Welcome to the November edition of N.E.T.M.A. News where you’ll never have to say, “Nobody Ever Tells Me Anything!”
From the Youth Pastor
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday in late November that commemorates the good harvest of the Pilgrims in 1621. A day in which many of us take the time to reflect on what God has done for us during the year. As a child, I looked forward to Thanksgiving because it meant the beginning of the Christmas season and the major department stores would send out their Christmas catalogs. Those were the days, as I would sit and think about all the cool things that I could do if I only had that big yellow Tonka truck. You remember the one that was made out of steel not plastic and that you could stand on and ride down the sidewalk if you wanted? Those were the days!
As I have grown older, the Christmas “Wish Book” catalogs are no longer mailed to my house, but that’s okay because I have grown to have a deep appreciation for the Thanksgiving holiday as a time to reflect and to give thanks verses a time leading up to Christmas. My waiting to write out my Christmas wish list has turned into a Thanksgiving list instead. So what all do I have to be thankful for? Well each year at the top of my list is “family”. I am thankful for the home I grew up in and the example of Christlikeness that my parents emulated for me. I am grateful for my family; my wife of twenty-six and a half years and our four children and the people they are becoming. I am grateful that as life continues to move by it hasn’t become dull or monotonous. Each year seems to provide a new transition in life for me and this year is no different. In case you haven’t heard, Rachel and Josh recently informed us that they are pregnant, so our family continues to change and this year I transition into the world of grandparenting. How cool is that! In less than two months Scott will be getting married and in seven months Derrick will graduate. Transition is the key word in my home these days but I am thankful for it. I am thankful for our church and the opportunity that you all have afforded me to serve you and your family. This is a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I also appreciate all the many ways in which you all have ministered to me and my family over the years. You continually bless us and I am very grateful for you.
This is just the beginning of my “Thanksgiving” list. What does yours look like? Have you taken the time to sit and reflect and thank God for his blessings this year? If not, why not? Whenever I do this exercise I am continually amazed at all the ways God has provided for me. What is even more interesting is when we do this as a family and to see what all our kids pick up on and acknowledge God for. We have a “Blessing Basket” that we set on our table and we encourage the kids to write out blessings on a slip of paper and drop them in the basket. At Thanksgiving, we take the time to read them out loud as a way of giving thanks. Talk about a blessing! What are you going to do this month to give thanks to God? Take the time, make it intentional and as the hymn writer said, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.” It’s page number 644 in our hymnal; take a moment to read the verses of this hymn and reflect, it may just surprise you what God has done for you and your family this year.
Do You Need Youth Event Information?
Not that I mind phone calls and text messages about times or costs for events, but after receiving over two dozen for information about Scare Mare and the youth Halloween fellowship, I want to remind you that we try to make this information available online 24/7. Just go to www.bonsackyouth.org click on the “news” tab and then look at the Parent Newsletter for the month, and if you can’t find what you are looking for, call or text me. Like I said, it’s not a big deal but we do have two hundred youth in our ministry and if everyone called and texted me about events I wouldn’t be able to afford my cell bill. Don’t be offended, look back at the article above and remember that I am thankful for you. Another helpful hint is what several other parents have told me they do. They open the envelope when it arrives and they put the youth calendar on the refrigerator and the Parent Newsletter on the cabinet door or in their day planner so they have what they need.
Sac Sun Finale
This has been the youth emphasis for our Capital Campaign that is coming to a conclusion. The first Sunday of each month has been “Sac Sun” which is an abbreviation for “Sacrificial Sunday” and a play on a popular teen clothing store called Pac Sun. On the first Sunday of each month, we challenge youth to bring their sacrificial gift to the capital campaign as a way of keeping up with the commitment that they made. The campaign is coming to a close, and as a way of finalizing the campaign, we are setting aside Sunday, December 6, as a final day of ingathering. We are going to be encouraging the teens to bring one final sacrificial gift that Sunday as we meet for a combined time of fellowship during the 10:30 hour of Sunday School. You will be hearing more about this in a letter and at the Parent Dessert Fellowship on the 14th.
November Dates to Remember
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no evening activities on November 22 or 25. 3 – Youth Service Project – With some last minute changes, we are now going to do a variety of things. Wear layered clothing and closed-toe shoes. We will meet at the church at 9 a.m. and return to the church at 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
08 – Senior Gab – This is a gathering for seniors and Danny to begin looking ahead to life following high school, as well as to do some reflection. This month’s Gab session will take place at Danny and Debbie’s home after the evening service and will end at 10 p.m.
11 – Concert at VA Tech. – Two great worship leaders, Steve Fee and Charlie Hall, will be in concert at Tech. We have been taking orders for tickets over the last several weeks. This will be the only thing taking place for youth on this Wednesday night. We will leave the church at 6 p.m. and return between 11-11:30. Please remember, Acteens and Baptist Young Men will not meet on this night, nor will there be Power Hour.
14– Youth & Parent Dessert Fellowship –The Youth Council has finished working on a tentative calendar for the 2009/2010 youth year and we want to share it with you. We will have our annual Youth & Parent Dessert Fellowship from 6 to 9 p.m. so that you can hear about the trips, fellowships, service projects and the anticipated costs that will go along with them. (Please bring a dessert to share.) This will also be a time for you to sign up to participate on a Youth Ministry Team. What’s a ministry team? Come to the fellowship meeting and find out.
15 – Sr. Adult Pie and Bingo – This is a great opportunity for our teens and senior adults to interact and have a great time together. It was a huge success the last time we did it. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall following the evening worship service for this event; it will conclude at 9 p.m. If you can help with pies or ice cream, please give Candy Williams a call at 977-2972.
22 – Wedding Shower for Scott and Caleigh – Please come to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Scott Quirin and Caleigh Keith on Sunday, November 22 from 1-3 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Drop by to shower them with your love and support. This event is open to all church families. All parents and youth are encouraged to attend this wonderful celebration! Please contact Kim Mott at 314- 3190, Caryn Connor at 793-1532 or Stephanie Gillenwater at 353-4770 if you have any questions.
24 – Thanksgiving Service – We will have our annual Thanksgiving service with Bonsack United Methodist at Bonsack Baptist on Tuesday, November 24 at 6:30 p.m. This has always been a nice community service and is a great way to get into the Thanksgiving spirit.
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