Vitals - Jan. 27th/28th

42 (High School) - Jan. 27th
Discussion Questions:
"Where do you think most students get their value or worth as an individual?"
"What is one thing that you wish you could change about your life?"
Message - "I'm Not Good Enough - Defeating Depression" by Katie
Key Points:
Knowing the truth about WHO I AM, helps me to be GRATEFUL for my life.
My need to BELONG was created by God and He ACCEPTS me.
Even in my pain, God wants me to EXPECT great things from Him in the FUTURE.
My VALUE is not determined by what people see me do, but by who GOD SAYS I AM.
Verses Referenced: Psalm 139:13-14, 17-18, Romans 8:1, John 16:33, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 1:6
Worship led by Stephen Ites and the 42 band
Attendance: 32 (24 students, 8 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Jan. 28th
Discussion Questions:
"Where do you think most students get their value or worth as an individual?"
"What is one thing that you wish you could change about your life?"
Message - "I'm Not Good Enough - Defeating Depression" by Katie
Key Points:
Knowing the truth about WHO I AM, helps me to be GRATEFUL for my life.
My need to BELONG was created by God and He ACCEPTS me.
Even in my pain, God wants me to EXPECT great things from Him in the FUTURE.
My VALUE is not determined by what people see me do, but by who GOD SAYS I AM.
Verses Referenced: Psalm 139:13-14, 17-18, Romans 8:1, John 16:33, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 1:6
Worship led by Stephen Ites and The Spark band
Attendance:
Total: 93
1st Service: 45 (34 students, 11 leaders)
2nd Service: 48 (38 students, 10 leaders)

Too Bad, So Sad...

I have some bad news...

Unfortunately, not enough students signed up for WinterFest (High School Colorado Ski Trip) to happen. The bummer is the people that signed up are the ones who suffer the most, so if your student signed up to go to Colorado, here's the deal:

You can either get your money back, or they can transfer their registration to SNOWFest '07 and come to Afton Alps in Minnesota with us instead... the choice is yours, but we hope they will come to SNOWFest! It's from February 23-25th and we will be taking the same style charter bus and staying in a Hotel near the resort. The cost is only $199 so if you put down the $100 deposit, you only owe $99, and that includes EVERYTHING! Lodging, lift tickets, rental, transportation and loads of fun! We hope they will come with us. You will have to fill out a new permission slip for SNOWFest, but that's no big deal. If you have any questions please call Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134. Hope that clears everything up, and again we are sorry but WinterFest '07 has been canceled! SIGN UP YOUR STUDENT FOR SNOWFest '07 BEFORE IT FILLS UP!!

Vitals - Jan. 13, 14

42 (High School) - Jan. 6th
Discussion Questions:
"What comes to mind when you hear the phrase 'under the influence' or 'addiction'?"
"What is one thing in your life that might eventually have the possibility of controlling you?"
Message - "Above the Influence - Overcoming Addictions" by Kurt
Key Points:
An addiction is any area of your life that is out of CONTROL.
How To Overcome Your Addiction:
I need to trust in GOD'S power not MY OWN.
I need to tell SOMEONE ELSE about my addiction.
Commit to FILLING UP on God's ADVICE, rather than your ADDICTION.
Verses Referenced: Romans 7:19, 24-25, Ephesians 5:15, 18, Philippians 4:13, James 5:16
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the 42 band
Attendance: 27 (18 students, 9 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Jan. 7th
Message - "Above the Influence - Overcoming Addictions" by Kurt
Key Points:
An addiction is any area of your life that is out of CONTROL.
How To Overcome Your Addiction:
I need to trust in GOD'S power not MY OWN.
I need to tell SOMEONE ELSE about my addiction.
Commit to FILLING UP on God's ADVICE, rather than your ADDICTION.
Verses Referenced: Romans 7:19, 24-25, Ephesians 5:15, 18, Philippians 4:13, James 5:16
Worship led by Jake Nelson and Leah Banks
Attendance:
Total: 92
1st Service: 41 (31 students, 10 leaders)
2nd Service: 51 (42 students, 9 leaders)

