hope in the future, NEW record, NEW purpose.

Do you realize you are living in this Kingdom? Believe it! Live it!

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TRIVIA QUESTION:
What kind of volunteer opportunities are available at Red Bird Mission in Kentucky? Name three.

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Servive Time -- Oct.12

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. " This verse in Philippians was our theme for our time at MYF tonight. The junior high group worked outside at the library....we sweep, pulled weeds, raked leaves and even picked up a dead rabbit. For high school we worked inside the library...wiping down furniture, cleaning blinds and dusting shelves. All in all, the students did a great job being servants.

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Team150 -- "Word of God Speak"
This is the song we are learning so that we can worship God in a new way. We have Ashley Copeland, Emily Perce, Allie Bunting and Emily Bunting that are involved.

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TRIVIA QUESTION

According to Compassion International, how much would a donation be to provide three mosquito bed nets in the Malaria Intervention Fund?

https://www.compassion.com/contribution/default.htm

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Sunday Night Alive

(Bible night)

Everyone was very creative in their outfits for our fellowship night, check out photos below. This is such a great night to catch up on each other's lives, laugh and encourage one another. Please join us for the next one on Nov. 2.

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WCHS Marching Band

We have some folks who are involved in MYF and marching band...we want to support them, so check out their show from Lincoln Way.

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MYF this week!

Junior High -- great fun with marshmallow guns. We learned that another of God's purposes for our lives is to be part of His family. We need to be part of the Chritian family so that we can grow in our relationship with God and we can use the gifts that God gave us to minister to others.

High School -- The way Jesus lived, died and rose again was God's master plan...His ways and thoughts are way bigger than ours.

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Brandon Heath - "Give Me Your Eyes"

This is a great new song with a powerful message.

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See You at The Pole -- took place on Sept. 24

I am so incredibly proud of you ladies! It takes some courage to stand up for God in a public way. I know that there weren't many of you there, but you were very mighty. I am reminded of the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel (check out 1 Kings 18:16-46 to get the whole story). Here is cliff notes version....Elijah, one man of God, challenged 850 false prophets to a test. The test was to have the true God rain fire down from heaven and start a sacrifice burning. Guess who won the test.....you are right.....our God and His man Elijah. So I give God praise for the work He is doing in your lives and the courage you had to publically lift up Jesus!

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NEW TRIVIA QUESTION:
According to Heifer International, how much does it cost to donate a llama to a needy family?

Go to this website to find the answer: www.heifer.org

(way to go Emily Perce, you were the first to get me the answer to the last question!)

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What we learned at Junior High MYF this week: We were planned for God's pleasure. We honor God by giving Him worth and focus; and God gives us strength. Practically speaking, we talked about honoring God with our time, by giving Him praise in public, and giving Him devotion. I challenged the students to spend the first couple of minutes each morning talking to God, thanking Him and asking Him for strength and guidance for the day.

What we learned at High School MYF this week: We worked on the second chapter of Jesus with Dirty Feet. There were a couple of main points that we learned: (1) Jesus was all about being in relationship with others, especially the unrighteous and sinners, (2) the teachings of Jesus are tough to hear at times, but we need to apply all of them to our lives. We can't pick and choose what teachings we live by.

Upcoming Events:
See You At The Pole -- this Wednesday (9/24) at 7:30 at Glenn Raymond and WCHS. Meet up with other students to pray for your school, classmates, each other, etc. Donuts and juice will be provided.

Team150 -- this is an opportunity to learn some new ways to express our worship to God. The first thing we will learn is sign language to a song. Our first meeting is Oct. 5 from 5-5:30 in the church basement.

MYF Girls Hangout Time -- this is a chance to just hangout together outside of Sunday activities. We will start on Oct. 1, come to the Wesley House after school, we will head to McDonald's for a while and then Kristel will drop you off at your house.

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TRIVIA QUESTION
(First student to get the answer to this question to Kristel will get a prize, you can e-mail it or write a comment on this blog.)

What is the definition of kerfuffle?

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Photos from MYF Kickoff last Sunday

Join us next week: Junior high 5-6:30pm; High School 6:30-8pm

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Sunday Night Alive!!
Hawaiian Luau --We had a great time playing limbo, pictionary, hula hoops and more. We even were able to watch a clip from The Lion King because the devo for the night was about not worrying. In the movie clip we watched the song Hakuna Matata and in Hawaii they say 'Hang Loose'; in our Christian walk we listen to Jesus when he comforts us not to worry, but to trust in Him. It was a great night, hope you can join us next time...Oct. 5.

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MYF Kickoff ---- Sept. 14

• Jr. High 5-6:30pm @ Wesley House
• Sr. High 6:30-8pm @ Wesley House

Everyone who comes gets their very own....ice cream sundae!! Come and check it out.

