Questions & Easter

Happy Maunday Thursday Everyone,
This past Wednesday we wrapped up our series on "Removing the Rocks" with a final night where were discussed a couple of the "rocks" kids wanted to talk about specifically. The two that were suggested were Dating Relationship and Evolution.
The talk on dating relationships was pretty broad conversation on misusing the good gifts that God gave us and how things that are meant to be good can become a distaction.
The discussion around the Evolution topic was a lot more engaged. Kids seem to really be struggling through this right now, so as parents I think you should start a conversation at home about it. I know you probably aren't an expert, but neither am I, but talking about the struggle at home is a great start!
We ended off the night talking about the ultimate Removal of Rocks; Jesus' Ressurection. We talked about how the only thing that is going to change us is to encounter Jesus and walk daily with Him. We ended the night throwing a bunch of Rocks in the resevoir (ask your kids about it!)
Good night all around!
- Andrew

Pitch and Praise

Hey parents,
Just letting you know we are closing in on the registration deadline for Pitch and Praise. This is a new venture for us as a youth group, but all indications are that it's going to be great! I have heard the worship team and seen a few of the presenters before and look forward to hearing from them all again. If you want to check out all the activities and presenters go to www.pitchandpraise.com and snoop around.
The cost for the event is only $99 if registration is in to me (Andrew) by Wednesday April 27th at the latest.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at youth@actoncrc.com
- Andrew

Prayer

Read this article this morning and it broke my heart. When a brother or sister in Christ hurts, we hurt with them. This hit close to home for me. There is now a wife without a husband and son; there are two girls without a dad and brother; there is an entire youth group without their youth pastor; and there are many more hurting and grieving. Please keep them in your prayers and take time to give your kids and spouse an extra hug today. - Laura

Sin & Guilt

Hey Parents, probably one of the biggest thing that keeps people (not just teens but everyone) from God and church is their own guilt over sins and mistakes in their lives. So this week we tackled that together at youth. Looking at the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8) we see how Jesus responds to sin. He extends grace, through not condemning us, but making a way for us, and He expects us to change (Go and leave your life of sin). Guilt is so powerful, that's why grace and fogiveness are so amazing. We even have a hard time forgiving ourselves, so why would the perfect God of the universe do it? Because He is perfect :) This is another conversation that would be great to talk about in your homes, I encourage you to live and extend the grace of God to your kids and deal with Sin as Jesus did. Be gracious but expect change. p.s. On a side note, there will be no 30 hour famine this weekend due to lack of sign up.

Outsiders& Not Eating

Hey Parents! We have been a little off schedule recently, with last week being a D Group hang out night and the week before being a snow day (who would have thought!?!) but now we are back into the swing of things. This week was officially week 3 of our "Removing the Rocks" Series where we look at some things that get in peoples way when they try to see who Jesus is. Last night we talked about "Outsiders." We looked at how so often, we as Christians add to the cross. We make Following Jesus about the cross AND ... where Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow him. The challenge was put out to stop adding to the cross and invite people in, love them like crazy and work together to live in a community of Love and Hope where we are all working together to know Jesus more, and follow Him each day. I encourage you, TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THIS. after I spoke we threw it open for some questions and there is a real struggle on including people who are hard to forgive. Some really tough questions. Please be a part of the conversation. Also, letting you parents know that NEXT FRIDAY April 15th will be our 30 Hour Famine. It is an overnight event, but will include sleep this time :) If you know your child is interested make sure they get a donation sheet to participate. This is such an amazing fundraiser and this year world vision allows kids to allocate the funds they raise to the cause they choose! (Food & Nutrition, Education, Child Protection or Education)