Vitals - Jan. 6,7

42 (High School) - Jan. 6th
Discussion Questions:
"What was one of your New Years Resolutions?"
"When was the last time you told someone an embarrassing secret?"
"What is one thing in your life that you feel is unfair?"
Message - "Who Me? - Dealing with Denial" by Kurt
Key Points:
Don't be afraid to talk to God about your PAIN. He can HANDLE your feelings.
In order to HEAL, you have to give God the CHANCE to change you.
I can be HONEST with God, because He cares about my PAIN.
Verses Referenced:Psalm 109:26 & 31, Job 7:11, Romans 12:2
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the 42 band
Attendance: 25 (16 students, 9 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Jan. 7th
"What is one thing in your life that you feel is unfair?"
Message - "Who Me? - Dealing with Denial" by Kurt
Key Points:
Don't be afraid to talk to God about your PAIN. He can HANDLE your feelings.
In order to HEAL, you have to give God the CHANCE to change you.
I can be HONEST with God, because He cares about my PAIN.
Verses Referenced:Psalm 109:26 & 31, Job 7:11, Romans 12:2
Worship led by Jake Nelson and Leah Banks
Total Attendance: 89
1st Service: 43 (32 students 11 leaders)
2nd Service: 46 (39 students, 7 leaders)

Baggage Check...

While there will be no Student Ministries services the next two weekends, Dec. 23/24 and Dec. 30/31, beginning Jan. 6/7th we embark on a new journey. We will be starting a new series in Student Ministries called "BAGGAGE CHECK" to deal with the junk that we all carry in our lives, and together we will look to God to help, and heal us as we become real and authentic with each other. Please encourage your student and their friends to attend this powerful series as we discover the life that God has intended us to live, as we release our junk and check our Baggage into God's care.

Jan. 6/7 - "Who Me?" (Dealing with Denial)
Jan. 13/14 - "Above the Influence" (Overcoming Addictions)
Jan. 20/21 - "Re-Record the Tapes" (Escaping Emotional Baggage)
Jan. 27/28 - "I'm Not Special" (Overcoming Depression)

Vitals - Dec. 16, 17

42 (High School) - Dec. 16th
Message - "A Christmas Story" by Kurt and Katie
Discussion Questions:
"What is the worst gift you ever got for Christmas? The best?"
"When was the last time in your life that you were truly surprised?"
Key Points:
JESUS was the surprise Christmas gift.
Sometimes when things seem OUT OF CONTROL, we realize what is really IMPORTANT.
Our MISTAKES make room for God's MIRACLES.
Verses Referenced: Luke 1:28-30, Matthew 1:18-21
Worship led by Jake Nelson and Leah Banks
Attendance: 17 (13 students, 4 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Dec. 17th
Message - "A Christmas Story" by Kurt and Katie
Key Points:
JESUS was the surprise Christmas gift.
Sometimes when things seem OUT OF CONTROL, we realize what is really IMPORTANT.
Our MISTAKES make room for God's MIRACLES.
Verses Referenced: Luke 1:28-30, Matthew 1:18-21
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the Spark Band
Attendance: 92
1st Service: 42 (32 students, 10 leaders)
2nd Service: 50 (41 students, 9 leaders)

Here Come the Snow Trips!!

Hey Students! We got two of our biggest events of the year coming up! Don't miss out on our winter extravaganza events! Be sure to sign up for either of these events at 42 on Saturday nights or at the Spark on Sunday morning! Be sure to get your parents to fill out the permission slips and put down the deposit. Invite your friends to jump in on the fun as well!

Here are the details:

Jr. High - SNOWFEST 2007
Feb. 23-25, 2007
Afton Alps in Minnesota
Cost: $199 ($50 deposit due at registration, entire balance due on or before Feb. 18th)
Come by the Student Zone for a registration form, and to get signed up!
Any questions call Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134 or Katie at 515.987.9595 ext. 133

High School - WINTERFEST '07
March 20-24, 2007
Winter Park in Colorado
Cost: $399 ($100 deposit due at registration, entire balance due on or before Feb. 18th)
Come by the Student Zone for a registration form, and to get signed up!
Any questions call Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134 or Jake at 515.987.9595 ext. 135

Vitals - Dec. 9,10

42 (High School) - Dec. 9th
Discussion Questions:
"What do you think is the real meaning of Christmas?"
"What comes to mind when you think about spiritual maturity?"
Message - "The Nightmare Before Christmas" by Kurt
Key Points:
KNOWING something is way less important that LOVING someone.
Jack learned about the Christmas EXPRESSIONS, but missed the Christmas EXPERIENCE.
You can have all the PACKAGING, and still the PURPOSE of Christmas.
Verses Referenced: 1 Corinthians 8:1, James 1:22-24, Luke 2:34
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the 42 band
Attendance: 27 (21 students, 6 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Nov. 26th
Message - "The Nightmare Before Christmas" by Kurt
Key Points:
KNOWING something is way less important that LOVING someone.
Jack learned about the Christmas EXPRESSIONS, but missed the Christmas EXPERIENCE.
You can have all the PACKAGING, and still the PURPOSE of Christmas.
Verses Referenced: 1 Corinthians 8:1, James 1:22-24, Luke 2:34
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the Spark band
Total Attendance: 91
1st Service: 53 (46 students 7 leaders)
2nd Service: 44 (38 students, 6 leaders)

REGISTRATION FRENZY!!!

