Last Weekend Before Discount Deadline for Captivate...

CAPTIVATE.
The theme for this year's Student Fall Retreat is "Captivate." During this incredible weekend, students will be drawn into the greatest story ever told: The epic story of God's relentless love for His people. This story has the power to capture our hearts and transform our lives forever, sending us on an adventure to change the world as God changes our hearts and lives.

This Weekend (Sept. 27th) is the last weekend to sign up for CAPTIVATE - our Fall Getaway, and still receive the discount. This is going to be one of the greatest weekends of the year and your student(s) will not want to miss out on this (and you'd probably like to save some money)!! To receive the discount, the permission slip must be filled out and signed, and the check must be received BEFORE October 1st. Registrations can also be mailed in, and all registrations postmarked by September 30th will be given the discount. Those received or postmarked October 1st or after, will be charged the increased price. If you have any questions, please feel free to talk to any of the Student Ministry Staff during a weekend service or you can call us at the church office at 515.987.9595. Thanks for understanding.

Paid before October 1st, 6th Graders = $99 7th – 12th Graders = $119
Paid on or before November 1st, 6th Graders = $119
7th – 12th Graders = $139

Your money is due in full when you sign up for CAPTIVATE and unfortunately, because we have to reserve space and rent equipment, there can be NO refunds of any kind after you sign up for CAPTIVATE. Thank you for understanding…

Vitals - Sept. 20th

The Spark (Jr. High) - September 20th
Message - "Go Green - Who Are You Running With?" by Kurt
Big Idea:
Your friends determine the direction and quality of your life.

Key Verses: Proverbs 12:2-3
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 163
1st Service: 67 (56 students, 12 leaders)
2nd Service: 96 (81 students, 15 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - September 20th
Message - "Go Green - Who Are You Running With?" by Kurt
Big Idea:
Your friends determine the direction and quality of your life.

Key Verses: Proverbs 12:2-3

Worship led by: Justin Willis and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 86 (74 students, 12 leaders)

CAPTIVATE. - Nov. 6th-8th

CAPTIVATE.
The theme for this year's Student Fall Retreat is "Captivate." During this incredible weekend, students will be drawn into the greatest story ever told: The epic story of God's relentless love for His people. This story has the power to capture our hearts and transform our lives forever, sending us on an adventure to change the world as God changes our hearts and lives.

When is it…
Captivate is November 6th – 8th, 2009

Where is it…
Hidden Acres Christian Conference Center in Dayton. Tucked away in the Hills about an hour west of Des Moines, the stage will be set for a true weekend getaway with God and friends. But don’t let the rustic scenery fool you - this is not your average wilderness weekend! Stocked with an indoor pool, gym, lake, paintball course, high ropes, horseback riding trails and a coffee shop, it's gonna be the biggest and best weekend of the year!

What do I need to bring…
A sleeping bag, close-toed shoes, toiletries, pants, Bible, pen, journal, clothes that can get dirty/ruined, spending money and your PLAID clothes for Super Spirit Saturday!

What should I not bring…
Cell phones, cigarettes, fireworks, iPods or other portable electronic
devices, offensive clothing or bad attitudes.

When and where do I need to be…
Register at Point of Grace at 3:00pm on Friday, November 6th Convoy leaves for CAPTIVATE around 3:30pm. Return to Point of Grace around 5:00pm on Sunday, November 8th.

What if I have questions…
Feel free to call the Student Ministry office at 987.9595, or you can ask questions by email at students@pointofgrace.com.

How much is it? When is my money due…
Paid before October 1st, 6th Graders = $99 7th – 12th Graders = $119
Paid on or before November 1st, 6th Graders = $119
7th – 12th Graders = $139

Your money is due in full when you sign up for CAPTIVATE and unfortunately, because we have to reserve space and rent equipment, there can be NO refunds of any kind after you sign up for CAPTIVATE. Thank you for understanding…

Vitals - September 13th

The Spark (Jr. High) - September 13th
Message - "Go Green - A Transformed Kind Of Life..." by Katie
Big Idea:
The point of following Jesus is for our lives to be changed.

Key Verses: Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:25-26, 30-33
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 139
1st Service: 62 (48 students, 13 leaders)
2nd Service: 91 (76 students, 15 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - September 13th
Message - "Go Green - A Transformed Kind Of Life..." by Katie
Big Idea:
The point of following Jesus is for our lives to be changed.

