Parent Update 12-07-09

Dear parents,
 
I hope you are doing great! I don’t know about you, but December has already stressed me out, and it’s only the 7th! I sincerely hope that we as Christians can learn to rest in God’s presence and not get caught in the world’s traps of the holidays.  I’ve really enjoyed what Silver Creek has been doing this year in this season of Advent (preparation for the coming of Christ). Each week, we have a new person dressed as a character of the Christmas story sharing their views on the subject. It’s all tying in on preparing for the arrival for Christ.  2,000 years later, we’re still called to prepare for the arrival of Christ. Yes, Christ has come and ascended to Heaven, but He has promised to return to reclaim His kingdom, and this year has allowed me to focus more on that. 
 
Here are some thoughts on how you could ensure your family keeps a proper focus on the Holidays this year. These are just some ideas….
 
Read the “Christmas story” of the Bible in Luke together as a family. (Andrea’s family has done (and still does- with the additin of some husbands every year).
 
Watch “The Nativitiy” film that came out a few years ago.  It should be available at any video rental store.
 
Serve together at a soup kitchen or the Salvation Army.
 
Create a family ofering plate where sons/daughters can donate some allowance to a charity- a great one is World Vision.
 
Or anything that you may think of, but let us all return to the Spirit of Christmas together. 
 
There is no new parent newsletter today, so I just wanted to leave you with those tips and the update of information for SWIFT. This week is our Christmas party, and we won’t meet again until January 3. Winterzone is over New Year’s Eve!
 
Thank you parents!
Tyler
 
Hey Everyone!
 
Happy SWIFT Merry Christmas Week! This is the week that things start to wind down in 2009 for SWIFT, and it’s the week that we celebrate 2009 and Christmas with our annual Christmas party!!! It’s going to be a Holly Jolly Good Time! So make sure you come out, have fun, and blow off some steam from studying finals this Sunday!
 
Here are some other things happening this week….
 
Tues- Freeport JH guys game in Freeport JH! Come support some players and cheerleaders at this game!
 
Wed (assuming there isn’t 12 inches of snow!)- FCA is at 6:45 AM at Forreston High School. This is the last one of 2009.
 
See our singers get their sing on at the choir concert in Forreston JH as our Forreston JH and HS students are performing.
 
Sun- Sunday School at 9:00 AM (HS join up with Young adult class).
        Worship Service at 10:00 AM
I am copying and pasting information from the Christmas flier to let you know about the rest of the day!!
 
December 13 is a full day.  Here is what you need to know for this last SWIFT Sunday in 2009!!
Christmas Caroling:  This event is for your whole family.  Come for a potluck at noon (bring a dish to pass, a drink for yourself, and your own table service- forks, knives, spoons, napkins, plates, etc.) Then, at one, everyone will break into different groups and go sing Christmas carols to those who are sick and shut in at Silver Creek.
What time? The pot-luck starts at noon.  Groups should be done by 3:00 PM. 
Christmas PAR- TAY!!
Later that night, we will have our annual SWIFT Christmas party.  It happens at the same time as SWIFT (JH 5:00-6:30 & HS 7:00-8:30).  This party is a great way to celebrate the year that we had in SWIFT!
What should I bring? Guys bring a drink, and girls bring a snack.  You will also want to bring a white elephant gift.  (A white elephant gift is a humorous gift- don’t put your name or anyone’s name on it- just wrap it and bring it in.)
This party is also an ugly sweater party.  Wear your most ugly, hideous, or disgusting Christmas sweaters you have (you can steal one from your dad’s closet). Complete your prize with those Christmas pj pants, socks, or whatever you may have. Whoever has the most hideous Christmas sweater will win a prize!
Other News….
You HAVE New Year’s Plans, and they include having a BLAST at Winterzone! This New Year’s Lock in starts at 4:00 PM New Years Eve. Click the Link to see what you should bring.
http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/winterzone-2009-2010/
Thanks guys! Have a great week! C ya soon!
Tyler

SWIFT Update: Christmas PAR-TAY!

Hey Everyone!
 
Happy SWIFT Merry Christmas Week! This is the week that things start to wind down in 2009 for SWIFT, and it’s the week that we celebrate 2009 and Christmas with our annual Christmas party!!! It’s going to be a Holly Jolly Good Time! So make sure you come out, have fun, and blow off some steam from studying finals this Sunday!
 
