CONNECTING FAITH WITH EVERYDAY LIFE

Transcription

1 PHPC Youth Youth Ministry Guidebook CONNECTING FAITH WITH EVERYDAY LIFE

2 Pleasant Hill Youth Ministry "You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart" -Ecclesiastes 11:9 Our ministry with youth at PHPC reflects the PC(USA) Vision for Young People: In the midst of a beautiful and borken world, we have a vision for ministry with young people that unites youth in Christ with all other generations and proclaims the love of God without end. This vision gives us hope for a church that... Is authentic, made up of communities of faith that live what they proclaim; Participate in and pay witness to, the lively, joyful reality of the grace of God for the whole world. Helps young people to understand what it means to be saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that they will, as God does, view all people with love and possibility; Expresses God's boundless love by embracing young people as they are, where they are, and where they could be, inspiring them to share their ideas, dreams, and unique gifts with the world and the church; Acknowledges and celebrates youth as the keepers of God's world, capable of serving as agents of healing, friends to the friendless, and leaders along the path of Jesus; Encourages young people to live and lead with humility, but also with confidence and joy; Accepts that it may be changed, even re-made, through the power of the Spirit and by youth's energy, freshness and vitality.

3 A Message from Jennie and Andy A new year begins and there is much to look forward to as we grow and serve in ministry together. We are grateful to you, the youth and families of PHPC, who provide so much energy and support for the work that we get to share as we seek to follow Christ and serve in the world. Last year we saw some great movies, cheered on ATL United, lifted our voices at Montreat, grew in our faith serving in Asheville, wrestled with scripture, asked hard questions, and grew so much. What does God have in store for us this year? We can't wait to find out! Keep reading to get a glimpse of what is planned and where the Spirit is leading. Love y'all! Andy and Jennie

4 Get Connected List Look for s calling attention to important information, needed RSVPs, and all things youth group. to be added to the Middle School list and to be added to the High School List Blog Visit and subscribe to the PHPC Youth Group Blog page for weekly updates on youth group activities Text Alerts Sign up for our Remind text alerts to be notified of any changes or reminders. to Social Media Follow along with our fun through the PHPC Youth social media accounts. Join the Facebook group "PHPC Youth Ministry" on Instagram on Twitter

5 Youth Ministry Contacts Middle School Church School Teachers Michelle Wilson Dave Huffman Middle School Youth Advisors Patrick O'Farrell Shannon Hudson David Hudson Kelly LeBlond High School Church School Teachers Florence Milway Jeff Milway Marcia Neaton Wesley Reed John Su High School Youth Advisors Shannon Dodd Erik Mjorud Pastoral Staff for Youth Middle School Youth Rev. Jennie Sankey, Associate Pastor for Christian Education and MS Youth High School Youth Rev. Andy Acton, Associate Pastor for Missions and HS Youth

6 Sunday Mornings Middle School Church School 6th-8th Grade 9:40 a.m. B205 Come dig deeper into scripture and learn how it connects with your life alongside your peers. Youth Sunday February 10, 2019 Most Church School and Youth Group gatherings in January will be in preparation for a youth-led worship service. All youth are invited to participate in preparation and leadership. High School Church School 9th-12th Grade 9:40 a.m. B203 Your teachers are excited to listen with you to how God might be calling you through scripture, current events, and daily life to live and act. Worship All Ages 8:30 and 11:00 Children of God of all ages worship together at PHPC. Sit with your friends or family, grab a worship bag if you want and participate fully. Your leadership, feedback, and engagement are always welcome and encouraged.

7 Sunday Night Youth Group Youth Group is for all youth 6th-12th grades on Sunday nights. Together we grow in discipleship and share in ministry with a variety of games, themes, and opportunities to serve. All you need is yourself and $4 for dinner! Dinner 5:30 MS & HS Youth Group 5:30-7:30

8 Youth Group Special Events Special Events Sept 9, 16, 23: HSYG Let's Talk Mental Health September 16: MSYG Escape Room Sept 29: Duluth Fall Fest Parade October 28: MS&HSYG Corn Maze December 16: MS&HSYG Christmas Parties February 3: MSYG Souper Bowl of Caring February 10: Youth Sunday February 17: MS&HSYG "The Lego Movie 2" No Youth Nights September 3 October 7 November 18 December 23 December 30 January 20 March 31 April 21 April 28: End of Year Event!

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10 Hi Hope Second Sundays Starting in September, some of our friends from the Hi-Hope Center in Lawrencville will be joining us for dinner and activities on the second Sunday of the month. Hi-Hope Service Center provides quality services that empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to define and live a meaningful life. We hope to form relationships with these our sisters and brothers from Hi-Hope that grow and deepen.

