In 2010 we will be offering True Love Waits as part of our Youth Bible Fellowship curriculum on Sunday mornings.  The series will start on Sunday morning, September 12 and will culminate with a special ring ceremony for students and their parents on Sunday, October 17. Each session will take place during YBF at 9:15 am in the Cove youth center.

In preparation for this series, we will be having a special parents’ meeting on Sunday morning, August 29 at 9:15 am, also in the Cove youth center.  Learn more about what this series covers as well as how you can reinforce God’s call to purity in your own homes.

Every four years the church of the Nazarene hosts an event for students from around the world called Nazarene Youth Conference (or NYC). Dynamic speakers, corporate worship with thousands of other teens, practical and informative workshops, hands-on service projects and concerts with big name artists combine to make this an unforgettable experience.  Ask around. You’d be surprised how many people in our congregation (including a number our pastoral staff) have attended NYC, and all of them will tell you how big an impact it had on them.

Here are the details you need to know:

When is it: Tuesday, July 5 through Monday, July 11, 2011.  (This includes not only the conference itself but also our District Excursion to King’s Island.)

Where is it: The conference will be in Louisville, KY.  Afterward, we will join other students from the Olivet region at King’s Island.

Who may go: Any student who will be in high school in 2011, including those who graduate in May/June 2011 and those who start as freshmen in August 2011.  In other words, students in the classes of 2011-2015.

How Much Does it Cost: Total cost (including conference, lodging, transportation, food at NYC, and the district excursion) is $950.

To make this easier, it has been broken down into a down payment of $250 due September 15, an monthly payments of $100 due on the 15th of October, November, January, February, March, April and May. All payments are non-refundable. Furthermore, Our youth group is planning fundraisers to help defray some of this cost.

When is the registration deadline? The first payment is due September 15.  However students may register any time up until November 15, as long as the full $450 due is paid by that date.

How do I register?

Download and print out the following forms.  Mail forms and fees to the address on the information letter.

• NEI information letter
• Student Application
• Student Medical Release Form
• Student Personal Reference

Is there a question about the Bible you’ve always wondered?  Is there something you or a friend are dealing with, and you want to know what the Bible has to say about it? Do you have a question that you think will make Pastor Brad laugh? Any of these are great reasons to submit your questions to our You Decide series.

Read the rest to find out how you can submit your questions for this series.

You can ask your question a number of ways:

• Click on the You Decide picture to the right and submit your question via the web.
• Send a text message to 22333.  Start your text with the word “YOUDECIDE” (leave off the quotation marks of course) and then ask away.
• Use twitter.  Send an @-reply to @poll followed by the keyword “YOUDECIDE” (again, sans quotation marks) and your question.

Check out the questions that have already been asked in the text wall to the right (remember, we moderate responses so your question won’t show up until one of our moderators approves it) and then be sure to come Wednesday night to see if your question is selected for answering.  See you at Water’s Edge!

Our 2010 Summer trip will be July 25-29. We’ll be heading to Ohio to have fun serving others.  We will spend two days serving at Portage Holiness Camp in Portage, OH, helping prepare the campgrounds for campmeeting in August.  On Wednesday we will travel into Toledo, OH to be introduced to the ministry of the Cherry Street Mission and to help serve lunch in two of their women’s shelters.  And because all work and no play makes for a dull trip, we will spend some time swimming as well as spending Thursday at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky.

As always, space on this trip is limited.  We’ll take students on a first come, first served basis. Registrations and a $50 transferable, non-refundable deposit by Sunday, July 11th.  But turn in your form and fee early to reserve your spot before the trip fills up.

Now, here are the details.  (All this information is also included in the Parents’ Information Letter that you can download here. And while you’re at it, download your registration form as well.)

What is it?

MISSION: TOLEDO is part of the Water’s Edge 2010 Summer schedule. The goal is to raise mission awareness among our students. All summer long we’ll be talking about our calling to be human ambassadors of the Love of Jesus Christ to the needy world around us. MISSION: TOLEDO is an opportunity to put that knowledge to work by serving others. MISSION: TOLEDO is a mission trip to Northwestern Ohio, during which our students will not only worship, learn and play together, but perform works of service for others.

