No, it’s not Santa!  It’s Chief Shaughnessy!  That’s right, our guest speaker for 11.25’s Gathering is Chief Kevin S. from Lemont.  He will be talking about peer pressure and making good decisions.  It’s a must attend.  We’ll also celebrate November birthdays with free goodies in the Cafe.  Yippy!!   Oh, please please be on time.  You know who I’m talkin’ to!!

Please turn your Speed the Light coin cans and donations this week.  Our deadline for turning donations in is next Tuesday the 25th.  Thanks and don’t forget your missions offering next week.

This year’s Christmas party will be awesome.  We’re having a costume (holiday themed) contest, games, food, gift exchange, and talent show (please, Christmas stuff only).  Bring $10 (5 for food, 5 for the water well project) plus a wrapped gift (a joke gift) worth $5.  See you on the 16th.

Okay amigos, it’s time to turn in your Ugly Mug Coffee Order Forms as well as your Permission Slips (and $10) for the Chicago Trip.  Please bring them with you to youth group on Tuesday (11.18).

Tonight, I am speaking about what it means to be a Christian and how someone becomes one.  Our culture has so watered down or misunderstood what a true Christian is that many people are left wondering, what really is a Christian.  In fact, the term has become so loaded - some believers don’t even use it any more.  The original Christians (or those like Christ) were actually know as people of the Way.  They had chosen to follow the way of Jesus - the path of right living and right relationship with their Creator (see Matthew 7:13-14).  So often we think being a Christian is about arriving, it’s about the destination.  Yet, it’s really about the journey - a life of faith and trust in Christ - one step at a time.  I look forward to seeing you all tonight.

Hey guys,  I want to thank all of you who renewed your missions coventant.  We still need students to sign up to support our missions partners (Lori, AA, Immaculate, & the Kemps).  Please pray about giving up some McD’s or Starbucks money in order to help share God’s love through our missions outreach.  Thanks.  I’m super proud of you guys for making a difference.

Well, I survived 5 days at a youth workers convention.  Besides brain overload, I fell like God confirmed alot of things about the direction of our youth ministry.  While in Pittsburgh I enjoyed some great food and great discussions.  I also spent some time with John from Ugly Mug.  Check out a few pics.

Okay, we are tweaking our original plans and going for more of a Christmas Party rather than a banquet.  We will still meet here at the church on December 16th but the night will be causual, not formal.  Dress down or dress up.  Prizes will be given for the best “Christmas/holiday” themed costumes.  We will also have a talent show (Christmas acts only), white-elephant gift exchange (gag gifts only) and food.  The cost of admissions is $10 ($5 to help with the water well project in Kenya and $5 to help with prize and food costs) plus a joke gift worth no more than $5.  See you on the 16th@7.

Okay, in just 3 1/2 weeks we will be heading to the Magnificent Mile for the Lights Festival.  This is an awesome time to see the lights on Michigan Avenue lit up, to see the Disney Parade, to meet Santa to hear bands play (for free) & to break the world record for most people singing Christmas caroles.  We will leave at 11am return by 11pm.  More info to come.  Grab a permissions slip and turn it in by November 18th.

Okay, we are launching our FUNdraiser this Sunday the 26th.  First, we’ll meet at church from 6-8 am this Saturday.  While there we’ll set up the Ugly Mug Stand & make caramel apples.  Then on Sunday, we will meet at 8:30 and start selling coffee & apples.  Please don’t forget to show up & help out.  Remember, all proceeds go to help STL.