Key Verses: Romans 12:2, Matthew 6:25-26, 30-33

Worship led by: Justin Willis and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 73 (61 students, 12 leaders)

Vitals - August 30th

The Spark (Jr. High) - August 30th
Message - "ELEMENTAL - elevate..." by Kurt
Key Points:
EVERYONE worships SOMETHING. Worship is a LIFESTYLE.
Worship is LOVING GOD, even when NOBODY ELSE is.

Key Verses: Romans 12:1-3
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 143
1st Service: 59 (48 students, 11 leaders)
2nd Service: 95 (81 students, 14 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - August 30th
Message - "ELEMENTAL - elevate..." by Kurt
Discussion Questions:
"What do you think 'worship' means?"
"Do you think that you are a different person at church from who you are at home, at school or at work?"
Key Points:
EVERYONE worships SOMETHING. Worship is a LIFESTYLE.
Worship is LOVING GOD, even when NOBODY ELSE is.

Key Verses: Romans 12:1-3

Worship led by: Justin Willis and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 75 (65 students, 10 leaders)

Vitals - August 23rd

The Spark (Jr. High) - August 23rd
Message - "ELEMENTAL - access..." by Katie
Key Points:
God CREATED ME to be part of His mission: MAKING THE WORLS NEW.

As soon as Jesus realized His INFLUENCE, He SERVED His friends.

Serving the needs of our PHYSICAL WORLD, can change SPIRITUAL REALITIES.
Key Verses: John 13:3-11
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 146
1st Service: 68 (58 students, 10 leaders)
2nd Service: 88 (77 students, 11 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - August 23rd
Message - "ELEMENTAL - access..." by Katie
Discussion Questions:

"When was the last time that you did something nice or someone else? How did you feel afterwards?"

"What is your typical response when you realize that you are the most popular or influential person in a group?"

Key Points:

God CREATED ME to be part of His mission: MAKING THE WORLS NEW.

As soon as Jesus realized His INFLUENCE, He SERVED His friends.

Serving the needs of our PHYSICAL WORLD, can change SPIRITUAL REALITIES.
Key Verses: John 13:3-11

Worship led by: Justin Willis and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 78 (68 students, 10 leaders)

Casey Darnell's "Can You See Me?" music video that we showed this past Sunday...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy5WxNtn3rE

Life Groups Are Starting Soon!

This past weekend, August 16th, your student will be able to sign up to be in a Life Group. This is a very important step in their spiritual journey!

Our goal is to create environments where students begin to "See and God sees, and Love as God loves." We do this through helping students build purposeful relationships, experience God for themselves and engage in opportunities to be actively involved in the cause of Christ by serving others. Each week in their Middle School or High School environments students will experience fun games, great food, rocking worship, a challenging talk, and most importantly a meaningful connection in a Life Group with other students their age and caring adult leaders.

Life Group is the environment where students can connect with other peers and a caring adult in our to process what God is doing in their lives and what they are learning. This is where their faith becomes their own and they can ask questions and build intimate relationships with others. Our program is changing so that Life Groups will no longer be on Wednesday evenings, but will now be an integrated part of your student's Sunday experience. This is to ease the schedule of your family, as well as enable leaders to have more time to focus on the students in their group, hopefully creating an even better environment for life change!

To get the most out of this environment, in it more important than ever for your student to consistently attend the same service, every week. So, for example, if you typically come to the 9:00am service, your Jr. High student will be placed in a Life Group with student their same grade and gender within The Spark for that service. If one week they attend the 10:30am service, they will not be able to be in a Life Group, instead they will have to participate in the "On Deck" group. There is only one service time for 4ORTY 2WO.

With that in mind, we hope that over the next few days, you will discuss with your student the goal of Life Groups as discussed above, and express your desire for him or her to sign up for a group. They can sign up this weekend and following weekends at The Spark or 4ORTY 2WO, or you can sign them up at the Habit Shack in The Student Zone during any of our weekend services. We hope to have sign ups available online as well in the very near future. Look for more information regarding that on this website.

Looking forward to having your student involved in Life Groups this year!!

Vitals - August 16th

The Spark (Jr. High) - August 16th
Message - "ELEMENTAL - construct..." by Kurt
Key Points:
God is the one that makes things GROW. It's our job to CONSTRUCT healthy habits.
You cannot grow CLOSER TO GOD if you don't spend TIME WITH HIM.
Do you want God more than ANYTHING ELSE?
Key Verses: Matthew 13:18-23
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 145
1st Service: 73 (62 students, 11 leaders)
2nd Service: 83 (71 students, 12 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - August 16th
Message - "ELEMENTAL - construct..." by Kurt
Discussion Questions:
"What are most looking forward to about starting school? What are you not looking forward to?"
"Was there a time that you felt particularly close to God? If so, what do you think caused you to feel that way?"
Key Points:
God is the one that makes things GROW. It's our job to CONSTRUCT healthy habits.
You cannot grow CLOSER TO GOD if you don't spend TIME WITH HIM.
Do you want God more than ANYTHING ELSE?
Key Verses: Matthew 13:18-23
Worship led by: Alex Wolfe and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 76 (67 students, 9 leaders)

Life Groups Sign Ups Begin This Weekend!!

