TODAY is the last day to register for Winter Camp. Cost for the weekend is $85 and there are still scholarships available for those who may need financial assistance. Students and leaders will begin arriving at SFBC on Friday evening at 6pm near the Chapel area for Winter Camp Check-in. Buses will pull out at 6:30pm. During check-in, students and parents will find out cabin assignments, small group leaders, and be able to turn in any medications with our Camp Nurse, Kathrine Cruise.
If you still need to sign yourself or your student up for the weekend, there is still time! Camp packets can be picked up and filled out tonight in the Core beginning at 5pm. If that does not fit for you, please come by the SSM Office anytime today and Maura Reyna will take care of a registration needs.
We are pumped about the weekend and look forward to God stirring in the hearts of each student who joins us. Be praying for the group as they go!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Wrapping for Mission Belize
Still have gifts sitting around your house needing to be wrapped before Christmas day? The SSM will be wrapping gifts as part of a fundraiser to support the mission trip to Belize in July. Gifts can be dropped off and picked up at the SFBC Children's Building between 9am-1pm tomorrow(Saturday, 22nd). Depending on the size of the gifts, the cost will be $2-4 per gift.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
SSM Weekly Update - December 13th
Angel Tree Delivery
Students will have an opportunity this Saturday to deliver Angel Tree gifts to children around our community. There is no way to completely explain the impact that being a part of this project will have on our students. If your student is in a RAD group, then he or she will join with their group and make two or three deliveries. Students will meet at the Lighthouse by 10:00am on Saturday and be finished by noon.
SSM Christmas Bash
As was mentioned last week, the SSM Christmas Bash goes down in the Core this Sunday from 5-9pm. Students will need to bring a white elephant gift ($5 max) for either gender. Also, girls need to bring a favorite snack/dessert to share while the guys bring thier favorite two-liter drink. The SSM will provide pizza for dinner.
SSM Missions Christmas Wrapping Fundraiser
A team of students will be wrapping gifts as a fundraiser for the mission trip to Belize in July. Spread the word to family and friends who may need last-minute help wrapping presents before Christmas Day. The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, December 22nd from 8:30-1:30 in the Children's Building.
Mission Belize Update
If you or your student are part of the Mission Belize team, then mark your calendars on Sunday, January 6th for a meeting in the Core at 6:15pm. We will update the team on details for the trip and begin preparation for the week of ministry. Also, the second payment of $180 is due Sunday, December 23rd. Payments can be turned into the SSM Office during the week, dropped in the offering plate on Sundays, or placed in the SSM Dropbox located in the Connection.
Winter Camp
Registration is underway and time is flying as the greatest weekend of the year quickly approaches. Take advantage of the $10 discount by registering for camp by December 30th. Camp registration is complete once the SSM office receives the student's medical release form and payment. Remember, space is limited this year so stop by the Fighter table located in the Connection for everything you need to know about Winter Camp.
No COLLIDE until January 6th
The COLLIDE Ministry will begin preparation for the spring show begining Sunday, January 6th. Students who may have missed out on COLLIDE this semester will have an opportunity to jump on board as the group focuses on this year's theme, HERO.
Students will have an opportunity this Saturday to deliver Angel Tree gifts to children around our community. There is no way to completely explain the impact that being a part of this project will have on our students. If your student is in a RAD group, then he or she will join with their group and make two or three deliveries. Students will meet at the Lighthouse by 10:00am on Saturday and be finished by noon.
SSM Christmas Bash
As was mentioned last week, the SSM Christmas Bash goes down in the Core this Sunday from 5-9pm. Students will need to bring a white elephant gift ($5 max) for either gender. Also, girls need to bring a favorite snack/dessert to share while the guys bring thier favorite two-liter drink. The SSM will provide pizza for dinner.
SSM Missions Christmas Wrapping Fundraiser
A team of students will be wrapping gifts as a fundraiser for the mission trip to Belize in July. Spread the word to family and friends who may need last-minute help wrapping presents before Christmas Day. The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, December 22nd from 8:30-1:30 in the Children's Building.
