Senior Youth Pool Party

Hey! Calling all High School Youth!

Please join us on Sunday, August 10 from 4-7 at the Furtneys for a pool party and give us the opportunity to explain the new direction Trinity High School Youth is going. If you haven’t been here in a while or even if you’ve never come, please come to this! We’ll just consider this a reunion! I believe you’ll be excited to hear what we have planned. Let me tell you, some of the highlights we have planned this year include a Marble Run, Video Wars and Skiing as well as Christian Fellowship and even a surprise at the kick off Camp Cilca Retreat in September. Cindy Furtney has paired up with Mike to bring fun social events to enjoy while in the Fellowship of Christ, our Savior.

Bring your parents and family and a dish to share to this event so they can hear about it and we’ll eat dinner, but after this, it’s TLHSY!

How Rich Are You?

How Rich Are You? by Al Millergren

From the standpoint of material wealth, Americans have difficulty realizing how rich we really are. However, going through a little mental exercise suggested by Robert Heilbroner can help us to count our blessings. Imagine doing the following, and you will see just how life is daily for around a billion people in this world.

Things to remove as a family:

Take out all the furniture in your home except for one table and a couple of chairs. Use blankets and pads for beds.
Take away all your clothing except for your oldest dress or suit, shirt or blouse. Leave only one pair of shoes.
Empty your cabinets and refrigerator of food except for a small bag of flour, some sugar and salt, a few potatoes, some onions, and a dish of dried beans.
Take out your bathroom fixtures and shut off running water and remove all electrical wiring from your house.
Take away the house itself and move into a tool shed.
Place your house in a bad part of town.
Cancel all subscriptions of newspapers and magazines.
Leave one radio for the entire city to use.
Move the nearest doctor or hospital at least ten miles away.
Throw away your bankbook, pension plans, etc.
Give your family a few acres of land to grow food on.
Knock off twenty years or more of your life expectancy.


Personal items to remove:

1. Throw away your toothbrush.
2. No more television or video games.
3. Take away the trust of your friends.
4. Take away your youth group.
5. Take away your freedom to worship.

By comparison, how rich are you?
How wisely do you use your riches?
How are you using your wealth to reach others?

This 4th of July, take some time to reflect on the blessings God has given us through this country and the freedom that we have.

Pizza and Putt-Putt

This Sunday, June 28, join the junior high youth for pizza and putt-putt right after church. We'll meet at Trinity at 12pm and head over to Old Orchard. The cost is $5. Please feel free to invite a friend or two!

Living Alternatives Service Project

As a service project, the junior and senior high spent the morning this Monday, June23 at the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Center. The youth spent the time stuffing baby bottles with informational papers about the center and preparing them for passing out. The center uses the bottles for their "Change for Life" fundraiser to collect coins. They raise between $20,000 and $30,000 annually. One of the youth, Cory, also helped by washing windows, vacuuming, and mopping.

The Pregnancy Resource Center offers a variety of services, including pregnancy tests, caring support, prenatal health education, parenting education, adoption information, post abortion help, a clothing room and more.

Busy Weekend!

There are two youth events happening this weekend. The first is the service project for Relay for Life at Centennial High School Track from 4pm - 6pm. We will be running activities in the kids' tent. Then, hang around until 6:30pm for the church potluck at Trinity's tent.

Then, Sunday is Youth Sunday! That means the youth will do the readings for the late service and serve for coffee hour. After the late service, the senior youth will head out for Pizza and God with Mike.

School's Out for Summer!

In light of Finals Week being here for some, and around the corner for others, check out this quiz called If Your Locker Could Talk.

Relay for Life Service Project

As a service project, the youth group will be helping out with this year's Relay for Life on Saturday, May 17. Both senior high and junior high youth will be running activities in the children's tent from 4pm - 6pm at the Centennial High School track in Champaign. If you are interested in volunteering for this community event, please see Mike or Karen.

Quake Pictures

Quake Pictures 2

Quake Pictures 3

Quake Pictures 4

The weekend was so much fun! Friday night, we stopped at Fudrucker's on our way up to St. Charles, IL for the Junior High Quake retreat. After filling up on hamburgers and milk shakes, we continued on to Pheasant Run Resort. After arriving and unloading, we made it just in time to join the end of the first Celebration. Then, we finished the night with a group evening devotion.