Here are some other things happening this week….
 
Tues- Freeport JH guys game in Freeport JH! Come support some players and cheerleaders at this game!
 
Wed (assuming there isn’t 12 inches of snow!)- FCA is at 6:45 AM at Forreston High School. This is the last one of 2009.
 
See our singers get their sing on at the choir concert in Forreston JH as our Forreston JH and HS students are performing.
 
Sun- Sunday School at 9:00 AM (HS join up with Young adult class).
        Worship Service at 10:00 AM
I am copying and pasting information from the Christmas flier to let you know about the rest of the day!!
 

December 13 is a full day.  Here is what you need to know for this last SWIFT Sunday in 2009!!

Christmas Caroling:  This event is for your whole family.  Come for a potluck at noon (bring a dish to pass, a drink for yourself, and your own table service- forks, knives, spoons, napkins, plates, etc.) Then, at one, everyone will break into different groups and go sing Christmas carols to those who are sick and shut in at Silver Creek.

What time? The pot-luck starts at noon.  Groups should be done by 3:00 PM. 

Christmas PAR- TAY!!

Later that night, we will have our annual SWIFT Christmas party.  It happens at the same time as SWIFT (JH 5:00-6:30 & HS 7:00-8:30).  This party is a great way to celebrate the year that we had in SWIFT!

What should I bring? Guys bring a drink, and girls bring a snack.  You will also want to bring a white elephant gift.  (A white elephant gift is a humorous gift- don’t put your name or anyone’s name on it- just wrap it and bring it in.)

This party is also an ugly sweater party.  Wear your most ugly, hideous, or disgusting Christmas sweaters you have (you can steal one from your dad’s closet). Complete your prize with those Christmas pj pants, socks, or whatever you may have. Whoever has the most hideous Christmas sweater will win a prize!

Other News….

You HAVE New Year’s Plans, and they include having a BLAST at Winterzone! This New Year’s Lock in starts at 4:00 PM New Years Eve. Click the Link to see what you should bring.

http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/winterzone-2009-2010/

Thanks guys! Have a great week! C ya soon!

Tyler

SWIFT Update 11:30:09

Hey everyone!

I hope you feel well rested after your extra long weekend, and I don’t know about you, but I am for sure ready for Christmas time. We got our Christmas tree and house already decorated and set up, and I am sure many of you do to. It’s a great time to drink some hot chocolate, wrap some gifts, and remember how Christ came to earth to save us from our sin. If you remember from last night, Jesus is the SOLUTION to our brokenness caused by sin. Spend time today thanking Him for that.

This week is pretty busy, so here’s what’s up…

Tuesday- HS guys play in Forreston- go on and support your friends as they have their game at 6!

Wednesday-For HS Forreston students, FCA is at 6:45 AM. We’re continuing the video of the teenagers visiting Vietnam and witnessing the persecution of Christians there.
HS girls play in Forreston at 6 pm as well. Sadly, I cannot be there as I have a visitation to be at. (Please pray for my family as my step-grandfather passed away in the middle of Saturday night).

Thursday- JH guys are playing at 4 PM in Forreston. (Again, sorry I can’t be there as that is the day of the funeral).

Saturday- The HS Madrigal Dinner is happening! (6:00 PM)

Sunday- Sunday School at 9:00 AM
Worship Service at 10:00
Sponsor Meeting right after church.
JH SWIFT from 5:00-6:30 PM
HS SWIFT from 7:00-8:30 PM

We’re nearing the end of “His Story” Last night, we saw that Jesus is the solution to the brokenness. This week, we’re going to see what that means for us today.

Other News….
Don’t forget about the Christmas party and caroling happening on December 13.  Also, don’t forget about Winterzone! Details and more  can be found at http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/

Have a great week guys! See ya soon!
Tyler

Online Devotions 11-30-09

Online Devotions- Luke week 10

 

Day 1- Read Luke 20:41-21:4

 

Jesus turned the questions back onto the religious leaders.  He asked them a question about the Messiah. The religious leaders thought that the messiah would only be a human, but Jesus is again explaining that He is both God and man.