Mission Belize Update
If you or your student are part of the Mission Belize team, then mark your calendars on Sunday, January 6th for a meeting in the Core at 6:15pm. We will update the team on details for the trip and begin preparation for the week of ministry. Also, the second payment of $180 is due Sunday, December 23rd. Payments can be turned into the SSM Office during the week, dropped in the offering plate on Sundays, or placed in the SSM Dropbox located in the Connection.
Winter Camp
Registration is underway and time is flying as the greatest weekend of the year quickly approaches. Take advantage of the $10 discount by registering for camp by December 30th. Camp registration is complete once the SSM office receives the student's medical release form and payment. Remember, space is limited this year so stop by the Fighter table located in the Connection for everything you need to know about Winter Camp.
No COLLIDE until January 6th
The COLLIDE Ministry will begin preparation for the spring show begining Sunday, January 6th. Students who may have missed out on COLLIDE this semester will have an opportunity to jump on board as the group focuses on this year's theme, HERO.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
SSM Weekly Update - December 4
Winter Camp Registration is ON!!
Registration for the best weekend of 2013 have officially begun and spots are already filling up. It is important that parents and students understand that space is limited this year since we expect a larger group to attend than last year. As a result, do not delay in registering for the weekend and inviting other students to join in the incredible event.
The event will begin on Friday evening, January 18th and conclude on Monday afternoon, January 21st. The cost for the event is $85 but students who register before December 31st will receive a $10 discount. The are a limited number of partial scholarships for those who may need the assistance.
Registration packets can be picked up in the Core, the Connection, or the SSM area near the Lighthouse.
SSM Christmas Bash
Students will gather for a Christmas party on Sunday, December 16th from 5-9pm in the Core. The evening will include Christmas humor, games, food, and an epic campus-wide challenge! Here is what we would like for each student to bring: Guys - A favorite 2-liter Drink, Girls - A favorite snack or desert.
RAD Groups
This Sunday will be the final RAD group time for the semester. The start time for this week is 4pm instead of 5pm so that students and adults can attend the Children's Christmas musical in the Worship Center.
On Saturday, December 15th, each RAD Group will participate in delivering Angel Tree gifts to children in the community. Students will meet at the church at 10am and return by noon.
The event will begin on Friday evening, January 18th and conclude on Monday afternoon, January 21st. The cost for the event is $85 but students who register before December 31st will receive a $10 discount. The are a limited number of partial scholarships for those who may need the assistance.
Registration packets can be picked up in the Core, the Connection, or the SSM area near the Lighthouse.
SSM Christmas Bash
Students will gather for a Christmas party on Sunday, December 16th from 5-9pm in the Core. The evening will include Christmas humor, games, food, and an epic campus-wide challenge! Here is what we would like for each student to bring: Guys - A favorite 2-liter Drink, Girls - A favorite snack or desert.
RAD Groups
This Sunday will be the final RAD group time for the semester. The start time for this week is 4pm instead of 5pm so that students and adults can attend the Children's Christmas musical in the Worship Center.
On Saturday, December 15th, each RAD Group will participate in delivering Angel Tree gifts to children in the community. Students will meet at the church at 10am and return by noon.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
SSM Weekly Update - November 21
WINTER CAMP Registration begins next week!!!
As the SSM kicks off a new series, spend some time reading about what students will be focusing on and participating in during the next month. The Christmas season always brings a great amount of energy and excitment. As you read on, notice below the two goals for you as parents of teenagers involved in the SSM over the next several weeks.
