What does it mean to have your own every day walking around relationship with God? What does it look like when you really start learning how to feed yourself as a believer; when it stops having to be a teacher and a Bible and you, to just Jesus and you in your room. What happens when every day turns into a time with God?
One of the first things He’s going to change about us is our eyes. You’re going to see your past different. It’s not going to haunt you as much because you’re going to understand that it’s paid, done away with through the blood of His Son. You’re going to understand that your future that’s scaring you to death - God's already standing at the end of that future looking back on it. You start to see people different, because when we start walking with Jesus, spending time just me and Him and the Word – a few five or six verses a day and just soaking in it and praying through the day. When God starts changing your heart He changes the way you see people, and you start hurting for people like He does.
Suddenly, this is the “well” for you and you don’t need people to fill you anymore! Now when you see them you will just want to pour into them. That’s what happens when we start walking with God. That’s what happens when we start living our life until the whole world hears. That's what happens when our lives are focused on knowing Christ more.
Get Lost!
On a beautiful crisp autumn evening a group of us set out to navigate our way through the great adirondack corn maze!
First, we checked out the map...
...had a little fun outside the maze...
...and then began the journey to not only get out of the corn - but to find all of the mailboxes that contained pieces to the puzzle map. And be the first group to do it.
God provided us with a wonderful night in the mountains!
This is the group who "won" first prize for telling me they collected all of their puzzle pieces!
This is the group who "won" first prize for being the first ones out of the maze with all their pieces and people.
First, we checked out the map...
...had a little fun outside the maze...
...and then began the journey to not only get out of the corn - but to find all of the mailboxes that contained pieces to the puzzle map. And be the first group to do it.
God provided us with a wonderful night in the mountains!
This is the group who "won" first prize for telling me they collected all of their puzzle pieces!
This is the group who "won" first prize for being the first ones out of the maze with all their pieces and people.
Mayhem & Misdirection
Harris III & 321 Improv Comedy...Brushton Moira Central @ 7:00PM
It's an unforgettable evening of magical comedy and comedy magic that will leave you wanting more! Come, laugh, and be surprised, inspired and enlightened by jaw-dropping illusions, improv comedy, TONS of audience participation, and a life altering message about deception and truth. You've likely been misdirected and deceived.... come discover how, and laugh like crazy along the way!
See You At The Pole
On an almost rainy day (thank you God for clearing the weather for us!), students gathered for a wonderful breakfast and prayer around their school flagpole.
This year's focus was REVEAL: Our Father in Heaven, reveal who You are...Matthew 6:9-13.
We had about 30 students join us for breakfast, and 40 at the pole (not including adults)!
Continue to pray for your school and how God specifically wants to use you to reach them for Jesus. Be useful salt, and a bright light!
This year's focus was REVEAL: Our Father in Heaven, reveal who You are...Matthew 6:9-13.
We had about 30 students join us for breakfast, and 40 at the pole (not including adults)!
Continue to pray for your school and how God specifically wants to use you to reach them for Jesus. Be useful salt, and a bright light!
Upcoming Events
MOVIE NIGHT - Saturday, September 11th
- 7:00PM Ashley's Home
Join us! Bring your favorite snack or drink to share.
SEE YOU AT THE POLE - Wednesday, September 22nd
- 7:30AM Hope Community Center (for breakfast)
- 8:00AM school flagpole (for prayer)
If you have any questions, the students heading things up are Kelsey and Josh.
- 7:00PM Ashley's Home
Join us! Bring your favorite snack or drink to share.
SEE YOU AT THE POLE - Wednesday, September 22nd
- 7:30AM Hope Community Center (for breakfast)
- 8:00AM school flagpole (for prayer)
If you have any questions, the students heading things up are Kelsey and Josh.
Ironman Information
Volunteering at the Ironman Triathalon Event in Lake Placid
Sunday, July 25th from 4:00PM-9:00PM
What you need to know: We will be meeting at First Christian Church at 1:30PM. Here you will be notified of who you are riding with, and which group you will be serving in. I’ll also go over what the day will look like, and answer any questions you may have. We will travel together (the trip will take about an hour and a half) until we get to Lake Placid Baptist Church where we will pick up our t-shirts, change, and be able to use the restrooms. From there we will travel in groups according to the area we are serving in. Our group will be broken up and serving in two areas during the event.
Aid Station on the Bike Course & Run Course: on Route 9N, just after you make the left-hand turn and head from Keene toward Upper Jay, we will be serving, encouraging and praying for athletes all morning and night! Listen for the great music as you bike and run through our aid station.
