Merry Backwards

Christmas seems so backwards, doesn't it? People suddenly become extra generous (except my 3 year old who would rather get than give). We give to organizations that help under-privileged people. We drop money in the Salvation Army buckets. We give our time to serve at soup kitchens and food pantries. Companies give their employees bonus checks.

But where did all of this backwards thinking begin? Why is this holiday known as Christmas so much different than any other time of the year? Why is this season marked with generosity?

We're going to unpack this idea over the next couple weeks at VIBE. We're going to look at the most generous gift ever given to our world. Join us Sunday nights from 5:45-7:15 pm central.

Upcoming Dates

• December 6 - Last chance to turn in 3dyc forms/money (click here for more details)
• December 6 & 13 - Last two VIBES of the year
• December 13 - The Jerusalem Project (summer mission project) student and parent meeting (read about it here)
• 10:45 am OR 4:45 pm (choose one)
• Meet in Fellowship Hall

Last Chance for 3dyc

We all need a little ridiculousness in our lives. You know...that, "What! I can't believe what just happened! Did I really see that?" That kind of ridiculousness.

Over the last 20 years 3dyc has provided those moments. I have seen God do ridiculous things in students' lives. I have seen relationships formed that last for a ridiculous amount of time. I have seen groups come together to accomplish ridiculous tasks. I have seen people respond to God's ridiculous call in their lives.

It seems fitting that the theme for 3dyc this year is Embrace the Ridiculous.

Want to know what else is ridiculous? The fact that the final deadline for 3dyc is just under two weeks away. Yes, you read that right. Our final deadline is December 6. The cost for the final deadline is $230. But if money is an issue, please don't hesitate to talk with me about that. It would be ridiculous for us to allow money to come between you and 3dyc.

Again, THE FINAL DEADLINE FOR THE FINAL 3DYC IS DECEMBER 6. Don't miss out on this. It really is going to be ridiculously awesome.

The Jerusalem Project

Ever wonder what it would be like to have been one of Jesus' original followers? They got to see first hand how Jesus lived, what He did, the miracles He performed. They got to experience the power that He possessed.

But then, somewhat unexpectedly, Jesus left His disciples. He told them that He was going away, but that He was giving them the authority to do what He had been doing. He called them to go out and do the things that He had done (Matt. 28:18-20).

How nerve-racking that must have been to a group of misfits. These guys were just beginning to understand what Jesus was about, then He leaves it up to them.

One of the last pieces of instructions that He left the disciples is found in Acts 1:8:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Jesus wanted them to start where they were currently placed...in Jerusalem. He wanted them to start from home base, then spread out from there.

Fast forward about 2,000 years. Here you are, trying to figure out what it means to follow Christ in your everyday life. And this call sits before you, to be His witness starting with your home base (Koontz Lake, Walkerton, Hamlet, Grovertown, etc...).

It's the reason why we build into our mission trip routine a home-based experience. We need to start with our Jerusalem if we are going to be Jesus' witnesses to the world. That's why we call this THE JERSUALEM PROJECT (TJP).

Every third year we stay at the church during VBS week. We are Jesus' witnesses to the kids who come to learn and hear more about Him. In the afternoons we go out and bless our community in various ways. We have helped the elderly clean their yard, painted, performed small repairs, and much more.

TJP has easily become my favorite mission experience because it is so close to home (literally). We have no idea what kind of impact our work has had on our community, but I've seen glimpses. I've seen people open up to God in their lives. I've seen people shed tears of joy because they didn't know how they were going to do the work that needed to be done.

I rarely say this, but if you are eligible to do this (just finished 7-12 grade) then you need to. This is a must do kind of experience. If you only do one thing with the youth ministry, this is it.

We have a meeting for students and parents on December 13. Actually, we have two meetings that day so you can choose which one you would like to come to. It is MANDATORY to be at the meeting that day. If you can't make it Dec. 13, then you can reschedule with me. The info you will receive is critical to success of TJP.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Meetings: December 13, 10:45 am OR 4:45 pm (central/slow time). For parents AND students.

The Jerusalem Project: June 19-24

Thanksgiving Feast

Who doesn't like food - especially Thanksgiving food? There's nothing like sitting down with family and seeing a conglomerate-smorgasbord of a meal in front of your face.

Guess what? We get to have that very experience here at VIBE. That's right. We are bringing a Thanksgiving Feast to a VIBE near you (that is, if you live in the Koontz Lake area). Our Thanksgiving Feast is available to anyone who can attend VIBE (7-12 grade) and will take place during the normal VIBE time (5:45-7:15 pm central/slow | 6:45-8:15 pm eastern/fast).

Each small group is in charge of a different part of the meal. The Jr. High girls will be cooking, Jr. High guys will be serving, High School girls will bring the entertainment and High School guys will be cleaning (and making it look good while being fun). If you have a question about what your small group is doing or how to pitch in, send me a Facebook message or email.

Food? Check. Fun? Check. Family (well, church family)? Check. Thanksgiving? Check. Can't wait to get this party started!

-Norm