Small Groups:::Coming soon

We hope you all had as much fun at our "pizza & movie night" as we did!  Don't worry, we'll definitely have to do that again.  and again.  and again. :D

Kevin & I have mentioned this to a few of you, but we wanted to officially announce the start of a new portion of SpiritFire.  Beginning January 7th, we will be holding small groups every Wednesday night at 7:00pm.  

• "Why?", you ask?  Well, we think there is a great deal of discussion that needs to happen in a "girls only" or "guys only" environment.  You know, it's just easier to talk freely and honestly when there aren't people of the opposite gender sitting there making you feel awkward.  (I think you probably understand...)  So yeah...the girls will hang out with me for one hour while the guys chill with Kevin for one hour.  
  
• What's the point?  GROWTH!  We want to be there for you as you experience growth--whether in your spiritual life or not.  Whether or not we have "been there" or done every thing you're wondering about, we do have lots of junior high, high school, and college life experiences that will help US help YOU.  
• This hour (from 7-8pm) every Wednesday night will be super casual.  There will be plenty of time to share about the ups and downs of your week, time to ask crazy or embarrassing questions, time to pray, time to play, and time to talk.  (I can't speak specifically for the guys time, but the general idea is the same.)  
• What to bring?  

1. yourself.
2. your friends.
3. the mindset that everything we will talk about is completely confidential.  
4. your questions (about Scripture, about love, about life)
5. YOUR ideas!  The small group is to be run BY you and FOR you.  This is not Melanie or Kevin's time to talk to you sleep.  We are there to help guide you and answer your questions and show you how to find your way in this crazy teenage Christian life.

SO, once again.  Wednesday night, January 7th at 7:00pm.  Small group time.  At the parsonage.  Guys in one area with Kevin.  Girls in a completely different spot with me.  Be THERE!  I can't wait!

Official MOVIE NIGHT!

This just in:  SpiritFire youth are invited to the Eccles' parsonage on Monday night, December 29th @ 7:00pm.

We'll have pizza and probably other goodies.  Feel free to bring your favorite snack or a holiday plate of leftovers. :)  Also, this is a super casual party so come in your comfy clothes...sweats, pjs, slippers, hoodies, whatever.  Bring pillows or blankets or anything you'd like to have to make the movie night cozy. :)  (We of course have lots of blankets to share!)  So...a recap:

What?  Pizza Pajama Movie Night! (and CAKE for Shelby's birthday!!!)

When?  Monday December 29th. at 7:00pm (leave whenever you need to...if it gets super late I'll just kick you out!  LOL)

Where?  Kevin & Mel's house

Bring?  Yourself, your friends, and (only if you want) pillows, snacks, comfy-ness. :)

SPREAD THE WORD!!!

MOVIE NIGHT

Three cheers for Christmas break!!  As one way to celebrate (and keep the boredom from setting in) we are planning a MOVIE NIGHT!  At this point the two possible evenings are either Monday Dec. 29th OR Tuesday Dec. 30th.  Any conflicts with either of those nights?  We want as many of you here as possible!  

**get ready for pizza & a movie (to be voted on soon) and of course we'll have all the board games out and the ping pong and foosball tables are always open to you.  **

Reply to me as soon as possible and we'll PARTAY for the Holidays!  (oh!  and for Shelby's birthday!!! =D) 

Are you for real???

1. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to JOHN!!!!!  =D  
   
2. Thanks to Chris & Katie for helping frost cookies!
3. We hope to see all of you and your families at the open house TOMORROW (Wed.) night anytime between 6:00-8:30.  My table is already overflowing with deliciousness and half the food isn't even set out yet! =D
4. Have you been thinking about Kevin's convicting topic he spoke on last Sunday?  Are you living a true authentic life?  A Christian life 24/7?  Not coming to impress Kevin & I on Sundays and then going back to "real" life Monday through Saturday...but being the same person always...with all people.  Are you kind to the annoying kid in your English class? Self-controlled with your parents when you feel like screaming at them? Patient with your friend shoe just doesn't get it?  Joyful even when you're not having the best day?  (check out GALATIONS 5:22-23.)  This is the life Jesus is calling us to.  If you decide you want to live a Christian life you canNOT do it half-heartedly.  You're either all in (every hour of every day of every week) or all out.  Go out of your way this week to help out the "stinky" kid who has no friends or keep your fists to yourself when that same "jerk" is harrassing you for the millionth time.  Are you FOR REAL?  

I don't know why the blogger decided to kind of mess of the post below.  Some of the words are chopped apart at the end of a line.  I didn't do it on purpose.  Bear with me. :)

on snacks & temptations.

1. verses Way to keep up with your memorizing of the Scripture verses!  Next week's is I Corinthians 10:13.  ("No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.")    Don't forget about Romans 3:23 & John 3:16-17.  And if you can...work on Ephesians 2:8-9.  It's a toughy, but you can do it!
2. snacks  Megan & Katie, thanks for saving snack time last night.  The donuts were top notch as always! =D  Next week, Shelby has graciously offered to bring her mom's already famous nacho cheese salsa dip!  YES!! We will provide the tortilla chips. 
3. skit    The Christmas Shoes "skit" practice Sunday night went wonderfully. You are all tremendous actors & actresses and I think it will be GREAT on Sunday! REMEMBER: Shelby please bring the typewriter/cash register. Snyders please bring an apron. Travis dress like a poor little kid. Chris come in a button down shirt looking adult. :)
   
4. next sunday cookie frosting (Katie & Megan providing frosting tips if possible.)
5. TEMPTATION: I'm pretty sure you will all be tempted this week. Probably even between last night and the time you read this blog post. But you know what? I also believe that through Christ's strength you can say "NO!!" to whatever "sweet" looking sin is staring you in the face. I challenge you. I dare you. To say "no" to whatever Satan trys to throw in your face today. tomorrow. Saturday. No, I won't talk back to my parents. No, I won't punch that guy when he ticks me off. No, I won't swear when I'm upset. No, I won't look at porn. No, I won't wish I could have sex with so-and-so. No, I won't let that kid be bullied. No, I won't stuff my face with junk food when I'm hurt. No, I won't let my emotions run my life. Just for TODAY say "No, I won't."

the real deal

hi, again, guys.  Just wanted to let you in the final decision regarding practicing the skit and getting together to PARTAY. :)  We will not be meeting Friday night or Saturday night.  After getting your input I realized it was not going to work out for many of you and that's just silly to have a party when hardly anyone can come.  So what IS happening:  

Spirit Fire: Sunday @ 6pm.  Our place.  We'll do the usual thing.  And practice for the skit too.  Then we'll perform the skit Sunday December 14th.  k? 

oh, and don't forget:  John 3:16-17.  romans 3:23.  Ephesians 2:8-9.  =D

Party & Winter Retreat

numero uno:::  I mentioned getting together for a party and skit practice this Friday.  I now have realized there are some schedule conflicts.  How does this Saturday @ 1:00pm?  Could you make it?  email me if you can or can't.  

numero deux:::Winter Retreat Registration forms are due to ME this week!  I need them by Wednesday so I can mail them out to Somerset Beach.  

numero three:::Happy Birthday to Chris Fenrich!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!