When is it?

MISSION: TOLEDO will take place from Sunday, July 25 through Thursday, July 29, 2010. We will leave from the church at 2:00 pm on Sunday and return to the church sometime very late Thursday night (or possibly very early Friday morning).

Where is it?

MISSION: TOLEDO participants will stay at the Portage Holiness Camp in Portage, Ohio (just outside Bowling Green) and will make a day trip into Toledo, OH on Wednesday as well as visit Cedar Point Amusement park in Sandusky, OH on Thursday.

What will participants be doing?

We will arrive at the campground early Sunday evening. Monday and Tuesday will be spent doing service projects for the campground. Wednesday we will travel into Toledo, Ohio and spend time working at two women’s shelters operated by Toledo’s Cherry Street Mission, learning about the mission’s ministries and helping serve lunch to the shelters’ clients. Thursday we will pack up, spend the day at Cedar Point and then return home. Each day of the trip there will also be time for worship, personal devotions, as well as fun activities, including large group games and a trip to a local swimming beach.

How much does it cost?

The cost for MISSION: TOLEDO is $95. That will cover lodging, nine meals, transportation and activities. Four meals will not be covered- two fast food meals (Sunday supper on the way to Portage and Wednesday lunch after serving in Toledo) and two meals Thursday at Cedar Point.

How can my child register?

Participants need a registration/permission form which can be obtained either on table outside the Small Sanctuary or from the Information Center in the foyer. Forms and a $50 transferrable, non-refundable deposit are due by Sunday, July 11. The balance will be due on departure. Space is limited and students will be selected to attend on a first-come, first-served basis so get your registration in early.

What do I need to bring?

Clothes (including work clothes that can get dirty), bedding (beds a the campground have twin mattresses), bathroom paraphernalia (Including towel, soap and shampoo), swimsuit, bug spray, sunscreen, Bible, money for the four meals not included and any spending money they might want to get drinks/snacks while traveling.

Every Summer we kick off our activities with our annual Wilderness Retreat to the deep woods of northwest Michigan, and this year is no different.  We will be returning to the Rose-Alvia Retreat with their 600 acres of woods, spring fed lake and beautiful lodge.  And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re also planning on visiting Lake Michigan at the beach in Frankfort as well.  And for $35 per person, it really is an affordable retreat!

Click on “Read the Rest” to watch a video slide show from last year’s retreat as well as to learn all the details and download the information letter and permission form for the trip.

As with many of our trips, SPACE IS LIMITED and we will accept participants on a first come, first served basis.  Be sure to turn in your registration form and fee as soon as possible to reserve your place.  We can accept registrations up until the day we leave, however, once the trip is full, we won’t be able to accept any more participants.

Now for the details. (By the way, all of this information is also in our Parents’ Information Letter that you can download right here. And while you’re at it, download the registration form as well.)

What is it?

The Water’s Edge Wilderness Retreat is an annual event which kicks of the summer for our youth ministry. Nestled deep within the north woods of Michigan, students will make memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a wilderness adventure, with nature hikes, campfires and late night games deep in the woods. But it is also a spiritual retreat, with a special focus on spiritual formation and developing the disciplines of the Christian life. Most important though is the sense of community that is forged from the shared experiences of this retreat. Participants from the first Wilderness Retreat five years ago are still find themselves laughing about their fond memories and asking each other “Remember when . . . .” This is your chance to make some of these memories and friendships for yourself.

When is it?

June 18-20, 2010. We will plan to leave the church at 9:30 am on Friday June 18th and will return Sunday evening, June 20. (Our departure time may change depending on availability of chaperones and possible summer school conflicts – we will adjust to ensure as many as possible may attend.)

Where is it?

The middle of nowhere. No, seriously, it’s in the middle of nowhere. We’ll be headed to a 600 acre private retreat in the woods of Northern Michigan. The closest town is Mesick, MI, population 450.

How much does it cost?

