Mt. Hawley Youth

Would you?

2011-09-19T12:14:00.002-05:00

A NOTE FROM ME TO YOU!
Hey guys! I want to let you know about a few things happening in the life of our youth ministy. This coming Sunday! September 25th! We will start our new series, Surrender. I'm so excited about this series and have already began working and growing from the studies. I encourage you to pray for God to use this series in your life. Also, beginning this Sunday, is a new start time. Our new start time is 4:00 and we will end at 5:30.

IYC!
The initial payment/ committment was due for IYC 2012 on September 11th, but the date snuck up on me and I extended the date to September 25th.. please make sure that I have your commitment and initial payment of $140.00 from you this coming Sunday. Also, keep October 15th open as this is a BIG IYC fundraiser. If this is a busy homecoming/sports day there is plenty of "before and after" work for you to do to still participate in this fundraiser

ISYC!
Illinois State Youth Convention is approaching. This is sure to be a GREAT weekend! The cost is afforable, the schedule and hotel is new and fantastic and line up is dynamite! WOOT WOOT! You will not want to miss this ISYC with The Skit Guys! Guaranteed! Deposit of $55.00 is due October 9th to reserve your spot. The remainder ($90.00) of the trip is due November 20th.

THATS NOT ALL FOLKS!
Think about this for the week....
"Would you give ___?____ up because God has something better for you?" See you Sunday (late afternoon) at 4:00-5:30 if not before then.

Back to School

2011-08-10T08:20:00.002-05:00

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:13)
Who are you? I'm not asking how you described yourself in your Facebook profile or yearbook bio. I mean, who are you really? Could I figure it out from looking closely at how you live your life?

In the verses leading up to today's verse, Peter has just finished describing our salvation -- how God brought it about and how it has changed our destiny with Him forever. We have been shown the mystery of Jesus. We have believed and become children of God.

What now?

This week, we'll listen as Peter tells us to "become who we are." Start with this very efficient verse:

Prepare your mind for action: Unplug from anything that makes it hard for you to think and focus on God's Word and His will for you.

Be self-controlled: Exercise the power of "no" so that you can say "yes" to the best things.

Set your hope on grace: Stop living for dead-end pleasures, possessions, or statuses; live for the heaven you could never earn -- the heaven you belong in because you are God's kid through faith in Jesus.

Think: Is your mind prepared for whatever action God has in store for you? Are you controlling your desires -- or visa-versa? What are you most hopeful for today?

Pray: Ask God to help you to have a mind prepared for action, self-control, and your hope set fully on His grace.

2. Proverb Of The Week
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9

3. Questions For Reflection

- When I look at the lives of others does dishonesty pay in the long run?
- In what ways am I not being honest in the way that I live every day?
- Why wouldn’t I want to walk in integrity rather than being dishonest?

4. FORGETTABLE FACT
A snail can sleep up to 3 years.

5. POTENT QUOTABLES
Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
~ Billy Graham

Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.
~ Winston Churchhill

6. UH, THAT'S FUNNY
What's round and bad-tempered?
A vicious circle.

7. CALENDAR
We are off our summer schedule and meeting again every Sunday night from 6:00- 7:30.

Youth activity August 28th 6:00-7:30

JULY! JULY! JULY!

2011-07-07T14:01:00.002-05:00

1. NOW HEAR THIS

July 10th Sunday Night Youth 6:00- 7:30
July 15th Movie Night for the Church hosted by the youth 8:00
July 17th Sunday Night Youth 6:00- 7:30
July 24th No Sunday Night Youth due to VBS

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)

Welcome to Peace Week! Peace isn't always the opposite of being angry, but it's close.

Remember what David and Paul wrote about anger last week—get rid of it before you go to sleep; lie down in your bed, think hard, and let it go. Today's verse from David is part of the secret to doing that.

David was convinced that God was his protector. He didn't have to hold on to his anger to protect himself or get even with his enemies or stand against injustice. He believed God handled all those things far better than he ever could. So he stopped being angry and went to sleep in peace.

Peace comes from trusting the God who loves us to exercise His enormous power to do what's best.

Think: Have you ever noticed the connection between trusting God and letting go of anger? Have you ever noticed yourself become obviously more peaceful after consciously choosing to trust God about something?

Pray: Ask God to help you to trust Him so deeply that you sleep in peace even when the things that make you angry or worried aren't fixed, yet.

Do: Ever have trouble sleeping because you're angry or scared or stressed out? Try memorizing this verse and repeating it to yourself while you're trying to blink out.

Get more daily devotions just like this one at PlanetWisdom.com

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

Nearly 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong account over the next hour.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES
In summer, the song sings itself.
~ William Carlos Williams

For him in vain the envious seasons roll,
Who bears eternal summer in his soul.
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

5. UH, THAT'S FUNNY

What has 6 eyes but can't see?
3 blind mice.

JUNE NEWS

2011-05-30T19:16:00.000-05:00

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

"These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life." (Deuteronomy 6:1-2)
What does God care about more, obedience or love? Don't answer just yet. It's kind of a trick question. We're going to spend this next week talking about the answer by listening in on Deuteronomy 6.

