NIGHT OF GAMES: Friday, February 7th 6-8:30pm. A fun night of Sardines and Grog for our 9th and 10th graders! Meet in the Youth Area!

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1 February 2014 A Message from Mary Hello parents of 7th-12th graders! I pray this letter finds you well and warm! As I sit here trying to come up with a thought provoking and encouraging bit of wisdom for you, the Lord has placed Mary Johnson Assistant Youth Director the word ENDURE on my heart. We re in the middle of winter. Halfway through the cold, the slushy snow, the bulky coats, the heating bills. I think it s safe to say we d all like Mr. Groundhog to give spring the go-ahead. Unfortunately, we have no control over the weather and must endure the cold as long as it s here. In the same way, we as Christians are called to endure hardships and trials, with very little to no control on our part. James 1 encourages us saying, God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (v. 12). Too often we run scared from the trials we are faced with, unwilling to allow God to work His miracles. Fear causes us to stumble, keeping us from leaning back against our Abba Father, breathing deeply, and saying I trust you. God knows it s difficult. He knows our pain and fear. But He desires a crown of life for all of us and says to us. I know, Beloved. Just hold on a little longer. Trust me, it will all be worth it in the end. I can t wait to show you what I have in store for you! So, ENDURE, friends. He s got you. Just think of how wonderful that crown of life will look on and how proud your Papa will be. On our calendar for February SUNDAY SCHOOL: Every 9:30-10:30am in the Youth Area. 9th-12th graders meet in the High room with Anna, and 7th and 8th graders meet in the Middle Room with Mary, Ben, and Dave. MOSAIC: Every Wednesday 5:30-7:15pm. It s a mid-week boost for your faith! Come hang out with us and enjoy large group activities and our awesome small groups! CATECHISM:, February 9th 4-8pm. This month we begin exploring the Apostle s Creed. Meet in Jack s Place with $3 for dinner if you haven t already paid. SLEDDING: Monday, February 17th 1-3pm. President s Day means no school and we are having a sledding day for our 7th and 8th graders! Meet us at the Ashland Country Club with your sled! NIGHT OF GAMES: Friday, February 7th 6-8:30pm. A fun night of Sardines and Grog for our 9th and 10th graders! Meet in the Youth Area! The following pages are this month s ParentLink guide, giving you insight into today's media and also providing some advice for you as a parent raising your child in the faith. Happy reading!

But God entrusts Christian parents to provide instruction about him and his laws (see Deuteronomy 6:5-9). So what are parents to do especially when church seems boring or irrelevant even to you?

2 THEPARENTLINK February 2014 FOR PARENTS OF TEENS MAKING CHURCH IRRESISTIBLE Getting teenagers to church can be a Herculean task. At some point, it s tempting to stop fighting with kids and just let them make their own decisions about faith and worship. But God entrusts Christian parents to provide instruction about him and his laws (see Deuteronomy 6:5-9). So what are parents to do especially when church seems boring or irrelevant even to you? Thom and Joani Schultz tackle that topic in their new book Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore (Group Publishing). People today often complain that churches aren t making Jesus real to them, yet the message of Jesus unconditional love is needed now more than ever. One solution, the Schultzes say, is to understand how people actually discover and learn for themselves through conversation, experience, and story-based approaches. Just look at how Jesus interacted in his ministry, Joani told GROUP magazine. He was very relational and asked lots of great questions that forced people to grapple and discover for themselves. We need to really trust that process because Jesus did; we forget that we can trust the Holy Spirit. We create an environment that is rich with love and acceptance and the Gospel, and then we let God go to town. Churches and parents can embrace this advice as they work together to engage young people with worship and, ultimately, with God. THE VIEW Ponder these findings about people s focus and priorities: Teenagers say their top need is help building a positive relationship with God. Group magazine Personal activities, hobbies, hanging out with friends, and earning money come well ahead of evangelism as priorities for the average Christian teenager. Dare 2 Share Only 12% of American adults say faith is a top priority in their lives. Barna Group TIPS >>> PONDER THIS In Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore, Thom and Joani Schultz recommend four acts of love that are based on how Jesus lived. Use these acts to help bring kids closer to God: Radical Hospitality. Kids feel welcome when they re known by name, accepted, appreciated, missed when they aren t around, and loved unconditionally. Express the joy you find in simply being with your kids. Fearless Conversation. Interact with kids verbally about what they re learning in church or youth group, beyond fact-based questions. Don t be afraid to discuss tough topics that teenagers wonder about and would benefit from discussing. Kids are already wondering about the tough stuff and need to know that God is with them throughout it. Be real. Be authentic. Let God s Holy Spirit guide you. Genuine Humility. Focus more on the relationship that you and your kids are developing with God than on appearances and various accomplishments. There s freedom and relief in that. Divine Anticipation. As you talk to kids about God and the Bible, it s easy to get stuck in the past tense. Yet teenagers need to know that God is very much here now. Invite them to watch for God in everyday details and to share these God sightings with you. That habit will help them develop a personal, blessed expectation of God. What positive and negative connotations do you have about church, and how do they compare to your kids views? What things or people get you most excited about worship, and why? What are some ways you can ignite your own faith and your teenager s?

Can you feel his love flowing in your veins? It s so amazing that he died for you! You re at the beginning of the best but most arduous journey of your life.