 

Jesus gave us warnings about teachers who teach for the wrong motives. Some teachers enjoyed the advantages of teaching, and they took advantage of the poor. When listening to teachers of God’s word, make sure that the teacher is doing his/her best to accurately teach God’s word, and that they are doing it out of love and not for praise or recognition.  You don’t want to be swayed by false teachers who are only looking out for themselves.

 

How can you be like the widow? She gave sacrificially. The others gave of their extra resources, but the widow gave all she had to God. How can you give to others sacrificially? Is it your time, money, resources? How can you show to God that you give more than just the leftovers?

 

Day 2- Read Luke 21:5-38

 

What is your initial reaction to Jesus’ teaching about the end of the age?

 

Are the signs around us? Why or why not?

 

Every generation has had the signs of the end of the age- meaning Jesus can come at any moment. There are moments of terror, wars, natural disasters, and such. We should be ready for the return of Christ at any moment as He comes and claims us as His own!

 

Re-read v 17-19. Many people hate Christians, and they want them to die or be silenced.  How can you take encouragement from these verses? Will you stand firm?

 

Day 3- Read Luke 22: 1-38

 

Think about this conversation between Jesus and the disciples.  Jesus is telling them that he is going to be betrayed, and that they should get the swords ready. He teaches them on servanthood. He tells them to eat his body by eating bread and drink his blood by drinking the wine as a symbol showing that they are together.  What do you think went through their minds? You may experience some times of “What God? Or why God?” As they must have. Pray about these situations. Ask leaders about the questions you may have.

 

Day 4- Read Luke 22:39-65

 

Jesus showed great submission to God the Father. Jesus was praying and asking for another way, but He said it wasn’t up to Him, it was completely up to God the Father.

 

Peter is distraught and sad for disowning Jesus. Have you ever denied knowing Jesus? What did that feel like? We should be proud that we know such a Savior and amazing God! Be proud that you know God today- not ashamed.

 

Day 5- Read Luke 22:66-23:56 (I know it seems long, but it is really only just two pages)

 

This is the sad account of Jesus’ death and burial- but there is an amazing truth. The curtain in the Temple tore in two. This represented something huge. The curtain represented the separation between God and man.  It separated them, but at the moment of Jesus’ death- the curtain tore.  It showed that man can now be with God through Jesus. Think about that for a while.

 

Day 6- Read Luke 24: 1-12

 

Why is Jesus rising from the dead so important?

 

Jesus rising from the dead shows us that there is victory over death.  Jesus not only paid for our sin, but He proved that there is life after death.  Not only this, Jesus promises us that we will live forever with Him. We will take part in the same kind of resurrection because of Jesus. Jesus is clearly God and the Savior for all!

 

Day 7- Read Luke 24:13-53

 

The story of the two men to Emmaus is only recorded in Luke, and it is a fascinating story.  Jesus explained to these two men how Jesus really is the Christ, and he explained all that happened had happened for a purpose- for Jesus to save us from sin.

 

Jesus finally appeared to His disciples, and He showed them that He truly was the Christ- God and man. He promised that they would start sharing the truth that sins will be forgiven through Jesus’ name.

 

We have the opportunity to keep sharing the message that Jesus is our savior and He forgives our sins. Who will you share this message with today?

SWIFT Update: Gobble Gobble

Hey everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving week! It should be great. Only three days of school, and a four day weekend! A time to be with family and friends and eat some great food! I love Thanksgiving. It’s that final push that gives me the energy I need to get to Christmas!

Here’s a thought- There’s been a really cool thing a lot of people have been doing on Facebook lately. Each day, they put a new thing that they’re thankful for until the day of Thanksgiving.  In your own time with God this week, write down 5 things that you’re thankful for. Start with today- write 5 things. Then tomorrow, write five different things, then Wed, five more different things, and then Thursday, the final 5 things. See all of what you are thankful for! I think you’ll have a great time thinking it through.

Here’s what’s going on this week….

Today- HS Girls are continuing their Turkey Tournament run tonight in Forreston at 7:45 PM.

Tuesday- JH Guys basketball in Forreston starting at 4:00 PM. Support your friends!

Wednesday- FCA at 6:45 AM in Forreston.  This week, we’re going to start an amazing video that Hanna let me know about. It is 8 teenagers going to Vietnam to see firsthand the persecution Christians face their, and lessons that they learn about their faith along the way.  You def wanna check it out.  Breakfast is provided. If you live in G.V and need a ride, text me by Tues night.

