The Brand New

Hey there everyone, I hope you are all having a great day today. I know my day is shaping up to be a pretty busy but good one. A couple things I want to type as we get ready to end 2010 and head into 2011.

1. God has a plan for you this year! Maybe this past year wasn't the best year for you with Jesus, but that can all turn around this year.
2. Maybe in 2010 you felt that you were really far away from Christ, and that your prayers might have been hitting the ceiling rather then ending up in the throne room of God. 2011 can be a turn around story for you and your relationship.
3. 2010 you might have been really passive in inviting people to join you in this journey with Christ. 2011 can be totally different with you stepping up and inviting people to join you in learning about Christ and love Christ more and more every single day.
4. Maybe 2010 was a year were you experienced loss, and it left you stumbling around in search for meaning and healing. In 2011 I can promise that if you take steps towards Christ He will take steps toward you. Now that doesn't mean everything is going to get better, but I promise in the long run and when you look back at your story with Christ you will finally understand what He was trying to do in you during these hard times.
5. Maybe in 2010 you were very Self focused, in 2011 we need to be selfless focused. When we look back at this 2011 year I hope we can say we did more things for others then we did for ourselves.

I hope as you we celebrate this new year you can take some time and reflect on what God has done and is going to do in this next year.

I will be out of the blogging sphere for a couple days, so I will be back on Monday as we getting ready for our state of the youth group address on Jan 5th. That night we will be going over the spring Semester and take a look in to the summer as well on things that are coming up!

Get excited for 2011~!

P.A.

Destination unknown: Lunch Edition FINALE

Hey there everyone, so there are 3 clues out already and for most people they have got where we are going so here is the finale details you will need to know.

1. We are going to CICI's PIZZA!
2. Meet at CICI's with your own money.
3. We will be there from NOON - 1pm so come by anytime you want to. You can also leave anytime you want too.
4. This is just a hang out time, so if you want to bring a friend do it! We are just eating pizza and hanging out as a youth group.
5. If you get there a little bit earlier then noon, its ok just pay, and start eating we will be there right around noon!

Hope to see you all there!

P.A.

Destination unknown: Lunch Edition

Hey there everyone tomorrow at NOON! We are doing an all youth group Destination unknown lunch edition. The first clue is out there and so far no one has guessed where we are going which is pretty cool. Since I just got a new phone I will try my best to make sure I can text everyone but my groups got all erased so I will try my best to text everyone!

But the first clue was,

"The place has tables, chairs and really fun staff!"

If you think you might know where it is text me and see if you know where we might be going.

Another clue will be coming tonight!

Hope to see you there tomorrow!

P.A.

New years eve Party

Hey there everyone body some of the students in the youth group and throwing a New years eve Party so here is the skinny on what is going down.

Meeting at the church at Noon on the 31st.

They are heading to Echo Valley in Kalamazoo, MI

All Day tobogganing and Tubing is $18, and skating is $5

They have a snack shack there so bring some extra money for snacks and things.

Leaving around 7:30pm, and arriving at the Herbsters around 8:30pm.

They will have food, and fun until the clock strikes Midnight!

This event is for High school students only. Sorry Junior High!

If you have any questions contact Jerica Hofsommer at 574-849-1793. She is the one putting this shin dig on!

I hope you guys have a great time!

P.A.

Wow, a long blogging break

Hey there everyone, I am back and blogging again for our youth ministry. I hope you guys had a good Christmas and the first week of break is done, can you believe in 7 days you will be back in school? Crazy huh? Well this week we aren't having youth group again because many people are traveling or having family time, but we are doing something this Wednesday at lunch time!

DESTINATION UNKNOWN LUNCH EDITION

So through out these next few days I will be giving clues on where we are going, and what to bring to this Lunch. It's going to be pretty sweet my friends! So be looking on facebook, twitter, and the blogspot for clues and information I will only be texting the last clue which will be very obvious in where we are going. I will tell you right now it will be at NOON on WEDNESDAY. So we hope to see you there, where ever there may be :)

Have a great last week of break.

P.A.

Hard Questions

So the past couple days I have got to hang out with a bunch of students in different formats, some in restraunts, coffee shops, their homes, and the best yet Taco Bell. I have made it a little mission of mine this Christmas break to hang out with a ton of students and just ask questions. I believe one of my jobs for this coming year is to be a instigator of questions. Just listen to students and just ask questions.

So here are some the quotes from students I have heard over the past couple days of hanging out with them.

