Welcome to the April edition of N.E.T.M.A. News where you’ll never have to say, “Nobody Ever Tells Me Anything!”
From the Youth Pastor
Have you noticed the signs of new life yet? I was grilling out the other evening and I heard them. No, not the neighborhood kids and not the traffic—I heard the signs of new life that accompany this time of year…frogs in the creek behind our house. I love spring and all the signs of new life. The trees that are flowering, the flowers popping up in the garden, the grass that needs mowing. I know that just reading this is making some of you sneeze and sniffle. But I really enjoy the hope that accompanies spring. I know that we could still get a little snow or that I could go out to my truck in the morning and need to run the defroster to clean the windshield, but all these signs of new life give me hope that warmer weather is right around the corner. New life brings me hope each year after a gray dreary winter.
Isn’t Easter timely? Just as I am physically sensing all of this new life around me through sight, sound, smell and touch, I am also experiencing it spiritually because of celebrating the life, death and resurrection of my Jesus. Just as all these signs of spring offer me hope that warmer days are ahead which will allow me to do more of the things I enjoy, Easter offers me hope for new life and eternity with Jesus and all that will bring. How are you celebrating this season as a family? Are you dreading the mulching, mowing, mending and mucus or are you looking ahead to some spiritual spring cleaning? Why not consider areas in your spiritual life that might need a little clean up this Easter season? How about taking the teachable moment that God is providing all around you right now and to talk with your teen about creation and God’s revealing himself through it? The Psalmist wrote, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” Why not take the time to find some unique ways this Easter season to praise the God of heaven, earth and humanity as a family?
Family Easter Readings
We have included some Passion Week Bible readings on the youth calendar. These would make some great family devotional reading time to take you from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem through that week and the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. You’ll need to come to church on Easter Sunday to hear about the resurrection.
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure!
We need help pulling off a BIG fundraiser! The youth only do a few fundraisers to help offset the costs of their mission trips and camps. We would like to do a yard/rummage sale in May. Can you help? We need several parents to organize and guide the youth during this process. If you are willing to help, please contact Kim Mott at 966-3829.
My son-in-law’s youth group does this annually in Fredericksburg and raises some big money each year to help with their trips. Our choir did this as a fund raiser last year for their trip to Carnegie Hall and it was very profitable. Don’t forget that when youth do fundraisers it isn’t just for trips this summer. This money goes into their youth account to be used for any trips they want to participate in during their years in the youth ministry.
Kroger Card Fund Raiser
Just a reminder that we also have the Kroger gift card fund raiser that is ongoing. Here’s how it works: we have to purchase the cards loaded with money, so you purchase one from Danny for $5. Then you add money to it at Kroger in whatever increments you choose. When you purchase things in the store or gas at the pump you swipe it like a debit card. We receive 5% of your purchase back and that amount is transferred into your student’s account. You make money by buying things you need! I bought $50 in gas and saved 3 cents at the pump and will get $2.50 toward my student’s account. In my mind this is a no-brainer fund raiser.
Jam-A-Rama Weekend
Jam-A-Rama is a weekend retreat for Bonsack youth. It is led by college students and takes place at Ward Haven retreat center in Catawba. This year’s Jam-A-Rama is scheduled for Friday, April 24, through Sunday, April 26. Our theme for this year’s Jam-A-Rama is Live Love and will help our students focus on what they are living for and how they can begin to love God and love others in some very practical ways. There is a PDF file of the brochure on the youth web page for you to view.
The cost for this event is $40/person and covers everything your youth will need for the weekend. There is an informational pamphlet in the Power House with a registration form. Youth will need to fill out the registration form and return it in with their payment no later than Wednesday, April 15, in order to attend this event. Because we are limited on space, the first 60 youth to turn in their forms will be signed up for this event.
End of Times Series
Because we have had so many youth express an interest in hearing Pastor Bob’s End of Time series, we will not have youth choir or youth discipleship on April 19 and 26. Youth are being encouraged to participate in this study in the sanctuary from 5 to 7 p.m.
April Dates to Remember
05 – Sac Sun is our youth version of the capital stewardship campaign. Our youth pledged right at $12,000 and to date we have received just over $2,000. We use the first Sunday of each month as a reminder for the youth to turn in their pledged contributions.
11– Easter Egg Hunt for Pageant Kids – The youth group is sponsoring an Easter egg hunt for children participating in the Pageant on Saturday, during the 2:00 p.m. performance. We need youth to bring in candy, stickers or small toys that can be stuffed into plastic eggs. There is a box in the Power House for the donations and a sign-up sheet for youth and parents who can help with this. This will be a neat ministry to the children who are giving so much time and energy to our Pageant. Please send in goodies and sign up to help.
14 – Spring Fling at Ward Haven – The Roanoke Valley Baptist Association is holding a fun day at Ward Haven for youth groups. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers, fun, fellowship and games. The cost is $2/person. We will leave Bonsack at 10:30 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. We also need some adults to help chaperone. Please sign up in the Power House or contact Danny if you can help.
24-26 – Jam-A-Rama Weekend – All youth who register will receive an informational letter in the mail. Don’t forget to fill out a registration and turn it in no later than Wednesday, April 15!
*** Important Dates to Note:
01, 08 & 15 - No regular activities because of the Pageant.
05 & 12 – No Sunday evening activities
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