This coming weekend, August 16th, your student will be able to sign up to be in a Life Group. This is a very important step in their spiritual journey!

Our goal is to create environments where students begin to "See and God sees, and Love as God loves." We do this through helping students build purposeful relationships, experience God for themselves and engage in opportunities to be actively involved in the cause of Christ by serving others. Each week in their Middle School or High School environments students will experience fun games, great food, rocking worship, a challenging talk, and most importantly a meaningful connection in a Life Group with other students their age and caring adult leaders.

Life Group is the environment where students can connect with other peers and a caring adult in our to process what God is doing in their lives and what they are learning. This is where their faith becomes their own and they can ask questions and build intimate relationships with others. Our program is changing so that Life Groups will no longer be on Wednesday evenings, but will now be an integrated part of your student's Sunday experience. This is to ease the schedule of your family, as well as enable leaders to have more time to focus on the students in their group, hopefully creating an even better environment for life change!

To get the most out of this environment, in it more important than ever for your student to consistently attend the same service, every week. So, for example, if you typically come to the 9:00am service, your Jr. High student will be placed in a Life Group with student their same grade and gender within The Spark for that service. If one week they attend the 10:30am service, they will not be able to be in a Life Group, instead they will have to participate in the "On Deck" group. There is only one service time for 4ORTY 2WO.

With that in mind, we hope that over the next few days, you will discuss with your student the goal of Life Groups as discussed above, and express your desire for him or her to sign up for a group. They can sign up this weekend and following weekends at The Spark or 4ORTY 2WO, or you can sign them up at the Habit Shack in The Student Zone during any of our weekend services. We hope to have sign ups available online as well in the very near future. Look for more information regarding that on this website.

Looking forward to having your student involved in Life Groups this year!!

Vitals - August 9th

The Spark (Jr. High) - August 9th
Message - "ELEMENTAL - merge..." by Katie
Key Points:
God never intended us to follow Jesus ALONE.
The purpose of MERGING in community is LIFE CHANGE.
Our RELATIONSHIP with other people reflect my relationship with GOD.
Key Verses: Ephesians 4:21-24, John 15:12-13
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 107
1st Service: 44 (34 students, 10 leaders)
2nd Service: 73 (62 students, 11 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - August 9th
Message - "ELEMENTAL - merge..." by Katie
Discussion Questions:
"What is something that you have experienced that has changed how you live?"
"When was the last time that you experienced conflict with a friend? How do you handle it?"
Key Points:
God never intended us to follow Jesus ALONE.
The purpose of MERGING in community is LIFE CHANGE.
Our RELATIONSHIP with other people reflect my relationship with GOD.
Key Verses: Ephesians 4:21-24, John 15:12-13
Worship led by: Alex Wolfe and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 57 (49 students, 8 leaders)

Vitals - August 2nd

The Spark (Jr. High) - August 2nd
Message - "ELEMENTAL - enter" by Kurt
Key Points:
When you start to FOLLOW Jesus, you ENTER a new life.
People can argue with BELIEF. No one can argue with your EXPERIENCE.
Jesus has called ME to INVEST in my friends, and INVITE them to follow Him.
Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Acts 4:18-20
Worship led by: Alex Wolfe and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 97
1st Service: 40 (31 students, 9 leaders)
2nd Service: 67 (57 students, 10 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - August 2nd
Message - "ELEMENTAL - enter" by Kurt
Discussion Questions:
"What was the last thing that happened to you that was so exciting that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about it?"
"Why do you think that people decide to start following Jesus?"
Key Points:
When you start to FOLLOW Jesus, you ENTER a new life.
People can argue with BELIEF. No one can argue with your EXPERIENCE.
Jesus has called ME to INVEST in my friends, and INVITE them to follow Him.
Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Acts 4:18-20
Worship led by: Alex Wolfe and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 57 (49 students, 8 leaders)

Arrival Update!