After a good night's rest, everyone got up bright and early Saturday morning to sign up for Treks, which are spiritual growth sessions on various topics. Some of the Treks that the kids picked were Science and Religion, The Truth About Boys and Girls, and a Bible Game Show. For the lunch break, we ordered in pizza and then checked out the indoor/ outdoor swimming pool in the hotel. Then, back for more Treks. After a day of heavy faith building, the kids hit the local bowling alley for a few games in the evening. Then, after stopping for dinner, we rushed back for another Celebration and late night activities. At this time, the kids were also invited to participate in Crazy Dress Night while they had the options of attending a dance, making cards, playing games, doing more science projects, or singing in a Praise and Worship group. It was a late night by the time we had our evening group devotion. The girls headed for bed, but the boys went back for more swimming and then a late night run to White Castle.

Sunday morning, we ate breakfast and then loaded up the cars. We had the final Celebration and then made our way back to Urbana, IL. It was a great weekend full of relationship building with each other and with the Lord.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

The first week of May is Garden Week at Trinity. As a service project for our congregation, the youth will be providing babysitting Monday, May 5 from 5:30pm - 7pm to allow parents to help with the gardening. Please contact Mike or Karen if you are interested in helping!

What to Pack for Quake

Getting excited about Quake this weekend? If you are joining the Junior Youth up to Chicago, make sure you bring these things:

Bible
Comfy clothes
Swimsuit
Camera
Emergency contact form
Toiletries

We will meet at Trinity this Friday, April 25 at 3:45pm to take off.
See you then!

Pizza and God

This Sunday, April 20 after the late service (12pm) join the senior high youth will be going to Papa Del's for lunch and theological discussion. Here's your chance to ask questions about why things are the way they are and how God works in our world. We take a look at the issues facing teenagers and the rest of society today and see what God has to say about them. All high school youth are invited! Bring a friend!

Movie Reviews

Headed out to the movies this spring? Check out this site for a review before you pick: Plugged In Online

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Unique Creations

All this creative pottery design reminds me of God's incredible design and purpose for our lives. The Bible tells us that God created everything in the world for a purpose -- and that includes you. You're not here by accident. You're not just taking up space. God made you for a reason. You were designed by God, and it was his idea to make you. It's not a mistake. You were planned before birth. God did not simply sit down at a computer and randomly access a bunch of components and throw it all together and then wait to see what popped out. The Bible clearly teaches that you were purposefully and personally planned and designed by God. His loving hand made you exactly the way you are. You're not an accident. God had a plan in the genetic codes of your life. He didn't just throw it all together. You are you because God wanted you to be you. Your uniqueness is what God wants you to offer to the world.

God gave you unique spiritual gifts, a unique heart, unique abilities, a unique personality, and a lifetime of unique experiences so you would make your own unique difference in the world. God loves you so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins and rise from the dead so that you can spend eternity with him in Heaven!

PYOP this Sunday!

Isaiah 64:8
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.


Junior Youth

This Sunday, March 30, after the new contemporary service, we will have lunch and then go to Paint Your Own Pottery for an afternoon of fun and creativity. Join us as we learn about how God has created us in His own image and sustains our lives every second of each day. Meet at the church at 12pm!

The Cross

THE CROSS

I know in life we all go through
A lot of hurt and pain
We need to think of Jesus Christ
On the cross with all our shame

For as our Lord was hanging there
With all our sin and doubts
Everything that we'll go through
He bore as His blood poured out

And in the blood that flowed that day
Is forgiveness from every sin
There's nothing we can do or say
His blood can't cleanse within

Oh the pain that He went through
In suffering on His own
For even the Father turned His face
And He was left to die alone

We could never imagine the anguish
Of Jesus there on the cross
He lived for us; He died for us
And all we did was scoff

Nothing we could ever go through
Can ever be compared
So next time when we're feeling down
We should go to Him in prayer

For He will understand your pain
For He has felt it too
He knows the road your travelling on
And He will walk with you

© By M.S.Lowndes.