Starting this week, we have registration for three of our biggest events of the year!

Jr. High - SNOWFEST 2007
Feb. 23-25, 2007
Afton Alps in Minnesota
Cost: $199 ($50 deposit due at registration, entire balance due on or before Feb. 18th)
Come by the Student Zone for a registration form, and to get signed up!
Any questions call Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134 or Katie at 515.987.9595 ext. 133

High School - WINTERFEST '07
March 20-24, 2007
Winter Park in Colorado
Cost: $399 ($100 deposit due at registration, entire balance due on or before Feb. 18th)
Come by the Student Zone for a registration form, and to get signed up!
Any questions call Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134 or Jake at 515.987.9595 ext. 135

Jr. High & High School - BIG STUF CAMP
July 28- Aug. 3, 2007
Panama City Beach, Florida
Cost: $450 ($100 deposit due at registration, entire balance due on or before May 6th)
Come by the Student Zone for a registration form, and to get signed up!
Any questions call Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134 or Katie at 515.987.9595 ext. 133

Vitals - Dec. 2,3

42 (High School) - Dec. 2nd
Community Night
Total Attendance: 27 (19 Students, 8 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Dec. 3rd
Message - "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Kurt and Katie
Key Points:
The Grinch focused on the GIFTS, the Who's focused on the GIVING.
The joy of the Who's helped the Grinch to GROW.
This Christmas, it is better to give GRACE, than get GIFTS.
Verses Referenced: Matthew 16:19-20, Luke 2:16-20
Worship led by Jake Nelson and Leah Banks
Total Attendance: 106
1st Service: 64 (53 students 11 leaders)
2nd Service: 42 (36 students, 8 leaders)

"{Christ}mas Movie Makeover" Series

This weekend (12.2-12.3) we will officially be diving head first into the Christmas season! We will be beginning a 3-week series called "{Christ}mas Movie Makeovers" where we will be discovering how God wants to speak to us through the classic movies of Christmas. The students will learn how to find Jesus' presence in Hollywood. Be sure your students come out to all three weeks!

Dec. 2,3 - "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
Dec. 9,10 - "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
Dec. 16,17 - "The Christmas Story"

High School Service This Weekend...

If you are a parent of a High School Parent PLEASE READ THIS...

Due to a lack of connection within the High School Ministry, we feel that it is very important to provide some ways for the students to connect to each other, so instead of doing business as usual next weekend (12.2), we will be taking the students across the street to Warrior Lanes to go Bowling. The church will pay for this so there is no reason for your student to not attend. Please however, keep this a secret from your High School Student, but encourage them to attend. We will meet at church as if having a normal service, however we will go to Warrior Lanes. We will be back at the church at 6:40pm so to not impose on anyone's schedule. This is just to give you a heads up. If you have any questions please contact Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134. Thanks and again please DO NOT tell you student about this.

If you student would like to participate in the first installment of our Christmas Movie Makeover Series "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" please encourage them to attend both Saturday night and Sunday morning!

Kurt

Vitals - Nov. 25, 26

42 (High School) - Nov. 25th
Discussion Questions:
"What words would you use to describe your faith/religion/walk with God?"
"What comes to your mind when your hear someone say the word 'Risk'?"
Message - "Life to the Extreme" by Kurt
Key Points:
EXPECT great things from God.
EXPLORE God's track record.
EXPERIENCE God's best in your life.
Verses Referenced: 2 Corinthians 11:22-26, 1 Samuel 14:6
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the 42 band
Attendance: 22 (17 students, 5 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Nov. 26th
Message - "Life to the Extreme" by Kurt
Key Points:
EXPECT great things from God.
EXPLORE God's track record.
EXPERIENCE God's best in your life.
Verses Referenced: 2 Corinthians 11:22-26, 1 Samuel 14:6
Worship led by Jake Nelson and Leah Banks
Total Attendance: 83
1st Service: 44 (36 students 8 leaders)
2nd Service: 39 (33 students, 6 leaders)

Habitat for Humanity Service Project - Nov. 24th

This Friday, November 24th, we will doing a service project at Jordan Creek Town Center. We are partnering with Habitat for Humanity and will be wrapping gifts for free in the mall. We will be stationed across from GAP on the upper level of Jordan Creek.