"Earlier this week, Sara Konrath, a researcher at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, released her results on a study analyzing and comparing empathy among college students over the last 30 years. The results? The 'biggest drop in empathy' in recent history. She writes, 'College kids today are about 40 percent lower in empathy than their counterparts of 20 or 30 years ago.' In related survey research, psychologist Jean Twenge has labeled the current generation of young people the ‘iGeneration,’ or 'Generation Me.' In her books she describes how young people today ‘take it for granted that the self comes first,’ and has labeled this time a 'narcissism epidemic,' stating that we are ‘living in the age of entitlement.’ Konrath and O'Brien link the self-absorption and lack of empathy together, calling the current generation ‘one of the most self-centered, narcissistic, competitive, confident and individualistic in recent history... It's not surprising that this growing emphasis on the self is accompanied by a corresponding devaluing of others.’ See Article
The answers to these questions can be the springboard for helping you and your student determine where they can put their talent and interests to work for others. And remember, just because your student isn't excited by any and every project that comes along doesn't mean they aren't empathetic and it doesn't mean they aren't a great kid! You just may need to dig a bit more and get a bit more creative in figuring out what really ignites them to serve and see outside of themselves.
So, in order to give not only your student, but your entire family a chance to put yourselves in someone else's shoes and give back in a tangible way, we are inviting you and your family to participate in our H2GO! Initiative. Over the course of the next four weeks, you and your family will be taking some time to learn what it's like for many people in the world to go without clean drinking water. Using the following week-by-week action points, encourage your student to take some time and walk a bit in someone else's shoes. Encourage their ability to empathize and celebrate the changes you see in them as they learn to change their perspective and get a wider view of what life looks like for others who don't have the everyday luxuries we take for granted--like clean drinking water.
RAD Group Update
Rad groups have completed the Not a Fan focus and will not meet on Sunday, November 25th. Each group will meet the following Sunday, December 2nd and spend three weeks digging deeper into the teaching and focus of the new Wednesday night series (see below). This will create the perfect opportunity for additional students to join a RAD Group if they missed out on the Not a Fan series. Students will be able to sign up on Sunday or next Wednesday.
COLLIDE Update
Students planning to participate in the COLLIDE show in March will want to join the crew in the Core this Sunday at 5pm. COLLIDE leadership will reveal additional details about the show and also give students an opportunity to schedule audition times over the next couple of weeks. It is important that students remember that all acts of the show must relate to the HERO theme.
No Youth Worship Tonight, but new series starts next week!
Rad groups have completed the Not a Fan focus and will not meet on Sunday, November 25th. Each group will meet the following Sunday, December 2nd and spend three weeks digging deeper into the teaching and focus of the new Wednesday night series (see below). This will create the perfect opportunity for additional students to join a RAD Group if they missed out on the Not a Fan series. Students will be able to sign up on Sunday or next Wednesday.
COLLIDE Update
Students planning to participate in the COLLIDE show in March will want to join the crew in the Core this Sunday at 5pm. COLLIDE leadership will reveal additional details about the show and also give students an opportunity to schedule audition times over the next couple of weeks. It is important that students remember that all acts of the show must relate to the HERO theme.
No Youth Worship Tonight, but new series starts next week!
As the SSM kicks off a new series, spend some time reading about what students will be focusing on and participating in during the next month. The Christmas season always brings a great amount of energy and excitment. As you read on, notice below the two goals for you as parents of teenagers involved in the SSM over the next several weeks.
1.
Be a Student of What They are Learning
For
2000 years, Christians have gathered all over the world to celebrate the birth
of Christ, and not just as a historical event, but as a powerful reminder that
God doesn’t give up on his promises and as God’s children, we always have hope.
The Christmas story began with the nation of Israel, a group of people that had
good reason to lose hope—they hadn’t heard a word from God in hundreds of
years. To the poets, prophets, and priests, it seemed as if God might have
turned His back on them. The thrilling nature of the Christmas story is that
God didn’t turn His back, and although He had been silent, He had not been
still. A baby was coming. God was putting skin on and moving into the neighborhood.
Hope crashed into the silence.
2.