Well it's 6am and we are officially back in the state of Iowa. We will be stopping for breakfast on our way, so it looks like we will be back at Point of Grace around 8:00am. We will unload the buses together and then dismiss your student(s) to you after everything is cleaned up. Again, we will be back a little earlier than expected so the staff would appreciate your promptness. Its been an awesome trip, so make sure that your student(s) are there tomorrow for The Spark or 4ORTY 2WO, to celebrate all that God did in our lives this week @ FL!P Camp! Once again, thanks for allowing us the opportunity to partner with you by allowing your student to come with us on this incedible trip! See you in a few hours!

What An Amazing Night!!

It has been a truely incedible day at FL!P Camp! We have had an amazing time worshiping with Kristian Stanfill and David Crowder! Its great to see the students giving their all to God and just thanking and praising Him for Who He is and what He's doing in their lives! We have slap enjoyed many of the exciting attractions that Branson has to offer, even though yesterday was dampreed by the rain... The students have really been responding the the Challanges that Francis Chan has been giving them! Challanges to find a reason to worship in every circumstance, to see God for who He is, a Holy, All-Powerful Creator, and to realize that adding God to your life doesn't cut it... We need to hand over control of our lives completley to God and hold nothing back! Tonight he challanded them to confess their sins to each other and stop being lukewarm, trying to play both on God's team and stay on the world's team. We had tons of students moved to make life-altering decisions to give God their lives, all of their lives, tonight! Keep praying for your students! God is moving big time and they are catching on to God's plans for their lives! And we are having a ton of fun! Thanks again for allowing your student to join us for this trip! They will never be the same!!

what an amazing Night!!

We Made It!

Hey Parents!
We made it to Branson safely this at 7:00 am. We are now having breakfast and then heading off to Table Rock Lake! Thanks again for you patience last night and for allowing us to have your student come with us for what is sure to be a lifechanging week! We're will be keeping you updated on what's happening on this website, so check back often! Thanks again!

It is hard to believe, but FLIP Summer Camp 2009 is only about a week away! We are so pumped to have your student(s) joining us for this amazing trip! It promises to be one of the best trips of the year and we are sure it will be life changing for you student as they experience the beauty of the Ozarks, community with their friends and leaders and experience God through worship and the teaching of his world by some of the best worship leaders and communicators in the country! We can't wait!!

Here are a few last minute details that we want you to be aware of as we approach the trip...

Registration is MANDATORY for both students and their parents before we leave for camp. Registration will be held at 9:00pm on Sunday night, July 19th in the Student Zone at Point of Grace. At registration, parents will be given a registration packet containing vital information for you while your student is away at camp, as well as sign the parental consent form. This is why is it important that at least one parent of each student is present at registration. In this packet will be their rooming list, as well as the cell phone numbers of the leaders on the trip so that you can contact them if you need to get a hold of your student while they are away. Also is the packet will be an itinerary for the week, as well as some outlines and prayer requests for you so that you can be praying for God to move in your student's life at camp this summer. We will be leaving for camp directly from Registration, so the students may come in their PJs if they want, because we will be on the bus overnight on the way to Branson.

We will leave Point of Grace around 10:30pm on Sunday night, July 19th and we will return to Point of Grace on Saturday morning, July 25th, around 9:00am.

Also to clarify some of the expectations for this trip, there are some things that are not allowed on this trip. Please do not have your student bring their cell phone, any prank supplies or any dangerous items, such as a pocket knives, fireworks or air-soft guns. THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONFISCATED AND MAY RESULT IN YOUR STUDENT BEING EXPELLED FROM CAMP. iPods, CD players, PSPs, and other personal media devices are allowed on this trip due to the long bus ride. However, they will be collected once we get to Branson, and will be returned the night before we leave so that they can re-charge them for the ride home. It would help them to put their name an a piece of tape and label their personal items. Also as a reminder, each student will need between $100-$150 in spending money for food and fun stuff while we are at camp. There will be about 10 meals (not counting snacks or late night pizza) that they will need to purchase for themselves.

While we are at camp, as well as the rest of the year, please reference our Parent "LIFELINE" website to get updates on what your students are learning, events descriptions as well as updated arrival times. Hopefully this is a helpful resource for you.

If you have any other questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to email us at students@pointofgrace.com or give us a call at 515.987.9595 between 9:00am and 4:00pm Tuesday - Thursday, and we will do everything we can to help you out. Thanks again for trusting us with your student as we go to camp together! Its going to be a great trip and we pray that it will be an incredible experience for your student that draws them closer to God and His plan for their life!