3 A Christian school asked 14-year-olds to share advice with a new believer. Here are excerpts from one of the letters: HEARTFELT ADVICE Dearest Warrior, I know you ve recently made the most important decision of your life. You re now secure in the Savior s arms. Can you feel his love flowing in your veins? It s so amazing that he died for you! You re at the beginning of the best but most arduous journey of your life. To grow closer to God, you must study his Word. You also can talk to the Savior he absolutely loves to listen to you. You must quiet your heart to hear him, though. The Savior is quiet, and you RESOURCE Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers can t hear him if you re surrounded by noise. Another great way to grow is to fellowship with other Christians. This isn t necessarily always in a church building it could mean attending a small group or praying with Christian friends. The Word says that when two or more Christians come before God, something amazing happens. Remember though you re saved, you re still a sinner and nowhere near perfect. The Destroyer will still try to tempt you, even though you re a child of God. A great example of how to react is in Matthew 4:1-11. When Satan tempted Jesus, he simply replied by By Brian Berry quoting Scripture. Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about the armor of God, which protects you from evil. The step after growing in your faith is sharing God s Word with others. At first this may be terrifying, but as your passion for the Savior grows, so will your passion to share him with others. Some people will openly accept Jesus, but others will reject him. Don t get discouraged when people reject him. It isn t your job to work in their hearts; that s what God does. I hope you ll take my advice and grow in your love and admiration for the Savior. GROUP magazine Church As It Should Be, a six-week downloadable sermon series based on the book of Acts, offers young people a broader understanding of what this church thing is all about and what role they can play in God s kingdom. Available at simplyyouthministry.com. BIBLE FOCUS You are fellow citizens with God s people and members of God s household with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-20

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT MAINSTREAM MUSIC JENNIFER NETTLES Background: Nettles, 39, is best known as lead vocalist of the awardwinning country group Sugarland.

) In 2008, Nettles launched Common Thread, which encourages musicians to raise money for their favorite charities.

affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do when collaborating.

v=yh4n9tds5yo CHRISTIAN MUSIC JAMIE GRACE Background: Toby Mac discovered this singer-songwriter via YouTube in 2010. Two years later, she won the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year.

4 MEDIA SPOTLIGHT MAINSTREAM MUSIC JENNIFER NETTLES Background: Nettles, 39, is best known as lead vocalist of the awardwinning country group Sugarland. Now she s releasing her long-anticipated debut solo album, which explores her roots in both country and gospel music. (Nettles began singing in her Southern Baptist church while growing up in Georgia.) In 2008, Nettles launched Common Thread, which encourages musicians to raise money for their favorite charities. Albums: That Girl (2014) What Nettles Says: Of venturing into a solo album, she says, I think it s way more intimate to me and way more personal in the sense that when you collaborate you re affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do when collaborating. Explore: In That Girl, Nettles sings about not wanting to break up a marriage. The video is available here: v=yh4n9tds5yo CHRISTIAN MUSIC JAMIE GRACE Background: Toby Mac discovered this singer-songwriter via YouTube in Two years later, she won the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year. Her single Hold Me hit it big on Christian radio. Grace, now 22, was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at age 11. Albums: Ready to Fly (2014), One Song at a Time (2011) What Grace Says: When discussing her song God Girl, she says, I don t know if the first guy I date will end up being my husband, but I do know I m not going to date anyone who isn t husband material. If a guy isn t working with me spiritually, doesn t respect my parents, and doesn t respect his parents, then he s not dating material because he s not husband material. Explore: Watch the video for Grace s new single Beautiful Day here: v=upy0ctqmwe0 MOVIES Movie: Ride Along Genre: Action, Comedy Rating: PG-13 Synopsis: In this buddy comedy, a security guard (Kevin Hart) joins a cop (Ice Cube) for patrol duty to prove he s worthy of marrying the cop s sister. You Should Know: The movie received a PG-13 rating for sequences of violence, sexual content and brief strong language. Movie: Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy Rating: Not yet rated Synopsis: In this movie, based on the best-selling Vampire Academy books, two best friends with vampire roots face a threat from undead vampires. You Should Know: This film, which releases on Valentine s Day, hopes to fill the vampire void left by the completed Twilight series. VIDEO GAMES Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII In this game, players have 13 days to accomplish specific tasks before a doomsday clock runs out. They choose which souls to save and take to a new world. (Rated T; PS3, Xbox 360) Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare This series combines traditional shooter games with humor. Players can compete in four-player co-op mode or 24-player online battles. (Rating pending; Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows)

FEBRUARY 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 High Blue Middle Green All Youth Red Special Events

the weekend of February 21-23. Tickets can be purchased at the box office starting at $4.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9th & 10th Grade Game Night (6:00-8:30) 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Catechism (4:00-8:00)

5 FEBRUARY 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 High Blue Middle Green All Youth Red Special Events Orange Other - Black The students of will be putting on a musical production of Crazy For You during the weekend of February Tickets can be purchased at the box office starting at $4. Come support your TLC friends and enjoy the show! th & 10th Grade Game Night (6:00-8:30) Catechism (4:00-8:00) Valentine s Day President s Day Sledding (1:00-3:00) NO MOSAIC (7:00) (7:00) (2:00) Mary Johnson (Youth Minister) mary@trinityashland.org

THE VIEW TIPS >>> THEPARENTLINK IGNITE LACKLUSTER FAITH. June 2012 FOR PARENTS OF TEENS PONDER THIS

THE VIEW TIPS >>> THEPARENTLINK IGNITE LACKLUSTER FAITH. June 2012 FOR PARENTS OF TEENS PONDER THIS THEPARENTLINK June 2012 FOR PARENTS OF TEENS IGNITE LACKLUSTER FAITH THE VIEW Researchers say that although many teenagers call themselves Christians, they often just go through the motions of religion.