Be a Student of Your Student
Our kids are desensitized. Maybe that is a
sweeping generalization, but let’s be honest: how many times have you heard
people talk about the selfishness and lack of empathy in the upcoming
generation? To be completely fair, this is probably a label that every
generation tends to give the one coming up on their heels. But—whether we like
it or not—there is a growing body of research which suggests that our young
people today are lacking in empathy and sensitivity. Whether because of the
media barrage of violence, sexuality and not-so-real reality television shows
or simply because of a general lack of education and intergenerational
connectivity, more and more people are writing about this next generation’s
deficit in empathetic abilities.
An article in Psychology Today (June 5th, 2010) puts it this way:
"Earlier this week, Sara Konrath, a researcher at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, released her results on a study analyzing and comparing empathy among college students over the last 30 years. The results? The 'biggest drop in empathy' in recent history. She writes, 'College kids today are about 40 percent lower in empathy than their counterparts of 20 or 30 years ago.' In related survey research, psychologist Jean Twenge has labeled the current generation of young people the ‘iGeneration,’ or 'Generation Me.' In her books she describes how young people today ‘take it for granted that the self comes first,’ and has labeled this time a 'narcissism epidemic,' stating that we are ‘living in the age of entitlement.’ Konrath and O'Brien link the self-absorption and lack of empathy together, calling the current generation ‘one of the most self-centered, narcissistic, competitive, confident and individualistic in recent history... It's not surprising that this growing emphasis on the self is accompanied by a corresponding devaluing of others.’ See Article
These
are obviously scary words to read for those of us working with and raising the
next generation. But we don’t have to let research like this have the final
word! Our job as parents is to foster the values of empathy, listening, putting
others first and caring for others that we want to see in our kids for years to
come. And a great way to start is to find something that gets your student
excited and then channel that excitement into an avenue to serve and help
others. Here are some practical questions to ask your student to get thinking
about where they might want to give of themselves:
Taken from Focus on the Family - "What really drives you?"
- "What's the most fun you've ever had helping someone else?"
- "What dreams do you think God has given you?"
- "What can you do that most people can't?"
- "What ability would you most like to develop? Why?"
The answers to these questions can be the springboard for helping you and your student determine where they can put their talent and interests to work for others. And remember, just because your student isn't excited by any and every project that comes along doesn't mean they aren't empathetic and it doesn't mean they aren't a great kid! You just may need to dig a bit more and get a bit more creative in figuring out what really ignites them to serve and see outside of themselves.
So, in order to give not only your student, but your entire family a chance to put yourselves in someone else's shoes and give back in a tangible way, we are inviting you and your family to participate in our H2GO! Initiative. Over the course of the next four weeks, you and your family will be taking some time to learn what it's like for many people in the world to go without clean drinking water. Using the following week-by-week action points, encourage your student to take some time and walk a bit in someone else's shoes. Encourage their ability to empathize and celebrate the changes you see in them as they learn to change their perspective and get a wider view of what life looks like for others who don't have the everyday luxuries we take for granted--like clean drinking water.
3.
Action Point
Water.
We drink it. We bathe in it. We wash our clothes with it. We water our lawns
with it. Can you imagine your life without water? Can your student imagine his or
her life without water?
There
are many kids around the world who don’t have to imagine. They live it. More
than one billion people in the world don’t have access to clean water.
We
want to help people living in these conditions to not only imagine life with
clean water, but equip them to get it.
This
Christmas season, we’re excited to partner with Compassion International’s
Water of Life project with our own H2GO! initiative. As part of Compassion
International’s holistic child development, this trusted organization has
created an initiative that addresses one of the most basic needs of
children—clean water. In their Water of
Life project, Compassion is going into Uganda and other countries to help
families attain this most vital need. For just $79, Compassion can provide a
water filtering system with a reusable filter that will give one family a
million gallons of fresh water! (That’s 50+ years of water from the same
container.) The cost of a system also covers distribution and hands-on
education to help a family make the most effective use of their new filter.
This
H2GO! Parent CUE will help you—as a family—begin to understand the difficulties
a family faces when trying to obtain clean drinking water. This Parent CUE
presents your family with the opportunity to spend time each week of this
series exploring some of the hardships a Ugandan family faces without clean
water.