&
Road Marshals: some of our folks will be serving as Road Marshals during the race, protecting the athletes and spectators at busy intersections along Mirror Lake Drive near the beach, at the Cascade Lakes, on Mill Hill, and on Colden Avenue.
What you need to bring:
Comfortable shoes! Sneakers are recommended, but don’t bring your best pair. Serving is sometimes a messy job. Keep in mind that you will be standing and walking the entire time we’re serving.
Appropriate clothing! The t-shirts that are provided are required, so plan on wearing them for the day. However, sometimes it does get chilly at night so you may want to bring a hoodie or jacket to wear – and/or you can bring a long sleeved shirt to wear under your t-shirt. Keep the weather in mind when choosing to wear pants or shorts (right now it’s forecasting scattered thunderstorms with a high of 74 degrees and a low of 54 degrees).
A servant’s humble attitude! We are there to serve the athletes and represent Jesus Christ. The athletes know that, and we want to bring them as much support and joy as we can…so start practicing your smile and encouraging words now! You may be asked to do things that are messy, or things you’ve never been asked to do before…thank you in advance for doing them with a willing and positive attitude anyway.
Courteous actions! While serving, cell phones may not be used except in emergencies and iPods should not be worn. We are there for the athletes – not communicating with friends or listening to our own music. Thanks for understanding. You will be blessed, and I look forward to serving with you!
Ashley’s Cell Phone: 518 539 6949 – call me if you have any questions!
This is not an event that you can just attend last minute. If you have not signed up already, you may not be able to go. Call me and check!
---We should be home between 11-11:30PM---
1. We Show Up. When we give our word that we will volunteer or help someone, we always show up. We believe strongly that your “yes” should be “yes” and your “no” should be “no.” Therefore, even if they weather gets nasty, or we have car trouble, or whatever, we will find a way to show up and be ready to serve.
2. We Do Our Job. Some of the jobs we are asked to do are exciting, others are boring. Some jobs are difficult, others are easy. All of the jobs are important. We pride ourselves on “doing the jobs that nobody else wants to do.” Our example is Jesus Himself, who on one occasion took upon Himself the job of the lowest of servants, to wash the dirty feet of His disciples after a long journey upon dusty roads. We follow the example of Jesus, and therefore no matter the job we will do it to the best of our ability.
3. We Have a Great Attitude. We always seek to have an attitude of joy, humility, servanthood, compassion, hard work, and much, much more. We try to display our great attitude through the words we say and the smiles on our faces. We know that Jesus had many opportunities to be stressed out, prideful, uncaring, frustrated, lazy or irritated, but He never was. We want to be like Him.
4. We Don’t Mooch For Free Stuff. Some of the times that we serve, we are placed in privileged positions. We don’t use our positions of privilege to beg for souvenirs or bother the athletes for photos for our Facebook pages. We want people to know that we are at the event for what we can give, not what we can get.
5. We Are Flexible. There were many days when Jesus was on the way to teach the people, or perform an incredible miracle, and someone from the crowd needed Him to stop to help them. He didn’t ignore those needs. He stopped to do what needed to be done. When we are serving, if our supervisors ask us to serve in a different area, or help them with something, we are quick to help out. We are flexible, and will help out in any way that we can.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, July 21st - The missions team from Alabama arrives! They're going to join us at the community center for youth group, so make sure you're there to welcome them! They'll be working on the mission house and the community center on Thursday and Friday.
Friday, July 23rd - ABA Camp Registration (Early Bird $75)) is due, so make sure you have your forms in to Ashley or the church office!
Saturday, July 24th - Party with the mission team! We're going to hang out, eat dinner, and have a great time. More information (like location and time) to come, so keep checking back.
Sunday, July 25th - We're going to be volunteering at the Ironman event in Lake Placid! It's an event you need to sign up for, so if you haven't already signed up on the bulletin board at church let me know you want to come ASAP.
Friday, July 30th - ABA Camp Reistrations ($100) are due, so make sure you have your forms in to Ashley or the church office!
Monday, August 2nd & Tuesday, August 3rd - Kingdom Bound, Darien Lake. If you're interested in going, let Ashley know and she'll give you all the details.
Monday, August 16th - Saturday, August 21st - ABA Youth Camp!
Friday, July 23rd - ABA Camp Registration (Early Bird $75)) is due, so make sure you have your forms in to Ashley or the church office!
Saturday, July 24th - Party with the mission team! We're going to hang out, eat dinner, and have a great time. More information (like location and time) to come, so keep checking back.
Sunday, July 25th - We're going to be volunteering at the Ironman event in Lake Placid! It's an event you need to sign up for, so if you haven't already signed up on the bulletin board at church let me know you want to come ASAP.