Getting Ready for Quake

Last call for those who are interested in joining the junior youth up to Chicago for a weekend long retreat. At Quake, God builds caring Christian community among youth and adults, personal faith in Jesus Christ, and positive relationships among peers through great music, motivational speakers, small group activities, lessons on life and exciting interaction between youth groups. Check out this link to see a virtual tour of the hotel we will be staying at: http://www.pheasantrun.com/virtualtours/index.htm#

PYOP

Paint Your Own Pottery

Who: All junior youth and friends

What: Lunch and a trip to Paint Your Own Pottery in Champaign
Everyone will get to pick out a piece of pottery, create a design, paint it, finish it in the kiln, and take it home.

When: Sunday, March 30 at 12pm
(After the new contemporary service!)

Quake - The Amazing Race

Junior High Youth - On your mark, get set, go...
to Quake!
April 25-27
The weekend long retreat is jam packed full of spiritual growth treks, rock bands, dances, swimming, and one crazy dress night. See Karen or Mike by Feb. 29 if you are interested in attending.

OAFC This Weekend!

Don't forget that this Friday starts the OAFC weekend of fun!

Friday - Youth Night
Saturday - Service Project
Sunday - Pizza and God with OAFC members

Anyone who would like to spend the night at Mike and Karen's Friday night is welcome! Contact Karen if you are interested!

A New Beginning

"Sarah"
A Poem about New Beginnings

I'm Sarah, I'm sixteen;
Last night I failed.
I prayed for more strength,
So why did I yield?

He said he loved me,
Brought me flowers and all;
Then he took me upstairs
And caused me to fall.

I feel so ashamed,
So dirty inside.
He's taken my heart;
Now I want to go hide.

I let down my parents,
And they trusted me so.
Can God forgive me?
I need to know.

If I had it to do
All over again,
I think I would run
To a close, loving friend.

The pain hurts so bad;
I want you to know,
So you won't give in.
You'll know when to go!

Yes, God can forgive!
It says it right here;
Jesus died for my sins,
So I never need fear.

My past is all cleansed;
I'm whiter than snow.
Yet my sin is still sin;
Consequences don't go.

Today I start over,
My purity new!
I'm God's little girl,
Straight through and through!

Abstain - yes, I must!
By God's grace and power,
I'll stay close to Him,
Hour by hour.

Hiding His Word
Deep in my heart;
When faced with temptation,
Next time I'll be smart.

I know from now on
I'm determined to wait;
God has a man
Designed as my mate.

When that time comes,
And I know he's the one;
The day I'll be married
- Now that'll be fun!

But until then,
To the Lord will I cling;
At just the right time,
My husband, He'll bring.

I'm trusting Him now
With all of my soul.
The Lord holds my future;
That's all I must know!

--Sarah

--Author unknown.

Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ Weekend

Mark your calendars now for an activity packed weekend with the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ.

Who: Junior and Senior high and families
When: Friday, Feb. 15 - Sunday, Feb. 17
Where: At Trinity Lutheran Church

What:
Friday - Youth Night! From 7pm - 9:30pm the OAFC group will have games, activities, skits, singing, and Bible study specially geared for junior and senior high youth and college age.

Saturday - Community Servant Event! From 8:45am - 4pm the OAFC group will organize and take out small groups into the community to pass out information and invitations for our church.

Sunday - Pizza and God with OAFC! Right after church and Bible study, join the OAFC group for great conversation and yummy pizza.

Mist

James 4:14 says that our life is like mist. It appears for a short
while and then vanishes.

We ALL live that verse each day.

So here's a word of encouragement...

Intention.

Each day our life, work, words, etc. should be intentional. Not an
accidental or "blind shot" approach to life. Instead, we live in
light of the fact that our lives are short. We live with the focus
of serving the Lord whether working or playing.

Let work as to the Lord and not for men as we serve God's sons and
daughters!

Lost and Found - The Lutheran Song

It is great to be Lutheran! And there are a lot of us, even famous ones.

Dance, Dance, Praise

The youth group has purchased Dance Praise 2 - a fun new music video game that hooks up to your computer. It comes with two dance pads and over 50 of the most popular contemporary Christian songs. Youth families can check it out today! See Mike or Karen if you are interested in borrowing it for a week of dancing fun! The first person to check it out also gets a cool prize!

Game Night!

At Game Night, we played Apples to Apples, Guitar Hero, and Life. But... we also learned about life with Mike's devotion about living the bullseye life. Check out some pics of the Junior Youth doing their gaming.