YS Newsletter::on thankfulness

Contents

1. Something for Your Heart

2. Surf Report

3. Forgettable Fact

4. Potent Quotables

5. Uh, That's Funny?

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1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

When Plans Change: Start Where You Are

"But Jesus said, 'You feed them.' 'With what?' they asked. 'We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!' 'How much bread do you have?' he asked. 'Go and find out.' They came back and reported, 'We have five loaves of bread and two fish.' " (Mark 6:37-38)

Problem: Lots of people; no food. Solution: Send the people off to buy food before it gets too late. At least, that was the perfectly reasonable plan the disciples came up with. Then in today's verses, Jesus said, "No, I want you to serve them by doing the impossible."

The disciples were tired, hungry, and under-funded. They got stuck on the impossible part: "We don't have the resources." Jesus rejected that answer just as quickly as He rejected their plan: "Count what you do have."

Maybe you've had a similar experience. God has nixed your Plan A (and your Plan B) -- either through your circumstances or your parents or the weather -- but He still expects you to follow His plan. And it feels impossible. And you clearly don't have the resources.

You have a choice: Give up or expect God to use what you've got to do the impossible.

Think: How often do you feel like it would be impossible to do what God wants you to do? Do you tend to give up or jump in even though you don't have a good plan to make it work? How does that usually turn out?

Pray: Ask God to help you to trust Him to provide everything you need to do what He wants you to do -- even when you can't see, yet, how it will all work out.

Do: Ask your parents or youth leader or some other, older Christian if they've ever seen God provide a solution in an impossible situation.

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A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

2. SURF REPORT

-The Twilight Saga: New Moon Review

-Planet 51 Review

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

There are 10 human body parts that are only three letters long. (leg arm hip eye ear toe jaw rib gum lip)

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

"Praise God even when you don't understand what He is doing." - Henry Jacobson

"If you want to change your life, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." - Gerald Good

5. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What is a vampire's favorite fruit?

A: Neck-tarines

The Concert. OCC. and YS Newsletter

We filled a total of 10 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Go us! Blessing others with the abundance we have been given. What a great feeling! (Not to mention we had a blast putting it all together!) As you know, there is the need for $7.00 to be included in each of the boxes to help with shipping costs and such. I wrote one big check for all ten of our shoeboxes so if you haven't already given me your $7.00, please do so asap. (If you don't know who you are, ask.)

Last night we served a potluck dinner to the residents at the Monroe Salvation Army. It was a fantastic time and the first of what we hope will be monthly service opportunities! Keep your ears open for that information!

Our Bible Quiz team--made up of Chris K, Ashley, and Michaela--came away with a FIRST PLACE trophy on Saturday. What a great reward for all your hard work and dedication...and not to mention the fact that you guys are just a really great team! Keep it up! Next month's quiz is in Bad Axe, MI and we will most likely need to drive up to stay the night in the church on Friday night December 11th-Sat. the 12th.

Mel's 24th birthday is Thursday. :)

FRIDAY is THE big day! Nevercast, Matt Moore & Burn the Ships are IN CONCERT.

At Monroe FMC.

Doors open at 6pm

Concert starts at 6:30pm.

Concessions (candy bars and water bottles) will be available for $1.

Tickets are $5.

Who's bringing EVERYONE they know?!!!

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and looking ahead to December:

GIRLS NIGHT! December 4th-5th all girls are invited to an 80s Spa Night at our house!

Let me know if you have any great ideas for games or spa activities or recipes you want to make together!

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In this newsletter::

1. Something for Your Heart

2. Surf Report

3. Forgettable Fact

4. Potent Quotables

5. Uh, That's Funny?

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• SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Praise Week: He Loves Us?

"Praise be to God, who has not rejected a my prayer or withheld his love from me!" (Psalm 66:20)

What exactly does God owe us? Maybe it's too easy to say He doesn't owe us anything. He did create us, after all. And He is just to His creatures, giving good gifts to all.

But He does not owe us love. We do not have the right by default to have the God of the universe love us and hear out prayers.

David ends his praise psalm -- and our praise week -- amazed that God, the God of all, has not rejected his request. In fact, God has proven His love for one among the billions in time and space again and again.

Does God love you? Does He hear your prayers and answer them? Then let's praise Him today.

Think: Why do you think it's so easy for us to get bored with the idea that God loves us and listens to us? How much does that matter to you?

Pray: Praise God for loving you and responding to your prayers because you come to Him in the name of Jesus.

Do: Look forward to your next opportunity to praise God.

[A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.]

• SURF REPORT

-Hello Hurricane Switchfoot Review

-Sleep May Limit Teens' Depression

• FORGETTABLE FACT

In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator.

• POTENT QUOTABLES

Let Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.

- Theodore Roosevelt

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.

- W.J. Cameron

• UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What kind of key do you need to get into the jungle?

A: A Mon-key

OCC, quizzing, serving, concerts

We had a great time last night filling our shoeboxes to be sent to all the corners of the world! Thanks to all who participated.

Operation Christmas Child: shoeboxes are due next Sunday! You have three responsibilities: 1) collect/save/earn the $7 shipping cost per box. 2) write a letter to your child recipient and 3) find a picture of yourself and/or your family to include in the box.

Bible Quizzing: This Saturday, November 14th @ Westland FMC. If you are in Monroe, please meet us at our house at 7:15am. We will then head to Milan FMC to pick up the remaining quizzers. Please be ready at 7:45am. We should return between 4 and 5pm. Students will need $3 to cover the cost of lunch at the church.

Salvation Army: We will be joining the church in serving a potluck dinner at the Monroe Salvation Army. Meet at the church at 5:30pm (regularly scheduled youth group time) and whenever we are done serving, we will return to our house to finish youth group through 7:30pm.

Nevercast: The concert is quickly approaching! Invite every one of your hundreds of friends!! :D The more people in the audience the more fun we'll have! It's only $5 at the door and there will be a small concessions stand open with candy bars, water, etc. For more information check out the facebook event site:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179074024917&index=1

On OCC & Church & Concerts & more

We're baaaack. Kevin and I had a fantastic time at the four day National Youth Workers' Convention. We missed all of and are excited to get back into the swing of things and start applying ALL we learned (which was ALOT!) :D

We will see you at 5:30pm for youth group this Sunday!

Oh and don't forget about the Sunday morning service. Please invite your family--your parents and siblings--to join you at the church service @11am. Sunday School is at 9:45am (there are adult and teen SS classes.)

Have you been building your collection of items for your Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes? They are due November 15th and we are looking to head to the Dollar Tree this Sunday. Who needs to make a trip to the store with us? If you do, be sure to bring at least $10 to purchase the items needed to fill your shoebox. You can also purchase a clear plastic shoebox for $1.

For the four of you who have signed up to help serve at the Milan Rotary Dinner be sure you are dressed in White shirts and Black pants and at Father Joe's Catholic Church at 5pm.

The Nevercast Concert is quickly approaching. Have you invited ALL of your friends? Have you received permission to hang fliers up in your school hallways? The concert is November 20th. For much more info check out the event invitation on facebook. At least 5 local Christian radio stations will be posting the concert info on their community bulletin boards and possibly announcing the concert on the air.

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PS: be sure to check out the new photo links along the right column! Click on the pictures and you'll find the complete photo album.