Friday, July 30th - ABA Camp Reistrations ($100) are due, so make sure you have your forms in to Ashley or the church office!
Monday, August 2nd & Tuesday, August 3rd - Kingdom Bound, Darien Lake. If you're interested in going, let Ashley know and she'll give you all the details.
Monday, August 16th - Saturday, August 21st - ABA Youth Camp!
Pickup and Go!
Youth VBS brought many teenagers to FCC, and we had a great time learning more about God's plan for our lives by examining the lives of people in the Bible like Adam & Eve, Joseph, and Nicodemus. The students were challenged through missionaries stories each night, and to raise money so we could send a care package to a missionary in a foreign country. Here are some pictures of our week.
We worshipped through singing...
and dancing (not really sure you could call it that, but whatever).
We ate great snacks...
and played fun games.
Yepp, we're regular cowpokes...
who play with bubbles...
and water balloons.
Alright, so we're not really cowboys and cowgirls (maybe except Abby), but we can keep trying.
We worshipped through singing...
and dancing (not really sure you could call it that, but whatever).
We ate great snacks...
and played fun games.
Yepp, we're regular cowpokes...
who play with bubbles...
and water balloons.
Alright, so we're not really cowboys and cowgirls (maybe except Abby), but we can keep trying.
Youth VBS 2010
Sunday, June 27th Thursday, July 1st...First Christian Church...7PM-9PM
Join Brody and his best friend Mario as they take the family truck and head to a national rodeo competition. The boys' adventures, in conjunction with the Bible studies, will provide you with an opportunity to learn that youa re valued and cared for by God. You will be challenged to develop your relationship with God, as well as to act and think in a way that pleases Him.
We'll be looking at:
FEELING VALUED
TRUSTING GOD
TURNING AROUND
FINDING PURPOSE
STAYING FOCUSED
Theme Verse—James 1:5
"Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (HCSB)
Join us for crazy fun games, prize give-a-ways, worship, Bible study, a look at world missions, and tasty snacks!
Opportunity to Share Jesus
The Spring Follies at school provided us with another opportunity to perform the Everything Skit. We had a "glitch" right before the performance that threw us for a loop (and slight panic), but I am so proud of the students for being willing to do a little improv and share what they came to share. They did a spectacular job, for the glory of the Lord they serve.
Hanging Out
We try to do a lot of various things with our youth group, and most times it turns out to be even more fun than we planned, just because that's life with teenagers.
Kelsey showing Matt what the head massager feels like...
Matt wanted Abby to feel it too...
hanging out after the movie...
Kelsey and Matt (don't worry, she's not kicking him...I don't think, anyway)...
I can't remember what they were doing with their hands, but they were obvioulsy having fun...
everyone looking at Devan...
not even sure, but that's what they were looking at
Playing basketball at the community center...
volleyball...
We're planning on having an amazing summer with a lot of exciting events...and you'll want to be part of it! Keep checking back here for event updates.
Kelsey showing Matt what the head massager feels like...
Matt wanted Abby to feel it too...
hanging out after the movie...
Kelsey and Matt (don't worry, she's not kicking him...I don't think, anyway)...
I can't remember what they were doing with their hands, but they were obvioulsy having fun...
everyone looking at Devan...
not even sure, but that's what they were looking at
Playing basketball at the community center...
volleyball...
We're planning on having an amazing summer with a lot of exciting events...and you'll want to be part of it! Keep checking back here for event updates.
UpComing Events
MOVIE NIGHT:
Friday, April 23rd at the Mills Home --- 7:00PM
PRAYER NIGHT CAMPFIRE:
Thursday, May 6th at Ashley's Home --- 7:00PM
Friday, April 23rd at the Mills Home --- 7:00PM
PRAYER NIGHT CAMPFIRE:
Thursday, May 6th at Ashley's Home --- 7:00PM
Everything Skit
On Sunday morning, our students performed a skit - it took months of practice, and they worked incredibly hard portraying some difficult characters and situations.
Here are some pictures from our practices:
The reason that we wanted to perform the skit was because it puts into perspective what Jesus does. No matter how far we go away from Him, He's always trying to pull us back to Him. Then, when we decide to come back, He's there to take us back, no matter what the cost.
At the beginning of the skit, the young woman indulges in the pure joy and innocence of finding her first love in Jesus, as He shows her all the wonderful things He has done and has in store for her.
But this blissful moment becomes tarnished by seemingly harmless distractions, which turn into temptations and sins. These tempters begin their relentless attack on the young woman, who takes her eyes off Jesus and sets them on the world. She finds herself overcome by all the vices made to look so attractive in life: sexual impurity, greed for money, drinking, bulimia, and cutting. The lies that she has been told about her worthlessness and inability to measure up lead her into depression, and thoughts of suicide.