Cost for this event will be $35 per student, plus money for four fast food meals, one treat at an ice cream shop and any spending money participants would like to bring. (Although, remember, we will be in the Michigan wilderness and the only chances to spend money will be in gas stations on the way to and from the retreat.)

What should I bring?

We will be outside for much of this retreat, so students should bring clothes they can get dirty. Daytime will probably be warm, so bring shorts and t-shirts, but evenings can get cold, so bring some pants and sweatshirts. (Besides, you will want long pants for some of the activities in the woods.) We’ll also visit Lake Michigan, so bring a swimsuit. Comfortable walking/running shoes are a must, don’t just bring sandals and flip-flops! Students should also bring sleeping bag and pillow, towels, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, any other necessities for grooming, bug spray, sunscreen, a Bible, writing utensils and a notebook.

• Who was Jesus? (Wednesday, March 10)
• What did Jesus say? (Wednesday, March 17)
• What did Jesus do? (Wednesday, March 24)
• Why did Jesus die? (Wednesday, April 7)

Join us on Wednesday nights to learn more.  Our Junior High service starts at 6:30 pm.  Senior High starts at 8:00 pm.

If you can’t make it one week, check back here.  We’ll be adding audio of the sermons to this page after the jump.  Or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes or via RSS.

Week One: Knowing Jesus

We kick of a series for Lent 2010 called “The Real Jesus.” This week we look at the importance of knowing Jesus in light of Acts 4 and Matthew 7.

Our second sermon in our Lenten Series “The Real Jesus.” This week we answer the question “Who was Jesus” and ask the question “Do I really believe in Jesus?” (Note: We used a different microphone than usual this week, and the result was a sub-par recording. We apologize and promise to have it fixed by next week.)

Our third sermon in our Lenten Series “The Real Jesus.” If Jesus really is God, he speaks into our lives with a unique authority. We can’t write him off like other teachers. What he says is important… So this week we answer the question “What did Jesus say?”

Our fourth sermon in our Lenten Series “The Real Jesus.” All of us have met people who say one thing and do another. We call them hypocrites. But what about Jesus? Did his actions line up with his words? Find out as we answer the question: “What did Jesus do?”

The fifth and final sermon in our Lenten Series “The Real Jesus.” If Jesus went around working to establish the rule and reign of God on earth and to free people from the powers that enslave them, why did he stop? Obviously there is still more work to be done. So why did Jesus leave? Why did Jesus have to die?

Celebrate Life is a talent and athletic competition sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene. Students can compete in a wide range of activities from sports (basketball, volleyball, tennis, ping pong, bowling, baseball, golf, 5k run, soccer, etc) to music (both vocal and instrumental solos, duets, trios and ensembles) to the arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, crafts, photography, etc), to other talents (speech, puppetry, mime, creative writing, science trivia, chess and lots more.)

Do well enough you can even qualify to compete at the Regional level at Olivet Nazarene University in May!

A pdf booklet with all the different categories for competition, as well as registration forms can be downloaded here. 

Registration forms and fees are due to Pastor Brad by Wednesday, March 10th.

Monday we bought 100 more tickets for the 4:15 showing at Mounds Mall.

As of noon on Tuesday, we had given away 76 of those 100 extra tickets.

Needless to say, tickets are going fast.  Here’s what you need to know:

1. If you don’t have a ticket voucher or have not made reservations with Pastor Brad, please do so as soon as possible.  You can reach him at pastor buhro [at] gmail dot com.  (Of course, take out the spaces and replace the punctuation with the appropriate symbols.)
2. If you do have a ticket voucher for someone who can’t come, please return it so we can make it available to someone else. Don’t hold back from going, and don’t decide not to invite someone because we’re short on tickets.  We want you to go.  But if you’ve invited someone and they can’t go, please help us give that seat to someone else.
3. If you have a 1:40 pm ticket and can go to the 4:15 showing instead, contact Pastor Brad to trade.  We’ve got some families we’re trying to keep together, and if you could make a trade it might be helpful.

Thanks!  And we’ll see you Sunday!