Sunday- Sunday School at 9 AM.
Worship Service at 10 AM.
JH SWIFT from 5:00-6:30 PM
HS SWIFT from 7:00-8:30 PM- We’ve been talking about the problem of broken relationships due to sin. This week, we’re going to talk about the SOLUTION.

Other News…
go to http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/ to find fliers for Winterzone and our December calendar!

December 13- Christmas caroling at noon and Christmas party at regular SWIFT time!

Have a happy Thanksgiving week!

Tyler

Online Devotions 11-23-09

Online Devotions- Luke Week 9

 

Day 1- Read Luke 18:15-29

 

How do little children act? They get excited. They anxiously wait for something to happen. They are curious and want to learn. Jesus wants us to come to him this way- excited, waiting for Him to do something, and curious about Him and wanting to learn from Him.  Approach Jesus like a child today!

 

The rich man was holding onto his riches. He did not want to leave them to follow Christ. What is holding you back from following Christ? Are you willing to let it go? After all, Jesus said that you will receive much more than what you will leave behind.

 

Day 2- Read Luke 18:31-43

 

What in this reading stuck out to you the most? Will you let Jesus heal you of what you need healing of? Do you need physical, emotional, or spiritual healing? Ask Jesus to heal you!

 

Day 3- Read Luke 19:1-10

 

Zaccheus was a crook. He cheated people out of taxes, and he was greedy.  In fact, many Jewish people labeled him a traitor. The Romans would hire tax collectors to collect taxes from their people to give back to the Romans.  So Zaccheus was a hired Jew to cheat other Jews out of taxes and give them to the oppressive empire.  However, his encounter with Jesus radically changed his life.  Zaccheus gave what he had away to the poor. How has your encounters with God changed your life?

 

Day 4- Read Luke 19:11-27

 

This is an interesting and often difficult parable to understand. With the aid of my study Bible, let’s look at it.

 

Many Jewish people thought that the Messiah (or Savior) that God would send would overthrow the Roman Empire. They thought the Messiah would be a political king- not an eternal king.

 

Jesus is our King.  However, He is our king over many things besides our political matters. Jesus is the King that went away for a while, and he trusted the others with the issues at hand- like the king in the parable.

 

What was the deal with money? Well look at the parable- The man was punished because he didn’t share his master’s interest in the kingdom, he didn’t trust his master, his only concern was for himself, and he did nothing to use the money.  He did nothing to follow his master’s will.

 

We are the man, and Jesus is the king. Jesus wants us to advance his kingdom (share his love with others).  Will you use the gifts that he has given you to share with others?

 

Day 5- Read Luke 19:28-48

 

The Pharisees were mad at the fact that Jesus was accepting worship as the Messiah, Savior, and God.  When the Pharisees told Jesus to tell his followers to stop worshipping Him, Jesus’ response was that the actual earth would worship Him if others did not.  How do you live a life of worship to God? Spend time telling Him how great He is today!

 

Day 6- Read Luke 20:1-19

 

Jesus is describing the parable about him.  He is showing the Pharisees that He knows that they plan on killing Him, and He is sharing that it is God who lovingly sent His son to show the world His way.  This is Jesus sharing a parable and story about God’s plan and His own life.

 

Day 7- Read Luke 20:20-39

 

Here we see two examples of people trying to trick Jesus into saying something wrong. Jesus spoke wisely and did not give them an opportunity to do so.

 

Unfortunately, some people try to do this to Christians as well today. They try to get them to say something wrong in public.  They try to confuse them with questions. The best way to respond to it- KNOW your Bible. Know what you know about God. Spend time knowing who Jesus is, His actual claims, and know why you believe what you believe.  That way you cannot be trapped into questions just like Jesus wasn’t.

Parent Update: 11-16-09

Dear parents,

I had so much fun last night worshipping, playing games, and discussing the fact that God does extreme transformations in our heart just like the ABC team transforms homes for those in need on Extreme Makeover Home Edition. It was fun watching the local episode with them last night.

We talked about God changing our hearts, attitudes, priorities, and lives. God has drastically changed my life from being a punk high school guy who tried to make out with every girl I could, looked down on others and on life, and had language that resembled that.  A cool activity that you could try to do this week is to think about how God has changed your life, and talk about it with your son/daughter. It may be a great conversation that they need to hear.