Do you remember learning about this moment? The Israelites were a homeless country. Well, they had a home. They just hadn't seen it, yet. The time had finally come to stop wandering in the wilderness and go into the promised land, kick out the folks living there, and call it home.

The key to making that happen? One word: obedience. God said it, and Moses wrote it. If the people would obey -- and their kids and grandkids would keep obeying -- they would enjoy long and successful lives in their new home.

Remember how that turned out?

Think: Why do you think that human beings have such a hard time obeying God? What do you think is the connection between what our hearts feel and what we actually do?

Pray: Ask God to help you to obey Him. Thank Him for loving you, especially by sending Jesus to die in your place on the cross.

Do: Make a quick list of the top 5 people you love and the top 5 people you are told to obey. Circle the ones that make both lists.
Get more daily devotions just like this one at PlanetWisdom.com

2. POTENT QUOTABLES
Every child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up.
~ Pablo Picasso

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!!!
June 1st Jin’s farewell party from 6:00-7:30
June 5th Graduate Sunday and Sunday School picnic… (no youth)
June 9, 10, 11 Church rummage sale and YOUTH BAKE SALE.. (I need youth help)
June 12th Sunday night youth 6:00-7:30
June 17th Outdoor movie for youth, families and community….. INVITE, INVITE, INVITE! We will be selling concessions
June 19th No youth because of Father’s Day
June 24th Peoria Chiefs and Lincoln Brewster concert
June 26th Sunday night youth 6:00-7:30
CAMP WARREN SUMMER CAMPS ARE IN JULY! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE LET KERI KNOW 

MAY NEWS!!!

2011-05-02T13:51:00.002-05:00

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

“For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.” (Romans 13:3)
So I’m sitting in my car in the grocery store parking lot, and I see in my side mirror a police officer getting out of his car and walking toward me. His arms are covered with tattoos, and he’s making serious eye contact with my license plate.

Here’s the deal: I know my tags are expired. Driving my car around like that is breaking the law, and he’s about to tell me about it. At first, I feel a little thrill of fear; nobody wants to get busted by a scary cop covered in ink. Then I feel a little angry: “Doesn’t he have anything better to do?”

Then I hear the apostle Paul’s voice from this passage. Turns out he sounds just like Clint Eastwood. Actually, it’s God’s Spirit reminding me of truth: My fear and anger are my fault for breaking the law. The officer is God’s servant (see the next verse); my frustration is with God’s authority, not this guy’s. And up close, the tatts are actually very skillfully rendered.

I agree to get new tags the next day as humbly as I can; he mercifully keeps his ticket book in his holster. I stop hearing Clint’s voice quoting Paul by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pray: Ask God to help you to see Paul’s challenging perspective on this issue of authority. Thank God for the authority he has placed in your life, from your parents to your president.

Get more daily devotions just like this one at PlanetWisdom.com

2. FORGETTABLE FACT

Babies' eyes do not produce tears until the baby is approximately six to eight weeks old.

3. POTENT QUOTABLES
The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
~ Robert Frost

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer.
~ Ted Williams

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
~ T.S. Eliot

4. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q. How do baseball players stay cool?
A: They sit next to their fans!

What's round and bad-tempered?
A vicious circle.

5. NOW HEAR THIS!
May 7th AMP IT UP! at Camp Warren... we will leave at 9 and return around 5:30
May 15, 22 and 29 Sunday Night Youth
June 5th Sunday School Picnic
June 12 and 26th Sunday Night Youth
June 24th Lincoln Brewster concert after Cheifs game... $18.00 (will prob get some change back)
Camps in July! See Keri or ilcog.org for registration forms

APRIL NEWS

2011-03-29T14:41:00.003-05:00

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS
April 3rd Winter Jam Concert ($10) in place of regular Sunday night youth
April 6th Youth Family Dinner
April 10th no youth
April 15-16th 30 Hour Famine
April 17th Sunday night youth 6:00-7:30
April 23rd Youth hosting Easter Egg Hunt 10am
LOOKING AHEAD TO MAY….
May 7th AMP UP FOR SYC ($15) 9am- 6pm, lunch is included

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry." (Psalm 40:1)

How good is your God? David felt like talking about that when he wrote Psalm 40. It's a conversation that feels good. Why? For one thing, it's not all about me (or you) for a change. It's not about how good I am — or how much better I need to be. It lets us step off the stage in our minds for a few minutes.

It feels good, also, because it's just true. It rings the big clanging gong of truth in our souls when we say out loud to each other how truly, deeply, powerfully good our God is. Our hearts shout back, "Yes! That's it!"

Finally, it feels good because He's our God. Better, we're His people. We belong to Him. He bought us back with the blood of Jesus and made Himself our Father by adopting us into His family. And it's always a nice thing to brag on your dad, especially when your dad is the endlessly loving and merciful and patient and authentic God of all.

Think: How often do you think about how good your God is? How often do you talk about it outside of church?