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17 of us enjoyed a night on the farm, roasting smores, playing football, finding kittens in the shed, and watching a movie on the side of the barn. Thanks to the Leitz's for being so hospitable!

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MYF Fall Kickoff Coming Soon!!
More info on it's way. Keep your eyes and ears open.

Remember we are all about Loving God, Loving Others and Loving Always. This logo above will be our motto this year, whenever you see this logo you will know that it has something to do with our youth group.

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MYF Movie Night
August 19
7-10pm
Van pickup at Wesley House at 6:45pm

Bring chair/blanket. We will be watching a movie outside, tossing around a football and hopefully having smores. Come join us for a last summer outing!

009

Here are some photos from the two latest youth group outings.

(1) High School Camping Retreat in Carbondale. The theme for this trip was to trust God and call on Him for help. Check out Psalm 121. One of the best parts was a prayer walk that we took that really focused us on who our help is and who we need to call out to...God. We also had a great time swimming, fishing, driving a golf cart, eating smores and more!

(2) Cookout at Legion Park

Sorry I don't have any photos from this, my bad. 18 of us had a great time with waterguns and and intense game of softball. It was a fun night.

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Hidden Cove Outing -- the go-carts were the BEST!!!

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Our words are very powerful. Hear what James (the brother of Jesus) has to say...

"When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.......With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." (James 3:3-5, 9-10)

We can use two types of words. (1) Down words : gossiping, cursing, name-calling, etc. (2) Up words : encouraging, uplifting, positive, true, loving, compassionate, etc.

Jesus taught us that 'out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks'.

So our words are really a reflection of the state of our heart. And the hopeful news is that God is in the business of transforming our hearts to be more like His.....so we will use Up Words in our conversations with others. This is the righteous (right in God's eyes) way to use the power of words.

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When Jesus rose on the third day, the first person He made Himself known to was Mary Magdalene. At this time, Mary was distraught, hurting, grieving and confused about the death of Jesus and the fact that the body was missing from the tomb. This was the state of mind and heart that Jesus met Mary.

This interaction between Mary and Jesus (found in John 20) has great importance to us. What we see is Jesus meeting Mary right where she is at and comforting her with His presence.

Jesus hasn't changed, so He meets us right where we are at and comforts us with His presence. Just turn around because Jesus is right there for you, ready to say your name.

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Narnia : Prince Caspian

A couple of us went and saw this movie over the holiday weekend. I thought it was well made. Finding the Kingdom aspects from this movie was a little harder to catch than The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe; that movie was a very clear view of the Gospel. In this second movie, there were some great scenes of having faith even when you can't see with your own eyes. Also, during the majority of the movie, Peter tries to battle on his own strength. It isn't until the end that he relies on the strength of Aslan. A great reminder of how we need to rely on the strength of Jesus, not our own...."I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13)

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This past Sunday we read about the encounter Jesus had with the two thieves on the cross. One man ridiculed Jesus, the other asked to be remembered by Jesus. The response Jesus gave to the second mas was, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:35-43)

The truth is that even though this thief had only moments of his life left when he turned to Jesus, he had just as much grace extended to him as we do. This is the beauty of grace. We don’t earn God’s love or our salvation. Someone who has served Jesus as a missionary in Africa for 50 years is given the same grace and salvation as the thief on the cross who knew Jesus for a few moments. Clearly life spent following Jesus is better than a life spent running from him. Yet, we don’t get any more or less of His love based on what we do. God already loves us to the fullest.

How does that reality make you feel?

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Surrender

During youth group meeting tonight, we talked about how Jesus surrendered ALL for us and He calls us to live a life of surrender to Him. So we took some time to write down things that we are struggling to surrender to God's control and prayed for help to let them go so that we could accept what God wants to offer to us. It was a powerful time.

How have you been doing with your specific surrendering items?

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Clinton Junior High Overnight Rally
May 2-3

Emily Perce and I (Kristel) joined a group from Milford for this event. We had a great time. The topic of the weekend was about praying without ceasing. We were challenged to have a correct view of God when we pray to Him, to be honest and vulernable during our prayer time and to pray at all times.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I read these verses, I realize that Paul is writing about a lifestyle of joy, of prayer and of giving thanks. These things don't just happen during Sunday or before we eat; these things happen because it becomes a lifestyle for us. A lifestyle that is lived through Jesus.

Don't let the Gnome get away!

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There is so much pressure about what to write down for the first post....I can't hardly stand it!

Question of the Week:
Would you rather watch your favorite movie of all time seven times in a row or a really horrible movie only once? (what would the favorite movie be?)