Youth Group
may 5
END OF YEAR POTLUCK PARTY!
It's been a great year, so let's celebrate just like we started! Tonight we’ll hold a youth and parent end of year party in Fellowship Hall. There will be Minute-to-Win-It games (youth vs. parents), prizes and goodies bags. This will be potluck with fried chicken, lemonade provided by the church. We are asking each family to bring a dish to share (side, appetizer, dessert).
The celebration will be from 5-7pm.
april 28
BITTER SWEET GOODBYES
Join us as we say goodbye to Cade and Emma Stewart. After two years of working, playing and praying with us, their internships have come to an end. We'll celebrate our amazing interns, look back on all the fun from this year and talk about plans for next year. It will be bitter, but we'll have some sweet treats to make up for it.
Middle School 5-6pm
High School 6-7pm
april 21
HONORING EARTH DAY
I am thrilled that Rev. Whitney Booth Lockard will be joining yall tonight for youth group. We'll spend the first part of the evening getting to know each other better, then move outside to get our hands in some dirt! Cade and Emma Stewart are leading tonight!
Middle School youth group (5-6pm)
Combined dinner (6-6:30pm)
High School youth group (6:30-8pm)
april 14
MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-6:30pm)
We know that end-of-year-stress is upon us - exams, competitions, sports tournaments, graduation...it can all be too much! Tonight, we invite you to come unwind. Relax. Learn tools to use when things get stressful. We've invited a yoga instructor to join us. Bring a yoga mat if you have one - we'll have extras. Find God’s peace in the midst of the crazy!
HIGH SCHOOL (6:50-9:15pm)
NEW PLAN! We are going to see the musical Godspell at Oconee Youth Playhouse. The performance is based on the parables in Matthew, but told using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and comedy. It ends with the Last Supper and Crucifixion, emphasizing Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.
Oconee Youth Theater is located at 1050 Jamestown Blvd in Watkinsville. I've already purchased tickets and have extras. Meet at OYP at 6:50pm. Pick up 9:15pm. Please eat dinner beforehand. Bring money for snacks during intermission if you'd like.
april 7
GAME NIGHT
As you come back from Spring Breaks and long weekends, we have planned an easy, fun night to reconnect. Join us in the PIT for a round of games, energizers and just plain silliness.
Middle School youth group (5-6pm)
Combined dinner (6-6:30pm)
High School youth group (6:30-8pm)
march 31
HAPPY EASTER!!!
No youth group this week. Have a wonderful Easter Sunday. See you on the 7th.
march 24
YOUTH GROUP: Prayer Stations
The PIT has been transformed into interactive prayer stations focused on the days leading up to Easter. Youth will walk through the different rooms, reflecting on what each day must have felt like for Jesus and his disciples and what it means for the church today.
Middle School youth group (5-6pm)
Combined dinner (6-6:30pm)
High School youth group (6:30-8pm)
march 17
YOUTH GROUP: Looking at the Last Supper
Next week begins Holy Week. Tonight youth will gather around the table to break bread together. We’ll look at the life of Jesus and what that means for us today. We’ll talk about grace, confession, accountability, redemption. What does Easter Sunday really mean to you?
Note different times (MS 5-6, HS 6:30-8).
Middle School youth group (5-6pm)
Dinner will be served as part of youth group. Please pick up youth at 6pm.
High School youth group (6:30-8pm)
We'll meet in the PIT for youth group and dinner.
march 10
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP ONLY: 5-6:30pm
Last week was for high schoolers. Tonight is all about the middle schoolers! We’ll meet in the PIT for a round of games, followed by dinner and discussion.
march 3
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP ONLY: 6-8pm
Before Spring gets here, we want to have one last fire pit gathering. Join us at the Ness house for basketball, dinner and conversations around the fire pit with smores!
200 Glenwood Drive
FEBRUARY 25
YOUTH GROUP: Lent 101
Lent officially started two weeks ago with Ash Wednesday (2/14), but tonight we‘ll go over all things Lent. What even is Lent? How can I make this an intentional time to grow closer to God?
MS youth group (5:00 - 6:00 pm)
Combined dinner (6:00-6:30pm)
Thank you to the Stone and Page families for providing dinner tonight.
HS youth group (6:30-8:00pm)
FEBRUARY 18
no youth group
FEBRUARY 11
HS Super Bowl Watch Party
Thank you to Sadie for offering to host our high schoolers for the Super Bowl. Kick off is at 6:30pm, so plan to arrive a little before then to get situated. Everyone is asked to bring a snack, appetizer, dessert to share. Drinks and nachos provided by the Millers. Parents please plan to pick up sometime during half time, with all kids back home by the second half. (298 Lyndon Avenue)
No middle school youth group tonight.
FEBRUARY 4
YOUTH SUNDAY/ANNUAL MEETING
We have a big day today!