I am attaching the news and notes that I sent to students, and then I am also including the Real Parent Newsletter. Check them out. There is valuable information in it all. Thanks! – Tyler

Thanks to everyone for making Hoops of Hope uber successful. We raised over $2600 to help save kids orphaned by AIDS. That is so awesome. I’m hoping to show the video from it this Sunday at SWIFT!
Here are some things happening this week…
Tuesday- Support the JH guys in Forreston for basketball at 4. I can’t make this one, but if you get a shot, go on out and see them rock it.
Wednesday- FCA is at Forreston high school at 7 AM. Text me Tuesday if you need a ride!
Thursday- Pray for me as I teach a bunch of college students at Unite about Christians and alcohol.
Friday- The HS Girls basketball season begins! They play 7:00ish in the Forreston Tournament.
Saturday- Paper Drive from 9-11 AM. We really need some help for this. This is at the funeral home, and we make some money off of it to pay for SWIFT events.
Sunday- Sunday School at 9 AM
Worship at 10 AM
JH SWIFT at 5:00- 6:30 PM
HS SWIFT from 7:00-8:30 PM- This week at SWIFT, we’re continuing to look at the story of the Bible. This week, Jesus enters the picture, and we’ll see how His teaching shakes things up!
Other News…
Know what’s going on in December. Get the calendar at the link below…
http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/december-2-remember/
You don’t wanna miss out at Winterzone. Get the info here.
http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/winterzone-2009-2010/

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

When God Changes the Plan

Does your family live and die by a schedule or is constant, spontaneous change of direction the norm in your household? Neither approach to life is wrong, necessarily, but we want to help our kids to learn both wise planning…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/when_god_changes_the_plan/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.
http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Automagically = something that happens automatically, but that also has some mysterious, “magical” element to it. “Smart” appliances, features, etc. that do intelligent things with less help than you might expect
Mantrum = when a grown man throws a tantrum when he can’t have his way

3. Links to Learn From

Fort Hood Shooting: Five tips to help parents talk to their kids about violence in the news
http://www.examiner.com/x-14708-Toddlers-to-Teens-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Fort-Hood-Shooting-Five-tips-to-help-parents-talk-to-their-kids-about-violence-in-the-news
Teenage pregnancy does not discriminate
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=861929&category=OPINION
Hunger in America: Half of Our Kids on Food Stamps
http://chattahbox.com/us/2009/11/03/hunger-in-america-half-of-our-kids-on-food-stamps/

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

SWIFT Update 11-16-09

Hey everyone!

I had a blast watching the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with you last night! It was really neat to see how they transformed that house near Lena. I was reminded this morning again of how God transforms our lives. Remember to live as a new creation, cause God has radically transformed all of us who have put our faith in Him!

Thanks to everyone for making Hoops of Hope uber successful. We raised over $2600 to help save kids orphaned by AIDS. That is so awesome. I’m hoping to show the video from it this Sunday at SWIFT!

Here are some things happening this week…

Tuesday- Support the JH guys in Forreston for basketball at 4. I can’t make this one, but if you get a shot, go on out and see them rock it.

Wednesday- FCA is at Forreston high school at 7 AM. Text me Tuesday if you need a ride!

Thursday- Pray for me as I teach a bunch of college students at Unite about Christians and alcohol.

Friday- The HS Girls basketball season begins! They play 7:00ish in the Forreston Tournament.

Saturday- Paper Drive from 9-11 AM. We really need some help for this. This is at the funeral home, and we make some money off of it to pay for SWIFT events.

Sunday- Sunday School at 9 AM
Worship at 10 AM
JH SWIFT at 5:00- 6:30 PM
HS SWIFT from 7:00-8:30 PM- This week at SWIFT, we’re continuing to look at the story of the Bible. This week, Jesus enters the picture, and we’ll see how His teaching shakes things up!

Other News…
Know what’s going on in December. Get the calendar at the link below…
http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/december-2-remember/

You don’t wanna miss out at Winterzone. Get the info here.
http://swiftyouthministry.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/winterzone-2009-2010/

Thanks guys! Have a great week!
Tyler

Winterzone 2009-2010

December 2 Remember