" I am unhappy"
"I don't know who I am"
"I am so scared for my future"
"I am not sure who God really is"
"I get high every single day"
"I don't know if I am a Christian"
"I don't see any good examples of Christian marriages, so why would I want to be married?"

I don't look at these statements as ohh man we have failed these students in our youth ministry, I look at students being honest and searching for God, now the what I as a youth pastor and people reading this we get to pray like crazy for these students. I love being able to talk with these students and I can't wait for our follow up conversations soon.

So Keep praying for these students and for our youth ministry we have amazing opportunities to expand the kingdom of Heaven.

P.A.

1st day of Christmas break

Hey there everyone, I hope things are going well for you on your first day out of school.

I remember when I was in High school and Junior High and after today everything gets boring until Christmas eve and Christmas is fun in the morning and possibly afternoon when you hit your 2nd Christmas, but lets be honest most of the time you will be some what bored!

But that is why I am here my friends, your loving youth pastor has come up with a couple things to help pass the time during this Christmas break! Some you will laugh at and some you will not want to do, but if you do them, you will be thankful afterwards!

So here we go:

1. Organize your room (if its already organized, change something)
2. REST! - You guys go and go and go. So take some time to rest this break and give yourself permission to sleep in and take some naps.
3. Call up some friends, and go and do something outside the house. Now I understand for Junior High students this is a little harder to do, but try to get something together with your friends! Make some memories by going out and having fun!
4. Get a work out in, if you have a treadmill or a stationary bike get a work out in, You will be amazed at how much energy you get when you work out!
5. Play some video games!
6. Watch a good movie (notice how I said GOOD!) - And don't watch a movie with your boyfriend/girlfriend when your parents are working. Let's be honest we all know that is a bad idea!
7. Make something! - Seriously build something like a cubby for storage or build an area for your PS3 or Xbox 360. Do something constructive.
8. Read a book! Take some time and read this break. If you can't think of anything to read, Read Luke this Christmas its a great account of the Christmas story.
9. Make a top 10 goal list for 2011. Then put it somewhere where you will see it and you will be reminded of them continuously.
10. Take some time to pray for your family and friends. This is a cool little thing to do, during Christmas break you will see a lot of people make it a point to think through the people you will see and pray for those people before you see them. Its a pretty cool thing to talk with them and know you have prayed over them today.

Hope things this Christmas break go well for ya. I will be around all Christmas break so text me and I will let ya know whats going on!

Remember on Dec 28th we are doing a Destination unknown: LUNCH! So look friend me on facebook or follow me on twitter at AdamSharp5 to get clues on where we are going that day.

P.A.

2011 Event Info

CVMC Youth - 1st Quarter Events

View more presentations from frogjd2.

Special Friday Post.

this is Another one of our favorite video's of this year! So funny.....

Dirty Bingo Christmas Recap!

Oh man last night was awesome! We had so many awesome Ugly Christmas Sweaters, but in the End Quinn Nisley won out. With his Half ugly Christmas sweater. I tell you what though we had some really really good ones. So Good Job to all those who came out and participated in our event.

Besides that we had so many awesome gifts last night! I think everyone walked away laughing and full bellies because everyone brought so much good food! Holy Cow that awesome. We had so many gifts here last night that even the Juniors got some extra gifts.

I am so proud of all of you for coming out and hanging out with us last night it was a total blast! For those who couldn't make it last night we missed you and we hope to see you in January.

So here are a couple things to be aware of the next 2 weeks!

1. We don't have formal youth group the next 2 Wednesday nights.
2. We are doing a Destination unknown lunch on December 29th. So be ready for that!
3. If we get another good snow we might get some people together for some snow football or sledding of some kind :)
4. We will be sending out the next 3 month calendars here in the next few weeks!

Keep up with us on the blogspot over the break we will have funny video's, devotions, and some crazy Christmas Pictures up here from the youth group staff and funny pictures we find!

Have a great Christmas break.

P.A.

Pretty Awesome Video

Pure Information

Tonight is the Dirty Bingo Christmas Party. Here are a couple things that you need to know.

1. It starts at 6:30pm
2. Bring a Wrapped Gift that is under 5$
3. Bring a snack with you to share with others. Chips, Desserts, and or a combo of both.
4. If you want to wear an ugly sweater and be part of our ugly sweater contest you are more then welcome to but it is not a mandatory thing.
5. We will be done at 8:30pm!

We hope you can make it tonight! We have so much fun stuff tonight, Food, Dirty Bingo, and ELF!!!!