Pray: Thank God for His endless goodness and for caring so deeply about you.

Do: Read through Psalm 40 to get ready for this next week of belonging to a good God.

3. FORGETTABLE FACT
Women blink nearly twice as much as men.
A group of kangaroos is called a mob.
Jimmy Carter is the first U.S. President to have been born in a hospital.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES
We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.
~ John F. Kennedy

The earth has music for those who listen.
~ William Shakespeare

5. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
How do you make a hot dog stand?
Steal its chair.

What's round and bad-tempered?
A vicious circle.

thanks to youth specialties and plant wisdom for the bits and pieces

In like a Lion or a Lamb?

2011-02-22T14:49:00.002-06:00

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30)

HUGE idea... Christians should be really different on the inside.

At the moment you were saved, God placed His Spirit inside of you permanently. This verse says you were sealed with the Spirit until the day when you will stand face to face with God. In chapter one of this letter, Paul called the Spirit God's deposit -- a guarantee of our future in-person relationship with Him. The Spirit will not leave, even when we sin.

We don't think about this reality much, but it's an awesome (and sometimes scary) idea. God's Spirit is with you every moment of every day — and He's a person with God's love for you. He cares so deeply that He's sad (grieved!) when you start following yourself or the world away from the path of Jesus. He feels a sense of hurt when you choose to lie, steal, say rotten things, or let anger become bitterness.

Think: Is this a new idea to you, that God's Spirit in us can become emotionally sad when we sin? Why do you think He would be grieved by our choices to not act like Jesus?

Pray: Ask God for the willingness and the ability not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Thank Him for sealing you with His Spirit until the day when you will be with Him in person forever.

Do: Read Ephesians 1:13-15.
Get more daily devotions just like this one at PlanetWisdom.com

2. FORGETTABLE FACT

The Atlantic Ocean is saltier than the Pacific Ocean.

3. POTENT QUOTABLES
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.
~ Booker T. Washington

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people half way.
~ Henry Boyle

4. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Q: What did the rug say to the floor?
A: Don't move, I've got you covered.

5. ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!
March 2… Youth Family Dinner at 6:00.
March 6, 13 & 20… SNY (Sunday Night Youth) 6:00-7:30
March 9, 16, 23… Bible Study 6:30
March 12… Youth Talent Show FUNdraiser
March 27… No Youth due to the Spring Banquet

Thanks to youth specialties and planetwisdom.com for 1-4 info

Fall into Truth

2010-09-16T10:05:00.002-05:00

1. WASSUP?
Sunday, October 24: Sunday Night Youth 6:00- 7:30 PM
Wednesday, October 27: Revelation Bible Study 6:30- 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 31: Trunk or Treat 4-6 PM
Wednesday, November 3: Youth Family Dinner 6:00- 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 7: Sunday Night Youth 6:00- 7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 10: Revelation Bible Study 6:30-7:30 PM
Sunday, November 14: Youth Sunday Night 6:00- 7:30 PM (Operation Christmas Child Activity)
Wednesday, November 17: Revelation Bible Study 6:30-7:30 PM
Saturday, November 20: Pie Making Afternoon
Sunday, November 21: Pie Auction Fundraiser following Thanksgiving Carry-In Dinner
Sunday, November 21: Sunday Night Youth 6:00- 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 28: Sunday Night Youth 6:00 -7:30 PM

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." (Ephesians 1:15-16)

How should you pray for your friends, your parents, your siblings, anyone you really care about? This week, Paul will show us some essential things to pray for other Christians -- and for ourselves -- by telling us exactly what he prayed for his friends in a town called Ephesus.

Notice first that he is praying for believers -- people who have trusted Jesus and who love other Christians. These prayers are not intended -- and would not make sense, mostly -- for unbelievers. For them, the most earnest prayer should always be that they would come into the family of God through faith in Jesus.

But the first thing Paul says to God about these brothers and sisters in Jesus is "thank you." Then he says it again. Then he says it again. In fact, he says he never stops saying it. To give thanks for others, to remember them to God, is a way of admitting that when God created and saved them, He did a good thing. Their lives matter because they matter to Him. Also, of course, we thank God because they matter to us.

Think: How often do you thank God for the Christians in your life? Your parents? Your friends? Why don't we think to do that more often?

Pray: Ask God to help you to be grateful for other believers and to express that thankfulness to Him.

Do: Make a list of five Christians in your life you can pray for this week using Paul's words in Ephesians. Include at least one person you don't always get along with. Add yourself to the list at #6. Start today by thanking God for everyone on the list.

devotional thoughts from planetwisdom.com

3. FORGETTABLE FACT
Bluebirds cannot see the color blue.
Dragonflies can travel up to 60mph.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES
Arise, and be not afraid.
~ Jesus (Matthew 17:7)

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
~ James Madison

Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes.
~ Kenneth Hildebrand

Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilised by education: they grow there, firm as weeds among stones.
~ Charlotte Bronte in Jane Eyre

5. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Why did the doughnut shop close?
The owner got tired of the (w)hole business!

As always the calendar is also at www.mthawley.org