HS youth arrive to the PIT at 8am.
MS youth arrive to Fellowship Hall at 8:15am.
Wear you FPC t-shirt.
No youth group tonight.
JANUARY 28
YOUTH SUNDAY/ANNUAL MEETING PREP
We have a lot to prepare for February 4th! Tonight middle school will work on the Annual Meeting lunch plans. If your child is NOT planning to be here on 2/4 to help with lunch, please let me know. High school will do a full rehearsal of Youth Sunday in the Sanctuary. Send me your drafts by noon tomorrow.
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the Bruner and Lee families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
JANUARY 21
YOUTH SUNDAY/ANNUAL MEETING PREP
We have a lot to prepare for February 4th! Tonight middle school will learn about the Souper Bowl of Caring and talk about what they want to serve for the annual meeting. High school will bring all their ideas and drafts from our retreat to create a final plan for Youth Sunday. We need everyone to be in youth group these next two weeks!
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the Bawcum and Sapp families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
JANUARY 14
No youth group
Keep our high school group in your prayers as they are on their Winter Retreat.
JANUARY 7
EPIPHANY STAR WORDS
Epiphany marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas, celebrating the day when the Magi brought gifts to baby Jesus. It reminds us of who we are called to be as followers of Jesus. A ritual we’ve been practicing in youth group over the last few years is to select (actually God selects) a star word for the new year. Much like the star that guided the Magi to Bethlehem, our star words can help us live a year focused on God’s hopes for the world. I wonder what your word will be?
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the Bawcum and Sapp families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
DECEMBER 17
ELF MOVIE NIGHT!!!
The 3nd Sunday in Advent is all about Joy - and who better encapsulates joy than Buddy the Elf!?
Combined MS/HS (5-8pm)
Wear your Christmas jammies. Bring a cozy blanket and come ready to laugh and sing along with Buddy. We'll have an elf-inspired dinner, followed by watching the movie classic on the big screen. All the four main food groups will be represented - candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup!
Youth Parent Fellowship (5-8pm)
Meet in Fellowship Hall, then walk to a downtown restaurant to enjoy dinner together. Afterwards, come back for hot chocolate, cookies and the end of Elf!
YOUTH GROUP WILL RESUME ON JANUARY 7TH.
DECEMBER 10
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
To celebrate the 2nd Sunday in Advent, we’re hosting Christmas parties!
MS Party (12:15pm - 1:30pm)
Wear a fun Christmas sweater! Our party starts after worship, but if you are here, we invite Middle schoolers to sit together during worship (Lessons & Carols). At 12:15pm we'll gather in the PIT for lunch and white elephant gift exchange ($10 wrapped gift). Parents, pick up from the PIT at 1:30pm.
HS Party (6-8pm)
High schoolers will meet at the Ness house later that night for dinner, gifts and games. Wear something Christmasy. Please bring a wrapped snuggle gift ($20 - cozy blanket, animal, pillow).
DECEMBER 3
THE ADVENT STORY
It’s the 1st Sunday in Advent, but what does the Season of Advent even mean? Advent is a gift.
It is an invitation to slow down and look closely at your relationship with God. It is a time of expectation, preparation, anticipation and gratitude. Middle school youth group will be in small groups as we look at the four Sundays of Advent and what they mean for our faith journey. For high schoolers, we’ve invited your parents to join us for a special storytelling circle, followed by a time of wondering about ways we can reconnect with each other and our God incarnate this season.
Each family will also be gifted a special advent book to help you be more present this Advent Season.
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
We'll be meeting in small groups tonight to talk about Advent. Parents, I hope you will join us this morning for a special intergenerational Sunday School in Fellowship Hall.
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the Suggs and Owens families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
HS parents are invited to join their children tonight for youth group. We'll experience the same Godly Play story from the morning and talk about how to make this Advent season one filled with wonder and peace.
NOVEMBER 26
GRATITUDE GROUPS
As we come back from Thanksgiving break, we want to take some time in small groups to share how this month of gratitude has impacted your faith. What changes did this have on your daily outlook? Where did you feel God’s presence? How can you continue this practice into the season of Advent?
Advent may not start until next week, but we’re getting an early start!
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the Rooker and Cook families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
NOVEMBER 19
no youth group
Happy Thanksgiving!
NOVEMBER 12
GRATITUDE GAMES
Research has shown that consciously practicing gratitude can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. In fact, studies have found that a single act of thoughtful gratitude produces an immediate 10% increase in happiness. Let’s fill November with joy! We’ll show you some easy ways to make gratitude part of your everyday spiritual life. We’ll play games because we all know that play is a great way to show and share God’s love. We’ll laugh and have fun together, as we give thanks for this youth group community.