Hope to see you tonight.

P.A.

Bingo, Nacho, Blammo!

Hey there everyone I hope your mornings are going well, I know I am still really tired I didn't get to bed till way after midnight last night because we are preparing our little house for a transformation of furniture this morning, I know I am old and boring but shut it :)

Tomorrow night is going to be the most fun you can have this side of the Mississippi! Tomorrow night is our Dirty Bingo Christmas Party! We are going to have so much stinking fun. So these are the 3 things you need to bring tomorrow night to have a good time! Ready?

1. Bring a wrapped gift that is under 5$. (Hint: look around your house for something you don't want anymore and put it in a huge box and wrap it so it looks awesome)
2. Bring a Snack to share with others! (Hint: Go to the dollar store before you come and grab your favorite chips or cookies so at least you know there will be something there you like)
3. Wear and ugly Christmas sweater! (Hint: Go into your mom or dad's closet and just grab whatever they wear to a Christmas party we all know mom and dad's where the most ridiculous sweaters ever.)

So those are the 3 things that are going to make this Christmas party awesome!

But Here is a 4th thing that will make this night over the top!

Bring a friend who has never come to youth group before!!!

This is a great night to invite friends to youth group, all we are going to be doing is having a ton of fun. I know when I was in Junior High and High school I didn't think Christians laughed! So maybe you have a friend who thinks youth group is boring, or stupid. Those friends are who we want here tomorrow night because stealing presents after getting a bingo is always fun :) So take some time to pray and see who you should invite.

I hope you guys have a great day even though you don't have a 2 hour delay. See you tomorrow night.

P.A.

Some more info for Wednesday night!

Take some time today and just listen to this stripped down version of this amazing song! Take some time and pray for this Wednesday night even thought its all about having fun, we need to understand that this night could be the first night for someone to connect to God through our youth group! So think about this Wednesday not as an opportunity to just chill and hang out but as an opportunity to invite someone to connect with Christ through others! Check this video out!

CHRISTMAS PARTY INFOMATION

Hey there everyone I hope your day is going stinking awesome, I know mine got a little bit later start since I was up watching my cowboys lose again! Stupid eagles. Ohh well that is not what this post is about its about CHRISTMAS PARTY INFORMATION!

So here is the skinny on Wednesday night!

1. Bring a present that is WRAPPED! That is under 5 bucks, the funnier the gift the better. If you don't have 5 bucks thats totally fine ask your parents if there is anything they want to get rid of! Put it in a box wrap it and bring it to youth group! Feel free to invite friends just tell them they need to bring a gift so everyone can leave with a gift!
2. Bring a dessert or snack to share with others! Like a bag of chips, or cookies. Listen here is the easy way to do this. Leave 10 minutes earlier then normal and stop off at the dollar store next to the church, go in a grab a bag of chips or something for like 3 bucks and then head over to youth group its really really easy!
3. Wear the ugliest Christmas sweater you can find we will have prize for the one that gets the most cheers at the end of the night!

So that is the skinny on whats going down for this Wednesday night!

Please invite friends to this party its going to be so much stinking fun! All we are doing this night is having a ton of fun, this would be a great night to invite those friends who have never been to youth group or are maybe thinking about coming. This night can be the start of an amazing life changing relationship with Jesus Christ and it all started eating Nacho's and playing Bingo one night in December.

Hope you have a great day! And I hope to see you on Wednesday night!

P.A.

There is no I in love but there is an I in sin!

Man last night was a lot of fun! I am not joking the make-up on the guys were hilarious! That was so much fun. Then the other game we played which I am not sure what it was called but man people were into it! I think might have to play that game again.

So last night we gave out a challenge to serve someone in the next 24 hours. We want to really help you understand that the world is all about self-serving, and not about serving others. When Jesus came down He came to serve, and die for us. Jesus didn't come down to serve himself and indulge Himself.

So when we celebrate Christmas this year remember that this Christmas isn't about presents or anything else except Jesus Christ coming down to this earth to reconnect us to Him! He came to serve and die.

Pretty insane when we look at Christmas that way. Christ did so many amazing things on this earth, so now the question is "What are you gonna do to serve others today?"

P.A.

Super stinking duper

Hey there everyone, we finally don't have snow falling from the heavens and I am so thankful. So I am gonna give you a little in sight to my life. Last night I went home and all my stuff, furniture, storage units, chairs, books, honestly everything was moved into my kitchen. We are getting new carpet as I am writing this, so last night Adam Herbster, Esther and I ripped up the old carpet and padding and threw it outside. Then all 3 of us went and worked out, and as I am working out I pull a muscle in my side. And on top of all this craziness that is going on. I lost my cell phone! So this has been a stinky past 24 hours.