Along
with the following activities, as a family, you will decide how you will want
to get involved in raising funds for clean water.
Before
you present the H2GO! challenge to your family, be sure to read through the
activities below. The goal of the challenge is for your kids (and you) to
understand the hardships associated with a lack of clean drinking water. The
idea is for your family to participate in one activity a week. Over the course
of the month of December, the SSM will be collecting
donations towards the Water of Life Project at their weekly meetings. As a
family, over the course of the next couple of weeks, talk about how you will
want to raise or pull together some funds to contribute to H2GO! In addition,
along with the suggestions below, get creative to find ways to challenge your
family to raise funds while experiencing the impact that clean water—and a lack
of it—has on a family on a day-in-day-out basis.
Week
1: Watch. Sit down as a family and
watch the Water of Life video to see how Compassion’s Water of Life solves the
urgent need to provide safe drinking water for children (http://water.compassion.com/about-water-of-life/
… Go to “Downloadable Resources” at the bottom of the page and download the
four-minute video.) After
you watch the video, take a few minutes to answer the following questions.
·
What
are you usually doing at 6 am in the morning?
·
List
the various ways your family uses water. What if you had to use the same water
for all of these uses?
·
If
you had to walk a long distance to get your water, how do you think it would
change the way you use water?
·
If
you had to spend two hours of every day getting water to drink, how would that
change your day? What would have to be taken off your schedule?
·
If
you had to give up one thing that you use water for every day, what would it
be?
·
Why
do you think it’s important to provide clean water for one family? How will
clean water impact them and their community?
Week
2: Water only. Nix the coffee, sodas
and juice and choose to drink ONLY water for the next 24 hours. You may even wish
to do this for a longer period of time and put the money that your family would
spend on drinks towards H2GO!
Week
3: Muddy Water. Place a bottle of
filthy water by every faucet in the house as a reminder of how difficult it is
for many people to get water. Then, next
to it, place a pad of paper with a pen or pencil. For one day, every time
someone turns on the faucet, have them make a tally mark on the pad. Then
decide together as a family how much money you want each tally mark to
represent—a nickel, a dime, a dollar? At the end of your chosen day, sit
together as a family and count out the tally marks from the various faucets in
your house, multiply that by the amount you chose and give that money to your
student to take to youth group and give towards H2GO! this week.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
SSM Weekly Update - November 6
New SSM Staff Member
We are pumped about the newest addition to the SSM team! Timothy Davis, and his wife Sara, officially joined our team last week. During our worship time last Wednesday, students had the opportunity to get to know the Davis family through a unique Q&A time. Together they have a 4 month old son, TJ, who we have quickly fallen in love with!
In addition to his full-time teaching position at Bryan Adams High School, Timothy will be heavily involved in reaching students in our immediate community. He will serve alongside Wes while helping cast vision and direction within the student ministry, specifically high school ministry.
You will want to get to know both Timothy and Sara as soon as possible. They both have a passion to see students grow passionate in their walk with Jesus and reach our community with His love. Seek them out on Sunday, introduce yourself, and welcome them to the SFBC family!
COLLIDE
All students are invited to learn more about the Collide ministry and specifically about the Collide Production that will take place next spring. This Sunday, students will meet in the Core at 4:00pm to begin hearing about what will be involved during the next few months as the group prepares for the show in March. Wes, Jerrod McDaniel, and Russell Shaw will explain this year's theme, fundraising goals, and specific creative elements that will be part of the spring show.
Collide is a function of the student ministry that provides students in grades 7th-12th the opportunity to use their talents and abilities to perform in a way that creates instances to share the gospel. In addition, the Collide Show each spring is an important fundraiser for SSM mission trips each summer.
Parents are also welcome to attend this Sunday in the Core but it is not required.