Vitals - July 5th

The Spark (Jr. High) - July 5th
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is...Creative" by Katie
Discussion Question:
"How could God use your interests to impact the lives of others?"
Key Points:
Our INTERESTS are a bridge to connect God to the HEARTS of other people.
God created us to REFLECT His love to the world.
Key Verses: Luke 19:10, Psalm 119:73-77
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 90
1st Service: 38 (32 students, 6 leaders)
2nd Service: 58 (52 students, 6 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - July 5th
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is...Creative" by Katie
Discussion Question:
"How could God use your interests to impact the lives of others?"
"What is something that you love to do with other people?"
"When was the last time that you experienced God outside of 'church'?"
Key Points:
Our INTERESTS are a bridge to connect God to the HEARTS of other people.
God created us to REFLECT His love to the world.
Key Verses: Luke 19:10, Psalm 119:73-77
Worship led by: Justin Willis and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 60 (54 students, 6 leaders)

Vitals - June 28th

The Spark (Jr. High) - June 28th
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is...Great" by Steven Furtick
Discussion Question:
"What would change in your life is you saw God more clearly?"
Key Points:
If God is GREAT, but not GOOD, we should all fear for our lives!
In light of the GLORY of God, how big is your PROBLEM?
God is GREAT (He's Capable), and He's GOOD (He's Loving).
Key Verses: Psalm 62:11-12a, Exodus 3:14, Lamentations 3:22-23
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 97
1st Service: 38 (29 students, 9 leaders)
2nd Service: 68 (58 students, 10 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - June 28th
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is...Great" by Steven Furtick
Discussion Question:
"What would change in your life is you saw God more clearly?"
"What was the last thing that you think God has done for you?"
"When was the last time that you felt that God let you down?"
Key Points:
If God is GREAT, but not GOOD, we should all fear for our lives!
In light of the GLORY of God, how big is your PROBLEM?
God is GREAT (He's Capable), and He's GOOD (He's Loving).
Key Verses: Psalm 62:11-12a, Exodus 3:14, Lamentations 3:22-23
Worship led by: Justin Willis and the 4ORTY 2WO Band
Attendance: 68 (60 students, 8 leaders)

Vitals - June 21st

The Spark (Jr. High) - June 21st
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is... Awesome" by Kurt
Discussion Question:
"What is an area of your life that you need God to take charge of?"
Key Points:
God has chosen to show how AWESOME He is through YOU.
When we only look at OURSELVES, we miss out on seeing GOD.
If we saw God's awesomeness more CLEARLY, we would live totally DIFFERENTLY.
Key Verses: Psalm 47:12, Exodus 33:15-20
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 73
1st Service: 27 (21 students, 6 leaders)
2nd Service: 62 (54 students, 8 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - June 21st
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is... Awesome" by Kurt
Discussion Question:
"What is an area of your life that you need God to take charge of?"
"What is something that you think is awesome?"
"What is an area that you usually look out for yourself first and others second?"
Key Points:
God has chosen to show how AWESOME He is through YOU.
When we only look at OURSELVES, we miss out on seeing GOD.
If we saw God's awesomeness more CLEARLY, we would live totally DIFFERENTLY.
Key Verses: Psalm 47:12, Exodus 33:15-20
Worship led by: Justin Willis and Key To The City
Attendance: 59 (51 students, 8 leaders)

Vitals - June 14th

The Spark (Jr. High) - June 14th
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is... Ready" by Scott Hodge
Discussion Question:
"What is one are of you life that we can pray for God to give you more courage?"
Key Points:
God Is Always Ready... ARE YOU?
A huge part of being to be used by God is if we are...
- Willing to look FOOLISH
- Willing to be FAITHFUL
Key Verses: Psalm 18:30, Matthew 9:36-37, 1 Corinthians 1:27
Worship led by: Justin Willis and The Spark Band
Attendance:
Total: 103
1st Service: 38 (29 students, 9 leaders)
2nd Service: 74 (64 students, 10 leaders)

4ORTY 2WO (High School) - June 14th
Message - "ONE PRAYER - God Is... Ready" by Scott Hodge
Discussion Questions:
"What do you think prayer is? What do you think it does?"
"When do you think keeps you from being used by God to do something huge for Him?"
"What is one are of you life that we can pray for God to give you more courage?"
Key Points:
God Is Always Ready... ARE YOU?
A huge part of being to be used by God is if we are...
- Willing to look FOOLISH
- Willing to live FLUIDLY
- Willing to be FAITHFUL
Key Verses: Psalm 18:30, Matthew 9:36-37, 1 Corinthians 1:27
Worship led by: Justin Willis and Key To The City
Attendance: 58 (49 students, 9 leaders)