Oh well enough about myself,

Tonight we have formal youth group for the first since Thanksgiving! Man I can't wait for tonight.

So here is the skinny on tonight's youth group:
1. We start at 6:30pm so come a little bit early and play some video games with us.
2. We will be done at 8:30pm.
3. We are going to be giving you the down low on the Party next Week!
4. We are going to be talking about selfishness tonight so come and here some stupid stories from your youth pastor stinking it up at being a Christian in this area of his life.
5. We are going to have as much fun as allowed in the middlebury constitution!

We hope to see you tonight!

P.A.

Casteller

Amazing Team work goes into this! Just as these people are holding each other up, we need to hold each other up as a youth group! Hope to see you Tomorrow night at youth group!

To Much fun for 1 Night

Hey there everyone, tomorrow night is going to be amazing. I hope you can all make it out for at least part of the time. God is going to do some amazing things tomorrow night here at youth group. We have got some really awesome things planned.

Ted and Wes are in charge of Games so you know that is going to be intense and awesome!

Sarah and Michelle are going to be doing our announcements and welcoming everyone so you they will have a funny story.

Then the worship band is going to rock it!

Then we are going to spend some time talking about the letter I.

So come over tomorrow night to the Crystal Valley Campus at 6:30. The snow will be cleared away, and everything will be right in the world :) (ok maybe not everything)

Tomorrow we will have lots of announcements about upcoming events such as "The Big Chill" and "Dirty Bingo"

So don't miss out!

P.A.

Guess Whats back?

Hey there everyone! Guess what??

WE HAVE YOUTH GROUP THIS WEEK!

Man I am so pumped because for the last 2 weeks we were off from normal youth group because of thanksgiving and pass it forward. Man I can't wait for Wednesday night to come around because we have some awesome things planned!

Now for those Northridge students I understand that choir is kinda of crazy this week, and I understand that most of the time youth group and church are the first things cut out of your agenda but I am challenging you to keep them on your agenda. We all know when we don't do something for a long time it gets knocked out for something else. I am telling ya if you don't keep youth group on your agenda you might look back and see that you haven't been to youth group in a month or longer!

So I understand that things are crazy right now but this Wednesday night is going to be stinking awesome, and the next Wednesday night is going to even better because we have our Dirty Bingo Night!

Don't Miss out!

Hope to see you this Wednesday night at 6:30pm.

P.A.

A great Flash Mob!

I love flash Mobs! I still want our youth group to do one sometime in the Essenhaus :)

Check this is one out. Have a great Friday!



P.A.

The morning after Pass it forward.

Man last night was INSANE, we had a total of 140 families come through last night, and that was only open to the middlebury community. Tonight we open it up to everyone! Last year when we opened it up to everyone we had 400 families come through in 1 night! But God is good, and supplied us with some amazing helpers, and a ton of clothes.

To all those small groups that helped out last night let me know how it went, I went with some of the high school small groups over to Cici's and then to Target because they adopted a family that needs help this year, and it was awesome to serve and to get things for that family!

Also you need to ask Ms. Hooley about a snow globe that attacked her! :)

If you guys want to be in prayer for us today we have a big meeting today about our Big Chill retreat we go on, we are looking at doing some stinking awesome things. So be in prayer for us today.

I hope you guys have a great day today. If you having nothing to do come out to the church tonight and help us serve families who are in need! It so much fun to help serve people!

P.A.

Serving and Helping

Hey there everyone, I hope this snowy day finds you well. I know for me I am not liking the snow that is hitting the ground today but I guess if it was up to me I would have it sunny and 68 everyday! But Ohh well its all good.

So a little reminder for tonight, We don't have youth group tonight because of the pass it forward garage sale going on here for the next 4 days! So tonight please contact your small group leader to see what you are doing tonight. I know some small group leaders are heading out to cici's to hang out and some are coming here tonight to help with the pass it forward sale, so please contact them to see what you are doing tonight.

I hope you guys are having a good week, we start back up youth group next Wednesday with all of our favorite stuff: Games, Worship, a fun message! Then on December 15th is when we pull out the big guns for our Dirty Bingo Christmas party. All you need to know is that there is going to be a ton of food and Presents! More info to come on that later this week, so get ready to rock it out in 7 days!

Have an amazing day.

P.A.