Only after the woman hits rock bottom does she remember the true source of her joy -- a relationship with Christ. She ultimately chooses, in a desperation that spurs her to once again seek her first love. But she's not alone as she battles to regain the abundant life Jesus has given her. Unable to fend off the enemy's spiritual attack on her own, she puts her eyes back on Jesus, who is waiting for her call for help. Eager to step in and fight the battle for His bride, Jesus fends off and defeats the demonic attackers who are after her very soul and life.
We are reminded that Christ already won the battle for our souls on the cross, and that we have victory over our sins through our hope and redemption in Jesus. It affirms I John 4:4: "You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." and calls us to take to heart 2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
During our worship service, you could feel the Holy Spirit's presence. The audience was anticipating, which added another spark of energy. And then there were the visibly beating hearts of the students in the front row, a quiet but thundering entity that only added to the dynamism. Due to these tangible dynamics, you may not experience the awe that we did as we sat in that worship service. Our students performed exceptionally, and lives were truly touched because of their willingness and obedience to serve their Lord in this capacity.
Unfortunately, we cannot make the disclaimer that so many videos do at the end (you know the one: "No one was harmed during the making of this video.") Kelsey sustained some nasty bruises and scratches... :(
Hopefully she'll recover soon, so we can perform again!
Thank you Devan, Kelsey, Nick, Abby, Kendra, Erika, Amanda, Micaela, and Devan for being willing to take on the challenge of performing this skit.
Thank you Tanner, Taylor, Emily and Seth for the sound, projection, and lights.
Thank you Samantha for creating the background video and for recording this for us.
Thank you Melissa, Dan, Gina, Heidi and Heather for all you did to help us set up.
Thank you Hannah for "speaking as a completely objective third party observer".
Thank you Pastor Edwin for letting us perform it on a Sunday morning.
Here are some pictures from our practices:
The reason that we wanted to perform the skit was because it puts into perspective what Jesus does. No matter how far we go away from Him, He's always trying to pull us back to Him. Then, when we decide to come back, He's there to take us back, no matter what the cost.
At the beginning of the skit, the young woman indulges in the pure joy and innocence of finding her first love in Jesus, as He shows her all the wonderful things He has done and has in store for her.
But this blissful moment becomes tarnished by seemingly harmless distractions, which turn into temptations and sins. These tempters begin their relentless attack on the young woman, who takes her eyes off Jesus and sets them on the world. She finds herself overcome by all the vices made to look so attractive in life: sexual impurity, greed for money, drinking, bulimia, and cutting. The lies that she has been told about her worthlessness and inability to measure up lead her into depression, and thoughts of suicide.
Only after the woman hits rock bottom does she remember the true source of her joy -- a relationship with Christ. She ultimately chooses, in a desperation that spurs her to once again seek her first love. But she's not alone as she battles to regain the abundant life Jesus has given her. Unable to fend off the enemy's spiritual attack on her own, she puts her eyes back on Jesus, who is waiting for her call for help. Eager to step in and fight the battle for His bride, Jesus fends off and defeats the demonic attackers who are after her very soul and life.
We are reminded that Christ already won the battle for our souls on the cross, and that we have victory over our sins through our hope and redemption in Jesus. It affirms I John 4:4: "You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." and calls us to take to heart 2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
During our worship service, you could feel the Holy Spirit's presence. The audience was anticipating, which added another spark of energy. And then there were the visibly beating hearts of the students in the front row, a quiet but thundering entity that only added to the dynamism. Due to these tangible dynamics, you may not experience the awe that we did as we sat in that worship service. Our students performed exceptionally, and lives were truly touched because of their willingness and obedience to serve their Lord in this capacity.
Unfortunately, we cannot make the disclaimer that so many videos do at the end (you know the one: "No one was harmed during the making of this video.") Kelsey sustained some nasty bruises and scratches... :(
Hopefully she'll recover soon, so we can perform again!
Thank you Devan, Kelsey, Nick, Abby, Kendra, Erika, Amanda, Micaela, and Devan for being willing to take on the challenge of performing this skit.
Thank you Tanner, Taylor, Emily and Seth for the sound, projection, and lights.
Thank you Samantha for creating the background video and for recording this for us.
Thank you Melissa, Dan, Gina, Heidi and Heather for all you did to help us set up.
Thank you Hannah for "speaking as a completely objective third party observer".
Thank you Pastor Edwin for letting us perform it on a Sunday morning.
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