We will have two sessions, 11:30a - 3:00p and from 3:00p - 6:30p. If your student serves in the first session , they will get a free lunch before they serve. If they serve during the second session they will get a free dinner. Here's how it works:

Session 1:
Drop-off: 11:30a at the Fireplace by Panera Bread
Pick up: 3:00p by GAP

Session 2:
Drop -off: 3:00p by GAP
Pick up: 6:30p at the Fireplace by Panera Bread

We hope that your student will be able to come and serve with us! Also, if you would like to come and help out and hang with us and with your students, we would love that!! If you have any questions, please call Katie at 515.577.9212. See you Friday!

Vitals - Nov. 18, 19

42 (High School) - Nov. 18th
Discussion Questions:
"What was the last thing that you spent a lot of money on?"
"Do you consider yourself a generous or sacrificial person? Why?"
Key Point:
God cares more about your attitude than anything else.
If you are not able to accept and connect with people that are different than you, you need to find another church...
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the 42 band
Attendance: 21 (15 students, 6 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Nov. 9th
Message - "Breaking the Bank" by Kurt
Key Points:
Realize that everything is a GIFT
It's all about your ATTITUDE, not the AMOUNT.
Trust God with you MONEY, and you will have more than you will ever NEED.
Verses Referenced: James 1:17, Matthew 12:41-42, Malachi 3:10
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the Spark band
Total Attendance: 103
1st Service: 46 (36 students 10 leaders)
2nd Service: 57 (51 students, 7 leaders)

Parental Guidance

Attention Parents!

This weekend we are wrapping up our series called "Life 360" with a message called "Life to the Extreme" which is about risk, opportunity and making the most of the life God has called us to live. It is going to be an extremely exciting weekend! We are also giving away the Xbox 360 this weekend! Its going to be awesome!

In the message this weekend, we will be using a clip from the movie "Braveheart" to give a picture of risk. In our youth ministry, specifically in the Spark for Jr. High students, we have an unspoken rule that we will never show a clip from an R rated movie in a weekend service without letting the parents know first. So we are writing here to let you know that we will be showing a clip from "Braveheart" this weekend. The clip will be clean and have no language or violence. If you have any questions about this please feel free to call me at 515.987.9595 ext. 134. Thanks!

Kurt

High School Service Next Weekend...

If you are a parent of a High School Parent PLEASE READ THIS...

Due to a lack of connection within the High School Ministry, we feel that it is very important to provide some ways for the students to connect to each other, so instead of doing business as usual next weekend (12.2), we will be taking the students across the street to Warrior Lanes to go Bowling. The church will pay for this so there is no reason for your student to not attend. Please however, keep this a secret from your High School Student, but encourage them to attend. We will meet at church as if having a normal service, however we will go to Warrior Lanes. We will be back at the church at 6:40pm so to not impose on anyone's schedule. This is just to give you a heads up. If you have any questions please contact Kurt at 515.987.9595 ext. 134. Thanks and again please DO NOT tell you student about this.

If you student would like to participate in the first instalement of our Christmas Movie Makeover Series "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" please encourage them to attend both Saturday night and Sunday morning!

Kurt

Vitals - Nov. 11,12

42 (High School) - Nov. 11th
Message - "Broadband Beliefs" by Kurt
Key Points:
Jesus is passionate enough to THINK of us.
Jesus is passionate enough to get His hands DIRTY and TOUCH people's lives.
Jesus is Passionate enough to COME TO US.
Jesus has a BROADBAND PASSION for you!
Verses Referenced: John 17:20-21, Luke 5:12-13, John 3:16-17
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the 42 band
Attendance: 23 (16 students, 7 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Nov. 5th
Message - "Broadband Beliefs" by Kurt
Key Points:
Jesus is passionate enough to THINK of us.
Jesus is passionate enough to get His hands DIRTY and TOUCH people's lives.
Jesus is Passionate enough to COME TO US.
Jesus has a BROADBAND PASSION for you!
Verses Referenced: John 17:20-21, Luke 5:12-13, John 3:16-17
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the Spark band
Total Attendance: 96
1st Service: 46 (36 students 10 leaders)
2nd Service: 50 (42 students, 8 leaders)

Parent Meeting Recap...