Not a Fan
The Not a Fan series continues tomorrow night in the Core. As a group, we are asking God to work in a powerful way each week. The challenge for students is two part: 1. Show up expecting God to speak into your life and be ready to act on it. 2. Invite an unchurched friend or classmate. As parents, pray for each worship gathering by asking God to bring salvation and sanctification for each student!!
We are pumped about the newest addition to the SSM team! Timothy Davis, and his wife Sara, officially joined our team last week. During our worship time last Wednesday, students had the opportunity to get to know the Davis family through a unique Q&A time. Together they have a 4 month old son, TJ, who we have quickly fallen in love with! In addition to his full-time teaching position at Bryan Adams High School, Timothy will be heavily involved in reaching students in our immediate community. He will serve alongside Wes while helping cast vision and direction within the student ministry, specifically high school ministry.
You will want to get to know both Timothy and Sara as soon as possible. They both have a passion to see students grow passionate in their walk with Jesus and reach our community with His love. Seek them out on Sunday, introduce yourself, and welcome them to the SFBC family!
COLLIDE
All students are invited to learn more about the Collide ministry and specifically about the Collide Production that will take place next spring. This Sunday, students will meet in the Core at 4:00pm to begin hearing about what will be involved during the next few months as the group prepares for the show in March. Wes, Jerrod McDaniel, and Russell Shaw will explain this year's theme, fundraising goals, and specific creative elements that will be part of the spring show.
Collide is a function of the student ministry that provides students in grades 7th-12th the opportunity to use their talents and abilities to perform in a way that creates instances to share the gospel. In addition, the Collide Show each spring is an important fundraiser for SSM mission trips each summer.
Parents are also welcome to attend this Sunday in the Core but it is not required.
Not a Fan
The Not a Fan series continues tomorrow night in the Core. As a group, we are asking God to work in a powerful way each week. The challenge for students is two part: 1. Show up expecting God to speak into your life and be ready to act on it. 2. Invite an unchurched friend or classmate. As parents, pray for each worship gathering by asking God to bring salvation and sanctification for each student!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
SSM Weekly Update - October 31
Mission Belize
For those planning to join the team to going to Belize next July, the initial $150 deposit is due this Sunday, November 4th. The deposit will be non-refundable but can be transferred to someone up to90 days before the team departs. Deposits can be dropped off at the SSM office during normal office hours, placed in the offering plate, or dropped in the SSM drop-box located in the connection. If you would like to know the exact amount of money that your student has earned toward the trip from the Trunk or Treat concession stand then send a quick email to Wes.
Not a Fan Series Continues Tonight
Tonight will be amped up as the Not a Fan series continues. Since it's Halloween, we are asking all students to dress as the craziest fan of their favorite sports team, music group, or movie. There will be a $50 reward for the craziest fan!! Go all out!
Shoes for Orphan Souls
In case you haven't heard yet, our church collected 768 pairs of shoes to give to Shoes for Orphan Souls! It was once again a special time during the worship center as we prayed over the shoes and asked God to reveal His love to every single child or teenager that puts on those shoes. THANK YOU for joining in the effort!!
For those planning to join the team to going to Belize next July, the initial $150 deposit is due this Sunday, November 4th. The deposit will be non-refundable but can be transferred to someone up to90 days before the team departs. Deposits can be dropped off at the SSM office during normal office hours, placed in the offering plate, or dropped in the SSM drop-box located in the connection. If you would like to know the exact amount of money that your student has earned toward the trip from the Trunk or Treat concession stand then send a quick email to Wes.
Not a Fan Series Continues Tonight
Tonight will be amped up as the Not a Fan series continues. Since it's Halloween, we are asking all students to dress as the craziest fan of their favorite sports team, music group, or movie. There will be a $50 reward for the craziest fan!! Go all out!
Shoes for Orphan Souls
In case you haven't heard yet, our church collected 768 pairs of shoes to give to Shoes for Orphan Souls! It was once again a special time during the worship center as we prayed over the shoes and asked God to reveal His love to every single child or teenager that puts on those shoes. THANK YOU for joining in the effort!!
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