11 Youth Music Ministry Youth Chorale Choir at PHPC has a new look! The Youth Chorale is a new ensemble that will be offered to our older elementary and youth singers, 4th grade and up. This group will offer an opportunity for youth to grow in their musicianship. Rehearsals will be held directly after church in the choir room, with four performances in worship a year. Register and join us on a new journey beginning September 9th Joyful NoiSe Ringers Our Children and Youth Bell Choirs will start back September 9th. This year there will be two options, one for younger ringers and one for older ringers, beginning at 12:50 on Sunday afternoons with Ms. Erin, directly after Youth Chorale. Feel free to ask Erin or Carol Ann to find which group is the best fit for you! Director of Children and Youth Choirs Erin Towe erin@pleasanthillpc.org

12 Get on the bus! Retreats Conferences and Trips Throughout the year our Youth Ministry sets aside time for rest, recreation, and reconnection. Each Trip is an opportunity to refocus our attention on God's work among us in order for our young people to be empowered to make their faith visible daily. Getting out of our every day routines and taking on the challenge of living out our faith within a community opens us up to be surprised by God at work in new ways. Everything we do is in response to the grace of God. Whether we are growing in faith in our church school classes, playing hard at Youth Fellowship, traveling to conferences, or serving our brothers and sisters in Christ near and far, we do what we do to grow stronger as the hands and feet of Christ. Of these varied experiences, youth grips are powerful, immersive experiences that challenge what we know, how we live, and grow our relationships with God and one another. Scholarships Enabling youth to have these experiences is a priority of PHPC. All conferences and service opportunities have scholarship built into the registration cost. If you need further financial assistance for a youthrelated experience, please contact Jennie or Andy. We want to make sure all youth are able to attend events, no matter the financial situation. This year we have exciting trips and local service opportunities for our youth. Every year, it's amazing to see how the Spirit moves, transforms, and bonds each group more deeply to their faith and one another in powerful and surprising ways. We hope your family will consider participating in these opportunities.

13 Middle School Retreat November 2-4 5:30 p.m.-12:00 p.m. $70 Due October 7 We always have a great time heading down to Hampton, GA for a weekend at the Calvin Center! There will be great speakers, fun camp activities, lots of time for play, and of course, a bonfire.

14 High School 30 Hour Famine November :00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Fundraising Event RSVP by November 4 It's a PHPC HS youth tradition to participate in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine. In solidarity with people who suffer from hunger and poverty, we will fast for 30 hours, participating in service, fundraising and reflection during our time together. We hope this experience cultivates compassion and awareness among our youth.

15 MS&HS MLK Service/Learning Retreat January :30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. $125 Due December 2 January 13 Trip Orientation We're trying something new! Come spend the weekend working with DOOR Atlanta, where we will serve and learn with vulnerable communities of our city in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Learn more at

16 Middle School In-Town Service Week June $15 ($65 with Friday) Due March 3 Middle School Service Week is a fantastic weeklong, half-day camp for all middle school youth providing youth with hands on experiences to learn and respond to the significant needs which exist only a few miles from their homes. On Friday, we will practice a sabbath rest with a day trip to Six Flags White Water. Registration covers supplies for the week, daily snack, and t-shirt. $65 covers the weeks registration as well as the Friday White Water admission and lunch. As our water park day is part of the week, you must attend the mission week to be able to attend White Water. Schedule for the week Monday-Thursday 8:45 a.m. meet at PHPC for a devotion and then depart for work sites. 12:00 p.m. return to PHPC for pick-up. Friday 8:45 a.m. meet at PHPC and depart for White Water 4:30 p.m. return to PHPC for pick-up.

17 Middle School Conference at Maryville College July $410 Due January 20 July 14 Trip Orientation The Middle School Conference is a fantastic event designed for youth who have completed fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade by summer 2018, and for their group leaders.the daily schedule includes keynote, worship, recreation, singing, small groups, and many other activities. We will stay on Maryville College's Campus and enjoy a week of fun and growth in our faith together. Learn more at

18 High School Montreat Youth Conference June 2-8 $590 Due by January 6 May 29 Trip Orientation Montreat Youth Conference (MYC) is a unique gathering of young people from all over the country for a week of study, worship, and recreation. Activities include morning energizers, music, keynote, small group meetings, afternoon recreation activities, and evening worship. MYC is designed for high school students and for their group leaders. Learn more at

19 High School International Mission Trip June $800 In-Country $ Air Travel In-Country Deposit of $200 due 9/16 Trip Orientation Meetings and Payments: November 4, 12:00-1:30, no payment due February 24, 12:00-1:30, $200 payment April 7 12:00-1:30, $200 payment May 5, 12:00-1:30, $200 final payment HOI is a Christ-centered missions organization working alongside people of developing countries who desire to implement sustainable development partnerships. HOI's vision is to create life-changing relationships between the people of developing countries and North Americans, while promoting community directed and integrated spiritual, physical, educational and economic development of men, women and children in the developing world through the promotion of dignity, mutual cooperation and self-sufficiency. Learn more at

20 Youth Group Forms Follow the link or QR code to our Youth Group forms. Please fill out a form for each youth participant in your household.