Well parents, if you are reading this then you have fond the website, which is the first step!

We are so excited that you cared enough to spend an hour with us this past Sunday! Thanks for the amazing opportunity to be with your students every week. We are so honored to work with them and bring the reality of God to this generation!

So we want to give you a recap so that you have it, so here it goes:

The next 3 months of teaching topics:
"Life 360" - 10.15 - 11.26
"[Christ]mas Movies" - 12.3 - 12.17
Christmas Eve - No Student Services (spend time as a family)
"Baggage Check" - 1.7 - 1.28
"Do you like me? Yes...No...Maybe" - 2.11 - 3.4
"Face the Music" - 3.11 -3.25

The next 3 BIG TRIPS:
- Junior High Ski/Snowboard Trip - February 2007
We will be heading up to Afton Alps in Minnesota for a full weekend of Snowboarding or skiing if you want. We will have two days on the mountain and have a blast getting to know each other and grow deeper together and we eat a bunch of snow. There will be more information on this trip coming up next week. Your student will not want to miss it! It will be the highlight of the winter! Don't let them miss out. There will be scholarships for families that send multiple students, or who need to aid.

- High School Ski/Snowboard Trip - March 2007
High school will be heading over to Colorado for 4 days, (3 days of skiing and/or snowboarding) for a cool version of Spring Break. If your student went last year, you know how much of a highlight this trip was. This year we want to step it up to another level. We know that this trip will be kinda pricey, around $425 per person, and we need 40 students to go, so please encourage your students to sign up and not miss this opportunity to have fun, hang out and meet new students and grow deeper spiritually and relationally!

- Summer Camp - July 2007
This summer, July to be exact, we are going to BIG STUF CAMP in Panama City Beach. It is going to be an amazing week of worship, growing deeper in friendships, connecting more intimately with God and playing at the beach! We know this camp is expensive and far away, but it is the #2 ranked Christian camp in the nation, and is staffed by some of the most sought-after speakers and musicians and staff in the world, and we want the best for our students. Also, we wanted to go to a camp that would enable us to spend as much time with YOUR STUDENTS, rather than worrying about putting on the program. The value of this camp will be much higher than anything we could do around here, and we want a valuable experience to really WOW your students and bring them back ready to change their campus for Christ. If you have any questions about this please contact us so we can walk through this together, but we are very excited about this camp and while it might be expensive and tense up front because its new, we think that YOU will be just as excited about it after we get back! Please dont let your student miss this opportunity.

It will cost around $450, but we will give a $50 break for each additional student per family, and there will be plenty of financial aid available, and we will be in Florida for a week towards the end of July. We will be renting a charter bus to drive down there and your students will have a blast! Again please check out the Big Stuf website and let us know how we can keep you involved. There will be much more information coming soon, but wanted to give you an early heads up!

Hope that helps you. Again please, please, please contact us and let us know how we can help and serve you and your students better! Thanks parents and have a great day!

Vitals - Nov. 4,5

42 (High School) - Nov. 4th
Message - "Wireless Connections" by Katie
Key Points:
God invites us into a GREAT LIFE, which is lived in the context of RELATIONSHIPS.
Keys to Connection: HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE, FORGIVENESS.
INVITE your friends in the areas of life that are most IMPORTANT to you.
Our FRIENDSHIPS with people, reflect our RELATIONSHIP with God.
Verses Referenced: Ephesians 4:1-2, John 13:34-35,
Worship led by Jake Nelson
Attendance: 18 (10 students, 8 leaders)

The Spark (Jr. High) - Nov. 5th
Message - "Wireless Connections" by Katie
Key Points:
God invites us into a GREAT LIFE, which is lived in the context of RELATIONSHIPS.
Keys to Connection: HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE, FORGIVENESS.
INVITE your friends in the areas of life that are most IMPORTANT to you.
Our FRIENDSHIPS with people, reflect our RELATIONSHIP with God.
Verses Referenced: Ephesians 4:1-2, John 13:34-35,
Worship led by Jake Nelson and the Spark band
Total Attendance: 102
1st Service: 54 (42 students 12 leaders)
2nd Service: 48 (38 students, 10 leaders)