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the Phillips and Brooks families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
NOVEMBER 5
GRATITUDE AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Tonight we’ll begin a month of gratitude with a time of interactive worship, honoring All Saint’s Day. For protestants, this day is for “celebrating that all followers of Christ—both living and dead—are bound up together in Christ’s love, forming one community, one communion of saints.” Join us as we remember those saints who have died and lift up the living saints who continue to make this world a better place.
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the DeMaria and Holloway families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
OCTOBER 29
HALLOWEEN BOOO-LING!
It’s been a while, but we’re bringing it back - Halloween inspired bowling!! Costumes strongly encouraged - seriously, wear a costume. Dinner and games first, then bowling. Friends welcome - just email Miss Kim to let her know. Cost $10/ea.
5-7pm
Showtime Bowl, 555 Macon Highway, Athens
OCTOBER 22
PRAY WITH YOUR WHOLE SELF
Creative prayer encompasses emotions and embodiment. From dance to art to meditation, from labyrinth walking to sand trays, there are innumerable ways we can pray to God. Tonight, we’ll begin working on our PIT Prayer Room, with each grade level designing a prayer station.
MS Youth Group (5-6pm)
Combined Dinner (6-6:30pm)
Dinner will be provided by the Shannon and Bowden families.
HS Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
OCTOBER 15
PRAY FOR PEACE IN ISRAEL AND GAZA
Eternal God,
You know our history of complicated conflicts, tense polarization, and situations so politicized that we are afraid to say or pray anything. Yet we know you grieve the violence of war and condemn acts of terrorism. We know you grieve the historical suffering of Jews and Palestinians. May our prayers for peace be uttered out loud for all to hear, our prayers for diplomacy, and for difficult, yet faithful conversation to resume.
God, we groan in grief over the news of this war in Israel and Gaza. Pave a path toward peace in this age-old, tragic conflict. Protect the innocent wherever bombs of destruction fall. Be with those who are captured and the families of those who are captured. Offer a way out for those who are trapped. Awaken us to our common humanity, our common human needs no matter the walls we build.
Amen.
Teri McDowell Ott, editor and publisher of Presbyterian Outlook
(NO YOUTH GROUP TONIGHT)
OCTOBER 8
PRAY WITH AND FOR OTHERS
We do not pray alone. We pray, not only during our own good and bad times, but also in the good and bad times of other people and for all creation. Prayer encourages us to be aware of ourselves as well as those around us. Within the Christian tradition, praying with and for others is called intercessory prayer. Tonight, all are invited to share their prayers and to participate in praying for others.
Middle School youth group (5-6pm)
Combined MS/HS Dinner (6pm)
High School Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
OCTOBER 1
Youth Group: PRAY PERSISTENTLY AND HUMBLYJesus calls us to pray and not lose heart, even when it feels like our prayers go unanswered. How do we stay humble, trusting in God when we do not immediately see God responding to our prayer requests? Tonight, we’ll look at how we can use music as a spiritual tool to help us be persistent in our prayer life.
Middle School youth group (5-6pm)
Combined MS/HS Dinner (6pm)
High School Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
september 24
Play as a spiritual practice?!? Yes, it is! Laughing together, being our unfiltered, authentic selves, celebrating joy - God is present in each of these moments. So tonight, we will play! Ness Home, 200 Glenwood Drive, AthensMiddle School youth group (3-4pm)The pool will be open, and probably cold...but you're young! We'll also play some basketball. Bring a towel. Snacks provided.
High School Youth Group (5-7pm)Not planning on many high schoolers swimming tonight, so we'll have a little competition instead. Wear tennis shoes! Mr. Erik will be grilling up some dogs and brats. There'll be options for our vegetarians, chips and dessert too.
september 17
Youth Group: PRAYER as a corner piece of faithWe all know that prayer is central spiritual practice. I think of it like the corner pieces of a puzzle. It helps to shape the whole picture. As we begin a year exploring different pieces of faith, it feels important that we start with prayer. While it’s one of the first practices we learn as a child, it still feels hard to fully grasp. It seems like prayer should be simple, just talking to God. But we worry about how we are praying, if we are saying the right words or doing the right things, and we wonder if anyone is really listening. Tonight we’ll begin to dig into the practice of prayer. What does it mean to pray honestly?
Middle School youth group (5-6pm)
Dinner (6pm)Thank you to the Ear and Simmons families for providing dinner tonight.
High School Youth Group (6:30-8pm)
september 10
IN THE BEGINNING...This morning begins with middle school Sunday School class, Echo: The Story. Meet in the PIT at 9:45 for a time of fellowship and donuts before we gather in the classroom at 10am for our first class. At 11am, we’ll move upstairs to the Sanctuary for a special worship service led by our children!
At 5pm, middle school youth return to the PIT for our first youth group of the year, followed by combined ms/hs dinner in Fellowship Hall. High schoolers join us for dinner, then move on downstairs for our own kickoff of the year. Tonight will be all about reconnecting with each other.
